By: Patrick Young
A new job may come with exciting challenges and a salary increase, but it may require you and your family to move to another state. However, even if you have just four weeks to relocate, you can minimize the amount of stress, money, and time a move involves by creating a weekly pre-move checklist. Work backward from your move date, similar to the following.
Week Four: Cancel Memberships and Research Neighborhoods
It may take several weeks to shut off your utilities. Therefore, determine your approximate move day and ask your providers to discontinue your services one or two days later to ensure you stop paying for utilities when you will no longer use them. Also, remember that many gyms and clubs require at least four days to cancel memberships without penalties.
Next, you should consider where to live in your new home state. The area you choose may depend upon various factors, including the distance to your job, your spouse’s job, and the local school districts available for your children.
Ideally, you would visit your new state before moving, but you can find valuable information about your new community on the internet if that is impossible.
Week Three: Find a Home, Select a Moving Company and Notify Your Children’s School
Realtors like Mike J. Gold can offer insights about average house prices in neighborhoods meeting your criteria and may provide virtual home tours to facilitate a purchase. However, if you prefer to buy after you’ve moved to the area, local realtors can help you find a rental arrangement for the interim. Either way, choose a space that sufficiently meets your needs, as you may live there longer than you expect. For example, if you are self-employed or work from home, you may need an extra bedroom to convert to a home office so you can work productively in comfort.
Find reputable movers with a U.S. Department of Transportation license who perform site inspections to create accurate quotes and eliminate surprise fees exceeding your budget. If you are moving during spring or summer, book sooner as you may have fewer options. Consider discarding items expensive to move or you no longer use to minimize costs. Also, a mover who can pack your belongings with appropriate materials to protect them during transit can free your valuable time. Once you establish your move date, activate electricity, gas, and internet for your arrival.
You should now register your children at their new school and transfer their records from their old school. Finalizing new school registration before your move will provide a familiar routine that may reduce your children’s potential anxiety upon arriving at their new community.
Week Two: Address Health Care and Turn in Your License Plates
Transfer medical, dental, and prescription records to new providers who can take over the health care needs for your family and pets. Remember to gather all documents necessary to move your pets to another state. Finally, you should notify billing services, the post office, and your pet’s microchip company about your new address.
If you have a car, return your current license plates to your local DMV to change its registration after moving.
Week One: Back Up and Pack
Back up all your computers to avoid losing sensitive personal and work-related information after moving. Pack your suitcases with anything not going on the moving truck and confirm details with your movers one last time. Finally, take some time to relax and breathe.
A thoughtful pre-moving checklist can minimize the costs, time, and stress that accompany a long-distance relocation.
