March 11, 2018
So you’ve decided to move out of state. Congratulations! The easy part is over, and now the most important task ahead of you is choosing a neighborhood in your new city. There’s a lot to consider, and there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all advice — the kind of neighborhood you choose depends upon your circumstances and what’s important to you.
Here are some questions to ask, and some apps and resources to help you answer them.
Answering this question and determining how much you’re willing to pay is the top priority. Fortunately, there’s a lot of tools and resources to get you started. Trulia and Zillow are good all-purpose sites to visit. If you’re looking for an apartment, Apartments.com and Padmapper are good resources. If you’re looking for a home, realtor.com, Xome, Homesnap, and Redfin are good places to go. The best part? All of these websites have mobile apps and features.
If you have school-age kids, giving them a good education is important. Whether you choose a private or public school, this Atlanta moving company recommends GreatSchools as a good place to check out the quality of the schools in your new city. City-Data also has information on schools, and, for a fee, Neighborhood Scout also allows you to see where the best public schools are based on test scores.
The length of your commute may directly impact your happiness, so you may want to consider a neighborhood close to your workplace. As you consider all the other factors, keep this one in the back of your mind, too. A simple search through Google Maps can tell you how long your commute will take and how bad you can expect the traffic to be.
Everyone wants to feel at least reasonably safe in their new home. City-Data has reports on crime rates and sex offenders. CrimeReports is also a good resource: it gives a map view of the number and type of crime reports filed recently. Local realtors and moving companies often have online resources and blog posts about the best neighborhoods in their cities.
Again, this is dependent upon your needs, wants, and stage in life. Older people, young families, and people with chronic medical conditions may wish to research the type and quality of medical care available in the neighborhood before they make a decision. ZocDoc’s website and mobile app are good places to start. Also, consider the kinds of food you like to eat — grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or restaurants — and see if the neighborhood you’re considering has plenty of what you like.
While the tools listed here are powerful and useful, try taking a trip to see your new neighborhood, if it’s possible. There’s no substitute for experiencing a neighborhood yourself; that can give the clearest picture of whether you want to live there.
Good luck, and happy hunting!
Read moreSeptember 7, 2017
Is your company transferring you to another office location? Corporate relocation can be a big step in your career regarding elements such as a higher salary or even job security. However, the process itself can be daunting because a lot of things are usually involved. In most cases, your employer will be supportive during the relocation. However, it’s important to be proactive yourself concerning taking steps to ensure your relocation is as smooth as possible. Part of doing this involves understanding beforehand what the process entails and here are seven things you need to know.
Corporate relocation can be costly. For this reason, you need to find out how you will be compensated for the move. Companies will often provide relocation packages as a way to support your move so the first step should be to find out what yours covers. Doing this gives you the basis on which to find out more information about the package and even negotiate. For instance, you will be able to find out aspects such as whether housing is covered under the package, whether you will be reimbursed for certain costs or the amount of time you will be given for the move.
Since your company will not be able to cover all your expenses during the move, you need to draw up a moving budget for all your out-of-pocket expenses. You could be driving a long distance where you would need a refill or perhaps you are relocating interstate and may need to update your vehicle’s registration. Budgeting for such additional expenses will prevent any surprises.
Temporary housing is critical when it comes to corporate relocation because you may not be able to acquire permanent housing within the timeframe your company will have provided. Housing may also not be included in your relocation package. Therefore, reserve temporary living arrangements early enough once you find out about the relocation.
When relocating for your job, some of the expenses or costs you incur while moving to the new location may be deducted from your taxes provided they meet the standards of the IRS concerning the distance as well as the time you will work after the move. Your HR contact or your accountant should be able to help you concerning these tax deductions. Having this information can help you save some money during the move.
Find out as much information as possible about the new location concerning things such as cost of living, the culture, transportation, or housing. Doing this will help you prepare yourself adequately to settle in.
