Moving to a New State in 2021: 3 Tips to Smooth the Process
By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Honestly, it's a lot to process. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take ahead of time to make the move less painful than it could be otherwise.
3 Tips to Smooth the Process of a State-to-State Move
Though the process will never be completely seamless, these three steps can help bring down your stress levels.
Tip 1: When possible, do your paperwork ahead of time.
Moving always requires changing your permanent address. Important documents, websites, and service providers will all need to be contacted. Taking care of these steps ahead of time will allow you to check this task off your list and focus more fully on your new home when you arrive.
When you move from state-to-state, however, you have the added responsibility of procuring a new driver's license as well. Like with change of address policies, most states have a set time period by which you should exchange your old license for a new one, so make sure that you check with your new state's DMV website to understand the time frame in which getting a new license will be required.
Though some states require an in-person visit to the DMV, others allow you to take care of the entire process online. Taking care of this step pre-move will ease the transition and free up valuable settling-in time in your new state of residence—especially during a pandemic, when concerns of virus transmission complicate even the simplest matters.
Tip 2: Pack with both short-term and long-term trips in mind.
In one sense, a state-to-state move is like a road trip and a move all bundled into one. Not only are you packing up all your earthly possessions for transportation, but you're also preparing to spend at least a day or two road-tripping to reach your new location.
Before you reach the final stages of packing up, always be sure to take time out to pack suitcases for yourself (and, if applicable, for your family) that will include everything you'll need for the next few days on the road:
- Face masks and hand sanitizer
- Changes of clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- ID's and documentation
- Money
And don't forget about your pets! Be sure they have a few days' worth of supplies packed up as well.
Tip 3: Choose an experienced interstate moving service.
All moving companies have specialties. While some are experts in local relocations, others have built systems and structures to support interstate and cross-country moves. When vetting potential moving services, always be sure to ask careful questions about their skills and areas of expertise. Be sure to read consumer reviews, reach out to friends and contacts, and take their advice into consideration.
While it's tempting just to choose the most affordable offer you find after a simple Google search, we've all been around long enough to know that the cheapest offer isn't always the best choice in the long run. If you're facing the pressure of a state-to-state move, especially during an ongoing pandemic, you'll want to know you're in good hands every step of the way.
We Can Help
At A-1 Freeman Moving, we offer residential, commercial, and corporate moving solutions. We do the heavy lifting, so you don't have to. With no-contact services currently available, we're here to help you move safely and effectively, no matter where or when.
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