Moving homes is an exciting milestone, but in no way should the responsibility that comes with it be downplayed. If you’re itching for a change, there’s a good chance you’re getting caught up in the excitement of a new home. But have you given a thought as to how your life will be from then on? To plan out your life’s next chapter, you should seriously start evaluating your options months before your move.
An important part of this is the questions to ask yourself before moving. After all, knowing just why and where you’re moving to is the first step to a happy, new life. Once you address these questions, your decisions become much more clear and firm. Before you get distracted by your thoughts, here are some questions to ask yourself before moving.
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This is the first question you should be asking yourself when you decide to relocate to a new place. Are you moving for a serious reason or simply for a change of scenery? Define the purpose of your move, whether it is for a job, for a relationship or to be closer to your family. When you define this aspect, you immediately know which cities to look for.
You need to ask yourself this question to define your short and long-term goals. Without a purpose on your plate, you will be clueless in the new city and the excitement of being in a new place will soon wane off.
See Also: Do’s and Don’ts When You Are Moving Out for the First Time
Answering a question like this makes it easier to adjust to your new life, since your requirements from the new place will be defined by who you are moving with.
If you’re moving with your family, you need to look for a neighborhood with good schools and parks. If you’re moving alone, you need a city with a fun culture, recreational centers, a good nightlife scene, and so on. In case you are a working professional, you need to look up what the transport system’s like in the new city.
The last thing you want to do is make decisions in the spur of the moment. Remember that moving is a life-altering event where you turn your entire home upside down. That’s why you should properly think it over. If you want to move because of a bad experience you had in your current city, give it some time rather than rushing away.
Think things over and ask yourself if it’s the right time. Factors like your family’s health, the economy, and your job security should be considered before you make a decision to move.
You should also have an idea about how long you want to stay in the new place. If you’re planning on living there for a short while, it doesn’t make sense to buy a house. In that case, look for good rental options.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on staying there for the long term, start researching the real estate and mortgage laws of the place. If you’re a young couple moving to start a new life, you should look for good cities to raise a family. This way, you don’t have to move again when you bear children.
Moving is expensive. The cost of moving your belongings, the travel costs, and the security deposit for your new place can really add up. That’s why you should start saving money as soon as you decide to relocate.
It’s never too early to start saving and if you’re tight on cash, there are ways to lower the moving costs. You can also look into getting a loan to finance your move. Ideally, you should save up at least 3-6 months of living expenses. Besides this, try maintaining an emergency fund account in case of worst-case scenarios like you losing your job.
The last thing you want is to move to a new city and not have a job. That’s why you should research the employment opportunities in the city before making the move. Not only can you find out what the current job market looks like, but you can also find out what the living expenses are like.
If you’re moving for a job, make sure the company is willing to reimburse your relocation costs with a job relocation package. If they’re not, it’s best to look for other companies that are more relocation-friendly. Look for highly paid jobs and research if your profession is valued in the state you’re moving to.
This is an important question, especially if you have elderly family members or small children. You need to make sure that the healthcare system in the new city is good. Do some research on the hospitals and clinics in the area and find out if they’re up to par. In case someone in your family has a specific ailment, research if there are specialty hospitals to treat it in the city.
You should also look into getting health insurance before making the move. This way, you’re covered in case of any medical emergencies. In case you’re moving with pets, research the vets in the area and find out if they’re reputable.
This is an important factor to consider, especially if you’re moving to a new city/state. The cost of living can really vary from place to place. In some places, it’s very expensive to live, while in others it’s very affordable. Compare all costs against your income and check if you can lead a comfortable life in the new city.
You need to make sure that you’ll be able to afford the cost of living in the new city/state. Look into the average prices of groceries, gas, rent, and utilities. Also, find out if there are any discounts or deals that you can take advantage of.
Before making the move, you should research the laws of the state or city you’re moving to. This is important because you need to know what you can and cannot do in the new place. For example, some states have very strict gun laws, while others are more lenient. Some places have absolutely bizarre laws, like no one being allowed to secretly loiter or eavesdrop in Oklahoma!
You should also be aware of the tax laws of the state. In some states, there’s no income tax, while in others, it’s very high. Research all these things before making the move so that you’re not caught off guard.
This is an important question to consider, especially if you have children. You need to make sure that the schools in the new city are good. Research the schools in the area and find out their ratings. Also, find out if there are any scholarships or financial aid available.
In case you’re moving for education, do your research and pick an institute that’s right for you. Consider all your options and go for a school that offers a good education at an affordable price. A good way to judge a city’s education system is whether it has a balance of private and public schools.
Safety should be one of your top priorities when moving to a new city. No matter how great the city is, if it’s not safe, it’s not worth it. Do some research on the crime rates in the area and find out if it’s a safe place to live.
You can also talk to people who have lived in the city and get their opinion on the safety of the place. If you’re moving with your family, make sure you’re moving to a safe neighborhood. Scour the depths of the internet for this like reading Reddit threads to get the ground-level view of the city’s safety.
See Also: Cheapest Ways to Move Out of State
Without friends, settling in your new home can get pretty lonely. It’s always easier when you have friends in the city you’re moving to. This way, you have someone to show you around and help you get settled in. After all, you want a home filled with friends on the day of your housewarming!