Unless your relocation package includes arrangements for a moving company, you will have to plan how you move on your own. DIY moving is usually more cost-effective, though if your relocation stipend is large enough, you might want to avoid the hassle. According to Arizona moving company Cheap Movers Phoenix (cheapmoversphoenix.net), the average long distance relocation costs upwards of $4000, while some might cost as much as $10,000. Despite the expense, professional moving companies often have the expertise especially when you have specialty or fragile items to move.
You will have to meet new people and try to make new friends as soon as you can. New cities or locations offer different things so associating with people will help you settle in quicker and smoother.
August 22, 2017
Moving house can make for a stressful, time consuming and expensive undertaking. The process is likely to be even more demanding if you are moving to another state. This struggle is why many people look for tips from experts as well as family and friends who have made a move at some point in their lives. Here are a few tips to follow if you want to make the long-distance move seamless and manageable.
1. Plan AheadInterstate moves will be a major life event, making it essential to ensure proper planning if you want the process to carry on smoothly. You should plan the packing process early enough, buy the necessary packing materials promptly and research moving companies several weeks before the day of the move. This planning will help you to avoid forgetting anything of importance.
There is no doubt that interstate moves will be costly. The best way to ensure that you make a move without breaking the bank would be to come up with a budget. However, you must make sure that your estimates are flexible enough to accommodate any unexpected costs that may arise.
Packing is an important part of making a long-distance move. Besides downsizing to reduce the weight of your belongings and lower the cost of moving, you should make sure that all boxes are labeled. According to this Vegas company, labeling helps maintain organization and makes unpacking less stressful.
If you still have not found the perfect home in the new area, you may want to look for somewhere to stay on a temporary basis. Doing this will require that you also find a safe place to store your belongings. Going for a company that offers both mobile storage and long distance moving services will provide you the convenience you need.
Hiring the best moving company will ensure that the process goes on smoothly and according to plan. When looking for a mover, you should consider factors such as professionalism, customer service, experience and the quoted prices. Experts from such a company will also give you more tips on making interstate moving less stressful.
If your stuff gets lost or damaged during the move, you may suffer massive financial losses. Properly insuring all your belongings will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are covered. With the different coverage options available, proper research will help you make an informed decision.
It will take time before you change your attitude and have an emotional attachment to your new home. If you want to make the process easier, you should familiarize yourself with the area and give yourself time to adjust accordingly. If you don’t know anyone, try finding a meet-up group that shares similar interests to make new friends.
Even with lots of decluttering before making a move, you will still have to do away with certain things when you arrive in your new home. You may consider selling the items or giving them away as gifts. At the same time, you should expect to buy additional stuff depending on the style of your new home.
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July 11, 2017
Moving to a new state can be a nerve-wracking experience. No matter whether you or your spouse are being transferred, you’ve found a new job, or you’re just looking for a change of scenery, it is important that you immediately begin taking steps to settle in properly. By following these steps and taking action as […]
Read moreJuly 5, 2017
If you’re planning to move out of state, you’re probably already seeing some big numbers. To put your move in context, imagine 185,000 professional movers earning $28 billion to move millions of Americans last year, including the 800,000 of us moving across state lines at an average cost of $4,300 each. That’s a lot of moves and a lot of money. Fortunately, professional movers know exactly how to help you save a few headaches and a lot of cash:
One moving box, in particular, can help eliminate headaches and stress, as well as out-of-pocket cash. Pack yourself a special box, or suitcase if you’re flying, with exactly what you need for your first day and night in your new home. Don’t forget snacks, bed sheets, chargers, towels, or anything else to prevent emergency trips to purchase replacements for what you can’t find when you arrive. Label that box “Welcome Home.”
June 30, 2017
Moving across the country is an exciting way to start a new chapter in your life! The idea of picking up your life and moving it to another state, much less one on another side of the country, can be daunting. However, with the right preparation, a cross-country move will go smoothly with minimal stress. […]
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Wheels on Trucks is the #1 resource for planning your upcoming cross-country move. From providing moving checklists to helping you find the best rates from long distance moving companies for your next residential or commercial move, we help make your move easier! With over 30 years in the moving industry, we know the ins and outs of what it takes to have a successful move.
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