Are you considering an interstate move?

Planning

Do you have a timeline? Or are you waiting for the right job opportunity before you make the move? Even if you are waiting for the right opportunity, it is important to have your plan in place and once you find the right role, it is likely your new employer will want you to commence quickly. If you’re planning to make the move before you have an opportunity, it might sound obvious, but you will need make sure you have enough savings to keep you going while you hunt for a job. Think about potential job opportunities and areas that you would like to live. Do your research, network and speak to as many people as you can. 

Job hunting

If you don’t already have a job lined up, it’s likely you will need to find work ASAP, ideally before you make the move. Make yourself available for interviews and expect that employers may want you to interview in person, at your own expense. Maximise your time when you’re there; organise meetings to network and connect with recruiters in your industry and specialisation. 

Finding a place to live

Do your research. Speak to as many people as you can and if possible spend time in the areas you’re considering moving to. Do you drive or are you relying on public transport? This will heavily influence where you end up. Not every town/city has good public transport networks and in a lot of cities, you might not want to drive due to congestion. I found websites like Homely  where suburb reviews are provided to be a good resource.

The move

Planning is critical when you are actually making the move. What to pack, how to pack it, how you will move it and in what time frame. All really important questions to consider. Obviously, it makes sense to only pack what you really need/care about, any move is a good opportunity to declutter and get rid of those clothes or that gym equipment that you haven’t used in years. Make sure you allow enough time to pack and don’t leave it to a mad rush at the end.

Will you be moving your items yourself or hiring a removalist? Having moved quite a few times, I can confidently say that there are pro’s and con’s to both. Moving these items yourself is generally cheaper and you have greater control over the process. However, it can be a stressful and physically demanding exercise, and most people are limited by the size of the vehicle they can hire. Hiring the professionals is usually more expensive (pricing can be very competitive though) and you will have to be present to guide them. But if you can afford the extra cost, they save a lot of hassle and back-ache. Speaking from experience moving interstate, I would say leave it to the professionals if you can. Websites like Findamover  are helpful in comparing removalist services. 

Settling in

Do you have an established network or are you starting from scratch? For you to really settle in to a new place, it’s important to start establishing yourself and meeting people. Connect with people who you may already know and make the effort to catch up. Join social and/or sporting groups. They’re a great way to meet people. Put yourself out there and really invest time in establishing the groundwork.