What to Consider Before Moving

Contemplating a move to another state? Think about these things first

Moving is more than just choosing a date and packing your things, especially when you’re relocating to another state or across the country. There are many factors to consider before booking a moving service.

Let’s review what you’ll want to figure out before committing to a move.

Make sure moving is right for you

“Should I move?” is a common question, and the answer isn’t always simple. To find the best answer, you’ll need to consider the following:

• Career opportunities
• Family needs, like childcare or schools
• Financial impacts (moving expenses and cost of living adjustments)
• Lifestyle changes in a new city

Pro tip: Making a list of the pros and cons of moving can help!

Have a plan for where to live

Choosing where to live is perhaps the biggest decision to make before planning a move. Where you establish a home can affect daily life, including climate, cost of living, recreation, social connections and more. If you’re moving for a job, make sure to review commute times when looking at potential neighborhoods. 

Set a realistic budget

In addition to knowing how you’ll support yourself in a new city, you’ll need a plan to cover the cost of relocating. These expenses can add up, especially for out-of-state and cross-country journeys. 

Create a budget for your long-distance move and include additional funds you may need to set up your new household. 

Plan a moving timeline that works for your schedule

You might have a clear moving timeline for a job relocation, or your plans could be more open. 

Here are some things that can affect your moving schedule:

• Children’s school calendars
• Giving notice to a current employer
• Major life changes (adoption, birth, divorce, marriage, etc.)
• Prior commitments
• Rental leases
• Weather

Prepare your current home for a move

Homeowners will need a plan for renting out the house or listing it for sale. Check out the local real estate market for current trends to help with your decision. Try these quick projects to improve curb appeal to help you get the best sale price.

Renters should check the lease end date and confirm any fees they may owe to break the rental agreement.

Evaluate your belongings

Think about what things you would want to bring with you to a new home. Before a move is an excellent time to declutter belongings. How much stuff you have can affect moving expenses and the time it takes to pack and load. 

Still not sure about moving?

If you’re still on the fence, it might be best to wait until the decision to move is clearer. If you can, try speaking to others who have made similar moves. 

Another option is to find short-term housing for a trial move to make sure the new city is a good fit before committing to a long-term stay.

Ready to book your move?

If you’ve determined that moving long-distance is best for you, don’t miss out on a free moving quote from U-Pack®. We’re a self-moving service available in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant or request your quote online.

If you have questions about U-Pack services or if you think we missed a moving consideration, let us know in the comments! 

Use our moving checklist to stay on track!