Moving out of state? Here are 21 steps you need to take.

Moving can be stressful (we all know this). But moving out of state can be even more stressful than the local moves you’ve done in the past. Not only will you need to figure out a way to transport and ship your belongings, but you’ll also need to navigate a different set of laws and regulations in an area you may be unfamiliar with. Long-distance moves to a different state can be expensive, stressful and difficult to achieve without careful planning and the help of knowledgeable pros. 

For your upcoming out-of-state move, make it easier on yourself. Follow these simple moving tips to avoid costly mistakes, prevent stress and even save money. 

How to decide if you should move to another state.

Not sure if moving to another state is right for you? Here are several steps you should always take before you make a decision.

1. Research the cost of living in other states.

Before you make any decisions about moving out of state, make sure you can afford to live there. It may seem like a no-brainer, but always research the cost of living. This can include:

• Average home prices and rent. Use your favorite home and apartment listing websites to get a good idea of how much it will cost to live in your new city and state. If you’re building a new home, also consider the cost of labor and materials in that state.
• Taxes. Research state income taxes, property taxes and even retirement income taxes. 
• Transportation costs. Figure out how much it typically costs to take public transportation, register a vehicle, car insurance and even gas prices.
• Healthcare costs. Find out how much you’ll need to pay for healthcare in your new state.

2. Consider your job situation.

If you’re moving for a new job, congratulations! If you don’t have a job lined up for you when you move, then you must make a plan for supporting yourself until you find a job. It can take several weeks, months or longer to scope out openings, schedule interviews and get hired. Before choosing a new state to live in, it’s always wise to research the job market in your city and state to see which industries and companies are actively hiring, freezing their openings or laying off staff.

If your plan is to stay with your current employer, you will need to learn if your job has an office near where you’re moving to or if they offer remote work opportunities. Your employer may not operate from your new state for legal or tax reasons. Be aware of these restrictions before you move out of state.

3. Research different cities and neighborhoods.

Before settling on a specific city or neighborhood, take some time to research your top picks. When researching, consider:

• Weather and seasonal storms
• Crime rates
• Laws and regulations
• School systems and districts
• Public transportation options
• Dining, nightlife, entertainment and other attractions
• Climate and health score
• Walking scores (if you don’t have a car, you may want to live in a neighborhood where you can easily walk to stores and work)

Make a list of your top must-haves for your new home, and narrow down the list of cities in your new state as you’re doing your research. 

4. Visit several homes in person (or virtually).

When moving to a different state, you may have an urge to rely on photos and “virtual tours” to preview the apartment or house instead of visiting the property in person before moving in. While renting or buying “sight-unseen” may be the only option available, try to avoid this. Disreputable property owners may opt to avoid problem spots and red flags in photo tours and virtual tours. Virtual tours may also not capture issues with the building, such as poor maintenance or bad neighbors.

If you must rent or buy sight-unseen, do your homework. Ask for a real-time virtual tour over Skype or FaceTime. Write down questions ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to ask your realtor or potential landlord many questions. And if you have a trusted friend or family member who lives in the area, ask them to visit the property on your behalf and to do a video call as they’re touring the property and neighborhood. 

Consider hiring a realtor or agent to help you search for and check potential properties that are up to your standards. Take the time to learn about the neighborhood and – if possible – speak to your potential neighbors and local businesses or organizations. This will give you an indication of the neighborhood’s character and energy.

Steps to take before you start packing and moving.

So you’ve made the decision to move out of state — now, the real fun (and work) begins! Before you begin the moving process and start packing, complete these steps first.

5. Declutter, declutter, declutter.

Save yourself money, time and stress by getting rid of as much stuff as possible before you start moving. Declutter every room, closet and storage area. Sell unwanted or unused items (that are still in good shape) online, have a yard sale or ask your friends, family and neighbors to take them off your hands. Call local charities to see if they’ll pick up your old clothes or furniture for free.

If you can’t find somewhere to donate these items (or find someone to buy them off you), hire a junk removal service to haul them away. Trust us — the less stuff you have to haul across state lines, the less stressed you’ll feel. 

Related: How much does junk removal cost?

6. Take measurements in your new home.

A common mistake made when moving is not properly measuring rooms, doors and hallways. Large items in your current home (or the new items you plan to buy) may be a challenge to move through narrow hallways and doors, up staircases or through hallways with tight corners in your new home. Even if you manage to get your item inside, it may scuff the floor or hallway paint, leading to costly repairs.

Know the length, width and breadth of all your furniture and appliances. Have a plan to safely move them. Depending on the item, you may need padded covers, floor protectors and edge pads.

7. Decide if your moving company will help with packing.

It may be tempting to think that you can just rent a truck, pack up your belongings, drive to another state and be able to move with no issues. True, this may be the case if you’re moving to a small community or if you have a small army of helpers. But for many people, the logistics of packing up a lot of stuff, figuring out things like loading zones, local traffic, and protective moving equipment (such as padded furniture covers) are best handled by professional movers. 

