Moving long distances is an endeavor that requires good logistics and a lot of preparation. Apart from the overseas relocation, moving from the West Coast to the East Coast must be one of the most challenging relocation types. So, whether you’re moving east because of your lifelong dream or you’re opening a construction company, it’s essential to be well prepared. With this said, it would be best to have some checklist to refer to as you go by.
We share a complete guide for a coast-to-coast move with you in this article. You can use it to get familiar with the situation that awaits you or refer back to when the relocation is just around the corner, and you want to be prepared.
The ultimate checklist for moving from the West Coast to the East Coast
If you have always dreamt to settle down in New Jersey and are currently reading this article, you are probably thinking of or planning your relocation. So, having in mind that getting ready for a move is never an easy chore, let’s see what you can do to give it more structure and have a sense of stability.
With that said, here is a list of tips for the best possible results. Later in the article, we will dig deeper into each one to give you explicit instructions for what to do.
- Deal with your housing situation beforehand.
- Secure a job prior to your relocation.
- Start looking for a prominent moving company for your coast-to-coast move.
- Reserve plane tickets in advance.
- Declutter your current home&luggage when moving from the West Coast to the East Coast.
- Get your packing supplies ready.
- Pack the things you don’t use daily first.
- Leave the frequently used items last.
- Create a moving essentials box.
- Include an inventory checklist.
Caption: Having a checklist will give you a sense of control and accomplishment along the way.
Alt tag: A hand writing a checklist for their coast-to-coast move in a notebook.
#1 Housing situation
Since you are moving long-distance, it’s essential to research the Internet and the housing market on the East Coast. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and get a few days off to visit the houses you like. But, in this situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Therefore, before hiring amplemoving.com to relocate you to the East Coast, you will need to have a house and an address as your final destination. So, it would be best to start looking for houses months before your planned moving date.
#2 Job
If you don’t have a significant amount of money designated for starting a life on the East Coast, it would be best to find a job. Numerous expenses await, the obvious, as well as unplanned or hidden ones.
Caption: It’s best to find a job prior to moving from the West Coast to the East Coast.
Alt tag: A woman on an online interview for a job on the East Coast.
The expenses you’ll face soon are the movers and their services, the deposit for your new residence, repairs of your current or future place, and so on.
Therefore, creating a killer resume, and sending your application and cover letter to a dozen of companies is a task you shouldn’t put off. As numerous remote job opportunities have arisen from the global pandemic, this won’t be an extremely challenging task.
#3 Relocation company for moving from the West Coast to the East Coast
Pulling off such a long-distance journey is practically impossible without the help of experienced movers. However, there are a couple of side notes to this step.
Firstly, you should be aware of the fact that all of your items need to be relocated in one go. Thus, it’s essential to find a trusting moving company that offers various types of services. Some of those services could be:
- residential and commercial moving services,
- packing and unpacking services,
- car shipping,
- pool, hot tub, piano specialized movers,
- storage solutions, etc.
Clearly, getting more services will significantly raise the price of your whole relocation. However, there’s a way to make sure you get the best offer.
This brings us to the second factor – getting quotes from multiple moving companies. A moving quote is an estimate of your upcoming move. Once you get a couple of estimates, you’ll be able to compare the quotes and choose the one that suits you best.
When considering the transportation of your vehicle for such a long-distance move, it’s advisable to look into a reliable vehicle shipping company like Shiply, which can ensure your car is safely and efficiently transported to your new East Coast home.
#4 Plane tickets
Unless a fun cross-country road trip is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you will probably travel to the other side of the country by plane. Unfortunately, plane tickets can be costly, especially if bought on short notice.
However, if you book your tickets months in advance, you will be able to find good deals for reasonable prices.
#5 Declutter your baggage
Almost all the movers charge based on the weight of your cargo. We understand someone might be sentimental about their belongings. However, the following tip should apply to everyone: everything that costs more to transport it than to buy it at the spot should be left home.
Additionally, starting your new life on the East Coast with less baggage and a clean slate will awaken the feeling of new beginnings and opportunities.
Another useful tip to follow when decluttering your current home is to apply a 3 boxes system. By this we mean you will have a box for things that you are taking with you, the things you’ll sell or donate, and finally things that will go to the trash.
#6 Packing supplies
A month before your scheduled moving date, you should start shopping for the necessary packing supplies. Those are:
- boxes,
- tape,
- markers,
- protective packaging materials (like bubble wrap).
Luckily, tapes and markers can be found at a dollar store. On the other hand, your firends or family might have some packing materials that are still in good shape. Another way to find boxes is to visit local bookstores and supermarkets.
#7 Packing first
Another useful piece of advice we have is to start packing your seasonal clothes, Christmas and Halloween decoration and things you don’t frequently use a month before the moving date. Doing so will give you more time and less things to think about when you pack the things you actually use daily.
Caption: Packing things you don’t use frequently first will save you plenty of time later.
Alt tag: A set of hands packing their belongings.
#8 Packing last
Leave the items your daily functionality depends on until the very last day. These could be your toddler’s bed or baby’s crib for example.
#9 Moving essentials box
In the midst of all the sorting and pakcing, there is one special box you shouldnt omit. The so called „moving essentials box“ should include some of the following items depending on your family’s situation:
- clean sheets;
- clean set of clothes for each family member;
- toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb, and toilet paper;
- if you have a baby, you should pack the baby essentials bag separatly;
- a couple of toys for the kids, and so on.
#10 Inventory checklist
Finally, it’s always good to make an inventory of your belongings. Some of your items might get damaged or even lost during the process, so it’s good to be aware of everything. Also, make pictures of each box and the inventories lists, so you have sold proof if accidents happen and you need insurance to cover those.
The takeaway from moving from the West Coast to the East Coast
To conclulde, moving from the West Coast to the East Coast won’t be extremely difficult if you follow the steps above. Being organized and keeping track of your tasks is the key to successful experiences. So, by following the steps on our checklist, you’ll soon be able to explore places for beach vacations and enjoy the East Coast!
Photos used:
https://unsplash.com/photos/OoiWpdFC0Rw
https://unsplash.com/photos/DUmFLtMeAbQ
https://unsplash.com/photos/RLw-UC03Gwc
https://www.pexels.com/photo/anonymous-man-preparing-package-for-shipment-4464482/
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