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Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page

Thousands of people move across the country year after year. This can be either for career, personal, or even health reasons. Regardless of what their reasons may be, there's one thing they have in common, interstate moving is NOT a simple endeavour. Interstate moves require thorough research and extensive preparation. In this article, we're going to help you prepare for this challenging yet perfectly doable event of moving across states.

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What should a person know about when they move across state boundaries?

  • Laws

    As we all know, the United States of America works under a Federal type of Government which allows each state to have their own unique laws and regulations. This means that the rules that apply in Illinois for example, may not necessarily apply in Texas. Some of the most important things you need to check out are their laws about:

    • Vehicle standards and smoke emissions
    • Registering for state residency
    • Laws regarding bringing pets
    • Traffic laws and regulations
  • Licenses and Permits

    If you want to continue your career or make a living in your new state, you need to know if you have the proper licenses and registrations to do so. You need to double-check the following:

    • Taxation laws both for businesses and individuals
    • Working permits
    • Sanitation permits
    • Business permits
    • Driver's license
  • Climate Conditions

    The weather up north can be very different from states (and cities) down south. Even the east and west coasts have distinct weather conditions that should be taken into consideration. That's why it's important to know what the yearly weather condition is, as well as what season you should expect upon your date of arrival. Ultimately, the climate will affect various aspects of your life including:

    • Your clothes and accessories: What do you need to pack? Jackets and scarves or tank tops and loose clothing?
    • Your car: Is it capable of treading snow? Does it have working air-conditioning for hot and humid climates?
    • Your daily commute: How will you go to work or school in that type of weather?
    • Your business: Will your business thrive given the new weather conditions?
    • Health: Are you prepared for the diseases that are often found in certain types of weather?
    • Safety: Is your area prone to tornadoes, floods or earthquakes?
  • Culture and Demographic

    You need to have an idea of the kind of people you will be encountering in your new home. Some of the questions you need to ask are:

    • What is the language most used here? What are some of the basic lingo and jargon?
    • What is the crime rate?
    • What is the population size?
    • What is the most commonly accepted religious or political beliefs in the area?

    Answering these questions will allow you to adjust smoothly into your new city or neighborhood.

  • Economics and Employment Rate

    In order to successfully transition into your target career, or to continue your existing career track, you have to do a bit of research on the state's economics and development.

    • What are the most common types of industry here?
    • What is their main product?
    • Will my business or skill set fit with the state (and city's) current economy?

See also: Best Out-of-State Moving Companies for Relocation

 

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Sample Laws that Differ Among States

Let's go back into the laws and regulations that differ among states. Here are a few concrete examples of what we're talking about:

  • Driver's Licenses

    In California, they give you 10 days to obtain a new driver's license and 20 days to register your vehicle. Your vehicle needs to meet smog check qualifications and car insurance requirements before it can be registered. Some areas require a recheck every two years while other vehicles are exempt.

    In New York, a lot more steps are needed. If you become a New York resident, you must get a NY license within 30 days. If you're from anywhere but Canada, you must attend a five-hour pre-licensing course, and pass a written and a road test. You must also satisfy New York's Six Points of Proof identification system. After receiving your New York driver's license, you must give up your foreign license to the road test examiner.

  • Income Taxes

    If you want to make the most out of your income, consider moving to a state that doesn't have income taxes. Some of these include Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Washington.

  • Animal Permits

    In Georgia, it is considered unlawful to bring in, take care of, sell or purchase a wild animal (e.g. snake, piranha, rabbit, sloth, owl, eagles, etc.) without a permit.

    In Nevada, the following animals may be possessed, transported, imported and exported without a permit or license issued by the Department: canaries, hamsters, aquarium fish, elephants, camels, alpaca, zebra, etc.

Moving from one state to another can indeed be very tricky, but with some research and preparation, you'll be able to go through it unscathed.

To get started on your move, just fill out one of our forms and we'll connect you with the best interstate movers today!

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Best Interstate Movers in USA

If you are planning to relocate across the states, then this list of best interstate moving companies will be useful. This will help you choose the best out of state movers in the United States of America!