Things to consider when moving?

Question

Can anyone help me compile a list of things to consider when moving?

Situation: Your team is a family of four with a combined annual household income of approximately $80,000. You are currently living in Kansas City, Missouri, where you rent a 1,750 square foot home. You own a late-model sedan car that is fully paid for, and have amassed roughly $10,000 in a family savings account. Circumstances require you to relocate to (another city) where you will be able to maintain a “comparable” lifestyle. (You will be making an equivalent annual household income.) The situation facing your team (family) is that a successful move from Kansas City, Missouri to (another city) must be planned and executed within 30 days of today’s date.

Answer 1

There are a number of things you need to consider when moving... the quality of the school districts in the new location, the job market in the new location, the levels of crime, etc.  You also need to see if there are opportunities for advancement in your new position.

If you wish to successfully move from Kansas City to a new city within 30 days, you need to evaluate the current housing market in both Kansas City and the new location.  We are currently in a buyer's market... people are having a difficult time selling their houses right now.  If you are unable to find somebody to lease/buy your home, you will have a difficult time moving to the new location within a month.

Good luck with your assignment!

Answer 2

Are you paying for the move yourself or is your company?  If it's company paid, take full advantage, and let the movers do everything, including pack your stuff.  Keep only those items that your kids have an emotional attachment to with you--such as favorite stuffed toys, dolls, etc.  If you are paying for the move yourself, right away call a moving company and set a date.  Give yourself a few extra days in case the moving van doesn't show up or something happens.  I've had that happen twice, so it does happen even with professional movers.  Notify your current landlord, who will probably require 30 days notice to get your deposit back.  Check the newspaper or Craig's list in the area where you're moving to find a house to rent.  If you don't  know the area, don't buy at this time.  Location, location, location is the prime consideration in real estate and trying to buy from afar when you don't know the different areas of a new city is a mistake.  If you're looking to buy in the near future, then push for a short term lease, such as six months with option to renew.  But with $10,000, you really aren't in much of a position to buy yet.  Besides the cost of the house, there's the cost of the loan, appraisals, inspections, etc., and then the cost of things such as new drapes.  Contact utilites on both ends--electricity, water, gas, garbage, sewage, TV, phone, etc.  Contact schools on both ends to get records transfered.  How are you getting to your new location?  Driving or flying?  If flying, arrange to have your cars shipped with the movers.  What about pets?  Make arrangements for a hotel the last night or two in your old home and the first night or two in your new one to let the movers do their job.  Arrange for someone to keep your children and pets while movers are in the house--the house doors will be constantly open.  Start using up food in your pantry and freezer, don't buy anything new.  Clean out clutter and get rid of anything not worth moving.  Movers charge about 80 Cents per pound, so look long and hard at that old bed and decide if you can buy another one on the other end for less than it takes to move it.  Contact the Welcome Wagon or something similar in your new area and let them know you're moving to the area.  Finally, go online and Google "moving check list" or something similar.  Good luck.