Anybody have any advice on moving states?

[DisneyCaliCouple]

Hello! Not sure if anybody can help on here, but somebody always has advice on things, so figured it couldn't hurt to ask!

My boyfriend and I are going to be making a move from California to Arizona in the next 6 months for work. This is the first big move for both of us and while it's exciting, it also feels a little overwhelming.

Just wondering if anybody has any tips of moving states?? Where do you start? Does anybody know a resource to look at about finding out about areas? The good thing is it's just the two of us right now so that makes a move a little easier.

Any advice would be appreciated! =) Thanks.

 

[Let'sGoFlyAKite]

I looked up the local websites and newspapers. If you check out the online 'classifieds' for a locality you can usually find out what jobs are there, what they are paying, what restaurants are in the area, how much houses and apartments go for. Also realtor.com is a good resource for seeing local neighborhoods and homes. make sure you are getting LOCAL websites, and this is usually helpful.

 

[Robinrs]

Get a hotel and visit during the week, NOT on the weekend. Get an idea of where you want to work, then where you want to live. One is a lot easier to change than the other.

Get a feel of the neighborhoods. Ask questions. Read the local papers. Ask the people who work in the neighborhood. Do your research, you won't be disappointed.

Then rent a place first. Get a short lease until you're sure.

Good luck!!

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

I looked up the local websites and newspapers. If you check out the online 'classifieds' for a locality you can usually find out what jobs are there, what they are paying, what restaurants are in the area, how much houses and apartments go for. Also realtor.com is a good resource for seeing local neighborhoods and homes. make sure you are getting LOCAL websites, and this is usually helpful.

Thanks! That's a great idea!

 

[Angrypenguin]

We just moved from Los Angeles to Dallas over a year ago for work (and now we're trying to get back ). I would suggest you keep track of all expenses you use for your move, as everything's tax deductible at the end of the year.

Are you moving from LA? Good luck! If you have any more questions feel free to let me know.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

generally, I just leave the states where they are!!


it sounds like there is a job waiting for you? if so, possibly your new employer's HR department might have some local resources to help you.

another thing that you can try is to go to the state's web site and almost all of them have "relocating tips" and links on moving there. a good starting point.

like another poster said, it is really helpful if you go there a few days during the week. if you are going to live in one area and work in another. at least one of the days, drive the commute route to see how good/bad it is, and possible alternate routes.

or you might figure that it is too bad to deal with, and maybe change the location you want to live. something else you might want to do is go to the city web site where you are going to live, and go to the police department section and look at crime statistics. it might help you decide on where to live.

good luck.

 

[dakcp2001]

We just went through this. We looked for a place to live within a resonable commute to my job (which we moved here for), we do not have children so school systems were not an issue for us, they might be for you.


Talk to coworkers at your new job, ask for advice we got some great advice on where to look. I asked the HR people, the background check people , pretty much everyone we came in contact with. We also spoke with teh front ddesk people at the hotel we stayed at for the interview. We were going to start with a 6 month least, but it ended up being cheaper to do teh 12 and break it if necessary.



I also HIGHLY recommend ABF relo upack cubes, someone on the dis suggested them and they were AWESOME! The drop em off, you pack em, they drive em to the new state & drop em off there for you. Costs way less than UHAUl and we didnt have to drive a big truck.

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

Thanks so much to everyone's response! There seems to be so much to do, but the tips really make it feel more manageable!

Yes he does have a job lined up and I will be able to transfer with my job. I will have to check with both of our jobs to see if they have any ways to help. As a few of you suggested, they probably do.

Thank you for everyone's suggestions! Like I said, even just a little advice makes it feel more manageable! I knew the Dis Boards would be the place to advice!

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

Are you moving from LA? Good luck! If you have any more questions feel free to let me know.

We are not moving from LA. We are in the desert near Riverside and San Bernardino. At least we are going from one desert to another desert!

It's only about a 7-8 hour distance, but we'd still like to get everything moved in one shot. (That's a long drive to go back and forth!) Would you suggest a moving truck company or Uhaul being easier? I don't have a problem packing and moving things myself, but have heard people say using a moving company makes it easier to get everything there in one drive. Of course, we want to do it the most affordable way possible!

 

[dakcp2001]

We are not moving from LA. We are in the desert near Riverside and San Bernardino. At least we are going from one desert to another desert!

It's only about a 7-8 hour distance, but we'd still like to get everything moved in one shot. (That's a long drive to go back and forth!) Would you suggest a moving truck company or Uhaul being easier? I don't have a problem packing and moving things myself, but have heard people say using a moving company makes it easier to get everything there in one drive. Of course, we want to do it the most affordable way possible!

ABF relo cubes! And then get "movers helpers" from teh UHAUL website to help you unpack & unload. WAY cheaper and they drive.

I am forever in debt to the dis boarder that told us about this.

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

ABF relo cubes! And then get "movers helpers" from teh UHAUL website to help you unpack & unload. WAY cheaper and they drive.

I am forever in debt to the dis boarder that told us about this.

Great, I'll check those out!

 

[7165red]

Yes, go to www.citi-data.com and click on to forums. It's really great site. Good Luck with your move.

 

[KerriSue]

Yes, go to www.citi-data.com and click on to forums. It's really great site. Good Luck with your move.

I second this!! My husband is active duty AF and we were stationed overseas and when it came time to move back to the states this website was the best. I got every answer possible.

Good Luck with the move!

 

[pigletgirl]

Are you moving to the Phoenix or Tucson metro area?

The best advice is location location location! It takes waaay too long to commute across the city.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, call your insurance company and run a few zip codes past your agent.

I once moved from south 9th to north 4th in the same city (noting that b/c of a park there's no south 5th, 4th, 3rd, or 2nd) and my insurance went WAY up, then WAY down when I moved away from there. I lived in the one area b/c COL was so so low...alas, that's where the accidents/breakins/thefts were being reported. Of course...I lived right along a bus line, and people would drive their fancy cars with their specific neighborhood parking permits in their windows and LEAVE them parked on the street all day, taking the bus into work...and those were the cars being broken into. So the people in the neighborhood where it happened were being charged higher insurance, while the people actualy making the claims were getting lower rates.

Anyway, regardless of all that, check with your insurance company, because it will help you see where claims are being made, and that is good to know.