Cross-Country Moving Archives

Top Cities People Are Moving to During the Pandemic

Posted on 14/12/202017/08/2021 by movetheblock

Nobody expected this whole mess.

It all started from a seemingly harmless exchange of goods at a Wuhan market back in December 2019. From a no-named illness that people mistook for an ordinary cold, COVID-19 has evolved into a frightening pandemic that’s taken over.

With more than a million people dead, COVID-19 is no laughing matter. The trauma and scare it brings have significantly affected daily life. Education, work, entertainment, and recreation are restricted, if not completely frozen in many parts of the world.

But if you think that lockdowns and quarantines have shut down relocation and migration, then you’re wrong. In fact, USPS has noted a 4% increase in address change requests in 2020 compared to 2019.

In light of this, here are the top cities people are moving to in these troubled times.

Which City Experienced the Most Moves?

New York City has the highest number of moves and has experienced a significant population shift as people have moved out of the city in recent months.

Viewed as a hub for trade and entertainment, New York City’s population has always been dense, making social distancing difficult to practice. After becoming an epicenter of the pandemic, it’s only understandable that people are fleeing the area.

Top Cities People Are Moving To

To escape the virus’s threats and take advantage of working from home in a cheaper area, many people are moving to less populated areas with lower living costs. These cities are some of the most popular cities among people relocating:

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina’s capital continues to overflow with positivity and energy despite the country’s grave situation. The booming tech industry attracts a lot of migrants looking to work within the comfort of their homes. Couple that with the affordable cost of living (30% lower than the national average), and you’ll understand why Raleigh is on the rise.

Austin, TX

Despite Texas having the highest number of COVID cases, Austin has implemented strict protocols that have managed to minimize and control the number of infections. In addition to a thriving tech industry, a progressive culture, and a moderate climate, Austin residents enjoy living in a no-income tax state. These cheap movers in Austin say they’ve been flooded with requests for moving quotes, especially for cross-country moves from New York and California, two of the most popular states for Austin transplants.

Bloomington, IN

The college-town vibes and ample recreation opportunities made Bloomington an attractive place to call home before the outbreak started. On top of that, the median home cost is 17% lower than Illinois’s average and 77.8% of Bloomington households spend less than 30% of their income on housing. Now Bloomington is experiencing an influx of newcomers who are coming to take advantage of the perks of living in this small city.

Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City has become a favorite spot for people moving out of New York City who can’t afford to move far away. The local government has made it mandatory to have incoming individuals tested and quarantined first before letting them in to ensure residents’ health and safety. Once you’re approved to live in Jersey City, you can look forward to lower housing costs and a thriving arts and culture scene, just a short commute from Manhattan (if your office ever reopens!).

Portland, OR

Though Portland has been particularly stern when it comes to precautionary measures and control methods, the city still offers access to the great outdoors. From nearby Mount Hood to the Columbia River Gorge, there are plenty of places to breathe fresh COVID-free air. Join the thousands of COVID refugees flocking to this hipster-friendly city in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Metro Area

Honestly, it’s difficult to recommend a major city since such places are often a hotspot for COVID-19 cases. But Seattle is an exception. Thanks to the effective healthcare measures, the local government has managed to keep the COVID death count to only 6,500. On top of this reassuring statistic, Emerald City’s robust economy offers plenty of job opportunities. It’s not a surprise why many flocks to the metro during these tough times. And if you find the city proper to be too expensive, you have various options nearby. Everett, in particular, located 30-minutes north of Seattle, provides a perfect balance between affordable living, recreation, and big-city amenities. If you ever plan to call it home, check out this list of the best neighborhoods for moving to Everett WA.

Why Are People Moving During The Pandemic?

Now that you know where people are moving, it’s time to understand why.

According to a study published in June by a Pew Research Center, many factors that drive people to relocate are connected to the pandemic.

After surveying almost 10,000 U.S adults, this is the information they’ve gathered so far:

28% say the reason they moved is to reduce their risk of contracting the virus.
Another 23% say it was because their college campus closed.
20% say they wanted to come home and be with their family.
An additional 18% say that their driving factor was financial – either job loss (8%) or other money-related reasons (10%).
The remaining 9% didn’t respond to the options stating they had different reasons for moving.

Conclusion

In general, the people who moved didn’t necessarily relocate far away from their cities. Most are laying low in the suburbs and exurbs, waiting for the pandemic to pass. According to USPS’s data, most of the moves done in 2020 are requests for a temporary change of address. This means that many migrants are planning to return to their homes once this pandemic is over.

If you’re planning to relocate, make sure to do your research in advance regarding your potential city’s protocols.

10 Useful Hacks to Achieve A Stress-Free Cross Country Move

Posted on 05/03/202024/02/2020 by movetheblock

As much as you want to be excited about your upcoming adventure, a cross-country move can come with a lot of pitfalls. However, with the right plan of action, stress can’t rear its ugly head. Here are ten praise-worthy hacks to breeze through this life-changing phase.

1. Research your new neighborhood.

Moving across the country on mere faith is quite dangerous. Before settling in on a spot, conduct thorough research on the city’s crime rate and surrounding areas as well as nearby schools, nightlife, and shopping centers.

