Looking to move up in your career? You might just have to move house, too! About 20 percent of relocations are career-related, according to US census data, with many of these carrying new employees across state lines. But an interstate move isn’t like relocating across town—long-distance moves come with special considerations, financial and otherwise, that can impact how you plan and even what you decide to take with you. But with a little foresight and some help from the pros, you can have even the most complicated relocations over and done with, with your belongings no worse for the wear. Here’s what you need to know before you begin planning.
Adjusting to the Cost of Living
Your money goes a lot farther in Wichita, Kansas, than it does in New York City. Moving to another state means researching its economics, such as the cost of living in the area. CNN Money has a pretty extensive calculator that compares how far your salary will stretch from city to city. You may also want to look up the average property tax rate for your area, as well as whether or not you are expected to pay additional taxes for vehicles. Also, you should research whether or not your new state has income tax, too. You don’t want to be surprised by an unexpected tax or fee!
Visiting Your New Home Before You Move In
Whenever you move into a new home, it’s a good idea to have a loose idea of how you’ll organize the space. That way, once the movers arrive with your things, you can easily indicate where furniture and other items should go (and save yourself some time and trouble moving things around on your own!). However, when you’re planning an interstate move, you can’t always just pop over to the new house to refresh your memory on the dimensions of the living room, or whether that buffet will fit under the kitchen window. When you visit your future home, make sure to snap some photos of each room so you remember what it looks like. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to create your own floor plan of the space as well, complete with measurements, so that you can mentally organize the space ahead of time.
What You’ll Bring and What You’ll Buy When You Get There
When you’re just moving a few miles down the road, packing up is a lot easier: you just take what you own and carry it there. However, if you’re traveling a long distance with your belongings, you may be better off leaving that ancient sleigh bed or outdated recliner behind and opting for replacement pieces when you make it to town. Same thing for mattresses that have lost their spring, sofas that have seen better days, or kitchen tables that are scratched or dented. Now’s your chance to get rid of these items and make a fresh start in your new home. And if you need help removing these items, our sister company Humpback Junk will be happy to haul it for you.
Tracking Your Moving Expenses
If you’re relocating to a new state for work, chances are high that you’ll have a refund coming next time you file your taxes. Make sure to document expenses you incur while you move, such as money you spend on boxes and other supplies, the cost to hire movers, as well as your mileage and/or oil and gas if you’re driving your own car. Tracking these things is also useful if your new company offers to pay for your move—but keep in mind, you can’t claim it on your taxes in that case.
Estimating Your Moving Costs
Blue Whale Moving serves homeowners making long-distance moves with the same care we take with all our Austin relocations. We travel to all 48 states in the continental US, and our software allows us to create quotes for interstate moves based on the amount of furniture you have and the distance we have to travel. We work with our customers to plan their move ahead of time so that you know how much to budget. That way, you can have some peace of mind when you arrive—no matter how far you have to travel!
