While moving from California to Georgia is an exciting adventure, it also comes with a lot of moving parts — finding a house, new schools, a new job — the list goes on and on.
At the forefront of your stress is packing and moving.
This is where we come in. Whether you’re moving to a small neighborhood or smack dab in the middle of a busy city, we are here to simplify your move.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know before moving from California to Georgia and how Next Moving can help with your upcoming move.
If you’re thinking of trading in the West Coast for the East Coast, you’re not alone. From 2010 to 2020, an estimated 6.1 million people have moved out of California.
Moving can be stressful, especially when you are moving to the other side of the country. To make your move easier, we have created a “Moving from California to Georgia Checklist”.
Georgia is a large state with a lot to offer.
When considering an area that you would like to move to, it’s important to gather research that gives you a snapshot of the community and allows you to envision your life there, such as:
Next, you will need to set your moving date and time window.
Make sure to consider factors that you may need to schedule around, such as:
At Next Moving, our long-distance movers are local and knowledgeable about the areas you are moving to and from. We consult with you about the best times to move according to peak traffic times and community events.
Once you hit the two-month period from the time you plan to move, you need to start getting estimates from moving companies.
We recommend getting 2-3 estimates to compare your options before officially hiring a moving company. And don’t forget to check out reviews from past customers!
At Next moving, we offer:
Prior to your move, you will need to secure a moving permit and make sure that any reservations such as parking or elevator use are set up. While this responsibility falls on you as the mover, our long-distance movers are happy to walk you through the process of obtaining any needed permits and accommodations.
The key to a stress-free move is to avoid any last-minute scrambling. We recommend having your belongings packed at least one week in advance.
Running against the clock and don’t have time to pack? Let our highly skilled movers handle the packing for you.
Our highly trained team of movers are experts in packing:
If you prefer to do all of your packing by yourself, make sure that your moving supplies and boxes come in 6 weeks before you need to pack. This will help ensure you don’t end up having to scramble last-minute looking for boxes if your supplies do not arrive in time.
Most importantly, be sure to label each box according to its contents to make the unpacking process easier.
Be sure to let your utility services know about your move at least one month prior to ease any issues with cancelling, transferring, or setting up new services.
Some departments you may want to call to make accommodations include your:
You’ll want to fill out a “Change of Address” form with the Post Office about two weeks prior to your move date.
You’ll also need to update your address with:
Taking care of small details beforehand can help simplify your move and make the process less stressful. Some final loose ends you’ll want to take care of include:
Another great way to be prepared for your move is to pack a box of home essentials you’ll want access to upon the arrival of your new home, such as:
Before leaving for your new destination, make sure to do a final walk-through of your home to ensure that nothing is left behind.
You’re finally ready to move into your new Georgia home.
The only thing left to do is unpack. If you’re in a hurry to enjoy your new home and surroundings, you can count on Next Moving movers to unpack for you.
That’s right, as a full-moving service, we provide packing and unpacking services.
All you need to do is direct our movers on where you would like your belongings to go, and we will take care of all the details and heavy lifting.
Within the first few weeks of living in your new home, you will want to make sure you:
Here’s a look at some pros and cons of moving from California to Georgia.
Let’s take a look at the pros of moving from California to Georgia.
According to 2021 data, Georgia is ranked as the 6th most cost-effective state in the United States, while California is ranked as the 48th most cost-effective state.
Georgia is rich in unique culture and thrives as a hotspot of filmmakers, musicians, and artists.
Georgia is a magnet for creative entrepreneurs and offers a wealth of business opportunities.
Let’s discuss some cons of moving from California to Georgia.
As a previous Californian, it may take time to get used to the pollen season.
Georgia only has 100 miles of coastline and few beaches that you can visit.
Just like large cities in California, you won’t be able to escape the big-city traffic and high volumes of tourists in large Georgia cities like Atlanta.
When it comes to moving from California to Georgia, here is what you need to expect.
Summer in the Deep South is going to be drastically different from a California summer. Throughout the year, you can expect mostly heat and humidity.
While Georgia has vast geological diversity including mountainous regions, coastlines, rivers, and metropolitan areas, you likely won’t need to pack a winter coat.
Georgia has many unique microcosms of culture spread across the state.
While some areas like Atlanta may be known for their music and nightlife scene, rural cities like Dublin are mostly known for their natural beauty and down-home Southern hospitality and charm.
If you are moving from California to Georgia to try to avoid paying higher tax rates, you may be in for a shock.
When it comes to states with the lowest tax rates, California comes in 11th place, while Georgia is ranked as the 21st.
Georgia is one of the most cost-effective states in the country, ranking in the 6th place for the lowest cost of living. On the other hand, California is ranked in the 48th place with one of the highest costs of living in the country.
According to 2021 data, Georgia is ranked 32nd when it comes to the quality of education in the United States, while California is ranked in the 41st place.
For more information on the Georgia government, visit Georgia’s Official State Web Portal to learn more.
Here are some frequently asked questions about moving from California to Georgia.
Many people are moving from California to Georgia in search of better job opportunities and a lower cost of living.
The tax rates in Georgia are higher than in California, so you will want to assess your budget and make any adjustments necessary.
If you’re looking for …
… a move from California to Georgia can definitely be a great choice.
With a cross-country move, it may be easier to ship your car and fly to your new home, unless you’re the road trip type.
Depending on the size of your vehicle, you can expect to pay $600+ to ship your car from California to Georgia.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure to register your car within 30 days of moving to Georgia.
With years of experience as highly trained long-distance movers, we can help make your cross-country move a breeze.
Call us for a free quote on your upcoming move today.
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.