planning a move out of state

[irmanator]

I am planning a move out of state in a couple yrs. Besides paying off credit cards what can I do to prepare?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Well, if you will at least temporarily still have medical insurance that will be in effect, you might have to pay higher fees because of there being no doctors who participate in the plan. So make sure you get caught up with all your preventative screenings, vaccinations, and any regular labs before you leave.

You might want to secure copies of any medical and dental records that you might need to transfer.

Before the internet, I would have said bring a copy of your local white and yellow pages with you for when you need old addresses & phone numbers, but now pretty much everything can be found online.

Don't forget to send changes of address to everyone that would need it and leave a forwarding address with the post office.

I would say that if you are a member of a credit union that will let you stay a member after moving out of the area, consider doing that. Credit unions have had some of the best rates both for earned interest and on loans in recent years. Keep open any credit union option you have. (My sister regrets letting that go when she moved from here).

After you move, the old state may still be entitled to some income taxes from you, so remember that come the following April. Likewise, taxes on cars or any other property the state taxes. perhaps your current local government will be looking for your taxes, too.

Find out how soon you must register and get new plates for your car. Save money for that if you move somewhere that taxes cars like my area does! Required insurance on your car could be different than you are accustomed to. Certainly the price for the same coverage could be different.

Going to own a home? Check into insurance rates that you might encounter. Better to know what you are getting into.

This is a great question. I'm sure others will have good ideas to match it.

[kork13]

Downsize what you can/are willing to. I've moved all around the globe throughout my life, and by far one of the easiest ways to simplify a move is to reduce the amount of STUFF that you've got cluttering your house and your life.

Try to research as much about the new area as you can. Start looking for a place to live NOW, via online resources or contacting a there-local realtor. Figure out the school district you want to live in, what neighborhoods are better to live in, what is close-by to where you are looking to live and work, and so on. That will also give you a heads-up on what you can expect for housing costs. Do you know anyone who already lives in the area of where you're moving? Ask them as much as you can about living there. Sometimes you never get the full story (good, bad, and neutral) of a city until you talk to someone who lives there. They can also help you settle in, and help you find your way around.

actually, I just noticed that you said this move is a couple years away!! Sit back and relax, I wouldn't even think about it until 6-9 months out! Take care of yourself and be smart as always, but no special things to do at this point. If you try to do too much right now, or get too deep into details of when you move there, the information will likely have changed by the time you actually move. That's why I say wait until 6-9 months out. Taking out debt is always good, and downsizing is easier to do over an extended period of time, but don't start worrying about the move already, you'll only over-think it.

[snafu]

Wow!it's unusual to have a two year lead time. Would you be willing to start with a Household Binder to track what needs to be done with deadlines and check off accomplishments to avoid having important tasks fall through the cracks? Print out one of the many on-line lists on moving tasks.

If you plan to sell your current home, it's not too early to list, plan and begin repairs and updates to make your home the most appealing to potential buyers as possible. Your library will have books that describe the techniques 'Stagers' use to draw attention to positive features and minimize negatives. Lauri Ward writes 'Use What You Have' decor books.

I'd begin dreaming about location & features that are important for your future home. kork13 hit it, it's pointless to move stuff you don't use, don't need, don't love. Great time to start selling via Craig'slist, Kijjiji [local e-bay], consignment, yard sale etc.

[irmanator]

well i have been talking to a savingadvice member who lives in Ncarolina. I went on vacation down there this year. It is beautiful. You all have some really good ideas. I plan on downsizing alot of stuff because i am perfectly ok to get things off craigslist if and when I decide I need them. Basically just bringing what will fit in the 19 ft uhaul. I plan on having as much money as possible saved up just incase i don't find a job right away. I plan on having an apartment but buying a house as soon as possible. I am waiting till I have cars paid off and kids graduated. So at the earliest is june 2012. The reason i want to move is I am really starting to hate NY, the winters and the taxes. I can buy 2x the price house down there for the same price I pay up here because of significantly lower taxes.

[snafu]

I agree N Carolina is beautiful whose winter weather is remarkable. Have you chosen a particular city or community? Perhaps it would be helpful to subscribe [on-line or hard copy as you prefer] to N Carolina newspapers to make you more familiar with issues, locations, businesses, costs and job opportunities in the area. Watching Workopolist on-line site will give you a picture of employment in N Carolina.

I believe moving is both expensive and a lot of work. All the services charge a connect /disconnect fee for electric, water, cable, internet etc. + all the packing up, unpacking, organizing all that stuff...only to do it all again...decisions, decisions decisions.

I hope you have family and friends in your new locations. It's very hard to say goodbye to people who have listened and supported you for years with friendship and love. Will the kids come willingly or reluctantly? Transitions are so much easier with tons of support. What is your plan to make new friends and build a new support system? With your long time line, writing all this in a binder can give you a road map to follow.

[irmanator]

The area I am looking at is in the west corner near tenn and s.c. preferably in the mtns. The kids will be out of school so weather they come or not is up to them. Thanks for the info. I don't have too much family down there. My mom might come with me but idk right now. I will of course have my hubby. My cousin is in tenn. But I have had it up to here with most of my family up here. very crazy ppl. don't need the drama.

[scfr]

My DH & I successfully moved from WA to TX a little over 3 years ago. (Hard to believe it's been that long!) If you want to know more about my experiences, you're welcome to read the entries on my blog under the "Relocating to a Lower Cost Part of the Country" heading.

Downsizing: As you already know, this is critical. Scrutinize every new purchase. You may find that it makes more sense to NOT buy the bulk size package, if you won't be able to use it up before the move. If you are a 2-car household, think about downsizing to just 1. When your family members ask what you want for the holidays, think about something you could use during the move that will take up minimal space. (I asked for gift cards to Starbucks & Olive Garden.)

There is Something to NOT Like Everywhere: In Texas, it's the heat and the tornadoes. Figure out what they are in NC, ponder it, and decide if you are willing to accept the negatives.

Broaden Your Scope: If you're not relocating because of a job and you get to decide where to go, consider other options. This weekend's WSJ Sunday Journal included an article called "Better, Cheaper, Uncrowded Retirement Towns" where they listed alternatives to some of the very popular relocation cities. They listed Chattanooga, Tennessee as an alternative to Asheville, NC (median home price $50K less and a lower tax bill too with many of the same amenities).

Don't Rush the House Purchase: Plan on renting for awhile to get to know the different parts of town, and so you don't feel pressured to buy quickly.

29 Days to a Smooth Move: I call this book my "Moving Bible."

[irmanator]

thanks you blogs were very interesting and informative.