So, you’ve decided to leave the Magic City and move somewhere different. Good for you. However, organizing an interstate move from Miami isn’t as easy as you may think. There are many tasks to complete from packing belongings to finding an affordable way to relocate. Luckily for you, we’re here to help. We’ve talked to professional movers and also to the people that performed such relocation in recent times. Our idea was to hear what the real problems are and what you should do to ensure yourself a stress-free move. Here’s what we’ve found out.
Visit the place you’re moving to
Although it may seem that visiting your new city beforehand won’t be too beneficial to organizing an interstate move from Miami, trust us it will. This is done solely to get a good feel for the location and to get to know your new neighborhood. Talk to the locals, get brochures, and ask for recommendations.
Of course, you can get lots of these pieces of information online. However, experiencing the place first hand can change how you look at it and is a first step to avoiding moving mistakes that may complicate your move.
Research schools
If you’re moving with kids that are school age it’s important to make researching schools in your new city as high priority as possible. In Miami, many public schools have very high standards and are considered good. However, the situation is not the same everywhere. If you’re planning to send your children to one of those, try to choose the neighborhood according to school, not vice versa.
Prepare the budget
Now, all the chances are that leaving Miami to settle down in other part of the country won’t be cheap. In fact, according to people we’ve talked to you can expect to pay around $4,500 for your interstate relocation if you’re hiring a professional moving company.
Be aware that if you’re planning a DIY relocation, you still have to pay for a truck, moving supplies, and do all the work yourself. With moves this big, we really can’t recommend going down this way if you haven’t moved at least a dozen times already. Many things you don’t expect can happen and many of them can ruin your experience.
No matter which option you choose, it’s important to determine a moving budget and stick to it. Put all your expenses on a piece of paper and remember to put a little bit of extra money on the side. If you’re moving for the job, check if your employer has plans to cover at least a part of your expenses.
Find a new home
Now, we thought that this step should be obvious, but many people are missing it for some reason. It’s important to find a new place to live before you actually move. It’s much easier to unpack after your North Miami move if you know exactly where you’re going.
Try to find a good real estate agent during your visit to the place beforehand and look at some homes then. This person is very important when moving to another state as it is pretty much your window in the housing scene and market there. That’s exactly why it can help you with all the legalities and paperwork, and you’ll need all the help you can get with that.
Choose a reliable moving company
As we already mentioned, it’s very advisable to have a reputable moving company to help you with organizing an interstate move from Miami. Interestingly, this advice came not only from our professionals at Cross Country Moving Group but from the people that recently performed a relocation similar to this one. Even a family that moved on its own tells us that they won’t do it again.
When researching companies make sure to check out online reviews and ask your friends and family for recommendations. Narrow down your search to three or four choices and then contact all of them to get a quote. It’s advisable to get an in house estimate if possible. Unfortunately, nowadays that can be a problem, so a video inspection of your house should do the same job.
Don’t pick the cheapest offer simply because it’s the cheapest. Make sure that the company you choose is licensed and insured, so you can be carefree when they come to pick up your belongings.
Make a packing plan
Before you even start placing your items into boxes, be sure to make a plan. You should start with packing non-essentials first and work your way up. These include things that you won’t need in the weeks that lead up to the relocation. So, books, home decor, rarely used electronics, etc…
If you want to stay as organized as possible during this time try to follow room by room packing checklist. Declutter before you even start preparing for this stage of the move and donate anything you don’t need. Now is a better time than ever to help the ones in need.
Additionally, be sure to pack all of your important documents, records, and highly valuable items in a separate clearly marked container that will travel with you.
Transfer the utilities and forward your mail
One last thing you need to do before you move is to contact your utility companies and let them know you’re moving. So, your cable, internet, electricity, gas, water, and security companies all have to be noticed. Be sure to do this at least a few weeks prior to the moving day. Give them your new address and schedule a transfer to it.
It’s pretty much the same story with forwarding your snail mail when organizing an interstate move from Miami. It’s not a complicated thing to do and you can do it well ahead of time. Visit the USPS website and simply choose the date you wish everything to begin. It’s as simple as that.