Moving to a new city to advance your career is stressful, and because you often have to relocate on a short timeline, you may be overwhelmed by the process. Staying organized is essential for a smooth move that causes minimal time, money, and stress. Do these five things before you go to streamline the process.
1 Know Your Moving Budget
You must set a strict budget when relocating to avoid wasting money. In addition to the cost of buying or renting a new place to live, you need to pay for utility startup costs, groceries, and furnishings for your home. You may also need to buy packing supplies, sell your existing house and hire professional movers. These small expenses add up quickly, so it’s important to list out every possible cost when setting a moving budget. You may also want to ask your new company about relocation reimbursement because this perk could cover most of your expenses.
2 Create a Moving Plan
Your job may pay for professionals to pack and transport all of your belongings to your new home. If you are responsible for your expenses, you must decide if you should hire professionals or rely on friends to help. Hiring a professional moving team can get the job done faster, but you may not have room in your budget. Decide which of these options is best for you before making any other decision.
3 Find a New Home
Make a list of your desired features and amenities in a new home and start looking at listings in your new city that meets your criteria and fit your budget. In San Angelo, TX, houses are selling for under $175,000 on average, while the average rental home ranges from $500 to $1,500 a month.
According to one survey, being in a great school district is the top criterion for 78% of Americans. You also need to think about logistics such as your commute to your new job or the distance to the nearest grocery store. After narrowing down which area you want to live in, choose the perfect house and neighborhood by focusing on the following specifics:
- Square footage
- Sightlines
- Number of bedrooms
- Lot size
- Neighborhood noise levels
- Number of electrical sockets
4 Write a To-Do List With Deadlines
Moving to a new city on a short timeline means you need to complete numerous tasks in days or weeks instead of months. You don’t want to forget to pack some of your belongings or fail to tie up loose ends. Writing a list of all of your major goals helps you stay organized while preparing to move. Break each item into small, manageable tasks. Give each task a deadline, which helps you stay on track to reduce stress.
5 Start Packing
Packing your belongings is a huge task, and if you opt to do it yourself, it can take days or weeks. Start by pacing the items you use infrequently. Make sure to label every box so you know where the contents go once they reach your destination. Wait to pack essential items you use every day until moving day and keep them separate from your other belongings so you can locate them easily when you arrive at the new house.
Planning and preparation reduce your stress levels when you are moving to a new city for a job. Use these tips to save time and money while preparing for a smooth relocation.