The Moving Planner Blog

America is a big place, and if you’ve lived in one single state (or a couple of nearby states) for a long time it can be very easy to forget just how diverse a country it really is. There is about 3,000 miles separating Houlton, Maine from Los Angeles, California. Before moving cross country, it’s always worth sitting down and thinking carefully about the pros and cons. Here are a few points to consider.

-         Have you ever been to the destination state? If so, what’s it like? If you haven’t, it might be worth taking a weekend and flying over. Combine a mini-vacation with checking out the place you might end up living in. Look at whatever is most important to you, from the natural landscape to shopping opportunities.

-         How do the statistics compare with your current home state? It’s easy to look up the performance of schools, crime and unemployment rates, house prices, and other useful information by state.  The more data you have, the surer you can be of making the right decision about moving or staying put.

-         Cost of living also varies widely across the US. If you’re considering moving to New York because you’ve been offered what looks like a great pay package, remember that rent, food, and other everyday expenses will cost significantly more than the national average. The cost of living in Texas, on the other hand, is relatively low so if you’ve been offered a good salary there you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck. Detailed state-by-state cost of living information is essential reading for anyone considering a big move.

-         The personal side is also very important. Think about everything your friends and family do for you now- if you do end up moving house your closest friends and family members will probably put in hours of hard work helping you pack all your belongings. At other times they might help out with childcare or feed your pets when you’re on vacation. Most importantly, you probably have people you trust close by- people who will be there to help out in an emergency. Moving away from all that means you lose a priceless support network. On the other hand, the move might bring you closer to other loved ones.

-         Sometimes change is good. It brings new challenges and it’s very exciting. If the time is right and you’re moving state to a job that could inspire you and make you happier, that’s a good thing. You’ll meet new people, see new places, and learn a lot about yourself and about the different ways America works.

-         Make sure to account for the full cost of moving state too. It can be expensive hire movers to shift your goods interstate and there are always administrative fees associated with finding a new place to live. Some employers offer resettlement packages to cover the costs. If you do decide to make the jump it is certainly worth asking if your new company can help you out with the cost of moving.