Sometimes, life takes us on a journey that requires a move from one state to another. Although it may seem daunting and time consuming and maybe even impossible to imagine, there are ways to ease the process.

Here are 6 tips for helping to make moving out of state a bit easier and, fingers crossed, seamless.

1.) Research the City/Neighborhoods. To get a good feel for the city and area you are moving to, it would be beneficial to visit the state and various neighborhoods to see what areas meet your specific wants and needs. Don't forget to seek out local shopping centers and local hot spots. If physically visiting the area is not a viable option, there are ways to visit the area virtually, through internet searches, or neighborhood apps, such as Nextdoor or Facebook. Another easy way to do this is through Google Maps, where you can see street imagery.

2.) Find a Place to Live. To get started, find a reputable realtor to perform a home search, based on your criteria, to show you homes in your preferred neighborhoods. But again, you can do a lot of research via the internet using sites such as Zillow.com or Realtor.com. Don't forget to calculate commutes and even test the commute during your visit. This is valuable information when choosing where you will lay down your roots.

3.) Review the Pros/Cons of Hiring a Moving Company Vs. Cheaper Alternatives. Sure, hiring a moving company would be the "easiest" avenue to take. But it may not make sense or be feasible within the budget you have set for this out of state move. If you decide to hire professional movers, it is a good idea to get at least 3 quotes and do your research by checking out company reviews and ratings on moving.com. This is a website where you can look up customer reviews, BBB Ratings, any official complaints filed with the FMCSA and whether or not the moving company has any association with the American Moving & Storage Association. What are the other alternatives? Renting a portable moving container (bonus! They also double as temporary storage containers) or rent a moving truck and make the move yourself.

4.) Research Schools. If you have young or school age children, or plan to one day, this is important, prior to choosing the area you will live in. Moving.com has a great resource that provides school ratings and other useful information that will guide you in your research.

5.) Transfer, Cancel, Notify! This could be a bit of an undertaking, but with a good checklist of what needs transferred, cancelled and notified, it is definitely manageable. Some things to think about: Please note, requirements and deadlines vary by state:

• Any professional licenses (doctor, lawyer, nurse teacher, realtor, etc.)
• Schools - a transfer of school records is necessary
• Utilities - cable, internet, water, sewer, trash, gas, electricity
• USPS Mail - USPS.com
• Driver's license
• Voter registration
• Pet registrations and licenses
• Medical / dental records

6. Strategic Packing.What do I mean by this? Start packing away the items that you do not need to use in the weeks ahead. This could be books, décor, off season clothing, etc. The items that you use on a regular basis should wait until last to pack.

Googlemaps Street Imagery

I trust these 6 tips have eased your mind a bit and provided you with some helpful information, if your journey leads you to move out of your current state.

If you are in the market for a new home within one of our regions, we are happy to help!