Often, a change of scenery is exactly what you need to get to start a new life. Moving to another state can be a pleasant but risky change. Here are a few ways to make your transition across the country as smooth as possible.
1. Find A Place To Live
Ideally, you will want to find a home before making your big move. This process can be lengthy even if you are just moving up the street, but when you are transitioning to another state, be prepared to perform a more involved search. When searching for a home, you will need to be very detailed as you are likely unable to go and visit the place too many times (or at all) before actually moving in. Shop prices as they correlate to geographics to make sure you are getting the best deal.
2. Contact A Realtor
A local real estate agent may be exactly what you need to make sure that the neighborhood that you are moving into is a safe environment. Working with a realtor will give you insight as to what to expect in certain areas, which neighborhoods to avoid, and which places will cater to your desires.
3. Research Nearby Schools
Before locking in on your final decision, you should research the surrounding schools. As you already know, the school district can have a drastic effect on your child’s education so it is a safe practice to call the schools directly, visit their websites, check their rosters, and search for any additional information lingering online.
4. Check The Crime Rate
Unknowingly moving into a neighborhood with a high crime rate is a disaster waiting to happen. Though it is often difficult to determine whether a place is safe or not by examining pictures, there are many sources online to aid you with this process. There are public records available on the internet that will reveal the level of crime in certain areas, the names and addresses of registered sex offenders, and other useful information.
5. Find A Moving Company
Unless you are planning to do the job yourself, you will need to choose a moving company. While the price can be fairly inexpensive for a city to city move, skipping states can burn a hole in your pocketbook. Shop around to find a budget-friendly moving company and be sure to check the reviews to make sure they are credible.
6. Make A Decision Regarding Your Vehicles
Decide on whether you want to drive, ship, or sell your vehicle(s). Depending on the condition of your vehicle and the length of the drive, you may or may not want to take a chance on driving it across state lines. If you aren’t sure as to whether the vehicle will hold up, you should consider selling it before you move and purchasing another once you are all set up. Alternatively, you can just get your car shipped to your destination. Just be prepared to spend a decent amount of money if you are traveling a distance.
7. Make Certain That Your Utilities Are Move-In Ready
Moving into your new home with no electricity doesn’t make the best first impression. Double check that all of your utilities will be turned on the day of your move-in.
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