Consider contacting several moving companies near you. Ask them about their services. For example, some movers offer help with packing (and unpacking). Some also provide storage for belongings you want to ship ahead of time. Hiring movers with additional services will likely cost more money — but it may save you valuable time and help you stress less during your out-of-state move.

8. Estimate your total moving costs.

Moving can be expensive — especially out-of-state moves. Compared to local moves, moving to a different state requires more mileage, which means moving companies will charge you more. 

So when figuring out your out-of-state moving budget, you will need to consider the following:

• How far you’re moving. Gas costs and traveling fees can add up quickly if you’re moving long-distance, out of state or across the country. Get estimates from several moving companies near you to estimate your moving costs.
• How much you’re moving. The number and weight of your items can lead to higher gas costs and will require more movers to load and unload. Ask your movers how much it will cost to move all of your items before you hire a professional.
• Cost of moving specialty items. Pool tables, pianos, hot tubs and artwork are typically considered specialty items and may cost more to move due to their fragility and insurance needs. Chat with several movers to figure out how much it will cost to move (and protect) these items when moving out of state. 
• Equipment and truck rental costs. If you plan to move out of state without the help of professional movers, keep in mind you’ll need to factor in the cost to buy or rent moving equipment. This includes truck rentals or vans, moving trailers, dollies and more.
• Shipping and storage fees. If your items are arriving before your move-in day, you will need to factor in the cost to ship and store them temporarily.
• Moving insurance. Most movers will charge you a fee for basic moving insurance, and possibly additional fees for specialized loads. This protects the mover from any accidental damage that may occur to your load during the move. Check with your moving company to see how much you’ll need to pay for moving insurance.
• Traveling costs. Make sure you account for all of the costs you’ll incur during the actual move. Food, gas, airfare, incidentals, hotel stays — you will need to budget some money to spend while you’re making the trek to another state.

Related: How much do movers cost?

9. Find ways to save money.

There are some ways you can lower your costs and still have a seamless out-of-state move. First, only move what is essential. If something is not needed in your new place, it would be better to donate or sell it instead of carrying it with you. 

Also, when you move matters. It can be more expensive to move in the summer, when demand is high for moving companies and many people take time off. For this reason, you may want to consider moving in the winter to lower your moving costs.

If you opt to seek professional services, always compare several companies before hiring movers. Use Thumbtack to find out-of-state moving services near you, and get estimates from at least three companies to ensure you’re paying a fair price.

Shipping and packing tips for moving out of state.

Similar to local moves, packing for your out-of-state move requires careful planning and checklists. However, there are a few special considerations to keep in mind that can make the process a lot easier.

10. Organize your important paperwork and documents.

When moving to a new state, it’s extra important to have all your paperwork in order and stored in a safe place. This will simplify the process of registering your vehicles, securing in-state identification, transferring bank accounts, completing tax forms and more.

The type of documents you should have in order include:

• Driver’s license and passport
• School records, transcripts, degrees and certificates
• Moving documents, contracts and insurance
• Insurance and tax documents
• Birth certificate and Social Security card
• Vehicle’s title, registration and insurance’s declaration page
• Bank accounts, routing numbers and account numbers
• Active contracts and agreements that you’re currently committed to
• Legal and court documents pertaining to your spouse and dependents

Keep these documents with you in your carry-on luggage, purse or briefcase. Sort your documents in labeled folders and keep them in a portable, lockable file box. Also, shred and destroy old and unimportant documents (look for professional shredding services near you if you have a large amount of documents that need to be shredded).

11. Get your moving supplies and equipment early.

The moving supplies and equipment you’ll need depend largely on if you’re packing and moving all by yourself. If you’re doing your own packing, you’ll need to secure heavy-duty moving boxes, packing tape and shock-absorption packaging (bubble wrap, packing foam, etc.). You may also need to rent dollies and hand carts to move heavy or awkwardly shaped moving boxes. You may need furniture wraps and padded furniture covers, which can be rented from your moving truck company.

Additionally, you may need to rent a moving truck or van that is large enough to move all the belongings you wish to bring with you. For a fee, many larger moving truck companies allow one-way rentals, where you return the vehicle in a different city than the one you rented it in. Some truck rental companies may also offer short-term storage.

Related: Where to get free (or cheap) moving boxes.

12. Decide what should be shipped ahead of time or after your move.

If your out-of-state move is a cross-country move, perhaps you don’t want to drive your vehicle that far of a distance. But, at the same time, you may not want to buy a new vehicle in your state. If that’s the case, you may want to consider shipping your car to your new state. You’ll need to find an auto-transport company or a shipping company to help you do this. 

And instead of moving all your belongings via your car, a moving truck rental or a moving company’s service, you may opt to ship them via mail or portable moving containers. Research all your options to find out what makes sense for your budget and moving timeline.

Pro tip: When moving out of state, make sure the interstate movers you hire are registered with the federal government. Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website for more information.

13. Make arrangements for storing items that may arrive before you.

During and after packing your belongings, consider the possibility that you may need help with storing some of these items in your new state. It’s possible your belongings arrive either before or after your move-in day. This may be due to logistical challenges, unforeseen circumstances such as weather, or simply because of your scheduled delivery time with your mover. It’s wise to anticipate these issues and have a plan just in case.

