Long-distance moving can be stressful and expensive. There’s a lot to think about when preparing for a long-distance move. Luckily, the costs tend to add up quickly. You shouldn’t let that keep you from making the right decision for you and your family. There are many ways to offset some of the costs. Check out these six major expenses that go into long-distance moving:
Determining What to Move
When moving across the country, you’ll first need to determine what to move. Maybe you have a home in a new development that you want to sell. Perhaps you’re moving for your job, or because you’re starting school or a new career. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to decide what to move first. If you’re moving for work, you may need to decide which items you want to keep and which items you need to let go of. Keep in mind that some things will be less valuable when you move. This can be important, especially if you need to downsize for financial reasons.
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs vary depending on your home state and the destination. Shipping a 1,000-pound shipment to New York City will cost a bit more than shipping it to Los Angeles. The same goes for a smaller item, like a TV, which will cost less to ship to California than to New York. You can use a shipping service like Ship My Stuff to calculate the cost of shipping your items. Shipping and storage fees are based on your items’ weight, so make sure you include the boxes and packing materials.
Storage Costs
The cost of longer-term storage can vary. The first thing to consider is how long you’ll need storage. If you’re only storing items for a few months, you can often find off-site storage. This can be cheaper than on-site storage. If you’re moving across the country, you can often find off-site storage. That may be more affordable than storing your items at home until you move back. You’ll also want to consider the size of your storage area. If you need a large area that you can set up as a warehouse, off-site storage may be more expensive. If you need to store items for a short time, you can often find short-term storage. This can be less expensive than long-term storage, but it also has its limits. You can’t always move your items back in if you need to get back to work or to school.
Moving Services
A long-distance move can be stressful, especially if you’re doing it alone. Moving services can help with the packing and make sure you’re not forgetting or leaving anything behind. Many companies will also help with long-distance moving. For example, contacting a reputable cross country auto transport service can help you get your vehicle from one state to another. Investing in moving services can also help you focus on the logistics of moving, like scheduling a driver and tracking the move online. You can compare moving services in your area to find one that works for you.
Residence Set-Up Costs
Depending on your state, you may have to pay taxes on your new home. This can add up quickly. You may also need to get a home inspection to make sure it conforms to building codes in your new state. You’ll also want to think about getting a wireless internet connection if you have a house or apartment that doesn’t have a broadband internet connection. This can be expensive, especially if your new home doesn’t have a good wireless internet connection. You’ll also want to think about getting utilities turned back on. This can include electricity, gas, and water. Most utility companies will want to make sure your home is structurally sound before turning it back on. Make sure you have a schedule for when you need to have these services turned back on.
Other Costs
There are a few other costs you’ll want to think about. You’ll want to think about closing costs and mortgage insurance. The closing costs are often waived if you use a closing company like LendingTree. If you’re getting a mortgage, you may have to pay a portion of your interest as mortgage insurance. This is also sometimes waived, but it depends on your lender. You’ll also want to think about the cost of living adjustments. This can be tricky. These are increases to your military pay or government benefits to offset the cost of living in a new area. It’s important to do your research so you don’t end up paying too much in COA or taxes.
Final Word
Moving across the country can be stressful and expensive. Finding ways to reduce costs can help you make the move easier on your budget. This can help you downsize and focus on what’s important – your family. There are many ways to offset some of the costs of long-distance moving. This can be helpful if you’re planning a cross-country move, or a move across more than one state.
