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If you’re like most people — the idea of moving from California to Colorado sounds both exciting and intimidating.
Finding a house, a job, new schools.
And don’t forget about packing.
If the thought of moving sounds totally overwhelming, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re moving to the Mile High City or a remote town in the mountains, Next Moving is here to help.
Read on to find out the details of moving from California to Colorado, what to consider before your move, and what Next Moving can do to make your move easier.
A Checklist for Moving from California to Colorado In 8 Simple Steps:
If you’re among the Californians moving to Colorado, you are not alone.
Colorado gained nearly 1 million people between 2010 and 2020, boosting the Centennial State’s population to 5.8 million residents. With a 14.8% increase, Colorado’s population growth is the 5th highest in the US — surpassed only by Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota.
At Next Moving, we know that moving comes with its own unique set of complexities, and we want your moving day to be as easy as possible.
That’s why we’ve put together our “Moving from California to Colorado Checklist.”
By following our step-by-step guide, you’ll be sure to have everything ready to go for the big day.
#1: Research
If you are moving from California to Colorado, the first thing you’ll want to do is take some time to decide where you want to move and research your new community.
Consider things such as:
- The kind of neighborhood you prefer
- Housing
- Schools
- Childcare
- The proximity of your home to jobs; and
- Nearby shopping
Taking a little extra time to evaluate the area can go a long way towards helping you find the perfect Colorado location for you and your family.
#2: Set the Date of the Move
Next, you’ll need to pinpoint your moving date.
As you’re deciding on just the right day, you’ll want to consider:
- The first day of your new job
- School starting or ending dates
- Childcare
- Summer vacation; or
- The holiday season
#3: Find Long-Distance Movers From California to Colorado
Around two months before moving from California to Colorado, you’ll want to finalize your moving budget and begin getting estimates from moving companies.
It’s best to get at least two or three estimates, so you have a good comparison.
Keep in mind that:
- You won’t need to obtain a moving permit in Colorado, but you’ll want to be sure to find out about any local parking restrictions before moving
- If you’re heading to a metro area like Denver or Colorado Springs, you’ll want to check into the traffic patterns, so you reduce your chances of getting stuck in traffic on moving day
If you’re moving from CA to CO, you want to go with an experienced moving company that is familiar with the area and understands the best way to get your belongings to their new destination.
With many years in the moving business, the team at Next Moving has a long track record of accident-free moves.
And, since we’re licensed and insured, you can relax knowing that your items are in qualified, experienced hands.
Give us a call today for a free moving quote.
#4: Start Packing
What’s the easiest way to pack? Let someone else do the work for you.
Next Moving is a full-service moving company. Our team of trained movers will sweep in and pack up your entire house — in only a fraction of the time it would take you to do it yourself.
And we have the know-how and materials it takes to safely pack your fragile and valuable items, such as artwork or dishes.
If you decide to go ahead and do your own packing, you’ll want to be sure to order your boxes and moving supplies at least six weeks before packing time. There’s nothing worse than running out of supplies at the last minute and having to search all over town for additional moving boxes.
You’ll also want to be sure that you clearly label each box with its contents, as well as its final destination in your new place.
#5: Notify Utility Services
About 30 days before moving from California to Colorado, you’ll need to notify your current and future utility companies about your upcoming move.
Get in touch with the following departments to cancel, transfer, or set up new services:
- Electric
- Cell phone
- Water
- Gas
- Sewer
- Trash service
- Cable/satellite
- Internet
- Etc.
#6: Update Your New Address
The USPS recommends that you file a change of address form approximately two weeks before moving from California to Colorado.
You’ll also need to be sure to share your new address with your:
- Family and friends
- Insurance company
- State/Federal Tax Bureau (IRS)
- Auto finance company
- Bank and financial institutions
- Credit card companies
- Health club
- Pharmacy
- Monthly memberships like Netflix and Book of the Month
- Newspapers and magazines
- Home care service providers, like lawn care, exterminator, and snow removal
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Social Security Administration
- City/County Tax Assessor; and
- Veterans Administration
#7: Countdown to Moving Day
One week before moving from California to Colorado, you’ll want to tie up any remaining loose ends by:
- Calling your bank or credit card company to let them know you’ll be traveling. This way, you’ll steer clear of fraud alerts — or having your card declined for suspicious activity
- Getting your appliances ready for the big day by draining oil and gas from grills and lawn equipment
- Defrosting your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day
- Refilling your prescription medications; and
- Packing a travel bag of clothes, toiletries, and any other items you’ll need for the trip
It’s also a great idea to pack a box with any items you’ll want to have access to immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as:
- Toilet paper
- Paper dining products and disposable silverware
- Tools
- Scissors
- Light bulbs
- Toilet paper; and
- Trash bags
You can carry this box with you in your car or place it as the last item in the moving van, so you have easy access to it when you arrive at your new destination.
And be sure to do a final walk-through of your old home, checking each room and closet one last time to be sure you’re not leaving anything behind.
#8: Move In
Welcome to the beautiful state of Colorado!
It’s time to unpack the moving van and get everything inside.
If you’re groaning at the thought, remember — if you hired professional movers, this step is a breeze because full-service movers don’t just pack — they also unpack.
Your only job is to act as traffic director and let them know exactly where you want everything to go.
No stress and no aching muscles on your first morning in your new home.
When you arrive at your residence, be sure to take a few minutes to do a quick walk-through, making sure everything is just as you anticipated.
