Moving to a different state? Make sure you have all your ducks in a row with our comprehensive moving checklist!
Moving anywhere is never a simple process, but moving to a different state comes with a new set of details to worry about. It definitely takes more time, patience, and strategic planning. There’s the obvious obstacles—finding a new home, hiring movers, forwarding mail—but then there are additional worries specifically attached to relocating to a new state, like tax domiciles and new doctors… What you need is a checklist so you don’t miss a single step!
Luckily, we’ve created just that. Check out our complete checklist below for moving to a new state to ensure your relocation is as smooth as possible. And don’t forget to download the free printable version at the end to really reduce your stress!
1. Sell Your Current Home
We have to start with the obvious. If you’re moving to a new state, it’s assumed you’re leaving a residence behind. The home-selling process should be at least started at the same time you start the process for moving to a new state. It’s always a lot harder to sell something remotely.
You can find a more detailed breakdown of the process for selling your house here.
If you’ve been renting until now, you can skip this step! Just remember to let your landlord know your intentions of moving with a best estimate as to the timeline.
2. Research the New State
Before moving to a different state, you should research a few things to make sure it’s somewhere you can truly live and be happy. You should know in advance about things like the weather, culture, and crime in the new state. If you’re moving to a large state, like Texas, then you’ll also want to research the specific cities or areas you’re interested in moving to. For example, Austin and Houston are not only very different from each other, but also different from Texas as a whole.
You can find the 10 most important things to consider when relocating here.
3. Visit the New State Before You Move
If you’ve never visited the place you intend on calling home, you’ll be in for a tough transition when you move there… It’s one thing to read about a place, and an entirely different thing to experience it firsthand. For example, you can read all day long about how hot and humid Houston, Texas is, but you have no idea what that truly means until you experience it for yourself.
4. Identify Changes to Your Taxes
Unfortunately, no two states are exactly the same. If you’re moving to a different state, chances are you’ll have a different tax setup. You should do your due diligence and research local and state taxes before you become a permanent resident, and adjust your budgets accordingly.
If you’re lucky enough to be relocating to Texas, you won’t have to worry about state taxes and can worry less about this step!
5. Establish Your New Tax Domicile
All this means is you need to declare your permanent residency in your new state. This can be done after you move to the new state, but you’ll need to do it to correctly file taxes every year. Each state has different requirements and laws surrounding this, so make sure to keep all your documents in order and research the specifics of your new home state.
You can find helpful information on how to establish a tax domicile when moving to a new state here.
6. Learn the Local Laws of Your New State
As cliche as this sounds, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Moving to a new state is no exception! Obviously, we’re not talking about committing large crimes… But each state has variations in traffic, liquor, and even recreational laws; the last thing you want is to get in trouble because you didn’t know that right turns at red lights are illegal in your new home state.
7. Connect with a Local Real Estate Agent
Many real estate professionals have a nationwide network of agents they trust, so the real estate agent helping you sell your home can most likely connect you with another agent in whatever new state you’re moving to.
If you’re not so lucky, we have a nationwide network of real estate professionals we’d love to connect you with! And if you happen to be relocating to Houston, we have plenty of agents who can help you directly!
Another bonus is that real estate agents usually love giving neighborhood tours, so you can easily learn all about your new home from a local expert.
8. Find a New Home
Obviously, you need somewhere to live! Just like the home-selling process, the home-buying process should be somewhat started before you actually move to a new state. Whether you're looking to rent or buy in a new state, a real estate professional can help you every step of the way!
You can find more details about how to buy a house here.
If you’re looking to rent or buy in the Greater Houston area, check out some of our featured listings here.
9. Create a Moving Budget
Moving anywhere can be expensive, but moving out of state is something you truly need to carefully plan and budget for. In addition to normal moving expenses, like packing materials and closing costs, there are expenses like moving vans and travel costs to consider when moving long distance. Budgeting all this out in advance will help save you stress, time, and of course, money.
10. Find a Long-Distance Moving Company
Relocating to a new state will undoubtedly require movers, or at least moving vans. But not everyone will move you long distances, much less across state lines. You’ll have to find a moving company that will get you to your new state, while staying within your budget.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy moving company to move you to a new state, A Better Tripp is one of the best around; find out if they can help you in your move here.
