Moving is never easy, whether it’s down the street, or across the country. But the farther you move, the more complex the move can become. Many of my clients move to the East Bay from all over the country, and the world! After years of helping people move and settle down here, I am pleased to say that I’ve learned a lot — and have created a list of considerations to help you!
Create A Budget for Your Move
Moving can be costly. Plan ahead of time how much money you are able to spend on your move so you can make strategic decisions along the way. Think of the mover cost, mileage add-ons, and packing supplies.
Using a moving cost calculator can help you estimate the average price. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,200 to $5,000 for a two-bedroom home.
Other expenses associated with moving: setting up new utilities, WiFi and cable, gas or airfare for yourself, shipping your car if you’re not driving it, hotels and meals. It all adds up quickly, so the earlier you plan, the better.
Choose a Moving Company
Everyone has different needs when moving; some are able and willing to do it on their own, while others want a full-service experience where movers even do the packing for you.
If you are going to do the packing yourself, read up on the best methods for moving and/or shipping your items, and ensure your bulky items like furniture are prepped correctly. More ideas are below.
Packing
Do not underestimate the time and effort that goes into packing. You do not want your moving day to arrive when you’re still scrambling around trying to properly pack your clothes and dishes.
The prep is almost as important as the packing itself. Make sure you have the correct (number and size) boxes, packing tape, padding for fragile items, etc. And make sure the essentials for your trip and immediate arrival are available so you’re not digging through everything to find your toothbrush.
Get Your Paperwork In Order
This is not one of the most fun parts of moving, but it’s an important one. You have to consider any billing addresses that need to be updated, memberships to cancel or transfer, going to the DMV, etc. Some of these things can be done prior to the move, some need to be completed once you’re a resident of your new state.
Here are some items to remember:
- Gym membership
- Mail forwarding
- Credit cards
- Driver’s license
- WiFi
- Insurance
- Utilities
- Voting registration
- Cable
- Pet registration
Visit Your Destination
Of course, if you are able to spend some time in your new destination ahead of the move, that is ideal. If it fits your budget, spend a week of two visiting and getting to know different neighborhoods. Follow the city on social media accounts and look for things to do locally. Read Yelp reviews and check out top-rated restaurants, parks, and retail shops.
Find Your Perfect Home
Of course, you’ll need the house squared away. This is where we come in. During your stay in town, we can make the most of your time by pre-selecting a number of homes that fit your criteria to visit. We specialize in helping out-of-towners learn about the neighborhoods and learn what their budget translates to in Bay Area pricing. Ready to go shopping? Reach out!
As a top producing agent with 20+ years of experience in the East Bay, I have helped hundreds of clients showcase and maximize the sale of their homes in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, and my experience as a former appraiser allows me to help my clients understand the market. If you have any questions, I am here to be a resource for you.
January 24, 2023 
