Moving checklist and budget?

[goalie_girl34]

Hey guys, here to ask a question to anyone who has closed the distance or is better at coming to these things logically then I am.

What kind of checklist should I have before I move and also what is a good amount of money to have set aside? I know this is different for every person and every move but I'm trying to get an idea what closing the distance is really going to take. This raises a lot of questions for me. I would be moving from California to Oklahoma where things are much cheaper. I would already have a residence pretty ironed out as I would be moving in with my boyfriend.

But there are several things I am thinking about, how much money should I have set aside to immediately contribute to the house in the form of groceries, rent, utilities? A number that would also have to include money for my SOs gas while he shuttles me around everywhere. I'll eventually need a car but I cant bring my old car with me. The plan is to hit the ground running on a job search by starting to look before I get there. With that income I'll have regular money to contribute to the daily expenses but also money to save for school and a car. The next part of the plan is to wait until I have residency established, finish my last few semesters at school, get a real job with my degree and get married.

What are other surprise expenses that come with moving? I will need to deal with new auto insurance and cell phone terms pretty quickly after moving...

I guess what I'm looking for is an article/book/checklist/set of guidelines about moving from one state to another. I wont need to know much about the actual residence or physical moving part as there wont be much to that but that actual money and logistical side of the move. I'm trying to be ready to move in about 6 months and I've got to know what would make that possible.

Any help is appreciated!

[Sierra]

I'd love some help too. I've already budgeted enough money to save, for food, rent, deposit on an apartment, emergency vet care for my dog, gas ... but then I realized I'm moving to a totally different climate and have no appropriate clothes! So it's like another thing to save money for which is obviously going to be gone before I know it.

If anyone could share maybe some unexpected expenses that came up, things you wish you had done, it would be so so so helpful.

[goalie_girl34]

Glad to hear someone else thinking like me.

I didnt even think of clothes. I've got to make sure I'm ready for Oklahoma winters and summers...

[Zephii]

I was going to reply... and then I realised I don't know anything about moving domestically!! o.O

[Sierra]

I don't think it really matters where you move to, a move is a move. I mean obviously things are different if you move internationally, but I know I'm just looking for tips so I can start thinking about what I need to do instead of feeling overwhelmed.

[rsvpnj]

I would love to have a list too... My SO and I need to start getting the ball rolling on closing the distance...

[BLUE SMILEY]

I haven't closed the distance yet, but i am running around with the same questions as above me in my head. My trip will be international though. Anyway i can share you what i do, you probably wont be alot with it, but its good to share ideas and working progresses. I basically try to do as much as i can research on the internet, books, by asking my SO. I made a whole map by now, with information i got. First of all of the place where i will go too, basic information (how big, how many people, etc), and more detailed information (famous/fun places, places where to ask for information), so i wont stand there without knowing anything about the city. Also information for the trip i will make, in my case plane, so about the lugage, what documents i need, also what kinds of deceases are there, wich one they recommend to get a injection for etc. Also for the money, it is hard to arrange how much money you will need and how expensive it will be, but my SO helps me with this, i ask her to tell me how expensive the food is, public transport etc. The plane is obvious what the costs will be, and also the rent is already a think you know before you leave. I will still add a checklist to my map, and all kind of usefull information, i just want to prepare myself for everything. Also my phone provider, stuff like that, i try to arrange it while im still home so i know what to do. So this is kinda what i do, idk if it helps you, but all i can say is just do alot of research so you are well prepared

[mllebamako]

Hmm I think the best you can do is google "Unexpected relocating costs" or "Moving budget" to get some ideas.

For me personally, moving internationally, I don't think the lists would be the same. I moved from the US to Mali so most of my planning involved getting a visa, getting immunizations, saving up money for a crazy expensive plane ticket, starting to learn Bambara, making sure I brought things that are unavailable or really expensive in Mali, etc.
Then once I got here, I had a ton of upfront expenses because I had to buy all new furniture, kitchenwares, etc. My apartment didn't even come with a ceiling fan! So I spent a lot of money furnishing the apartment, buying basic "pantry" food items, etc.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help!

[London-FortCollins]

Off the top of my head things like cab or shuttle fares - you may not realise when you need to jump in one. Materials for moving - boxes, bubble wrap, tape, suitcases etc

Furniture for when you move in?

Food - especially during the move. When I moved house I had a stocked fridge at both ends, not just for me but for all my helpers too.

Phone bills - especially because you may be phoning a lot of utility companies etc.

Are there fees for changing your address on your license and things like that?

Depending on the size of your truck or whatever that you are using to move you may find its easier to dump stuff like toiletries, towels etc and buy new when you get there - but that's a judgement call.

