Moving from state to state can be extremely difficult. You may be packing up everything that belongs to you, organizing everything that you own, figuring out how you’ll move your things to your new state, and leaving everything you know in your current state.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Donations need to be dropped off, volunteers may need to be gathered, and small details need to be completed.
The process can be more than emotionally draining as the process is more than the few steps listed. Things on your to-do list can be missed or forgotten, or important pieces may not make it on the list at all. Sometimes a how-to can be helpful.
Table of contents
State to State Moving Process
Cleaning
Obviously, moving from state to state requires lots of packing. However, something that is easily forgotten is the cleaning involved in a move.
Yes, things like the bathroom and kitchen should receive a wipe-down, but there are other things that most people forget to clean.
One example is household appliances that come with your space. You would appreciate arriving at a fully clean space, and so would whoever is purchasing your old one.
Doing these activities can also increase the value of your home, protect your health, and more. Cleaning can also be easily integrated into the packing process since most people have clutter and do not plan to bring it to their new home.
Changing Your Driver’s License
An easy item to forget on your to-do list is changing your driver’s license. It varies based on the state, but it can usually be done for free online. However, most places do require a fee for becoming a citizen of the state. Some of these are fairly cheap, but others are more pricey.
While this process is never the most exciting, it is not especially hard. The best thing you can do for yourself is to submit the forms for the new license as soon as possible.
Most states have a thirty to sixty-day limit to change your license once you become a resident. If you’re unsure of the rules you can visit the DMV website for more information.
Updating Your Mailing Address
Your mailing address is also an easy one to skip over. Most of this can luckily be done online with few exceptions.
Your billing address can be changed at the Post Office, and they do have an in-person option for those who need it. Changing your billing address when moving from state to state should not be waited on.
You may also want to visit sites like Amazon or other stores you frequently shop at and update your primary address. This can be done after you move, but if you’re changing your address at the post office then it may be easier to do it all at once.
Getting Rid of Old Items and Other Items
As you pack to move out, you will likely come across items like furniture that you no longer need. If this is the case, there are a few routes you can take to get rid of them.
The first is giving them to family and friends. They may need a new chair or other items that you no longer need.
If there is no one you know that needs your leftover items, but you want to give them to a person who needs them, then you can donate them.
Charities and thrift stores are always looking to take items off your hands. Some places may pay you as well.
If you’re looking to make a profit off of these old things, then you can look to Facebook marketplace, eBay or Craigslist. If none of these options work for you, there is always curbside pick-up to help with the issue.
For books, places like Half-Price Books are a great option for selling your old reads. While they do not always pay much for what is brought in, you can be sure that they will go to someone who is looking to put your books to good use.
Changing Your Prescriptions
This is one that may take more effort. If you have any prescriptions that you take regularly then you should switch pharmacies early. If you wait, you may not be able to receive your medication in time.
Some pharmacies may allow you to do this online. Others may require you to call in with information about your new pharmacy.
Others still may need you to physically come into the building. If you are switching primary care physicians, there may be extra steps as well. For more information, consult your pharmacy.
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
Out Of State Movers
Moving out of state can pose an extra difficulty when it comes to moving day. Not every friend or family member is available to help. And moving long distances can make for less willing volunteers. There are some different options, however, to this dilemma.
Out of State Moving Rentals
The first one is renting a trailer or truck and doing it yourself. If you’re able to get a few volunteers or you have friends in your new city this may be the option for you.
There are many places that rent out trucks and trailers for varying prices. This will take research on your part. You will need to find out how much you will be packing up in said trailer or truck, you will need to determine the correct size for your move, and you will need to determine how much you are willing to spend on this resource.
Large Out of State Moving Companies
The second option is a “professional” moving company. These are mainstream, nationwide companies that can meet almost any need. They have many ways to attain the resources to move you and your items.
However, there are downsides. These companies often charge higher prices for state-to-state moves. While moving out of state is not uncommon, rates will increase due to travel time and equipment used.
They have to maintain their trucks while also paying employees. Renting a truck or trailer only requires you to pay for the transportation. You may also face less care in service and less empathetic movers. These big companies can sometimes miss the mark on customer service due to the high demand for movers and resources.
Small Out-of-State Moving Companies
Finally, there are labor-only moving companies like UniMovers. These companies charge less than large companies.
We hire college students and recent graduates which allows us to keep our prices down for a couple of reasons. Students do not necessarily have families to feed or more financial responsibility than someone fully entered into the workforce.
Additionally, by providing just the labor we have fewer expenses. Meaning you pay less for our services than larger moving companies.
Companies like these also prioritize human connection. There is extra care and thought put into the packing and moving. These companies aim to make the stressful moving experience as positive as possible.
One downside to this option is that these companies do not always provide state-to-state movers. This will take some extra research on your part.
Moving Out of State
With the entire process laid out to you, hopefully you feel better about moving out of state. There may be a lot of unknowns about what the future holds, but having a positive state-to-state moving experience can kick off a new start with good vibes. UniMovers has many more guides to assist in the moving process.
Maura De Cicco attends the University of Iowa as a Journalism and Anthropology student. She plans to pursue a strategic communications track when it comes to writing, and an archaeology track when it comes to Anthropology.
