It’s inevitable. At some point in your life, you’ll have to move – whether it’s across the country or just to a new state. Moving is always stressful, but moving cross country can be downright daunting. That’s why we’ve put together this simple list of tips on how to make moving across the country as painless as possible. From finding a new place to live to hiring the right moving company and packing your belongings efficiently, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let us show you how it’s done!
1) Evaluate your lifestyle goals
This is the first and most important step in moving cross country. You need to sit down and evaluate your lifestyle goals. What are you looking for in a new city or state? Do you want to be closer to family? Are you looking for a change of pace? Once you know what you’re looking for, it’ll be easier to find the right city for you. Some things you should consider are as follows:
- Cost of living
- Crime rates
- Economic outlook
- Average salary
- Culture and things to do
2) Visit the location you’re interested in
The next step is to visit the location you’re interested in moving to. This will give you a better idea of what it’s like to live there. Do your research beforehand so you know what to expect, but keep an open mind. You may find that you love the city even more than you thought you would! You might also find that you hate it! It’s always a good idea to visit the potential new town before you move there because your experience there will speak louder than pictures.
Try to pay attention to the cost of things in that place. Evaluate the people and how nice they are. Do you like the restaurants and bars in that location? Are there plenty of activities that interest you?
3) Budget the Move
The cost of moving cross country can be pretty high, depending on how you do it. If you’re a single person without a whole lot of belongings, you might be able to ship your belongings and fly or drive. However, if you have a family and a lot of belongings, you will need to consider more expensive options such as full-service moving companies.
Because of the costs involved in moving across the country, you should start budgeting and saving for the move as early on as possible. If you have the time to save for 4 to 6 months before the move, that would be the most ideal situation. When you’re creating your budget, make sure you consider things like gas and vehicle maintenance for the trip, moving expenses, cost for any delivery of items, and potentially even eating out for a few days during the transition.
4) Hire A Cross-Country Moving Company
This is one of the most important steps when moving cross country. This is going to simplify your cross-country move by far. You need to find a moving company that you can trust with all of your belongings. Research different companies and read reviews from previous customers. Make sure that the company is licensed and insured so that you are protected in case anything goes wrong during the move.
Get quotes from multiple moving companies and compare the prices. Make sure you understand what is included in the quote so that there are no surprises later on. Once you’ve found a moving company that you’re comfortable with, be sure to get everything in writing so that both parties are protected.
The most important thing is to do your research and take your time when choosing a moving company. This will ensure that your belongings are in good hands and that the move goes smoothly.
5) Book A Portable Storage Unit At Your New Address
One of the best moving tips is to book a portable storage unit at your new address. This will make unpacking and settling into your new place much easier. You can have all of your belongings delivered to the storage unit and then you can take your time unpacking and moving things into your new home at your leisure.
This is also a great option if you’re moving to a new town, but haven’t yet found or closed on your new home yet. You can use a portable storage unit as a temporary storage solution while you’re waiting to get moved into your new place. Not only that, but if you need to downsize before moving or if you’re moving into an apartment with limited space, you could also leverage a mobile storage unit.
Badger Box Storage provides top-quality mobile storage units in Wilmington, North Carolina, and surrounding areas. Some of the benefits of a Badger Box mobile storage unit include:
Benefits Of A Badger Box Mobile Storage Container:
- Pack your container at your own pace, at the location that works best for you. No need to rent a truck and make several trips back and forth to your local storage facility.
- Our boxes are made from the highest quality steel capable of holding 10,000 lbs and are 120mph wind resistant. There are 2 vents to reduce humidity build-up in the unit and a floor made of marine-grade plywood to ensure a non-slip surface for easy packing. There are 20 welded tie-down rings 3’ and 5’ from the floor so you’ll always have a way to secure your belongings.
- Badger Box is the best value in Wilmington and Fayetteville North Carolina and surrounding areas.
- For our deliveries, we use the Cardinal Mule box moving system to deliver a level lift and gentle placement of your containers to protect your belongings. Don’t worry, you are in good hands with Badger Box!
6) Document High-Value Items Before Your Move
Make sure you document any high-value items that you own before the move. This includes taking pictures or videos of the items, as well as getting appraisals if necessary. This will help if something gets lost or damaged during the moving process.
You should also make a list of all high-value items and their corresponding documentation so that you can easily reference them later on. This will come in handy when you’re filling out insurance claims or paperwork for your moving company.
By documenting your high-value items, you can rest assured knowing that they are protected in case anything happens to them during the move.
7) Insure High-Value Items Before Moving Cross Country
In addition to documenting your high-value items, you should also insure them before moving cross country. This will provide additional protection in case they are lost or damaged during the move.
There are many moving insurance options available, so be sure to do your research and choose the one that’s right for you. You can get insurance through your moving company, your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy, or a standalone moving insurance policy.
No matter which option you choose, protecting your high-value items with insurance is essential.
Moving Across the Country
By following these tips, you can be sure that your cross-country move will go smoothly. With careful planning and execution, you can make sure that your move is as stress-free as possible. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your cross-country move today!
And if you’re relocating to Wilmington, North Carolina, or one of our surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to reach out! Badger Box Storage would be happy to supply your mobile storage unit!
