Special thanks to Emily for today’s guest post. I’ve experienced moves across state lines and there’s a lot to keep in mind as you do it! 

Moving to a different state is an exciting new chapter in your life, but Moving across the country can definitely be extremely stressful too. This is especially true if you’re moving somewhere completely unfamiliar or somewhere far away from your family. 

However, there are some ways you can prepare yourself for this huge transition in your life. Keep reading to discover the top tips on moving to a different state.

Research 

First of all, it’s crucial that you do your research before you make any firm decisions on moving. This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised to know how many people impulsively move to a new state thinking that this will solve all their problems. Making these impulsive decisions could mean that you don’t think through some key factors and end up regretting the move. So, whether you’re looking for a house for sale in Sacramento, California, or Naples, Florida, make sure you do your research and really consider whether a new life in this state would be right for you and your family.

Find a home

Once you’ve decided that you want to move to a particular state, you’ll need to find the right neighborhood and, of course, your new home. To start this process, you’ll need an experienced real estate agent who’s extremely knowledgeable about the area you want to move to. Your real estate agent will be able to give you plenty of further advice and information about your chosen neighborhood and your expectations for a home in the area. Additionally, you should remember to consider the amenities and services near your potential home, such as stores, restaurants, and schools.

Find a moving company

After you’ve bought your dream home, the moving process can truly get started. To move across the country, you’ll need to find a reputable and reliable moving company that can safely transport your belongings. To find the right moving company, you should check as many online reviews as possible and also ask your friends and family for recommendations. If you know someone who’s moved recently, they should be able to give you some helpful advice.

Declutter

The cost of transporting your belongings will depend on the overall weight of everything that you’re moving, so you should definitely do a big declutter before you pack. To start decluttering, work your way through each room in your home and ask yourself if each item serves a purpose in your life. Remember that you can purchase more items once you move, so you don’t need to hold onto things ‘just in case’ they might be useful.

Pack early

Finally, make sure you start decluttering and packing as soon as possible. Moving to a different state is a massive undertaking, so you don’t want to be panicking and rushing around at the last minute. To reduce your stress levels as much as you can, start packing early – you can pack away non-essential items early on and then only leave out the essentials until you have to move. 

Overall, these tips will help you prepare properly and avoid stress (as much as possible) during your move, so make sure you don’t forget them!