While moving to another state can be great if you’re looking for new opportunities or better living conditions, there are a few things you need to know before you make the move. Too many people are unprepared and end up with a few unpleasant surprises once they start settling in. Here are a few tips for US residents moving to a new state.
Do Your Research
Before you move to a new state, you have to do a little bit of reconnaissance work first. Before you start looking for apartments in Iowa, you should do all the research you can on the state and the city you’re going to live in.
What are the state taxes like and what are the major differences as far as property laws go? How big is the city really, if you don’t count the greater metro area? Is it a university town or more of a place for retirement and/or families? How good is public transit and how cyclable is the city? These are all questions that will need to be answered before you leave, to make sure that the city you choose will work with your lifestyle and expectations.
Make a Budget
Before you start your move, you should have a clear budget and start saving for eventual expenses. Having a safety nest egg is especially important if you’re moving out of state since there’s always the possibility that you’ll have to move back or deal with unexpected fees.
Your budget should help you pay for your move as well, since moving from state to state can be very costly depending on the distance and the number of items you own. Not only that, but you might notice a huge difference between the cost of living where you live now and where you’re moving. Your money could end up not stretching as far and leave you with an unpleasant surprise once you get there, so it’s always better to be prepared for any possible hike in living costs.
Speaking of costs, you should also consider selling some of your items instead of moving them. For instance, if you have a large screen TV, it could still fetch some money online or through classifieds, and you’ll be able to remove some of the dead weight. Do everything in your power to bring only the essentials with you on your move if you want to avoid excessive moving costs.
Be Prepared to File Taxes in both States
If you’re moving to another state, you’ll more than likely have to file taxes for both states to account for the amount of time you worked in each. The only exception is if you’re moving from a state that doesn’t collect taxes on individual income, such as Nevada, Texas, or Washington. So, understand the rules and regulations in your new state if you want to remain compliant.
Conclusion
Moving to another state can be a great move for your career and could open you up to a whole new world of possibilities. Make sure that you follow the few tips in this article if you want the move to be a successful one.
