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.
A Checklist for Moving from California to Georgia In 8 Simple Steps:
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”.
#1: Research
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:
- Neighborhoods
- The type of housing you would like
- School districts
- Proximity to jobs
- Nearby amenities/shopping
- And more
#2: Set the Date of the Move
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:
- School times
- Childcare availability
- Your work schedule
- Holidays
- And more
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.
#3: Find Long-Distance Movers From California to Georgia
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:
- Competitive prices
- Years of experience and local expertise
- A long track record of accident-free moves as a licensed and insured moving company
- And more
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.
#4: Pack at Least 1 Week in Advance
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:
- Fragile items
- Uniquely-shaped items
- Dishes
- Artwork
- And more
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.
#5: Notify Your Utility Services
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:
- Phone and internet provider
- Electric and gas provider
- Water and sewer provider
- Trash service
- Cable/satellite service
- And more
#6: Update Your New Address
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:
- Your friends and family
- Any subscription services you may have
- Your bank and finance institutions
- Your insurance company
- Your auto finance company
- Your pharmacy
- Any home care providers such as lawn service or pool service
- The DMV
- The IRS
- City/county tax assessors
- The Veterans Administration
- And more
#7: Taking Care of the Small Things
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:
- Notifying your bank and credit card companies of travel to avoid any issues with using your cards during the multi-state moving process.
- Making sure that items like lawn equipment and grills are drained of oil and gas and cleaned before being loaded onto the moving truck.
- Emptying, cleaning, and defrosting your refrigerator for at least 24 hours prior to your move.
- Refilling any prescriptions that you may need.
- Packing a travel bag for you and your family, including things like clothes, toiletries, and other supplies you may need while on the road.
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:
- Toilet paper
- Lightbulbs
- Trash bags
- Disposable plates and cutlery
- And more
Before leaving for your new destination, make sure to do a final walk-through of your home to ensure that nothing is left behind.
#8: Move In
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:
- Register your license and tags with your local DMV
- Register to vote; and
- Check to see if any mail has been held up at your local post office