An out-of-state move can foster many possibilities—new job prospects, cultural immersion, and a coveted change of scenery. Yet, this exciting undertaking requires serious preparation and careful execution. No worries! This guide will outline the major considerations and provide some helpful tips so that moving your family out of state can be a smooth experience.
Make a Detailed Budget
The first thing you’ll want to do is make a detailed budget. Interstate moves involve more–and more significant–expenses than local moves. To avoid shock and disappointment, include these expenses in your moving budget:
- Long-distance moving companies (we recommend Zip To Zip Moving for local and interstate moves)
- Travel expenses (airfare, lodging, rental car/gas)
- Shipping vehicles separately
- Short-term housing upon arrival
- New utility installation fees (electricity, cable/internet, etc.)
- Replacements for items purged during decluttering
Moving estimates for a professional moving company can be $1000-$3000 or more. So you’ll want to know what you’re getting into financially before you take the next step and commit to the move.
Secure Employment
If you’re moving to take a job, make sure your employment is secure. If your family depends on you, you’ll want to prioritize this step. Don’t start severing ties or placing deposits without figuring out your next source of income.
If relocating due to a job offer, clarify these details with your new employer:
- Sign a labor contract guaranteeing your position
- Locate your new work address
- Learn if work-from-home is a temporary option as you adjust
- Hash out the corporate relocation package
If you’re moving without a job, set a timeline for applications and interviews and begin networking before committing to the move. Update your resumes, online profiles, and marketing material to reflect your new location. You should be getting bites before committing to anything. You’ll also want to boost your savings significantly in the months prior to moving to keep your family afloat.
Obtain Documentation
No matter how exciting, interstate moves unleash tedious bureaucratic tasks—embrace these headaches early to sidestep later stress:
- File for U.S. Postal Service mail-forwarding (minimum 2 weeks pre-move)
- Notify relevant institutions of your new address: banks, insurance providers, memberships, subscriptions
- Transfer school records to your new district
- Update important documents, such as vehicle registration, inspection, and insurance
Beurocratic tasks are the easiest to forget, so take care of them early and enjoy focusing on bigger things close to the move date.
Consider Emotions
The checklist of moving tasks is usually filled with routines and procedures, but an interstate move is a huge event for your family–especially children. As the move approaches familiar surroundings evaporate, causing feelings of upheaval and stress. Here are some ways to keep morale high during an interstate family move:
- Host a goodbye gathering allowing closure with local social circles
- For children, plan “farewell tours” allowing them to say goodbye to meaningful locations (e.g. former home, school, favorite park)
- Let children participate in decluttering/packing processes
- Read children’s books addressing relocation to normalize emotions
- Openly discuss fears/sadnesses; validate these feelings
- Join community groups post-move to forge new connections (e.g. libraries, places of worship, sports leagues)
A change of location can spur significant growth if properly planned for. Integrating into new social circles upon arrival and helping children keep in touch with old friends are key.
Research Your Destination
Once you know where you want to move, scout out neighborhoods that align with your lifestyle requirements. Here are some useful approaches:
- House hunt virtually via realtors’ 3D digital tours and live video walkthroughs
- Utilize Google Maps/Google Earth to explore neighborhoods
- Join community social media groups to gain insider insights on housing, schools, hotspots
- Research area amenities: hospitals, recreation, dining, shopping
- If possible, schedule a scouting trip to experience your new locale’s vibe
If you have a job secured, factor in commute routes, distances, and road sizes to find suitable neighborhoods.
Evaluate Cost-of-Living Contrasts
Interstate moves can result in exceptional price differences. Chart out current expenses versus expenses in your new location to financially prepare. Here is a table of basic items to consider:
| Expense Category | Current Location | New Location |
| Housing (Rent/Mortgage) | $ | $ |
| Utilities (Avg. Monthly) | $ | $ |
| Groceries/Household Supplies | $ | $ |
| Transportation | $ | $ |
| Healthcare | $ | $ |
Online cost-of-living calculators can also simplify expense comparisons.
Have a Packing Plan
Procrastination can turn the final week before a move into a nightmare. Use these tips to organize your packing process:
- Assess all possessions; discard/donate unwanted items
- Obtain boxes of varied sizes, packing tape, and other materials
- Pack room-by-room, labeling boxes by area and contents
- Designate separate boxes/bins for essentials needed pre-move and initial essentials upon arrival
Most importantly, start the process as early as possible. A slow, gradual process is much less stressful and accounts for unpredicted tasks.
Plan for Your New Climate
Interstate moves often involve sizable climate changes. While many people move in summer when climates aren’t radically different, you may notice changes as soon as you arrive. Here are some things to do before hopping in the car on moving day:
- Research average high/low temperatures by season
- Assess the area’s risk of environmental hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wildfires
- Update wardrobe basics and emergency preparedness supplies accordingly
Climatic factors also influence home insurance costs and household readiness needs.
Create a Transition Plan
Once moving day is at hand, it is a good idea to map out a transition plan that details everything that must be done right before, during, and after the move. Here are some family-friendly things to plan for:
1. Designate “familiar constants” for children to bring:
- Beloved security objects (blankets, toys, stuffed animals)
- White noise/noise machine for consistent bedtime sounds
- Batch-cook freezer-friendly meals pre-move as a fallback
2. Line up temporary service arrangements easing stresses:
- Grocery delivery and/or meal kits
- Professional cleaning services
- Pet sitting/dog walking
- Establish childcare so you can focus on unpacking/setup
3. List post-move priorities:
- Updating accounts/services with your new address
- Finding new family doctors
- Vehicle registrations and driver’s license updates
A methodical transition plan stabilizes your family’s routine amidst the moving chaos.
Maintaining Old Connections
After the move, staying in touch with friends and family back home can keep you and your family grounded. Regular phone calls, video chats, and visits bridge the gap. Social media and messaging apps make staying connected easier than ever. Balance old relationships with making new ones to enright your family’s social life.
Boxing It Up
Whether you’re moving to New Jersey or California, Interstate moves are challenging, and throwing a family in the mix makes it even harder. With proper planning and a sensitivity to the challenges your family face, moving long distances can be an opportunity for growth and adventure. And don’t forget, a professional moving service can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on your family. Good luck!