Considering a move from California to Connecticut can leave you feeling excited and intimidated at the same time.
It’s tough to find a new house, job, and new school across town –– trying to find it all across the country can feel next to impossible.
And then factor in the packing.
If the thought of this massive move has you feeling a little overwhelmed, rest assured you’re not alone and you’ve come to just the right place for help.
Whether you are moving to a metro area, a suburb, or a small Connecticut town, Next Moving can help.
Keep reading to learn:
- What you should keep in mind before your move
- The details of moving from California to Connecticut; and
- What Next Moving can do to make your move easier
A Checklist for Moving from California to Connecticut In 9 Simple Steps:
Here are a few simple steps to follow before you embark on the intimidating journey of moving cross-country from California to Connecticut.
#1: Research
Before you jump with both feet into a long-distance move, you’ll want to do your research on the different cities and areas of Connecticut to decide exactly where you want to call home.
Things to consider include:
- The type of neighborhood you want to live in
- The kind of housing you prefer
- Nearby schools
- Available childcare
- The proximity of your home to jobs; and
- Nearby shopping for groceries and household items
If you take the time to research the communities in Connecticut before you leave California, you’ll likely find yourself in a compatible neighborhood that you love.
Doing your homework will also help you avoid the unfortunate task of packing up and moving a second time because the location wasn’t a fit for you and your family.
#2: Set the Date of the Move
Now that you’ve done the leg-work and found the right city for you, it’s time to decide when the best time to make the move is.
Just packing up and moving at a moment’s notice can cost you more money and create unnecessary inconveniences in the long run.
Timing is everything.
Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when setting the date:
- Availability options of your new home
- School start or end dates
- Childcare availability
- The first day of a new job
- Summer vacation; and
- The holiday season
#3: Find Long-Distance Movers From California to Connecticut
Moving from California to Connecticut is a long haul.
Hiring long-distance movers will save you a lot of headaches and worry.
Close to two months before your moving date from California to Connecticut, you’ll want to begin getting estimates from moving companies.
Consider getting at least two or three estimates from different moving companies to compare and ensure you’re getting a good price.
Keep in mind that:
- You don’t need a moving permit in Connecticut, but you’ll need to find out about any local parking restrictions before moving
- Everyone knows California has probably the worst traffic in the United States. Check your route against traffic patterns getting out of California and once you arrive in the bigger cities in Connecticut to avoid getting stuck in traffic on moving day
Making a big move from California to Connecticut means you’ll need an experienced moving company that knows how to handle your belongings with respect and get them safely to their new destination.
With many years in the business, Next Moving has a proven track record of accident-free moves. We even know our way around California, so we can help avoid unnecessary traffic and help you get any permits you’ll need before the day of the move.
You can relax knowing that we are licensed and insured, so your furniture and household items are in the best possible hands.
Call us today for a free quote.
#4:Calculate Additional Expenses
Moving can quickly become a costly event if you don’t plan your expenses wisely.
Small expenses can add up before you know it, so it’s important to consider other expenses that may be a part of a long-distance move.
Aside from finding the right movers, you may want to keep in mind these additional costs for your budget:
- Airfare and luggage fees if you are flying to your new home; or
- Gas if you are driving to your new home
- Lodging costs along the way
- Shipping additional vehicles
- Any necessary storage; and
- Deposits down for utilities
#5: Start Packing Early
People often say the worst part of moving is the packing.
If you decide to go it alone and do your own packing, you’ll want to be sure to get your boxes at least six weeks before you start packing. There’s nothing worse than running all over town in search of boxes at the last minute.
Don’t forget in addition to boxes you’ll want to stock up on:
- Packing paper
- Scissors
- Bubble wrap; and
- Tape
This is one task you don’t want to procrastinate on. Be sure to start packing at least one week before your scheduled move.
If you want to get a good head start you can begin packing items that you don’t frequently use as soon as your packing supplies arrive.
To save you trouble in the unpacking process, be sure to clearly label each box noting the contents and its final destination in your new home.
Why not take the pain out of packing and let the pros at Next Moving do it for you?
Next Moving is the go-to full-service moving company. Our trained movers will pack up all your belongings in a fraction of the time it would take to do it on your own –– without the headache. We take special care with your fragile and valuable items, load our truck, and haul it all to your new home.
#6: Notify Utility Services
When your moving date is about 30 days away, it’s time to notify all your California utility services about your move and on what day you need your services to be discontinued. You’ll also want to start looking for your new utility services in Connecticut.
Get in touch with the following departments so that you can cancel, transfer, or set up new services:
- Cell phone
- Electric
- Water
- Gas
- Trash service
- Sewer
- Cable/satellite
- Internet
- Etc.
#7: Update Your Address
The US Postal Service recommends that you file a change of address form roughly two weeks before moving from California to Connecticut.
You may want to consider sharing 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
- Etc.
#8: Prepare for Moving Day
It’s time to start the final countdown for your move from California to Connecticut. Cross off these last items on your to-do list in preparation for moving day by:
- Avoid fraud alerts or having your card declined for suspicious activity by calling your bank or credit card company ahead of time to let them know that you’ll be traveling.
- Drain the oil and gas from any grills and lawn equipment to prepare your appliances for the big move.
- Defrost your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day
- Prevent any medical issues by refilling your prescription medications; and
- Prepare a travel bag of clothes, toiletries, and any other items you’ll need for the trip
- Pack anything you might need immediately upon arrival at your new home in Connecticut, like:
- Paper products and silverware
- Tools
- Light bulbs
- Cooking necessities
- Pillows and blankets
- Trash bags
If you are planning to drive from California to Connecticut, you can easily keep any necessary items in your car with you. If you are planning to fly, you can make sure this box is easily accessible by having it packed onto the moving truck last, so it is the first to come off when you arrive at your new destination.
Lastly, don’t forget to do a final walk-through of your home to ensure there aren’t any damages and that you haven’t left anything important behind.
#9: Time to Move-In
Welcome to the Constitution State!
Also known as the Nutmeg State, Connecticut is one of six Northeastern states that make up the region of New England.
As the newest New Englander, it’s time to unpack the moving truck and start making your new house a home.
If you’ve hired professional movers, this step is easy as pie.
That’s right, the full-service movers at Next Moving don’t just pack — they also unpack your belongings.
Your only job is to direct the movers where to go with each box.
When you first arrive at your new home, take a few quick minutes to do a preliminary walk-through to be sure everything is as it should be.
The professionals at Next Moving will unpack all of your boxes, set things where you ask, and take the mounds of trashed packing materials away. Next Moving takes extra care with your belongings, however, it’s always a good idea to quickly look over your things to make sure nothing is damaged or missing.
So you’re unpacked and settling into your new Connecticut home, now what?
Here are a few things that many people often forget to do once they arrive at their new destination:
