About 7 months ago, Danny and I moved cross-country from Washington State to Texas. It was the first time that either of us had attempted a cross-country move. Overall, the move went smoothly and we did not run into many problems. However, now that we have been through the process, we do have several cross-country moving hacks that would have made for a smoother transition. In this post, I’m sharing 5 things I would do differently before moving across the country in the future. By implementing these moving hacks, you can save yourself time, money, and a whole lot of stress when planning your big move!
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Cross-Country Moving Hacks: 5 Tips for a Smoother Transition
1. Research the Area You Are Moving to Based on Your Values and Interests
I think that everyone knows that thoroughly researching the area you’re moving to is an important part of a successful cross-country move. This is especially true if you are moving somewhere that you have never visited or been to. During our move, I found that YouTube videos, blog posts, Reddit, and Google Maps were great options for researching the area and seeing what people who lived in the area thought of it.
Beyond just checking off boxes like schools or job markets, one key aspect to consider is how the area aligns with your values and interests. This is one thing that Danny and I should have looked into more. For example, are you single in your 20s and looking to spend nights out, or are you raising a family? Do you like luxury brands and high-end stores, or do you want to live in a charming historic downtown? Everyone has different priorities and lifestyles that they want to lead. By understanding your priorities, you can make informed decisions about neighborhoods, amenities, and lifestyle factors that will contribute to your overall happiness and well-being in your new home.
2. Choose a Time of Year to Move with Good Weather Conditions
Not everyone can choose the time of year that they are moving. However, if you are someone who can decide what month to move in, consider the weather and terrain you will be crossing along the way. Danny and I moved in February, meaning that we needed to take a longer route because we had to go South through California and then East through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to reach Dallas. If we had waited just a couple of months, we could have decreased our drive time by 10 hours and driven through Colorado and Utah to get to Dallas.
While the extra drive time was not the end of the world, we did get stuck in a blizzard in Mt. Shasta, the first two days of our drive were in a torrential downpour, and there was flooding and car accidents all through Southern California. We could have been much more strategic in our planning if we had chosen to wait until after Winter just based on weather conditions and driving routes alone.
3. Pack Strategically
Another cross-country moving hack that can dramatically decrease your costs and stress levels is to pack strategically. The first step in packing to move cross-country is to declutter ruthlessly. If you have not used something in the last year, forgot that you had the item, or would not care if it got lost in the move, you probably don’t need it! The more things you have, the more expensive it is going to be to move.
Before moving, Danny and I got rid of most of our belongings. It also helped to buff up our moving fund by selling through the Facebook marketplace. However, after packing up our things in boxes, moving them into the moving pod, moving said pod across the country, unpacking the pod and carrying the boxes up 3 flights of stairs, and then unpacking all the boxes, we realized that we still brought too much. There are so many things that we haven’t touched since moving. For example, the tens of sweaters that made up most of my wardrobe in Washington State? Not very useful in Texas when we were hitting 90-degree days in FEBRUARY.
Second to decluttering, packing things up by room and labeling your boxes is going to save you SO MUCH TIME. By the end of our moving prep, we were throwing anything and everything in boxes. It didn’t matter if Kitchen things were going into boxes with bedroom things, it was going into the same box. When it came to finding items that had not been unpacked, or unpacking boxes in each room, it took way more time and energy.
4. Emotionally Prepare
Not only is moving cross-country physically exhausting, but it’s emotionally taxing as well! It is a huge life change and you’re moving away from not only the life that you currently know to one that you may not know what to expect, but from friends and family as well. Moving can provoke a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety or fear. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions. Recognizing and accepting your feelings can help you process them more effectively.
Other tips to help manage this transition include:
- Maintain contact with friends and family, both old and new. Having a strong support system can provide comfort and reassurance during the transition.
- Prioritize activities that help you relax and de-stress, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally will improve your overall well-being.
- Imagine yourself thriving in your new home and envisioning the positive aspects of the move can help boost your motivation and excitement.
The day that we arrived in our new city, Danny and I both had a moment of panic. We wondered if we had done the right thing by moving or made a huge mistake. Saying goodbye to everyone we loved in our hometown was a huge emotional rollercoaster. It’s not one that we expected. Although it’s not the traditional moving hack, I think that taking the steps to emotionally prepare yourself before your move is important!
5. Have a Moving Fund
One thing that we did right was have a dedicated moving fund! Since we sold most of our belongings to attempt to save money during our cross-country move, we had almost no furniture once we got to Dallas. That’s where our moving fund came in. We had dedicated money set aside for essential purchases such as a couch and bed frame. Other things that we needed to furnish our apartment such as a desk, rugs, and side tables came later on, but were also purchased with the moving fund. During the move itself, we used the funds for gas, food on the road, hotels, the shipping pod, pre-move car maintenance, and packing supplies. Moving cross-country can be expensive. I know there are many people out there who do it on a shoestring budget. Regardless of how you move, I truly think having a moving fund with more money than you anticipate needing is essential for having a smooth and stress-free move.
Cross-Country Moving Hacks: 5 Tips for a Smoother Transition
I hope these 5 cross-country moving tips were helpful if you’re planning your cross-country move! After living in our new city for over half a year, we are so glad that we decided to make the move!
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