How to Move to Another State

One of the great things about living in the United States is right there in the first word — united. Despite being assembled from fifty different states, those states form one country that doesn't require you to go through customs every time you want to cross a state border. No passports, no security — you can simply drive across the state line in your car.

Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't still differences between the states. Each state has different laws, and you have to be aware of them when you move from one place to another. These legal aspects are rarely a big deal if you're traveling, but if you're permanently moving to a new state, plenty more is involved.

Tips for Moving

Even if you're just relocating to the other side of a city, moving can be a complicated process. With the changes that come with crossing state lines, that complexity only increases. Fortunately, if you have an idea of what to expect, you can plan ahead for all the necessary tasks and be better prepared to handle them. Here are some of the best moving tips for going to another state.

1. Get Organized

Before you begin to pack or plan, you'll want to get your thoughts in order so you're mentally equipped for the task ahead.

This process starts with research. Go online and look up any relevant laws you'll need to be aware of, like those related to changing your driver's license. Get a sense of how long the trip will be and how much you'll need to spend. Take an inventory of your current home to determine how many things you'll need to move.

Essentially, start by gathering broad information about what the process will look like for you. Once you have that picture in mind, you can move on to the specifics.

2. Make a Checklist

Once you have the basic idea of what lies ahead of you, start honing in on specific tasks. Based on the laws you found, what forms will you have to submit? Looking at the commute, what mode of transportation will work best? What will your bank account need to look like to cover all the necessary expenses? What's the best way to move the assortment of items you have in your home?

As you answer these questions, formulate them into a list. Put it down onto a page, and organize it all as you see fit. Look at what has to be done by which deadlines, and schedule everything accordingly. It may take some mental effort, but once you have it down in a list it can be easier to manage. All you'll have to do from there is complete and check off each item.

3. Start Budgeting

Like it or not, expenses are part of the moving process. Gas, moving services and your new home itself may all be a part of your budget, so you'll want to make sure you're prepared.

Look back at the research and planning you did to figure out what the various expenses may be, and how much they'll cost. Then come up with a total estimate for how much money you'll need, aiming a bit high to account for anything unexpected, and start saving. This aspect of the process makes it advantageous to start planning early, giving you more time to save up what you need.

4. Check With Your Employer

You may simply be moving to a new state for a change of scenery or to be near family or friends. If you're moving because of a job, however, your new employer might be willing to help you out. Many businesses offer financial support to new employees in the form of covering certain moving expenses.

Check with your employer to see if they're among these businesses. If you're still in the hiring process when this discussion happens, don't be afraid to negotiate to get the most that you can.

5. Scrap Unneeded Items

If you're like most people, you probably have items in your home that you don't really need. Whether they were never useful to start with or have grown outdated, be aware of these things when you're taking inventory of your belongings. In many cases, they're probably not worth the effort to pack and transport.

Use your move as an opportunity to clear out those unneeded items. Since you're already cleaning out your entire home, you might as well let it double as a sort of spring cleaning. Throw out, donate or sell anything you don't want anymore — it'll make your moving load much lighter.

6. Update Your Paperwork

As you go about everything else, keep the legal changes you researched in mind. Many of them will require you to fill out various forms, whether for your healthcare or your driver's license.

Don't procrastinate when it comes to filling out legal forms. Government processing is often slow, and the last thing you want is to find yourself stuck in limbo for an extended period of time between the day you cancel your old tax and healthcare information and the day you start their replacements.

It's not just government forms, either — any institutions that need your address, such as your insurance company, will need to be notified about you moving between states. Also, make sure you have things like utilities, internet and electricity set up before you move into your new home. That way when you arrive, you'll be able to settle down and make yourself at home from the start.

7. Pick a Reputable Moving Company

Once you've gone through your to-do list, organized your belongings and filled out all the right forms, the day will finally come for you to make the trip to your new home. Unless you're leaving a tiny apartment and not taking any of the furniture with you, you won't be able to fit everything in your car.

The best solution to this problem is to look at the available moving companies for help transporting your items. Moving trucks provide ample room for bulky items like furniture, not to mention the boxes of smaller items you have.

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Contact BNT Movers for Help With Your Out-Of-State Move

Looking for a good moving company to help you move into your new home? BNT Movers has your back. We provide full moving services across northeast Pennsylvania, even packing and unpacking your belongings for you if you desire. We'll help you make your move across state lines as smooth as it can be, providing high-quality customer service along the way.

To get started on your moving process, get in touch with us today!

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