8 Tips to Make Your Cross Country Move Affordable

When you pick up and move, it is to an unfamiliar place. 

This is even more true if you decide to leave the state you have always lived in, or completely relocate to another area of the country. 

Moving to a new place can be tough.

The list of things you will have to handle when you finally settle in your new place can seem almost endless.

Some of these things might include:

• The economy in the location where you are working
• The difference in taxes, you may find yourself having to pay more
• Where your children will go to school
• The safety of your new neighborhood

Below shows the marginal tax rate for the U.S. historically:

Ryan Carrigan is a co-founder of a resource online that helps compare rates of a variety of moving services known as moveBuddha.

He said that when people plan and manage to transition smoothly, they have done two things correctly. 

He says the first thing that they have done is that they planned in advance. 

The second thing is that they expect things to go differently than what they expected.

Here are some tips that can make your cross country move easier and more affordable.

1. Consider Certain Financial Factors in Advance

Before you decide that it is time to begin the process of moving, there are some things that you should consider as you decide where you are going to relocate.

You’ll want to find out:

• The cost of living where you are moving
• If your job will require new licensing 
• The economy in the new location

 2. The Cost of Living

The cost of living are the expenses that you are going to incur every day. 

You should look at how much groceries are going to cost you. 

How much is your rent going to run, on average? 

How much are gas and healthcare costs for the area? 

These are just a few of the many expenses that should be considered before you decide which state and city you are moving to. 

This is because these costs can change very drastically depending on where you are moving.   

You can look online to determine how much the cost of living runs in your new hometown. 

These tools assist you in comparing and estimating what expenses will look like for the cost of living. 

When you inform yourself what the cost of living will look like in the location to which you are moving, you will be better able to develop a budget. 

You will also know whether or not you will be able to afford to live the way you are used to and expect to live based on the amount of money you make.

Below shows the general standard of living in the U.S.

3. Licensing you may need professionally or for your job

There are a number of careers that require individuals to have a license or certification in the state that they wish to work. 

The Brookings Institution released a report in 2015 that indicated that nearly 30 percent of workers in the United States must have a license to work.

If you move to a new state, you may be required to obtain a new license or certification in the state that you are working. 

It is important that you ensure you will be able to work in the new area. 

For this reason, you should research the type of license that you need to perform your job in the new location.

4. The economy in the new location

You want to make sure that the area to which you are moving does not have low incomes or a high unemployment rate. 

Think about what would happen if you lost your job.

If you do, you are going to wish that you had researched the town beforehand and chosen one that had better opportunities, especially opportunities for employment within your field of work.

Additionally, you should research the median income for that area. 

You can utilize government sources to gain this information. 

It can help give you a clear picture of the economy you are into which you are moving.

Below shows a picture of unemployment in the US between 2004 and 2014:

5. Planning the Move

When planning your move, the first thing that you want to consider is the date that you plan move. 

This can be your best friend in the way of saving you money as you move. 

If you can schedule a day that is different from these times it can help ensure that you have a lower price. 

May through September is the busiest time of the year for moving companies.

The next thing you want to think about is which method is going to save you the most amount of money and stress. 

While moving yourself on your own can save you a good bit of money, it can also provide you with a lot of stress.

When deciding which method is most effective for you, you want to make sure that you weigh the importance of saving money with the quality provided by professional movers.   

6. Rent a Truck

Typically, renting a truck is considered the cheapest form of moving. 

However, the downside to this method is that there are restrictions on what you can do, and costs that should be considered. 

Many of the following factors tend to get looked over when renting a truck:

• There is a time limit on how long you can use a moving truck.
• Most moving trucks have mileage limits associated with them.
• You have to be able to drive the vehicle.
• You have to do all the lifting.
• You have to pay for gas.

However, there are ways that you can save yourself a lot of money and a heap of stress if you are just dead set on using a rental truck. 

The first is to rent one that uses diesel fuel because they tend to get better gas mileage. 

This will save you money on gas.

Second, confirm the reservation they day before you need it. 

You also want to make sure that you have created a backup plan just in case something goes wrong. 

Finally, get quotes from some different companies to ensure you are getting the best deal.    

7. Rent a Container

A moving container is another option to consider when moving. 

Containers provide you with flexibility in your moving schedule. 

You pack up all of your things into the container at the speed you set for yourself.

Once the items are packed into the container, they will be delivered to your new place by the company. 

To ensure you get a fair deal, make sure that you research different companies and how much they charge. 

Carrigan states that it is a good idea to get several quotes before choosing the best option.

You can also find companies that have locations near both the place you are moving from, and the one to where you are moving.

This is because, according to Carrigan, they are going to provide the best rates. 

He says that they may have a local branch, but if they do not also have an office close to your destination, it can significantly increase how much you pay to move.

8. Consider Professionals

Hiring professionals can be the most expensive option, but also provides the higher quality when a long move is taking place. 

They take care of your belongings, and many professionals will pack them for you as well. 

They also load everything into the truck and unload it once you reach your destination.

If you hire full-service movers, they can provide a lot of things about which you may not think. 

They will have the necessary parking permits needed for the moving trucks and have the equipment, such as dollies, on hand to ensure your belongings are safely brought into the new home. 

They also take apart and reassemble furniture and other belongings that need this done so that you don’t need to worry about it.

Based on the budget that you have set aside for moving, professional movers could be a logical option. 

They can provide you with more guarantees and less stress than any other method of moving.

The following shows how many individuals move every year and where they go: