Congratulations! You’re finally taking the big step and moving to a new state. It’s been your dream for years, and you can’t wait to get out of that apartment in Denver, CO, and into the house in Florida you’ve fallen in love with. But before you start packing up all your belongings, keep these ten essential things in mind:
Will my driver’s license work in this state?
If you’re planning on driving to your new home, then it’s imperative that you know if your current license will be valid once you cross the state line. You’ll have to ensure that a trip to a local DMV office won’t cause a headache for you down the road.
Some states require you to undergo a written or road test before obtaining your new license, but even if this requirement doesn’t exist in the state you’re moving to, it still makes sense to get familiarized with its driving laws and regulations.
You never know what will happen when you arrive at your destination; for instance, after getting your Florida license, you may find out that the state only lets drivers under age 35 use its highways during rush hour.
You can also look into obtaining an international driver’s permit if your current license isn’t valid in the state where you’re moving to, and you don’t want to take a trip back to your local DMV office.
It’s important to know how to change your mailing address
Can I still receive mail in this state?
There are a few things you need to do before moving into your new home. One of the most important is getting hold of a new residential address.
You’ll use this when filling out all necessary paperwork related to your move, so it’s good to have one lined up ahead of time.
When moving out of state, you’ll want to make sure that you still get mail from your friends and family.
Writing down a more distant relative’s address may seem like a good idea at the time, but don’t forget that everyone can visit an online website or phone service to track down more current contact information for them.
It may be a better idea to make a new friend or two in your new neighborhood and have mail sent there instead.
Will my family be able to visit me?
If you’re living in a different state, you’ll be a lot less accessible to those who live close by.
The winter holidays may not be as fun now that you’ve moved far away from your hometown. And your family is probably going to want to visit or even move there with you at some point.
But you also don’t want these people to strain themselves by coming too often. You don’t want them to drive hours on end just for the weekend, only to get back in their cars and do it all over again after spending time with you.
If you’re planning on moving out of state, then you must think about this in advance.
Figure out a comfortable distance for your loved ones to make a day trip, and let them know ahead of time what this is.
How will my career prospects change in this new state?
When you move out of state, it’s essential to consider how your daily life and career opportunities will be different.
You may find that there are more job openings in the line of work you want to go into than there was at home, but it’s also possible that you’ll be faced with stiffer competition and more stringent requirements.
These days, you can get a good idea of what types of career options this new state has to offer just by typing in some search terms into Google.
Remember that what you’ll be taking on is not only a physical move but also an emotional one, so it pays to do your homework ahead of time.
What will the cost of living be like?
One of the most important things you must consider before moving out of state is how much it’ll set you back every month.
Depending on your situation, it might not be possible to move without taking some money out of savings and finding work first.
However, if you have enough money to cover your expenses for about three months or so, you’ll be in a better position if the employment opportunities just aren’t there.
Many people move because they’re being paid higher hourly rates for their work, but don’t forget that these wage increases may not always be substantial enough to warrant making this massive change.
Do I know anyone who lives here?
If you’re moving to a state where there are no family members or friends to lean on, having someone already established in the area can make things much more manageable.
Not only will this person likely be able to give you some insight about local employers and job prospects, but they’ll also be around if you run into any trouble with your living arrangements.
Not many of us like the idea of imposing on our family and friends, but most people will be more than happy to help if needed.
The modern-day version of this is networking, which involves reaching out to others for information and contacts about a particular industry or job position within it.
As you may imagine, living in an entirely new place can make it difficult to establish these kinds of connections.
If you’re moving to a place where you know someone, take advantage of this connection while you can. You may just find that things are much easier for you now that they’re around!
Can I afford a car?
If you plan on commuting to your new job, it’s important that you have access to a reliable vehicle as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this may take some time, depending on the type of employment you’ve found.
Many potential hires are required to have their transportation before starting work, so if this is the case, it’s best you take care of the problem sooner than later.
If you don’t currently own a car but will need one in your new state for work or school, plenty of options are available.
Check out a local dealer to see if you can find a secondhand car at a reasonable price, or you might be able to ask your parents for help.
Will I have to change doctors?
