Moving can be stressful, especially if you’re moving out of your home state and into a completely new area of the country. Luckily, there are many things you can do to prepare so that you avoid complications with moving, get acquainted with your new hometown quickly, and settle in without any major issues. Below, we’ll share six tips that make moving out of state stress-free and straightforward.

1. Know the Cost

One of the most stressful parts of relocating can be not knowing what the move or living in your new home will cost. When it comes to the actual relocation, you can use average costs to estimate, but getting a quote from movers or an estimate to rent a moving truck is a much better idea. This will eliminate some of the “unknown” and make your move a bit less stressful.

You should also do some research to ensure you know the cost of living in your new state. Make sure you’ve budgeted for the updated taxes, healthcare, gas prices, and general cost of living, which can vary wildly from state to state. Knowing you can afford your relocation and living in your new state will help make the process significantly more comfortable.

2. Hire Movers

Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can — and should — handle the relocation themselves to save money on professional moving services. While it is possible, having to do the work yourself can add a ton of stress to an already hectic situation. Not to mention that moving across state lines involves finding truck routes, hitting the necessary weigh stations, and more.

Hiring a professional interstate moving company is one of the best things you can do to make your relocation less trying. A reputable company will get your furniture and belongings safely to your new home, and they’ll save you a lot of time and frustration.

3. Get Your Utilities Set Up Before Arriving

The last thing you want to do is get to your new home, all ready to unpack, and find that you have no electricity, internet, or running water. As soon as you close on your new home, you should begin setting up your utility accounts, even if you don’t plan to get there for a few days. Move the accounts into your name, and don’t forget to let your old utility companies know that you’re moving and no longer require service.

4. Order Furniture

If possible, it’s a good idea to take measurements of your new home or look at a detailed floor plan to see what furniture you’ll need for which rooms. Furniture deliveries can take weeks or even months in some cases, so ordering items to your new home as you approach the closing date is wise. Most furniture companies will let you cancel your order if, for some reason, your contract falls through, but make sure to check before committing to an order, just in case.

5. Secure Employment

Some people choose to relocate and then begin their job search, which does work out for many people. However, not having employment and not knowing how long it will take to secure a job in your new hometown can be quite stressful. A much better option is to find a new job before you relocate. Most employers will be amenable to you starting a few days or even weeks after you’re officially hired if they understand that you’re relocating. In any case, having a job lined up is one less variable you have to worry about, which should give you time to settle in properly without having to scramble for employment.

6. Explore

Finally, once you have all of the important things above worked out, you can get to exploring your new hometown. After all of the moving and necessities are taken care of, head out for a walk, bike ride, or drive and take a look at your new neighborhood. If there’s a town nearby, check out shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, libraries, hiking trails, and other attractions to get a lay of the land and see where you and your family might spend your time in the future.

Many people don’t realize that this can alleviate some of the stress of moving, as it helps establish where you are and what’s around you. Taking note of firehouses, police stations, and medical facilities can also help ease your mind in case an emergency should pop up in the future.

Content provided by House Method