Moving between states or provinces can already be considered a long-distance move. This is quite a stressful event, and in order to reduce stress and have a smoother start to life in a new place, it is worth taking a closer look at the organization of the move and planning. Preliminary preparation for the move will not hurt either – it will include:
Explore a new area
Study the geography, climate and local customs of your new location in advance. Mark major cities and interesting places for yourself. Also, visit your new city before moving if you have the opportunity. Before purchasing or renting a home, research the area: get an idea of the infrastructure, proximity to schools and other amenities. After selecting suitable housing, you can sign a rental or purchase agreement.
Create a floating budget
Develop a comprehensive moving budget that takes into account expenses such as hiring movers, transportation costs, travel expenses and temporary accommodations. You can get approximate prices for loader services on the company site. Its also a good idea to include moving supplies in your budget, including boxes, packing materials, and moving equipment.
Move important contracts
- Contact your current utility provider to shut off service to your old home. At the same time, organize connections to utility networks in your new home: electricity, gas, water and Internet.
- Notify the post office, your bank, credit card companies, insurance companies and any subscription services of your address change.
- If you have school-aged children, enroll them in new schools in your new province, and provide the current school with the necessary records for a smooth transition.
- Find new health care providers early and give them copies of medical records about you and your family that you can obtain from your current health care providers.
- Contact your insurance companies (auto, health and homeowners/renters) to update your policy or get new ones that comply with the rules of your new province.
- If you are changing jobs, notify your current employer and ensure that you have made all necessary arrangements with the new employer, such as signing employment contracts and completing employment paperwork.
- Make sure your vehicle complies with the regulations of your new province. This may include vehicle inspections, registration, and obtaining a new drivers license.
Plan your move
If your move will take a long time, book accommodation for the night along the way. Make sure you have the necessary travel documents and plan food and rest stops during your trip.
Start packing well before your move. To make unpacking easier, label boxes with their contents and the room they belong to. Properly dispose of any hazardous materials, including chemicals, propane tanks and flammable items.