For example, ask your landlord if they will allow furniture and freight deliveries to arrive at your unit before your move-in day. Keep in mind they may require someone to physically move the freight into the storage area or into the apartment.

You should contact your landlord to learn the policy on early furniture deliveries. Even if your landlord doesn’t allow early deliveries, it may be possible to arrange delivery and temporary storage in a storage rental facility, with a friend or family member or with the mover itself.

14. Make a room-by-room packing checklist. 

Before you start packing, create a checklist for every room. Identify what needs to be packed or shipped, and make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need. It’s also good to create a calendar and set goals for when to complete each room. A good rule of thumb: aim to start packing at least 8 weeks before your move. 

Related: 15 tips, tricks and hacks for packing clothes when moving.

How to be prepared on moving day.

Moving day is almost here — are you all set to finally move to your new home in a different state? Remember these moving tips to stay ahead of the game. 

15. Research traffic patterns and plan your road trip. 

If you’re driving instead of flying to your new home, plan to leave your old home at a time where traffic will be as light as possible. And if the drive to another state will take more than a full day, make sure you have a few stops in mind for restroom breaks, filling up your gas tank and staying overnight.

16. Know the loading and parking rules ahead of time.

It may be difficult to anticipate exactly what’s needed when you move to a new community. But a little research goes a long way. Large cities may require, for example, that you secure a moving permit to park moving trucks on the streets — otherwise, you may face a ticket or fine. And some neighborhoods may require unloading to be done in alleys, instead of the main street. If you’re moving to a new apartment complex, ask the leasing office where to park the moving trucks and which elevators to use.

Also, be ready for issues like street and sidewalk repairs and community events (like parades, farmer’s markets, etc.) that may make it harder to park and unload your belongings. For this reason, it’s often worth it to talk to your neighbors and people in your community before the move. They can inform you of issues you need to be aware of when moving. 

In addition to any local parking and loading regulations, research the rules for storage and moving freight, traffic rules for local truck deliveries and trash disposal rules. You may also need to know what the neighborhood rules are for blocking the curb for scheduled trash removal or other services. 

The bottom line: Don’t assume your mover is familiar with the rules and requirements of your neighborhood. Ask them if they know the rules. If they don’t, it’s your responsibility to find out. 

17. Have overnight bags and an emergency kit on hand.

Many things can impact and derail your route when moving out of state. For example, issues like weather conditions, accidents on the road or police checks can delay the delivery of your furniture. Stay prepared by having an overnight bag (or two) that includes your clothing, medication, emergency funds and credit cards, bedding, toiletries, food and drinks. In fact, you may even want to pack (or buy) a travel emergency kit with flashlights, a radio, a first aid kit, sleeping bag or inflatable mattress, and other survival supplies you don’t normally pack when moving or traveling.

Finally, have a smartphone or mobile phone, and a charger with you. Stay in contact with your mover during the move, and ask them to provide regular updates regarding the expected time of arrival and any changing circumstances.

18. Make sure you can meet your moving appointments.

Moving requires a schedule that must be rigidly followed. Movers will have their own pre-appointed time frame to pack up and transport your goods. Trucks and moving equipment will have set pickup and return times. And you may also have an appointment to receive your keys on move-in day.

Failing to keep these appointments may incur fines, or cause delays and cancellations. Missing your move-in appointment may mean that you will have to wait for a make-up appointment, which can be days or weeks later (depending on your landlord’s or realtor’s schedule).

What to do after you’re moved in.

Once you start the process of unpacking, installing appliances and putting together furniture, make sure you also do the following:

19. Inspect your belongings for damage.

While a professional mover should take every effort to reduce damage during your out-of-state move, accidents do happen. Items may settle or shift in transit while crossing state lines. Loose items may chip or crack. And sometimes, movers may accidentally drop boxes while hauling them around. 

As you’re unpacking and rearranging furniture, inspect your belongings. If you find damage, take photos and file a claim with the mover.

20. Change your address, register your vehicle & get a state driver’s license.

Ideally, you should’ve taken steps to change your address several weeks before your move-in day. If you didn’t, take care of that now. 

And if you’ll be bringing a vehicle to your new state, look up the rules for securing an in-state driver’s license and vehicle registration. Some states have deadlines for securing a new driver’s license, and some may also require a smog and emissions inspection for your vehicle. 

21. Take the time to learn about your new home and neighborhood

Once you‘ve completed your move, you should take a moment to learn about your new home, city and state. Explore your new neighborhood, plan out your commute to work, look up state parks you can visit and get a calendar of events in your city (mark down events and attractions that are free or discounted for city and state residents).

By following these out-of-state moving tips, your transition to a new state should be less daunting. As long as you’re prepared and anticipate potential pitfalls by having contingency plans, you should be ready to face the unexpected and enjoy this adventure of moving to another state.

Find out-of-state moving services on Thumbtack today.

Use Thumbtack to hire a top-rated out-of-state mover near you. Read their customers reviews, ask about their availability and get several estimates so you can start planning your move as soon as possible.