Moving from one city to another can be an exciting prospect. It allows you to try out a new lifestyle and meet new people, but it can be stressful. However, if you plan ahead and prepare yourself for the move, it’ll make things easier. We’ve put together our top tips on planning your move like a pro so that everything goes smoothly.
1. Budgeting
You’ll need to set a budget for your move. This is important because you’ll be able to determine how much money you’ll need and whether or not it’s feasible for you to move.
The first step in planning a budget is working out the total cost of your relocation. It’s easy to underestimate the financial impact of moving house, so you must get this right from the start. You should ask:
- How much does it cost to rent or buy an apartment?
- How much are utilities (gas, electricity, internet)?
- What are other general living costs (phone bill etc.) and extras like car expenses and eating out?
Once that’s done, it’s time to add up all those numbers and see if they come anywhere near what you have in savings. If not, this means either saving more now or postponing moving day until after some windfall – such as a raise at work.
2. Organising your move
When moving across Australia, make a list of everything you need to do and when it needs to be done. For example, if you need to get quotes for removalists or packers, try to put these tasks at the top of your list so that you can get them out of the way before other things start happening (like setting up an internet connection).
Figure out how much time you have between getting the keys and moving day; this will help determine how much stuff can be packed into boxes in advance rather than having people come over on the day itself. A great idea is to book a storage unit where you plan to move and ship items there ahead of your move. A quick search for storage units in Melbourne showed us that you could rent one out for as little as $100, a small price to pay for the convenience it will bring. Not only will it make it easier on the day of your move, but you can leave any more oversized items there until you are settled.
3. Packing tips for moving across Australia
Packing your belongings can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to get as much of the heavy lifting out of the way before you arrive at your new home. Three primary vehicles are used for moving in Australia: cars, trucks and vans. You can hire a removal firm to help you or get your friends and family involved. Both have pros and cons.
4. On-the-road transport tips
If you are moving across Australia, getting to your location will be easy enough if you have transport. It will be straightforward if you’re driving a car or van. If you’re bringing your boat with you, try and think ahead and see if there is somewhere near your destination where you can park it. If not, consider hiring someone with a truck or trailer to transport it for you – this will cost around $200-$300 per trip, depending on whether they have their trailer or need yours. A caravan can be transported using similar methods as above.
5. Get ahead with your utilities
Now that you’ve got your house ready to move in, it’s time to start thinking about getting connected. If you’re moving from one side of the country to another, this can be a lengthy process that involves multiple government agencies and can take weeks.
With so many different utility providers across Australia, here’s how we suggest planning your utilities.
- Find out where your new home will be situated and what utilities are available there.
- Check the opening hours of the utility providers (gas/electricity/phone) and if they require appointments (gas/electricity)
- Make sure all required paperwork has been filled out and signed by both parties involved in the transaction – mortgagee or seller on one side; purchaser on another; a legal representative for each party on another etc.; don’t forget council requirements!
6. Take the internet with you
Your internet may also need to change if you’re moving across the country. To ensure you have the best internet at your new address, check if it is eligible for NBN (fibre-to-the-premises). If so, contact your provider and get yourself connected as quickly as possible. If not, check if it’s suitable for mobile internet, fixed-line internet or even mobile phone plans or fixed line phone plans.
7. Make sure you’re covered by travel insurance
Make sure you’re covered by travel insurance. Having a valid policy is essential before you hit the road and leave your home behind. This can cover any lost or stolen items, medical expenses if you’re ill or injured during your travels, or even delays.
8. Preparing for your first night in a new home
Make a list of things you need to do before moving in. Things like:
- Getting electricity and internet sorted
- Finding somewhere to park your car for the first night
- Setting up the TV, washing machine and dryer (if you’re lucky enough)
- If you’re fortunate enough to have a furnished house, ensure all the appliances are working correctly, and there aren’t any leaks in the kitchen or bathroom. You don’t want those kinds of surprises on day one!
With a bit of planning and organisation, moving interstate is a breeze
- Be organised.
- Plan ahead. Make a list of what you need to do and when you need to do it. This will help keep your stress levels down during the move and ensure that things don’t fall through the cracks at the last minute. This helpful video has a checklist of everything to think of when moving.
- Make sure you have the right insurance in place so that if anything happens while your belongings are in transit, they’ll be covered by your policy.
- Make sure you hire a good moving company that won’t overcharge for labour or damage your furniture with poor packing techniques (yes, this does happen!).
Conclusion: Moving across Australia
Moving to a new home in a new state can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. We hope the information we’ve shared in this blog post will help you make your move as stress-free as possible. With just a little bit of planning and organisation on your part, you’ll be able to keep yourself on track during this exciting time!
Further reading: How to move interstate as a co-parent.
