The Ultimate Guide to Relocating to a New State

Parents and Kids moving boxes

 

Making the decision to uproot your life and move to a new state can be a daunting one, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. But trust us when we say it’s well worth it. After all, there are plenty of benefits to relocating to a new area, from gaining access to a new career and social circle to a closer connection with nature and a more relaxed pace of life. But with so many variables to take into account, not many people are able to make the transition without any support. Luckily, there’s a whole community of people who have already successfully made the move to a new state and proved it can be done.

 

Understand the Culture of Your New State

Before you even think about setting up in a new town, you should be aware of the culture and customs of the area you’re moving to. This can help you to understand how your new neighbors might act and what kind of values and traditions they have. After all, it’s important to learn about the people around you and their way of life. This can be done by reading articles on the state’s lifestyle and culture. For instance, Idaho has its Visit Idaho website that offers articles on things to do, travel tips, where to eat and drink, as well as a maps and guides section to help you get around. This will help you to have a better understanding of the people, places, and values that are important to the people there. If possible, take an initial trip to the city you’re considering moving to. Spend time in various neighborhoods to explore and investigate things that are of value to you. This could be information such as where the nearest grocery store is, if there are walking trails nearby, or if the neighborhood has good access to public transportation. You may also get a sense of whether the people are friendly.

 

Hire a Moving Company

It’s a no-brainer that moving will be expensive. But relocating to a new state is certainly worth it. While it’s tempting and even possible to do it yourself, it’s best to hire a professional moving company, especially if you have a large amount of furniture and items to move and can afford to do so. Having a professional moving company can help in myriad ways. They’re fast, organized, and experts in packing should you go the full-service route. You’ll also be comforted knowing that your belongings will be safe during your move. A professional moving company will reduce your stress and let you focus on the other logistical parts of your relocation.

 

Rent a Storage Unit

 

Another thing to consider when relocating is the option of renting a storage unit. Say you’re moving from Nevada to California. You’ve had to move out of your current home, but your new home will not be ready for another month. This means that your belongings will need a place to reside until you can move in. Many storage facilities have large storage units that can accommodate the contents of an entire home. These units may also be climate-controlled to keep your items protected while in storage. Most storage facilities rent their units on a month-to-month basis, which makes it easy to get storage space for only the time you need it.

 

Research the Best Schools for Your Child

When you decide to relocate to a new state, you might not be aware of the educational opportunities you have available. Looking into the best schools in your new state can help you to choose a better fit for your child’s needs. You might be moving to a new state because you want to give your child a chance to attend a better school. In some cases, you might even want to be closer to family so that they can help to support your child in their schooling. Whatever the reasons, looking into the best schools in your new state can help to make your choice more informed. GreatSchools.org is a tool that allows you to search by city, zip, address, or school to find ratings for schools near where you plan to live. The site ranks schools based on academics, equity, and environment. It also has reviews from parents and students. As you hone in on your choice of school, you could also sign up for a school tour to have a better understanding of what they are like.

 

Help With Settling In and Making Connections

Moving to a new state is a major life change that can be overwhelming. If you’re the one planning the move, you might feel especially pressured to make the transition as seamless as possible for your family. If you’re relocating to a new state with your child, it’s particularly important to plan on how they will adjust to their new surroundings. But even if you’re relocating on your own, you can still take a few steps to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes making sure you have all of your health and bank account records with you. But beyond that, you can also help to make the transition as smooth as possible by making the right connections. A lot of people think that making friends and finding a social circle in a new city is a big challenge. But it can be done. And it can be done in a way that doesn’t feel like a lot of work. Rose from the website Where Goes Rose suggests using Facebook groups, the Meetup app, connecting with friends of friends, and other ideas. She says the key is to be proactive about making new friends. If you meet someone you think you might have a connection with, message them later to tell them it was nice to meet them and suggest getting together again.

 

Stay Connected with Your Old Network and Community

One of the most important parts of relocating to a new state is staying connected to your old network and community. This can be as simple as keeping up with your friends and family through social media, texts, or video apps such as Facetime. This also includes staying connected to your work network, whether that’s through email, Zoom, or Skype. Staying connected to your old network and community is crucial when you relocate. This is because it will help you to feel more connected and less isolated when you move to a new state. It will also help you to make more connections with locals than you would if you were just moving to a new city on your own.

 

Bottom line

Moving to a new state is a significant life change. And it can be a little overwhelming. While relocating to a new state can be challenging, there are also plenty of benefits to it. The key to a successful relocation is to make sure you’re prepared for it. This includes making sure you’re connected with your old network and community, and that you’re mentally and emotionally prepared for the change. Above all, make sure you’re excited to be moving to your new state. If you’re not excited about relocating, it will be easier to feel overwhelmed and underprepared.

About the Author: Derek Hines

About the Author: Derek Hines

Digital Marketing Specialist

Derek is originally from the great state of Wisconsin (go Badgers), but is slowly becoming a Pacific Northwesterner. As part of the Digital Marketing team, he writes extensively on storage, moving and life for West Coast Self-Storage, based in Everett, Washington.