Moving states can be exciting. New climate. New job. New places to explore.
But packing up your life for a fresh start in another part of the country can be stressful, too. Luckily, with proper planning it doesn’t have to be.
With operations in nine states from coast to coast, Taylor Morrison knows a thing or two about helping our new home buyers relocate. Whether you’re headed to a new Phoenix home in the desert or moving to the growing Raleigh, NC real estate market – we’ve got you covered.
Follow these basic guidelines and your big move will be smooth and worry-free. It’s all part of being America’s Most Trusted Home Builder.
Make a Budget and Start Saving
Moving cross-country costs money. From renting a truck to insurance, hotel stays along the way, boxes & other materials and a whole lot more. Planning ahead for these expenses alleviates a lot of the stress.
Trying to plan a long-distance move while spending as little money as possible may not be worth the associated headaches. Budget enough cash to do it right.
Lay out a Master Plan
Put together a checklist of everything that needs to be done to complete your move. Start knocking the items off your list that can be completed in advance.
Sell, Donate or Toss
The less you have to move the less it will cost – and the less lifting you’ll do to get it all into the truck. Take an honest look at your things and be ruthless in cleaning house.
Two words: Garage Sale.
Get to Know Your Options
There are three main ways for moving your stuff from A to B. Each comes with pros & cons. Never presume that one strategy is 100% right for you until you’ve got an estimate for each option. Sometimes hiring professional help can be more affordable than you might think.
- Professional Movers: Going the full-service route means that someone else will pack, load, ship and unpack all your belongings. Including heavy furniture and awkward to carry items. It’s the most expensive choice but saves your back and allows you to focus on other aspects of the move.
- Moving Truck Rental: If you’re comfortable driving a large vehicle and navigating with side mirrors, renting your own truck is generally going to be the most economical option. Bear in mind that you’ll need to study up on packing techniques to ensure all your things arrive safe and sound to the other side. Figure out how much packing space you require so that you don’t overpay for a bigger truck than you need.
- Shipping Container: PODS or Door-to-Door services are a blend of the two. A shipping container is dropped in your driveway. You load it up. Throw on your own padlock and find it sitting in your new driveway on the other side. This is a fantastic service when you don’t know your move-in date as some companies will store your container at their facility until you’re ready.
If you can’t afford a full-service mover but need help loading up sofas, beds, wardrobes and other large furnishings, look into hiring a local mover just for the day to bring temporary muscle in for the heaviest jobs.
An Accurate Estimate for Your Move
Doing an accurate price comparison between moving companies will require that you put together a full inventory of everything that needs to be moved. Never rely on online quote forms as they may discover extra work the day of your move and charge you accordingly. If you’ve got a heavy armoire or piano on the second floor, let this be known so that the estimates you receive are the real price.
Pro Tip: May-September is peak season in the moving industry. You’ll likely get a better price moving during the fall, winter or early spring. Schedule your move-out date for a weekday for further savings.
Protect Your Stuff
The purchase of moving insurance is a must. Consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a step-by-step walkthrough of finding the right plan to suit your needs.
REMEMBER: Never pack valuables to be shipped even if you’ve bought insurance. Keep cash, jewelry, collectibles and all irreplaceable family heirlooms in your personal luggage at all times.
Get Your Ducks in a Row
Moving to a new state means a new driver’s license, updates to your car insurance policy and potentially different traffic laws. Read Driving in Your New State by DMV.org for helpful tips on getting these administrative tasks done right.
You’ll also need to start your official USPS® change of address to ensure mail sent to your old home is forwarded on to your new place.
Pro Tip: Find out in advance what you’ll need to do to get the utilities turned on in your new home before you arrive. You’d hate to arrive ready to move in and find that the electricity and water are shut off. It’s a good idea to have internet & cable ready to roll, too.
Bonus Tips
- Hoard packing materials well in advance of your move. Boxes, bubble wrap, newspaper.
- Put together an “open first” box and keep it accessible. Include all the essentials you need for a comfy night number one in your new place.
- Label. Label. Label. It seems like a lot of extra work but you’ll be glad you did it when you get to the other side. It can sometimes be months until you unpack every box – proper labeling makes it easy to find the things you need in a pinch.
- Clean as you go.
- If you’re driving, pack a cooler with everything you need for lunch. This way the only long stop you’ll need to make is for dinner.
Thinking about Moving but don’t Know Where?
Hate the weather where you live? Looking to jumpstart your career? Frustrated with the cost of a new construction home in your region?
Maybe you’re just one of those people who gets the itch to move when the grass grows under your feet.
Get started on your new home search with our helpful home finder:
If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further.
- Some like it hot! Check out three of our most popular sun destinations: Fort Myers & Naples, Atlanta and Houston
- For more fun in the sun, consider a new home in Oviedo, FL just outside of Orlando.
Additional Reading:
When it comes to moving cross-country you can never be too informed. Here is a selection of related articles from the Second House on the Right blog.
- Where are Americans Moving To? – Taylor Morrison builds new homes in 5 of the top 10 hottest markets in the country. Find out where people are moving and why.
- Moving to Your New Home – Helpful tips on how to physically load up your stuff and get it into your new house. A great resource for those moving locally, too.
- Smart Home Moving Tips – A checklist, hacks and some cool ways to let friends & family know about your big move.
- Interest Rates and More – Tools & tricks for budgeting, financing and navigating interest rates.
