Saturday, May 24, 2008

How to Relocate

Is It Worth It?

Use the Cost of Living Calculator to compare your current income to your future income in the city where you plan to move. If the cost of living is 10% higher where you plan to move, your income at your new job should be at least 10% higher in order to maintain your same standard of living.

Find A Place To Live

Try your search online to develop your game plan before going anywhere.

If you plan to move to an area with which you are not familiar you need to do some research to ensure your future home is a safe place to live. Apartment locators will not tell you if the neighborhood of their client is less than desirable. There are many web sites you can use to find out if your future home is in a safe neighborhood. Here are just a few.

You can even call the local police and ask if they can provide you with a Crime Analysis Report, preferably at their website or via snail mail.

Generally, police will not say, "don't move there," because local realtors frown upon such comments. Look up police phone numbers at USACops.com.

Keep in mind that your car insurance rates are based, at least in part, on how far away you live from work. Use Google Maps to Get Directions to work from locations where you are considering moving. The farther you live from work, the higher your insurance rates. Once you have narrowed your list of possible places to live call your insurance company to get a quote based on the addresses of where you may live.

Insurance

Before you can register your vehicle you will have to obtain insurance. Generally, the closer you live to work, the lower your insurance rates.

Contact your insurance company for a quote.

See AUTOMOBILE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LIMITS AND ENFORCEMENT BY STATE, also known as minimum levels of required auto insurance.

Home Owners/Renters insurance may not be required, but, for the relatively low cost can be well worth it. Even full coverage auto insurance does not cover vehicle contents. Home Owners/Renters insurance does cover vehicle contents.

Vehicle Registration

Visit the department of motor vehicles web site of the state where you intend to move.

Utilities

You will need electric, maybe gas. Apartments usually include water. Ask your apartment manager for the phone numbers you will need to have your services connected. You can also Google the local services you need.

Most people are also going to want cable TV and Internet access.

Rental Moving Truck

Never assume one rental truck company will be cheaper than another. Always check all rental companies and make reservations as far in advance as possible. Just like plane tickets, vehicle rentals are cheaper with the greatest advance notice.

Fuel Cost

Use Google Maps to find out how far it is to where you are moving. Then use the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator to to determine how much it will cost to fuel the moving truck. Typically, moving trucks get around 5 miles per gallon.

Postal Service

Before you move be sure to forward your mail. Keep in mind that if you use the United States Postal Service Official Change of Address Form your address may end up on a mailing list. When it comes to your bills don't rely on the Post Office to forward your mail. Call your credit card companies and other bills and change your address directly with them.

It is a very good idea to keep records of your change of address. Consider using a paper billed cell phone or VoIP service so you can prove the time and date of your phone call. Even making a video recording of the conversation may save you a major headache later if a business fails to forward your bill and you end up with late charges or service interruptions.

For tips on being removed from and staying off mailing lists visit PrivacyRights.org and click on Direct Marketing.

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