It would be best not to lose touch with your doctor when moving out of state because they’re the best resource for your well-being.
The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure that they’re accepting new patients, but after this has been confirmed, you should still give them a call before you head out.
Bring your records (or copies) with you if at all possible, and make sure to take note of any medication or treatment plans in place.
Your new doctor will want to know what kinds of things you’ve been diagnosed with so that they can offer the correct assistance in the future.
Is this a good place for my family?
When moving out of state, most people don’t consider how their choices will affect others in their life.
If you have children, you should always check the local crime statistics before making a decision.
If you’re on your own, it’s just as important to find out if there are plenty of places for new people to meet and network with others in similar situations.
For example, do some research on social media websites like Facebook to see what events are happening when you’re in town.
Why am I moving here?
The final question worth asking yourself before making the transition is why you’re leaving your current location.
It’s not a good idea to move with the intention of finding better employment; this means that most people will be starting from scratch after their arrival.
However, if you’re looking to build a brand-new life that’s worth living, then you should find out if your new state can fit the bill.
It may take some time, but this is an important question to answer because it determines how long you’ll stay in your current area.
Long-Distance Moving is Not Easy!
The fact of the matter is that moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life, so don’t make matters worse by doing everything alone.
If you have an extensive support network in place before making your transition, you’ll be much more likely to enjoy your time in your new state.
Here are three of the most important points to keep in mind as you prepare for your move:
Determine the cost of your move
Moving is a multi-step process, and you certainly don’t want to make any mistakes along the way.
It pays to get an estimate from multiple long-distance moving companies to feel confident that your costs will be realistic and plan your budget accordingly.
It would be best if you also considered other factors such as how much storage space you’ll need and the price of gas as you look forward.
Start your life in your new home ahead of time
As difficult as it might be to believe as you continue packing, the worst thing you could do is move into your new place without making any changes first.
Even if it’s just a matter of hanging up a few pictures and adding a few items to the fridge, you need time to get comfortable in your new home.
The more prepared and settled you feel when you first take up residence in your new neighborhood, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
Talk to your loved ones
Finally, this is perhaps one of the most important tips of them all. Moving away from your family and support network can be a challenging experience, even for those people who are enthusiastic about their relocation.
One of the best ways to overcome this challenge is by keeping communication channels open with your loved ones.
Whether through video chat or email, you should always have a way to stay in touch with those who are most important to you.
The above tips are just the beginning of your journey into the bright, new world that awaits you on the other side of your upcoming move. Keeping these simple pointers in mind will help you keep stress levels low and happiness levels high as you transition to life in your new state.
Choosing From the Best Moving Companies in Denver, CO
If you’re moving to a new home out of state and want to make your move as easy as possible, then you should certainly consider working with the best movers in the Denver metro area.
As you look for companies like this, there are a few factors that might make them stand out from the competition:
Professionalism
Every long-distance moving company should have staff members trained in the art of safe, efficient transportation.
A vital step to take when finding suitable companies is to contact them during business hours and ask about their hiring process.
When you speak with someone at the firm in question, ask them how they screen candidates for jobs related to your move.
Experience
The best movers in Denver, CO, will have completed a high volume of jobs over the course of a year.
If you want to find reputable movers like The Denver Moving Companies, make sure that they’re able to offer you an in-home or virtual estimate.
In addition, you should inquire about their experience in your particular state and how many years they have been in business.
Reviews from past customers
In the business world, it’s important to take a moment and look at other people’s experiences before making a final decision about who to work with.
When speaking to movers in Denver that you’re considering hiring for your upcoming move, ask them if they have any reviews/ testimonials from their past clients.
If they do, be sure to ask for the contact information of at least three people who were involved with these projects.
Once you’re able to collect this data about the company’s track record, it will help you determine whether or not they’re capable of getting your move completed in a timely, safe, and efficient manner.
Moving to a new home in a different state is exciting, but it can also bring out a lot of anxiety in the back of your mind if you’re not sure what you should expect.
By keeping these three things in mind as you begin speaking with local movers and making arrangements for the big day, the entire process will be a much more smooth and enjoyable experience.
Contact us at (303) 647-5533 to schedule a free virtual or in-home estimate for your upcoming move.