If you don’t have any friends in the city, try reaching out to people on social media or through apps like Meetup. There are usually groups of people who are looking to make friends in the new city. You can also look for roommates on websites like Craigslist or Roomster.
In some cases, you might not need to move everything you own. For example, if you’re moving away to a university, you can probably leave your furniture behind. On the other hand, if you’re moving for a job, you’ll probably need to bring all your belongings with you. Make a list of all the things you need and figure out what you can leave behind.
At times, people have a sentimental attachment to their belongings. In such cases, it’s okay to pay for moving costs rather than buying replacements in the new place.
If you have a lot of belongings that you don’t need, you can hold a garage sale. This is a great way to downsize your belongings and make some extra money. It’s also a lot of fun!
To have a successful garage sale, you need to do some planning. First, come up with a list of things you want to sell. Then, price everything accordingly. Make sure you have enough change and that your prices are reasonable. You’ll also need to make some signs advertising your sale. Put them up in your neighborhood and online. Finally, set a date for the sale and promote it well.
Self-moving is when you move your belongings yourself without hiring a moving company. This can be a great way to save money, but it’s not for everyone. Before you decide to self-move, make sure you’re physically and mentally prepared for it.
You’ll need to pack and unpack everything yourself. You’ll also need to move all your belongings yourself. Yes, DIY moves can seem fun but they’re a lot of work. So, make sure you’re up for the challenge before you commit to it. Ideally, a DIY move is more feasible for a short distance, so keep that in mind.
If you’re not up for a self-move, you can always hire a professional moving company. But with so many companies out there, it can be hard to choose one. When you’re looking for a moving company, make sure you do your research. Read online reviews and compare prices. Be sure to get quotes from different companies before you make your decision.
You should also ask the company questions about their services. For example, find out if they offer storage options. This can be helpful if you need to store some of your belongings before you move into your new home. Make sure to be thorough with your research and pick a well-vetted company. This is one of the important questions to ask yourself before moving, but make sure you get it answered at least a month before the move. Rushing through this decision will get you nowhere.
When you hire movers, it’s customary to tip them. The amount you tip depends on the quality of service you receive. If you’re happy with the service, a 15-20% tip is usually appropriate. It’s a way of telling them that you appreciate their hard work.
If you’re not satisfied with the service, you don’t have to tip. In fact, some people believe that it’s better to not tip in this case. This way, the company knows that they need to improve their services.
See Also: Moving Day Safety Tips to Avoid Injuries
There are some additional services that you might need when you move. For example, if you have antiques, artworks, or expensive china, you might need to hire special movers who are trained in handling these items.
If you want your vehicle or vintage car moved, you’ll need to hire an auto mover. They’ll be able to transport your car safely to your new home. Once you answer this question, you’ll automatically figure out the ways to conduct your move.
When you move, your belongings are covered by the moving company’s insurance. However, if you want additional coverage, you can purchase it. This is especially important if you have expensive items that you don’t want to risk losing or damaging.
Before you decide whether or not to buy additional insurance, ask the moving company about their policies. They should be able to tell you what’s covered and what’s not. You can then make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase additional insurance.
The date of your move will depend on a few different factors. For example, if you’re moving for a new job, you’ll need to coordinate with your employer. You’ll also need to take into account the availability of movers.
If you’re moving during the summer or between April and September, be aware that this is the busiest time for moving companies. So, you might have to pay more for their services. You’ll also need to book your move well in advance.
On the other hand, if you’re not moving for a specific reason, you can choose any date that’s convenient for you. Just be aware of the weather and holidays. These can make moving more difficult because of the traffic and peak bookings.
No matter how well you plan, there’s always a chance that something can go wrong. For example, if your moving company cancels on you at the last minute, what will you do?
It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan for your belongings. For example, you can store them in a storage unit or have a friend or family member help you out. If you’re planning on moving overseas, it’s important to have a backup plan for your visa. This way, you’ll be prepared if things go haywire.
Summing Up
These are some questions you should ask yourself before the big move! By answering these questions, you’ll be able to plan your move more effectively. You’ll also be prepared for any problems that might arise. Remember that these aren’t questions that should be overlooked, but instead answered as soon as possible. The more clear your answers, the more clarity you have, and the more organized you’ll be.
Yes, moving is a tiring and complex activity, but not if you plan it well! You can plan your move months in advance, talk to friends who have had moving experience, and prepare yourself for the moving day.
There are a few ways to save money on your move. You can do it yourself, rent a moving truck, or ship on a trailer. Shipping on a trailer is comparatively cheap since you pay by linear feet and only for the space your belongings occupy. You can also downsize so you’re not moving too much, or do a hybrid move where you pack and unpack everything, but hire a company to do the loading, transportation, and unloading.
There are some risks associated with moving, such as losing your belongings or damaging them. However, these risks can be minimized by planning your move carefully and hiring a reputable moving company.
If you have to cancel your move, you should contact your moving company as soon as possible. They may be able to refund your money or help you reschedule for a later time.
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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