---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ----------

Off the top of my head things like cab or shuttle fares - you may not realise when you need to jump in one. Materials for moving - boxes, bubble wrap, tape, suitcases etc

Furniture for when you move in?

Food - especially during the move. When I moved house I had a stocked fridge at both ends, not just for me but for all my helpers too.

Phone bills - especially because you may be phoning a lot of utility companies etc.

Are there fees for changing your address on your license and things like that?

Depending on the size of your truck or whatever that you are using to move you may find its easier to dump stuff like toiletries, towels etc and buy new when you get there - but that's a judgement call.

[lucybelle]

A financial adviser once told me to always have 2-5 months of living expenses saved up, just in case something happens. I think this is a good amount of money to have saved up when moving. Especially if you don't have a job lined up. When I moved it took me 4 months to find a job, and I still don't start for another few weeks which will bring it to almost 6 months without having a job. So I recommend to err on the side of safety and have at least 5 months of living expenses saved up before you move. That will differ for each state, so ask your SO how much one month costs in OK (rent, bills, food, fun/going out, gas, insurance, health, etc)

Most of the unexpected bills were me wanting to buy things that my SO didn't have. I want nice frying pans, a mixer, good kitchen utensils, nice sheets, a full-length mirror, a fan, etc. It's things that you think everyone should have, but turns out maybe not everyone thinks it's as important as you do

Finally, I think in the end it's best to move with as little as possible and buy what you need there. Since I moved internationally, all I could bring was 2 less than 40lb bags. Try to give away (or sell) as much of your stuff as possible. The good karma couldn't hurt anyways

[Zephii]

We don't have living expenses, my family is putting us up. But our outline looked like this:

Flights.
Bonds for rent and bills, to set up our phones etc. (About $2500)
Enough to build him a new computer because he couldn't bring his.
$500 for second hand furniture and white goods.
Money to cover our own travel and toiletries.
Second level of visa - $1800
Documents for him to work here, like a TFN (ended up being free, but we budgeted $100 anyway)

We are also relying a bit on people giving us wedding gifts to get us back on our feet. All we bought with us from Canada was two suitcases each, we didn't ship anything, because one day we'll go back.

One thing for the person who's going to move to think about is medicine and health related things. Maybe stock up on the pill or any other meds to lessen the need to find a doctor in the first couple of months (or to have to learn a new system for those immigrating)

[goalie_girl34]

The 2-5 months of living expenses sounds like a good place to start. I'm thinking I'd like to have around 2500 saved before I move but depending on how my job search goes right now it might not be possible, especially because I'd like to visit him again out there before moving. Right now I'm barely making any money, it all depends on how soon my job search produces results and how many hours I can get. Trying to get 30 a week so I can save!

I'll definitely want to buy some nice things for us to have in his apartment when I get there. Some new cookware for sure, maybe some new bedding, and definitely some storage solutions to clean up his apartment and make some room for my stuff. Wont need/bring any furniture.

I'm going to try and bring as little with me when I move as possible. As of right now I'm not sure whether I'll fly and ship a few boxes or make a long road trip with some stuff. Driving depends on a few factors. Gas costs may make the trip more expensive than flying considering a flight out to OK is only about $330. But it all depends on whether I get a new (used) car before I get there or after. If I dont get it before than driving isnt an option. I cant bring my current car as its 16 years old and I've put a lot of maintence into it lately and its pretty clear she's on her last legs. No way would it survive the trip and I wouldnt want to bring it because its only a matter of time. If I can get a car while I'm here I wont abandon it so I have no choice but to bring it. So thats another expense I have to budget for, I'd love to be able to afford a used car, or at least the first payment on one when I get there. but if I'm unemployed I'm not sure who will accept me for a payment plan. I suppose a lot depends on how quickly I find a job there. Luckily with my SOs living situation our expenses for rent and utilities will be pretty low.

Other expenses I'm thinking of are logistical and mostly have to do with insurance. I'm not sure if I will have to pay immediately for changes in health insurance as I'll still be covered on my mother's for now. I know I'll be breaking free of my parents auto policy and will need newer, more expensive insurance. Luckily I'm a good driver with no strikes against me but I'm sure being a driver from out of state will raise my costs considerably and no matter when I get my car there will be costs associated with license and registration. I'll have to move my birth control prescription and find a new doctor out there. I'll also be off my family cell phone plan in a few months and will have to pay for that as well.

Oh...I suppose if I fly I'll have to pay the oversized bag charges to bring my hockey gear.

This thread has helped me think of a lot of things! Thanks everyone. Now its just time to narrow down each one and really nail down how much money is going to be required. I have a feeling that 3-4k would be awesome, but depending on how much I can save and what my car situation will be like 2.5-3k will be more realistic.