Steps to a Successful Relocation

Whether you’re staying local, crossing state lines, or moving to the other side of the country, relocating requires a good amount of planning, organization, and flexibility.

And it can get even more complicated depending on your reason for moving. For example, if your relocation is job related, your timeline may be tighter than if it’s for personal reasons. To ensure a successful move, implement these steps, which are perfect for any relocation plan.

Do your homework

You probably already know where you’re moving to, especially if you’re moving for a job. Now comes the hard part: picking your new home. Take some time now to prepare for your move and gather information about the communities you’re considering. You can learn a lot online about an area’s population and demographics, crime rates, health care, and job market, which would be especially helpful if you’re a two-income family and your partner needs to secure employment.

Establish your real estate needs
Often one of the most challenging tasks when relocating is selling your current home, so if that’s something you’ll need to do, consider seeking the services of a real estate agent, who can streamline and fast-track the process. They can also help connect you with an agent at your new location to assist you in finding a home or inquire about any available short-term rentals you can stay in until you decide where you want to put down roots.

Research neighborhoods
Don’t rush into purchasing a home if you’re unfamiliar with the community. If possible, visit your new digs and research the various neighborhoods before committing to a place to live. Sites like Livability and AreaVibes can help you get the lay of the land and gauge an area’s proximity to public transportation, shopping, and entertainment. You can also scout different areas to determine which school and place of worship meet your needs. You can even obtain walk and drive scores and access street and aerial views on Google Maps to see which neighborhood appeals most to you.

Calculate the cost of living
There will likely be a change in cost of living in your new location, so you should do some preliminary research to see how it will affect your monthly grocery budgets, taxes, and home prices. Consider consulting with a tax specialist or accountant, or use a cost-of-living calculator to obtain an estimate of what the cost differential will be.

Determine your time frame

Managing the logistics of moving from one location to the next requires careful organization, especially if you need to relocate immediately for a job or family emergency. To help you stay on top of everything, consider keeping a to-do list or calendar of all your important dates and tasks to complete. Start by marking your move date so you can create an accurate timeline of everything you need to do leading up to it, such as scheduling the mover, packing up your home, making travel arrangements, and preparing for arrival at your new location.

Create a moving budget

Moving is always expensive no matter how you slice it. Establishing a budget will help you manage the various costs associated with relocating and determine if you need to find cheaper alternatives. For instance, you may need to hire a professional moving company, but you can save money by packing yourself, purchasing packing supplies at a home store, or purging some of your belongings to lighten the truckload.

If you’re relocating for a job, you could also ask or negotiate with your company about what financial assistance they offer. Some companies will pay for all your moving and transportation costs, while others may only offer a stipend. Regardless of the package provided, obtaining this information up front can help you create a more realistic moving budget. Be sure to also consider travel costs such as food, fuel, tolls, lodging, and air travel.

Choose a moving strategy

There are many options for making the move itself, whether you hire help or decide to go it alone. Which method you choose will affect how you budget and execute your move.

Relocation companies
A relocation company, which is typically hired by employers for employees who are relocating, offers a broad range of services to facilitate your move from start to finish. This could include anything from securing a professional moving company and auto-transport company to assisting you in finding a place to live—short-term or long-term—with the help of a local real estate agent. It may even be able to point you toward the best schools for your kids and help your spouse find employment.

National or local professional movers
How far you’re moving will dictate the type of mover you hire. Most communities have local companies that will only drive certain distances, while a national mover will go over state lines and across the country. Either way, you should get at least two or three estimates and determine what will be included in the cost of the move, including any additional fees, insurance, and packing supplies.

Storage units
To give yourself time to settle in, consider renting a storage unit at your new location, especially if you haven’t found a permanent residence; your short-term living situation may not accommodate all your belongings.

Truck-rental companies
On the surface, moving on your own may seem relatively inexpensive and stress-free. However, when you factor in the hassle of renting a truck or trailer, as well as the time and physical strain it takes, that’s not always the case. So before choosing the DIY option, consider your fundamentals, including rental costs, fuel, insurance, the one-way drop-off charge (which can be expensive), and any hidden fees you may not be aware of. Inquire with the truck rental company about these factors so you can know how to budget accordingly.

Relocating to a new city or state can be a stressful event. However, by staying organized with a moving file, you can easily access your to-do list for both sides of the move and keep track of any estimates and receipts to help you stay on top of your budget.