Things to Know Before a Move Across Country

Moving can be a very hectic time. There are so many things that need to get done, and you need a lot of time to get organized and prepared for your move. You also need moving money because a cross country move certainly isn’t cheap. Here are a few things you need to know to successfully and safely move yourself, your family, and your belongings across the country.

A New Home

Many people move cross country as part of relocation for a new job. If you get a chance to visit the new city beforehand, get to know the area and look around for the best possible place to live. Take a tour of the schools your children will attend and check out the school’s ranking on a site such as greatschools.org. Go house hunting and find a home that fits your budget and lifestyle. Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out a place to live. Booking a hotel room is not comfortable for very long, and going over your moving truck rental time can result in extra fines.

Money Talks

It costs a lot to move, especially all the way across country. You need to plan ahead financially. If you’re going to rent a house or apartment, make sure you have a deposit ready. Be ready to pay for plane tickets or hotel rooms as needed along the way. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency credit card for incidentals. For peace of mind, you can purchase moving insurance. That way, in the unfortunate case that something is damaged en route, it will be covered.

Hire a Professional

Doing all the packing and loading yourself is hard work and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Either ask a few friends to help you pack or put your trust in a qualified moving company. It is a good idea to hire knowledgeable and efficient people that know about the best packing methods.

Another thing to think about is what to do with your car. Have you looked into the cost of shipping a car? It’s easier than you might think. You can ship your car across the country instead of driving it to save on extra mileage, gas money, and eliminate a very long drive.

Moving In

Remember to pack a move-in bag for the whole family. You can fill it with a change of clothes and extra snacks or activities for the kids. Call ahead about your utilities. Get the water, gas, and electricity hooked up before you arrive. To save money, you can check on bundling services for Internet and cable. Keep the movers happy too by providing water bottles or even a light lunch. You can also plan other things for when you arrive, like pet sitting while you unpack and ordering take-out for a quick dinner.

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