13 Must-Know Tips for Moving to A New State Alone

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Moving to a new state alone can be a good idea if you’re in your 20s and/or recently graduated college. Stepping out of your comfort zone will no longer be an unchecked item on your vision board if you go through with a move like this.

An intrastate move can help you grow personally, professionally, and socially. It can teach you how to budget, how to be more responsible, and yes, even how to make friends.
The question is: what should you know if you’re thinking about moving to a different part of the country? In this blog, we’ll share allllll the tips. Let’s have some fun!

13 must-know tips for moving to a new state alone

Here are our best tips for moving to a new state alone:

#1: Read everything you can about the state

Moving to a new state alone in your 20s? Reddit is a great resource. You can check out that site, Quora, social media groups, and local blogs for all there is to know about your new state.

That will help you feel more familiar with the environment. It will also tell you what to expect and make it easier to find things you like to do. So, what should you look up exactly? We recommend checking out the best cities.

Then, you can narrow it down to the best neighborhoods, best places to eat, best places for coffee, best salons, top employers, activities, events, history, crime rate, cost of living, and what the locals are like. That can say a lot about a place and whether you’re going to be happy there.

#2: Choose the right place to live

Not sure where to live? First, do some research to see whether an urban, rural, or suburban community feels more like you. If you like a small-town atmosphere and want to be on a first-name basis with everyone without ever having to worry about traffic, you’ll be happiest in a rural community.

If you want to live near the big city but away from the hustle and bustle, consider a suburb (i.e., right on the outskirts). Finally, if you want to live right in the action and enjoy a fast-paced style of living and having the world at your feet, you’ll feel most at home in an urban atmosphere.

#3: Consider roommates, shared houses, and apartments

It’s safe to say that you’ve probably scoured Google far and wide at this point. You’ve probably picked your dream home or apartment and are strongly considering moving. However, moving to another state can be pricey–especially if you’re moving alone.

The good news is that you can minimize your expenses by living with a roommate, moving into a shared house, or getting an apartment. There are pros and cons to all of these options, of course.

Roommates:

Can make new friends
Can split the cost of rent
Must vet to make sure they’re trustworthy
Could be problems if your personalities don’t mesh

Shared Houses:

Can start saving money by living out of a bedroom
Usually furnished, so there’s no need to invest in new furniture yet
Can be noise restrictions and/or too noisy when you require quietness for Zoom calls, etc.
Must share access to the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, so you’re never alone

Apartments:

Can be cheaper than buying or renting a house
Won’t have to care for a yard
Can have trouble finding parking
Can have problems with neighbors

Apartment Complex on the outskirts of a city

#4: Budget for housing

Don’t forget to add budgeting to your moving-to-another-state-alone checklist. It’s best to keep your rent to at most 30 percent of your pre-taxed income. So, if you make $3,000 per month, try to stay below $900 in rent and utilities. If you make $5,000, aim for about $1,500 of that to go toward rent and utilities.

If you’re renting, you won’t have to worry about any home maintenance costs. However, you will need to factor in things like security deposits, pet deposits (if you plan to get a pet), the first month’s rent, and the last month’s rent. So, start saving now so that you have less stress once you start apartment hunting.

#5: Bring all important documents

You don’t want to leave behind your birth certificate, passport, social security card, tax documents, or immigration paperwork (if applicable). Otherwise, you may need to pay to have those items delivered to you, which can take time you might not have (especially if you’re waiting for these items to rent an apartment or start a new job).

Not only is it good to keep paper copies of important documents, but it’s also helpful to have backups online in case you need them in a pinch. The Cloud is great for that. You can also take pictures and keep them in a password-protected file on your computer.

#6: Find a hang-out spot

Where did you like to spend time after-hours back home? Maybe it was a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Maybe it was a quirky coffee shop downtown. Maybe it was a bar and grill on the lake.

Wherever it was, try to find a similar place in your new city that reminds you of home–or, maybe try something new and off the wall that you couldn’t see yourself doing (e.g., a pottery studio, art gallery, winery, or shopping mall). You could be surprised about what you learn about yourself in the process!

