How to Move to Another State for a Job

Moving to another state for a job can be time consuming and expensive. According to the article, "Moving for a job," in the career section of MSNBC, the average cost to move for a job is $60,000 for those who own their own home and $18,000 for people who are renting. Whether you have months to prepare for your move or only a few days, the key is to be organized and know up front what costs will be covered by your new employer and what costs will come out of your pocket.

Things You'll Need

• Moving company/moving truck

Instructions

1. 

   Ask if your new job will help pay for moving.

   Ask if your new employer will pay for relocation costs. Some companies will reimburse moving costs or pay a portion of these costs, especially when it is an out-of-state-move. This usually is negotiated before you agree to take the job. The employer will add it to your salary package as an added perk. However, if your new employer has not offered to help with relocation costs, it may be helpful to ask the human resources department or your new manager if the company has relocation services. This could include discounts at moving companies or even help selling your home.

2. 

   Check online what local rents and home prices are in the new state.

   Research local rents and the price of real estate in the state you will be moving to. You can find out typical rent prices by checking sites like Craigslist or the town's local classified newspaper section. In metropolitan areas like San Francisco and New York, rents are higher than in other parts of the country. To afford rent in a more expensive area you may have to downgrade to a smaller apartment or home. This can impact how much furniture you can take with you. The fewer number of items you have to move, the cheaper your moving costs will be.

3. 

   Determine if your furniture is worth moving.

   Decide what needs to be moved. A large, but old, piece of furniture may cost more to move than it is worth. Determine how much will be coming to the new home. Estimate how many additional boxes you will need to move. Take everything into account, including clothing, towels, sheets and kitchen gadgets. Don't overlook items that may be stored in the garage, such as bicycles or holiday decorations. If you have enough time, pack the boxes yourself. Otherwise, you can hire a company to pack all your stuff. This is called a full-service move, but it can be very expensive.

4. 

   If you can afford it, hire a moving company.

   Hire a moving company. Get quotes from three different moving companies. Compare the services each company is offering and for what price. Tell the company where the pick up and drop off locations are, how many items you will be moving and if you will need help packing or just moving the items. With this information, the company can provide a reliable quote. If you prefer to move on your own, get quotes from truck rental companies such as U-haul, Enterprise or Penske.

5. 

   For the best deal, book plane tickets early.

   Make travel plans. If you are flying to your new destination, purchase your plane ticket early to get the best fare. If you are driving to your new location, ensure the trip leaves enough time to get to your new home and unpack before you have to start your first day of work.

6. 

   Don't forget to change your address.

   Take care of the details. Fill out a change of address form online with the United States Post Office. The post office will have your mail forwarded to your new address for up to one year. Even after filling out the change of address form, let your financial institutions like credit card companies or student loan services know you have moved. Turn off the utilities at your old home, which can include the Internet, cable television, garbage services and electricity; and turn on the utilities at your new home. Have utilities like electricity and water turned on before you arrive at the new location.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are driving, you will need to get a driver's license in your new state.

• Don't forget to register to vote in your new state.

References

• MSNBC: Moving for a Job
• United States Post Office
• U-Haul Moving
• Enterprise: Truck Rentals

Resources

• Market Watch: Relocating