Are you considering moving across the country? Or even moving to a different state? Here’s my experience and a few tips to help you get through it. 

I did a semester in LA program through Ohio University in the summer of 2017 (which I talk about more in my recent post “Is College Worth It?”). 

I absolutely fell in love and I knew that I eventually wanted to live there permanently. I had to return to Ohio after the semester was over so that I could finish up school and save up some money before I could afford moving. 

So I graduated that fall and ended up getting a full time job and an apartment. Several of my friends actually ended up just staying in LA after the semester, so I took a little bit of a different path. 

However, the decision was eating away at me for about a year and a half. 

I contemplated the decision constantly…almost daily, even. I was always searching for apartments in LA, and doing as much as I possibly could to plan everything out. 

I tried to set a goal to move as soon as my lease was over, but I actually ended up sticking around for another 4 months after that. 

If you’re making a cross-country move or even just a move away from your hometown, keep reading to see what worked for me.

7 Tips to Help You Make Your Move

Be Patient with Yourself

This process can take a long time for some people – so be patient with yourself! It’s okay to not have all the answers right away. 

The fact of the matter is, only YOU will know when it is the right time to move. 

This process isn’t linear, and could feel like a rollercoaster of processing different emotions. It took me a year and a half to come to a decision.

Set Goals

This is a great opportunity to set goals for yourself! 

I really encourage putting these goals to pen and paper…I still have my goal sheet from 2017! 

Set realistic goals that are timeline based – with the beginning of the timeline being where you’re currently at and the end of the timeline being the move. 

If you don’t follow the timeline exactly, don’t sweat it – it’s simply there to help guide you and keep you motivated.

Explore Career Options

Do your research. Even if you aren’t sure when you’ll be able to move, it’s always great to research job opportunities in the area you want to move to. 

Just as an employer wants to learn everything about potential employees, do everything you can to learn about the company you’re interested in. 

Do they have good reviews? Are they active on social media? Do they have a good reputation? How’s their website? 

All of these things are good first impressions to make of your potential employer. 

This is also a great time to brush up on your resume and make sure it’s all up to date. Be sure to have someone proofread to look for any errors.

Build Up Your Savings

Continue to build up your savings account as much as you can to account for potential moving expenses. 

This was part of the reason why I did stay in Ohio for that year and a half, so that I could save some money for the move.

Depending on where you’re currently living and where you plan on moving to, the cost of living could become a wakeup call. 

I moved from Ohio to Los Angeles, and everything costs twice as much in LA as it does in Ohio. 

Calculate Your Moving Expenses

This kind of goes hand in hand with building your savings. 

Start to determine what your moving expenses are going to be…will you be driving or flying to your new home? Do you need to ship your car? 

Are you moving all your furniture or do you need to get new furniture at your new destination? 

How much will you need to put aside to afford a security deposit on an apartment? 

Are you moving with pets? How much will it cost to travel with them? What accommodations do they need?

These are all great things to consider throughout your planning process. And as I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to have it all figured out right away…it’s okay to build this as you go.

Research Places to Live

It’s always a great idea to be as prepared as you can…consider researching potential apartments or living arrangements in your new city. 

Is there a certain part of town you want to live in? What kind of apartment are you looking for? How much are you able to spend each month?

Before I even knew I was ready to move, I was researching apartments all the time. 

I found one that ironically ended up being a couple miles away from work, and someone I knew from high school moved in there not long before I did. 

Once I got closer to making the move, I actually ended up signing my lease from Ohio and I was able to provide all the documentation they needed.

Consider What Needs Done Before You Leave

Do you need to move out of your apartment and sell all your furniture? Or do you need to pack up a moving truck of all your belongings?

Do you need to sell your house before you go? Do you need to schedule to have your car shipped? 

Do you have family & friends to spend time with? These are all things I planned for in advance, and it helped reduce some stress by having some things in order. 

Wrapping Up

This is by no means a list of requirements that you have to follow – but rather a guide for those who may be struggling with where to start. 

These were some of the things that helped me put everything together and prepare for my move, but I will say that I was definitely still stressed out! 

If you are making this move by yourself, it can feel scary and intimidating…and I wish I would have tried to lean into that discomfort more. 

I wish I could have embraced the process more, or to even document it somehow by filming or writing about it. Just know that you’re not alone, and there are SO many people out there who have done the same thing you’re about to do! 

Maybe you’re looking to get a fresh start somewhere new, or you want to explore another city. One of the best things you could do for yourself is to move away from your hometown. 

It will be the most challenging and the most rewarding experience you’ll ever have. 

Share your thoughts & experiences in the comments below – Have you moved across the country or away from your hometown before? What was it like?