15 Tips for Moving Across Country

What seems like a distant plan when you are dreaming of a move can become a fast-approaching reality once the big day arrives. Before you know it, moving vans will be rolling in and out of your old neighborhood, and your new home is just one month away from being a reality. Before you get too acquainted with your new sunsets and different lifestyle in your new neighborhood, you first need to ensure a smooth transition.

As long-distance movers, we want to ensure you are prepared and strategize your long-distance move as smoothly as possible. Here are 15 tips to help ease you into your new city at the end of your cross-country journey.

1. Have a Moving Checklist

So what exactly does a moving checklist consist of? It has several tasks that are crucial to completing the move smoothly and completely. These include hiring someone to help with household tasks, finding transportation, planning and transferring utilities, canceling memberships, and changing your address. It is important to start these preparations soon after you decide to move because that will allow you additional time to finalize other key aspects.

Although it may seem like a daunting task at first, thoroughly researching and executing a moving checklist is essential to making sure that you can reach your final destination safely and on time with as little hassle as possible.

2. Hire Cross-Country Movers

Cross-country moving can be a terrifying prospect. The possibilities of what could happen are endless and unfortunately so for anyone not knowing what they're doing. Whether you are moving closer to family or farther from your dream job, cross-country moving will require professional help.

Choosing the right moving company to cross-country move with will save you time and money. You will have someone to help with the packing and other tasks that accompany moving when you set out on your new journey.

Hiring professional movers means you are taking control of your moving day and reducing stress in your life. You can stop wondering if you will be able to move that day or if there will be complications — neither of which are fun for anyone involved.

3. Only Deal With a Licensed and Insured Moving Company

Let's say you have decided to hire a moving company. Great! Now what? Before you start looking for a moving company, it is important to verify that they are licensed and insured for carrying out the specific task you have in mind. You want to make sure your household goods are in safe hands after all.

Each state has specific licensing and insurance requirements for moving companies. You’ll need to look through these to ensure that your reliable moving company is licensed and insured in your state. You should ask for the necessary documents for additional proof, as well as to know exactly what they cover. Make sure to check with the insurance provider as well.

4. Get an Affordable Quote From the Moving Company

The cost of moving varies greatly depending on where you decide to go, where you start looking, and what services you arrange. This is why obtaining quotes from at least three or four moving companies is recommended before beginning your move. It will help you find the most affordable moving company with service quality similar to what you expect. Once you have narrowed down the price range for your move, start contacting companies directly to find the most accurate current prices.

5. Plan Your Travel Ahead

Moving across the country is challenging no matter who or what you are moving with. It is important to make travel arrangements in advance so that you can adjust them if needed and arrive at your new destination on time. Additionally, making these travel arrangements in advance will save you time finding affordable flight tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars in addition to having ample time to discuss any final arrangements.

6. Be Financially Prepared

If you are thinking of moving across the country, it is important to know how your financing will work and what the new cost of living, taxes, and other costs will be. You would be surprised how much money can shoot through your pocket if you are not careful with how you budgeted before you leave.

7. Declutter

If you're planning a move across the country, it pays to think about what you are bringing with you. This does not mean you should load up on items you don't need or can't use. Declutter your home so you can only bring with you the essentials.

It is important to remember that the cost of your long-distance move is largely dependent on how much you move, which is why it makes sense to pack light when moving across the country.

8. Document Your Goods’ Condition

Documenting your belongings is not only important to protect your personal property and fragile items from damage when moving, but can also help you retrieve your items more quickly should another incident occur and cause you financial hardship. The last thing you want is to have items sitting in storage for months while you try to figure out how to retrieve them.

9. Keep Your Valuables With You

When you move across the country it is best to have certain items with you. These include your jewelry, car keys, wallet, and important documents such as applications for passports, driving licenses, and health certificates.

The last thing you want is to have your valuable documents lost in the mail or misplaced in the moving truck.

10. Pack Essentials Separately

The days leading up to a cross-country move and even after the move are filled with uncertainties. It is important to pack an essentials bag. This will include things you will need to keep you comfortable on the journey to your new place and even while waiting for your moving company to arrive with your household goods.

11. Get Your Driver’s Contact Information

When you move from across the country, your belongings will be in storage for a while. Before they arrive at your new location, it can take a week or more to get your things. To make your move more convenient, request the contact information for your driver. Having their cell phone number can be helpful if you have any questions regarding the delivery of your belongings. Another way to keep track of your goods is to get in touch with a representative from the moving company.

12. Stay Calm

Moving across the country can be a major decision. It’s one you should not make without knowing exactly what you’re getting into. It involves many moving parts that can potentially cause chaos and frustration. You will require perseverance, flexibility and most importantly, you need to stay calm. You should also be open to alternative plans even if it means delaying important tasks. Vulnerability and insecurity could lead you to even bigger problems.

13. Inspect Your Goods for Damage

Your belongings should look new and unencumbered after being removed from their original location. It is therefore important to inspect your personal property for signs of damage or wear and tear.

It can be very frustrating if you have to go through the hassle of filing a claim, which can sometimes be necessary. If there is damage to an item, identify it immediately upon arrival at your new home. This enables you to claim compensation from the moving company without delay. You may even be entitled to a credit on your moving account.

14. Tipping Your Movers

Tipping is a nice way to show appreciation for all the hard work and time a moving company puts into moving your stuff. If you do decide to do this, make sure you have cash on hand upon their arrival. However, as tipping your movers is legal in most states, some states still have laws protecting employees who perform service using tips.

Before deciding which companies to use, consider whether they provide gratuity to their employees. Some companies will include a tip on invoices even if it is not included in the contract between the customer and the movers. This ensures that your final bill reflects all the costs associated with moving.

15. Get To Know Your New Home

Take a deep breath. You can do this. All of these things don’t have to happen at once, but it is good to have a plan of sorts for meeting new people and introducing yourself. You want to have a tight-knit group of friends when you go into unfamiliar territory, not just an empty apartment. Take time to get out and meet people, be friendly, get involved in clubs and membership organizations, and develop relationships with neighbors. Do all of these things and you will be more likely to succeed when moving across the country.

Hire Allied Moving Vans for a Hassle-Free Move

When it comes down to it, you want to make sure you choose the right company for your needs. If you're moving across the country, particularly if you are not familiar with local transportation, hiring movers makes perfect sense.

Allied Moving Vans offers professional and affordable local and long-distance moving services with over 85 years of experience to help you ease into your new place. We aim to make your move as stress-free as possible. We offer all the evidence-based techniques you will need to prepare for and complete the move with optimal efficiency. From realistic expectations to precise planning, we help you avoid the re-traumatization that comes from relocating without proper planning.

Moving across the country for a new job or a better life is a big step, but it doesn't have to be a hassle. Contact us today to schedule your first move.