2. Devise a budget plan.

Moving can be expensive, especially if you fail to establish financial limitations. Before splurging on new appliances, come up with a budget plan so that you won’t do a number on your bank account.

3. Alert others of your big move.

Goodbyes aren’t easy, so it is best to start early. Not only will you need to give your loved ones a heads up, but also remember to provide a two-week notice at your job, alert your children’s school, and fill out a change of address form.

4. Throw things away.

A cross-country move breeds new changes, so steer away from packing useless items. Over the weeks approaching your move-in date, dispose of the worn-out objects of little importance, and donate your possessions that are still in good condition.

Consider selling or donating the things you won’t need in your new home.

5. Start packing away small stuff.

Whether the move will transpire in six days or six weeks from now, you have to pack odds and ends away immediately. When you take care of the small stuff and the items that typically go unused, your work will quickly dwindle down.

6. Make vehicle arrangements.

If you are planning to drive the distance in your vehicle, you will want to get it inspected and allow a mechanic to issue an oil change, upgrade the spark plugs, and handle any other necessary repairs. However, to avoid adding excess numbers to your mileage, you can get it shipped instead. Search around for the best shipping rates, and call your insurance company to see if they can cover part of the bill.

7. Transfer your utilities.

Moving into a new, distant home only to be met with no electricity or water flow is a literal nightmare. Create a list of all your service providers and alert them of your relocation. It is best to conduct these calls two weeks in advance, especially if there is a chance that some of the companies won’t extend their services to your new state.

8. Mindfully pack belongings.

Packing is stressful even if you are moving two blocks over, but gearing up for a long-distance ride is a whole other ballgame. When tucking away your belongings, do so in preparation for a bumpy ride. Secure all sensitive and glass items with bubble wrap, and make sure that they are a careful distance away from bulky furniture and appliances.

Start packing early so you have fewer things to pack as the move approaches.

9. Pack a travel kit.

While there will be stores on the way, it is still wise to pack snacks, personal hygiene products, an extra set of clothes, entertainment material for nondrivers, and anything else that may be useful for an extended road trip. Making too many stops can significantly affect your time of arrival, and there is no telling how many traffic issues and adverse weather conditions are awaiting.

10. Give yourself a deadline to unpack.

While it is everyone’s dream to have everything unpacked within the first hour, we aren’t that lucky. Since a cross-country move demands hours of time and attention, a long, restful nap may be the first order of business. But after you have recharged, it is time to get to work. This process can be quite time-consuming, causing you to block out the world and your other vital obligations. To avoid becoming too overwhelmed, you can work in spurts while setting a strict deadline to complete the task.

Relocating doesn’t always have to be disastrous. As long as you cover all your bases and begin packing early, your cross-country move will be a piece of cake.

Top 8 Budget Tips When Moving Cross Country

Posted on 06/01/2020 by movetheblock

Moving can be stressful and tiring. However, with the right mindset, you can make moving fun. Choose to see this as the chance to take just what you need in your new space. To relocate frugally, check out the tips below.

1. Start Early

As soon as you know you’re relocating, start sorting through your belongings. Take a box, a white trash bag, and a black trash bag into each space. Box what you want to keep, put items to be discarded into the black trash bag, and things to sell in the white trash bag.

2. What Can You Sell?

Clothes that no longer fit, toys your kids no longer want, and collectibles that no longer appeal are things you can sell. Take books you no longer read to a local reseller and donate or sell what you can. Use Craigslist to sell furniture that no longer works for your family.

3. Tax Breaks for Donating

If you’re taking anything for donation, be sure to get an itemized receipt for tax purposes. You went to the trouble to drop off the item, and you may get a deduction. Don’t do this at the end of the year or the weekend.

You must itemize your tax deductions to claim them.

4. Cheap Ways to Get Rid of Big Items

Once you’ve had your yard or moving sale, don’t be afraid to put items on the curb with a big “FREE” sign. Do this when the weather is pleasant and, most importantly, dry. Also, look for charity groups that are willing to haul away usable items to save yourself the work of transporting.

5. Cheap Packing Tools

Use your suitcases. Before you pack anything else, make sure that every member of the family has a bag designated to them. Inside it, put a couple of changes of clothes, toiletries, one set of bedding, a towel, and, on the last morning, their pillow. When you arrive at your destination, you can all get a bath and be able to go to bed.

6. Use What You Have

You can protect your most precious items and save on packing materials by raiding your linen cabinets as you pack. Tablecloths and towels can protect your dishes and any other breakables. Be sure to thoroughly wrap all items as you pack them and mark the top and sides of the box once you tape it up.

Towels and other large cloths can be used to protect fragile items.

7. Free Packing Supplies

If you work in or near an office, check-in to see if they have any spare cardboard boxes. Many business offices have to pay to get cardboard recycled, so you can save them money and worry by taking these off their hands. Invest in a shipping tape dispenser and reinforce any tears before you start packing.

8. Skip the Truck Rental

Once you established your new address, consider shipping some things to your new place on moving day. Use the low, slow shipping route to make sure you’re there before your stuff arrives. Check the book rate at the U.S. Postal service and UPS rates to get the best deal.

Sorting, selling, and discarding can make your move a chance only to take what you love into your new house. Taking the time to do this before the move will save you the worry and work when you get to your new home.