Also, within the first couple of weeks of moving from California to Colorado, you’ll want to:
- Update your driver’s license and car tags
- Pick up any mail that may have been held at the post office; and
- Register to vote in your new state
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Colorado
3 Pros of Moving from California to Colorado
#1: Arts and Culture
One great thing you’ll notice about Colorado is the abundant artistic and cultural resources.
Colorado boasts attractions such as:
- The Denver Art Museum
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
- Clyfford Still Museum; and
- The Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver
The Denver Performing Arts Complex boasts the second-largest campus of its type in the US and is home to the:
#2: Plenty of Pro Sports Teams
Seven professional sports teams call Colorado home, including:
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Colorado Mammoth – Lacrosse – (NNL)
- Denver Outlaws – Lacrosse (MLL)
- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Colorado Rapid (MLS)
- Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Denver in (NBA); and
#3: Great Weather
Colorado weather is hard to beat.
With over 300 sunny days each year, you will find residents skiing in the morning and playing a round of golf in the afternoon – pretty much year-round.
Summers offer low humidity with warm days and comfortable nights. And if it ever does get too warm, simply head for the mountains.
3 Cons of Moving from California to Colorado
#1: Lack of Racial Diversity
According to a recent survey, the racial demographics of Colorado consist of:
- White: 84.00%
- Black or African American: 4.16%
- Other race: 3.86%
- Two or more races: 3.67%
- Asian: 3.18%
- Native American: 0.98%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.15%
#2: Traffic
If you’re moving from California to Colorado, you may not notice much of a difference in traffic.
Rush hour takes place all day, every day, throughout most of the state.
And weekends can become particularly crazy, with everyone heading for the mountains or the city.
#3: The Unpleasant Effects of High Elevation
75% of the state of Colorado is 10,000 feet above sea level, and if you have ever been to Colorado, you know all about altitude sickness:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Nausea; and
- Difficulty sleeping
Generally, symptoms will go away after a couple of days, but even if you’re a resident, you can still experience occasional altitude sickness.
What to Expect When Arriving in Colorado from California:
Tax Differences:
Good news! — Moving from California to Colorado can help you save on taxes.
According to The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Colorado residents pay less in state taxes than residents who live in California.
Cost of Living Differences:
If you’re moving from California to Colorado, it may not come as a surprise that you’ll likely be saving big when it comes to living expenses.
California ranks as one of the most expensive states to live in.
If you take a look at prices on …
- Food
- Medical care
- Childcare
- Housing
- Transportation; and
- Pretty much anything else
… California comes out as more expensive every time.
Education
In a recent analysis of the states with the best and worst school systems, California ranked 41 while Colorado came in considerably higher with a ranking of 21.
The study took into account the …
- Performance
- Class size
- Funding
- Safety; and
- Instructor credentials
… of the schools in each state.
Government
You can visit the official website for the state of Colorado to find out everything you need to know about working and living in the Centennial State.
Common Moves From California to Colorado:
Los Angeles to Denver:
San Diego to Denver:
San Francisco to Denver:
Los Angeles to Aurora:
San Diego to Aurora:
San Francisco to Aurora:
Los Angeles to Colorado Springs:
San Diego to Colorado Springs:
San Francisco to Colorado Springs:
FAQs About Moving From California to Colorado:
Why are People Moving From California to Colorado?
California’s high cost of living is the main reason why you will find many Californians moving to Colorado.
When you take a look at California’s high property taxes and the exorbitant price for groceries and gasoline, it’s easy to see that many of life’s necessities are overpriced.
What Are the Tax Implications When Moving From California to Colorado?
Residents of California pay the highest income tax in the United States. Moving to Colorado (or any other state) will see a reduction in taxes across the board.
How Do I Handle My Car When Moving From California to Colorado?
If you’re moving from California to Colorado, you may decide to save time by flying rather than making such an arduous drive. Or maybe you’d like to ship one vehicle and drive the other.
Shipping your car is the easy way to get it to your new destination, and depending on the size of your vehicle, you can expect to pay from $600 to $1,070 to ship your vehicle cross-country.
Aside from getting your vehicle from California to Colorado, you’ll need to become a Colorado resident by:
- Residing in the state of Colorado for 90 consecutive days; OR
- Owning or operating a business in Colorado; OR
- Being gainfully employed in Colorado
After becoming a resident of Colorado, you must transfer your driver’s license within 30 days and register your vehicle within 90 days.
Let Next Moving’s Professional Team Help Take the Stress Out of Moving From California to Colorado
At Next Moving, we aim to make your cross-country move from California to Colorado as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
Our professional, experienced drivers have the know-how it takes to get your belongings to their new destination in Colorado smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
Get in touch with us today to get your free quote on moving from California to Colorado.
Why people trust us
Guaranteed pricing
To keep costs and moving quotes in California as clear as possible for our customers, we’re also happy to provide one of the best pricing processes around.
The Other Guys
Hourly Rate
Your hourly rate
Your hourly rate
Plastic Wrap
$0
$50 per roll
Base or truck fee
$0
$30-$100
Extra heavy item fee
Progressive and Transparent
Expensive and not transparent
Hoisting
Yes
Not really
Packing
New boxes and packing materials
Used boxes from previous moves
Disassembly / Assembly
$0
$99+
Truck size
2,200 cu ft
1,650 cu ft
TV installation
Yes
No
Long distance
Express / 15, 30, 45-day delivery window
Not flexible
Insurance
Basic / Full value
You are lucky if they have it
Stacking skills
Professional Tetris players
3 trips for your 1 bedroom apartment
