The Ultimate Interstate Moving Guide

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life. But when you're crossing state lines, it can be even more stressful.

If you’re relocating for work, love, family, or just an upgrade in lifestyle, interstate moving brings a whole new set of challenges beyond what is usually involved in changing residence.

From sorting out logistics to keeping costs under control, there are a lot of balls you have to juggle. Without a clear process to follow in mind, it’s understandable that one or two of them might fall to the wayside.

That said, with the right plan and a few handy tips, it is entirely possible to move house with less stress, more confidence, and maybe even a bit of excitement.

Choosing Reliable Interstate Removalists

One of the first things you will need to organize is who will transport your belongings to another state for you.

Finding reliable interstate removalists can make a world of difference to your moving experience. So, seek out a professional company that offers transparent pricing and seems easy to deal with. They will also need to offer flexible services and have the ability to manage long-distance relocations.

A good way to find such a company is to search on sites like TrustPilot, Facebook or Google for providers who have received good reviews from customers.

It is also worth getting quotes in writing from at least three companies, although you shouldn’t base your decision purely on cost. The best ones will make the relocation process stress-free.

Create a moving house checklist.

When you move house, you'll no doubt have dozens of thoughts running around your head about what needs to be done. So, once you have organised the removalists, it is worth taking some time to put together a moving house checklist to keep you on track.

It is advisable to timeline this at least six weeks before you move and break it down into tasks that fall within each week.

Here’s a quick example of what you might include:

• Buy packing supplies

• Start decluttering and packing each room

• Remove rubbish

• Fix anything broken

• Find new schools for children

• Redirect your mail

• Organise your utility connection services

It is a good idea to print it out and leave it in a conspicuous place, such as the fridge, where you can access it and tick things off once they have been completed.

The beauty of maintaining such a list is that it helps you stay on top of what has been done and still needs to be tackled.

Decluttering Before You Pack

According to this article from the LA Times, the average American household has 300,000 items. It’s likely that the average Australian home comprises a similarly large number. It is also likely that many of those items are not used and therefore do not need to be taken to your new out-of-state property.

While it is tempting to just start packing away everything you have when you are moving, you would be well advised to give your current place a thorough decluttering first.

By doing this, you will not only reduce the amount of stuff you want to take with you to your new home but also reduce the cost of doing so. Ideally, you should be ruthless in only keeping what you need or want. For everything else, you can either sell it, donate it to charity or send it to the dump.

Packing

The thought of packing for a long-distance move might seem daunting. However, you will find it easier if you adopt the following approach.

• Pack on a room-by-room basis

• Label every box you pack clearly with its contents and what room it came from

• To save space, use vacuum bags for bedding and clothing

• Make sure you don’t pack the boxes too heavily. This will slow the removalists down

• Put together some essentials, such as toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes, in a separate bag to use on your first couple of nights in your new home

If you’re flying to your new home, make sure you keep important documents, such as your passport and birth certificates, with you, along with your most cherished valuables.

Don’t Forget to Notify Everyone

It’s easy to forget how many people have your old address. That is why it is important to make a list of companies and people you need to send a change of address notification to.

Start with:

• Banks and insurance providers

• Government services (Medicare, ATO, Centrelink)

• School and medical providers

• Online subscriptions

• Driver’s licence and vehicle registration (this one’s time-sensitive)

It is also a good idea to set up a mail redirection service for your post office. They are available for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months and will ensure that all correspondence is sent to your new out-of-state address.

Managing Utilities and Services

A common moving hiccup is arriving at your new place only to find the internet’s down, there’s no electricity, or the water’s not working. However, this is easily avoided by organising your utility connection services at least two weeks before the move.

Doing this also represents the opportunity to find better deals with other providers, which could save you a bit of money.

Interstate Moving Guide: Settling In at Your New Place

Unpacking in a new home can be equally as daunting as packing in your old place, but an Interstate Moving Guide can make the process smoother. When doing so, it is a good idea to adopt the same room-by-room process, starting with the kitchen and bedrooms. That way, you will have somewhere to cook, sleep, and retreat to when you fancy a break.

You should also take the time to explore your new neighbourhood, meet your neighbours, and get a feel for where the nearest amenities are, including medical centres, shops, parks, and restaurants.