Sufficiently Independent: Joy and Struggles of Moving to a New City

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When you bring your whole house with you, you take control of your life. But you can only control so much of your life before it grabs you and tell you, “I’m in charge.”

Living in different cities has become more common now as people are easier to uproot and make a life on the go, domestic or international. And with the rise of tiny houses, people are leaving their conventional living quarters behind to live a simple life. A huge number of these demographics are also interested to travel in their tiny homes or caravans. Living in a cheaper and smaller space, while exploring the country seems alluring to the most cubicle-confined workers, and it’s like hitting two birds with one stone after all.

A Pretty Big Checklist to Clear

Unfortunately, making up your mind to live simply, travel and work is only half the battle. Leaving one’s dearly belongings is another new challenge on its own. After all, it is not easy to part ways with your home, a most beloved place central to your life. It’s not the end of the world, though, if purging your life isn’t an option for you. Here are a few things that you may want to think about and consider when planning to pack and move your stuff with you.

1. A Small House Means Fewer Things

Moving can set you back up to as high up as $3,000 or $5,000. Sounds insane? Moving is expensive— that’s a fact. Perhaps the lowest rate that you can get is $1,000 with a trucking company, but that is if you’re moving to a nearby city or state. However, you can lower your costs by choosing your cross country moving company wisely. Begin your search for reputable cross country moving companies by looking into smaller, independent ones with extensive shipping partners, or either massive ones that are available in multiple locations across the country.

You can also schedule your move to a non-peak time. Summer is the worst time to move, according to Consumer Affairs.

2. Eye Level With Your Life Expenses

couple looking at financial documentsThe living cost in your chosen destination will also determine your moving costs. Some cities and states may not appear to be expensive, but don’t let that humble atmosphere fool you. For example, the living cost in scenic Boulder, Colorado is nearly nine percent higher than the national average.  On the other hand, Kansas City, Missouri and surprisingly, Buffalo, New York are two of the most affordable places in the United States. You can see a significant reduction in moving costs if you’re moving to these cities; however, don’t forget that distance will also come into play.

3. Extras Matter 

Miscellaneous fees, plus your traveling activities should also be factored into your budget. Have you taken into account the other logistical and extraneous costs involved? If you think that your problem is solved after settling the moving fee, think again. Ensure that you’re thoroughly planning your budget by looking into insurance costs, other packing and service fees, as well as your own, personal living costs. Save enough for your food bill and allowance to survive your move.

Never worry about how much you’re likely to spend on moving by educating yourself. While it seems like all it takes is just some good, old common sense, a little bit of research into the living cost of each state, as well as the availability of moving and logistics services in the area will definitely prepare you for your big move.

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