#7: Sell your big items before you move

While most people move large items on a moving truck, it’s not always the economical way to go. In fact, if you’re moving a long distance and only have a few large items (e.g., a dresser, bed, and vanity mirror), it’ll probably be cheaper to sell those items while you’re still in your hometown.

You can put that money toward buying new furniture once you arrive in your new city. (Depending on when you move, you could be eligible for great deals at local furniture companies!)

#8: Keep in contact with your family and friends back home

Just because you’re moving far away doesn’t mean you have to leave your loved ones behind. You can still chat online, video call, or talk on the phone whenever the mood strikes. Hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even write letters! (This is especially fun if you have any young siblings back at home with your parents.)

You might not always know what to discuss since they’re going on with their lives and you’re going on with yours. However, conversations should get easier over time.

#9: Rent for a year before you buy

We’ll be honest. It’s difficult–okay, nearly impossible–to know that you’re going to love a place until you live there. Even if you love the fun, upbeat atmosphere of Austin, Texas, every time you visit, who is to say that you’re going to enjoy living there when you realize that there are scorpions in Texas?

Before you buy a home, live in the new city for a year. It’ll help you know whether you could see yourself living there in the long term. It’ll also tell you whether the city is a good fit for you or if another long-distance move is in your future.

#10: Apply for many jobs in your field

Moving to a new state opens you up to jobs of all kinds. If you recently graduated college, now’s the time to find a job in your field, and make your mark. So, polish up that old resume you made back in high school. Add your new education and work experience.

Spruce up your objective statement, skills, and job descriptions. Then, start applying! Looking for a good job in a new state can be simple. All you have to do is apply.

#11: Tag along when invited to go out

Did a coworker ask you out for drinks? Were you invited to go to a new art gallery opening? Did your barista ask you to join her for a blind date? It doesn’t hurt to say yes.

Moving to a new state alone can be lonely. (Yes, we said it.) And if you get the chance to meet some cool, new people, your experience there will be 100x more enjoyable.

#12: Sign up for a class

There’s no need to sign up for credit. Many community colleges offer classes for participation only, meaning that you can come and enjoy the class without having it go on a transcript. (You still have to pay, though.)

You can also sign up for classes at other places throughout your new city, such as painting, graphic design, foreign languages, public speaking, and acting. Finding a class you like can make you feel at home in your new city and help you find new friends who have similar interests. That can lead to lifelong friendships and great margarita nights!

#13: Hire long-distance movers

Moving to a new state alone is challenging more often than not, but working with professional movers can make the process much easier. If you have a lot to bring to your new location and no truck to drive, consider hiring movers who can transport the items for you.

You can save money by scheduling your move in the off-season (September to April). Just be sure to declutter beforehand so that you’re not bringing anything unnecessary.

How do you move to a new city by yourself?

Whether you’re moving to another state to start over or put your degree to good use, there are many ways to make that move happen. You can pack your bags, hit the road, and stay in a hotel or Airbnb for a few weeks.

There’s no one saying that you have to pack everything you own. In fact, you can pack light and move the essentials. You can also buy the things you need in your new city once you’re settled in.

Another way to move to a new city alone is to work with professional movers like Bellhop. Movers can make the moving process less stressful, as we can coordinate the move from the ground up. That can give you time to focus on other things, such as finding a good job in your favorite city.

However you choose to move, the key to loving life in your new city is to make friends, try new things, and move to a good neighborhood with amenities nearby. Before you know it, you’ll feel right at home.

How do I start over and move out of state?

You’ll need a job and a place to live if you’re moving out of state. That means that if you’re feeling the itch to start over and try something new, apply to places in your desired cities.

Once you receive a job offer (or, better yet, a handful of job offers), start making a plan to move, and look for housing. That’s the easiest way to start.

How do you move to another state without a job? You’ll need some savings set aside to cover your living expenses for at least two months (three to six months is preferred). The rest comes down to finding a job right away and either renting an apartment or getting a roommate to save money.

Best of luck with your move

Moving to a new state alone might feel scary at first, but with time, you’re sure to love it on your own. If you’d like help with your big move, Bellhop has you covered. Our team offers a long list of long-distance moving services, including delivery. We serve 24+ states and would be happy to help you relocate when the time is right.

Book a move online today.

Bellhop