You’re probably wondering how to move cross-country without feeling overwhelmed. Well, the answer lies in planning. You see, unlike any other move you’ve ever had to make, moving cross-country can be exhausting as there are numerous tasks you’ll need to complete. As such, a move like this requires a lot more preparation and time. Besides the everyday stress that comes with a cross-country move, let’s not forget that it can all also be exciting, especially when you’re adequately prepared, and that’s what we are here to help you do. Here are our top five tips to help you plan a cross-country move.
1. Do your career homework.
People move for different reasons. For some, it’s to be closer to family, and for others, it’s for school or career reasons. Whatever the case may be, being stranded financially in a new city is the last thing anyone wants to experience. Therefore, unless you already have a new job waiting for you in your new city, it’s crucial that you start researching for employment opportunities.
You should ask yourself if your new city supports your professional goals and if your qualifications and work experience can land you a decent job. This allows you to prepare ahead of time, especially in a case where using your current undergraduate degree or master’s degree will pose a challenge when applying for jobs. One of the many ways you can improve yourself is by enrolling in an online program or attending graduate school to get a graduate degree or an accelerated graduate business degree.
For instance, places like Washington DC and Atlanta city have a high demand for Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates. So if you’re moving to a place like this, having a business degree will improve your chances of landing a job in fields like business management, strategic management, operations management, financial management, project management, and human resource management.
Furthermore, suppose you can’t afford the tuition cost and will prefer to work while schooling, make sure you review your program’s core courses and core classes to know if the graduate coursework structure will fit your life schedule. Also, don’t forget to confirm your school’s accreditation by Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
2. Get rid of the things you no longer need.
You probably believe you don’t have many properties, but wait until it’s time to park and the boxes start coming out. This isn’t surprising as many of us are drowning in our possessions and rarely find the time to sort through them and discard what we no longer need. This can be a time-consuming process which is why we advise that you start early.
A good starting point is to create three different piles —the items you’ll keep, those you’ll donate, and those you plan to sell. This will help you cut your items until you’re left with strictly what you need. For the items you intend to sell, you can organize a garage sale to get rid of them and earn some money while donating the others to charity or any homeless shelter close to you.
Alternatively, another great way to earn money is by taking all items of value that you no longer need to any local pawn shop. For let’s say you live in Ohio, there are many pawn shop services in Ohio. Here, they can give you instant cash for valuable items such as jewelry and rare collectibles.
3. Get your housing situation under control.
Before you move, you should ensure you have plans for accommodation in your new city. This doesn’t have to be your permanent resident; it could be temporary, like an Airbnb or a hotel room in a three-star hotel, pending when you have solid accommodation plans.
For instance, let’s assume you are moving to New Jersey or Princeton University, you can carry out an online search for the best hotels in Central Jersey. You should ensure the hotel of choice is within your budget, has provision for free wi-fi, and an on-site restaurant.
Furthermore, if you’re currently staying in a rented apartment, remember to give your landlord notice before your lease ends. Cancel or transfer all your memberships and subscriptions, so you don’t get charged for them while you’re away. Also, visit your insurance provider and doctor and notify them of your relocation. This is to enable you to fill out any necessary form needed to transfer your records to the new doctor.
4. Give room for flexibility in your plans.
While it’s okay to set goals to help focus your mind while you’re in a new city, don’t make them rigid. You never know what ball life will throw at you, so you must always be prepared and flexible enough to handle these challenges when they come. Additionally, you might get homesick, especially during the early days.
You can always make new friends by attending events or searching online for a community of people who share a similar interest or hobby with you. However, if you’re unable to find a community, you can use this as an opportunity to take up a new hobby and learn something new and stimulate your creativity.
5. Explore your new city.
Moving cross-country involves experiencing a new city, mingling with new people, and absorbing yourself in their culture. This is the best way to have an enjoyable stay in your new home. So, think of this move as a time to experience a different side of life and seize every opportunity to learn something new.
You can start by searching for tourist attractions that fit your hobbies and lifestyle. For instance, in the Mississipi Delta area, Gateway to the Blues is an excellent tourist attraction that any music lover would love. They have an impressionable blues museum at Blues Highway 61 that has a collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and a recording studio where you can record your own blues song. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase items and send them to your friends and family back home.