11. Coordinate Travel to Your New State
Now that you know how your things are moving to the new state, do you know how you are? Depending upon how far away your new home state is from your current home, you may need to look into booking a flight. Or, maybe you’re brave enough to drive the moving van yourself…
12. Plan a Moving Timeline
Our checklist can help you keep track of everything you need to do when moving to a new state, but you need to plan it out in a timely manner. Some things just can’t wait until the final moment, and the last thing you want to do is try to rush such an important process.
You can find a sample moving timeline with our essential moving checklist here.
13. Transfer Utilities to Your New Home
This one is a little tricky… Some “utilities'', like internet and cable, can typically be transferred without any problems when you move to a different state. Main utilities, like electricity and water, are usually location-specific. So, you’ll have to set up a termination date for your current home and also set up new utility accounts with companies in your new state.
14. Locate Professionals in a New State
When moving to a new state, many people forget about doctors, dentists, and other routine professionals until it’s time to see one. But who wants to go through the hoops of finding a new doctor while they’re fighting a sickness? It’s better to locate those in advance, especially since moving to a new state often means major insurance changes, too.
15. Update Your Insurance Policies
Obviously, buying a home in a different state will mean your homeowner’s insurance policy will need to be changed. But your other insurance policies will need to change too! Different states have different insurance laws, so you’ll have to update your health and auto insurance policies, as well as any other types of policies you hold.
16. Transfer Your Memberships
Any memberships you have at places like a gym, grocery store, movie theater, or even a car wash will need to either be canceled or transferred to a new location when you move to a new state. Luckily, chain businesses can usually be found across multiple states, meaning you should be able to simply transfer your “home store”. Memberships at local, small businesses on the other hand, will need to be canceled. You don’t want to pay for a membership you’re not even able to use!
17. Update Your Bank Info
Don’t forget to update your address information with your banks when you move to a different state! If you’re a member of a larger bank, then this is a simple step you can likely do online. But if you’re part of a local bank, you’ll most likely need to find an entirely new bank when you move to a new state.
18. Pack for the Move
Unless you’re bold enough to sell or leave all your current belongings behind and start completely over in a new state, you’re going to have to start packing. The good news is that some moving companies offer this an additional service. To make things easier in your move to a new state, you might want to declutter and get rid of some of those older things you don’t necessarily need or love anymore. It’s always easier to move with less stuff!
19. Forward Your Mail to Your New Home
Setting up a mail forwarding service after moving to a new state is highly recommended. You’ll want to update your mailing address for everything, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to miss an account! If you set up forwarding with the U.S. Postal Service itself, any mail addressed to you at your previous address will be re-routed to your new home in your new state. You will have to pay a small (tiny) fee, but it’s well worth the benefit.
You can set up mail forwarding with the USPS here. They even have additional services to help with moves!
20. Get a New Driver’s License
This is probably the worst part of moving to a new state. There has never been a DMV in existence that was easy to work with or had smooth processes. But it has to be done, and the sooner the better. Your driver’s license is an important document that you’ll want updated asap.
If you’re moving to Texas, you can save a ton of time and schedule an appointment at your local DPS here.
21. Register to Vote in a New State
Lastly, you absolutely do not want to forget to update your voter registration when moving to a new state! Usually, this can be updated when you get a new driver's license or set up mail forwarding services. Being registered with the correct address allows you to vote in local elections—something that will greatly affect your daily life.
If you’re moving to Texas and haven’t updated your voter registration yet, you can find different options here.
While moving to a new state comes with a lot more than when moving across town, it doesn’t always have to be stressful! Following this checklist will help make sure you don’t forget any important tasks. But if it ever feels overwhelming, your real estate agent is there to help.
If you’re moving from Houston, Texas, we’d love to help provide a smooth and easy transition with our nationwide network of real estate professionals. If you’re lucky enough to be moving to Houston, download our free city guide so you can make the most of life in your new home!
Want to easily reference this checklist during your move to a new state? Save the image below or print it out!
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.