How to Prepare to Move to Nashville
Moving in general is a LOT, but when it comes to moving out of state, the entire process can be very overwhelming. And as someone who’s moved out of state more than once, I totally get how stressful it can be. So, here’s a little checklist I put together to help you prepare to move to Nashville (or really anywhere long distance!).
If you’d rather watch my moving to Nashville checklist as a video, you can check it out below!
1. Create a Moving Budget
The number one thing you should do to prepare for a move to Nashville is to create a moving budget. And when I say moving budget, I mean this should cover anything from literally physically moving all of your stuff to your new place, to travel to get out there (driving, airfare, cost of hotels while you’re traveling, etc), to shipping your car if necessary - anything like that, figure out what your total budget is, and go from there. That will have a big impact on next steps!
2. Pick a Moving Company
There are SO many moving companies out there, and obviously your budget plays into this a lot, because it will determine whether you’ll be moving everything yourself or if you want to have a full service company come in and do all the packing and transporting for you.
3. Plan a Trip to Nashville
Of course, hopefully making a trip to Nashville or the area in general is something you’ve already been able to do, but I’ve also worked with clients who aren’t able to travel out here before they move, so that’s just how it works out sometimes! Bur if you are able to plan a trip out to the Nashville area before you move, you definitely should! For one, it’s always good to spend as much time as you can in the area you’ll be moving to, but it’s also helpful to get out and explore different areas of the city, see where you might be working, what your daily drives would be like, where you’d do your grocery shopping, and everything like that.
4. Figure Out Your Job Situation
Depending on your job situation (whether you’re self employed, work remote, or work in a more traditional setting), this step might look different for you. If you’re self employed or can work remotely, that’s awesome, because you probably have more flexibility when it comes to where you can live. Otherwise, figuring out a potential job transfer or getting a new job entirely can be a little tricker, but of course not impossible!
If you are going to be staying with your current employer but maybe transferring to a location around Nashville, you’re going to want to do your research on policies and steps to transfer ahead of time. On the other hand, finding a new job entirely can take a lot of research and time as well, so start early to avoid a headache when it gets closer to actually moving.
Keep in mind: if you’re going to be buying a house in Nashville (or around the area) fairly soon after moving, most lenders do require at least a formal job offer letter to pre-approve you for a mortgage. Coordinating all of this at once can be a little tricky, but that’s a big part of what your realtor (hopefully me!) will help you with!
5. Find a Place to Live
Of course, you’re going to need to find a place to live once you get to Nashville! Whether you’re going to be renting for a while or want to buy a house, you may need to find temporary housing (like an Airbnb or a short term rental) for the meantime while you close and move into a new house. This is a big part of the process, and this is something I’ll help with to make sure timelines are coming along and coordinated as best as possible!
This is why I always encourage clients to reach out as early as possible so we can come up with a roadmap together to work out all the kinks!
6. Go Through Your Things and Start Packing
If you need to pare some things down for your move - which is always helpful, especially as you start packing up! - it’s probably a good idea to start going through your things and figuring out what you need, what hasn’t been used for a while, or anything you might be able to sell. From there, it’s time to start packing! I always feel like packing takes longer than you think it’s going to, so start early and go from there!
7. Keep a Checklist of Legal To-Dos
I’ll be honest, one of the not so fun parts of moving (especially out of state) is all the legal aspects that go into it. Everything from changing addresses to getting a new ID and registering your car in your new area. A lot of these tasks will require proof of your new residency to be completed, so keep a checklist of what needs to be done before, during, or after your move once you’re settled so you can make sure nothing important is missed.
8. Enjoy Living in Nashville!
…or wherever you end up, whether it’s in Nashville, middle Tennessee, or somewhere else in general! Packing up and moving can be insanely stressful, so make sure you set aside time to go out and enjoy your new home! Research events going on in your city (I post a lot on my Instagram if you need any ideas for things to do around Nashville!), make plans to go out and socialize, and try to get involved as best as you can. Moving can be exhausting, but don’t forget that you moved here for a reason, and hopefully it’s because you really love it here! So go out and enjoy it!
Hope that helps and gives you some insight into a checklist for moving to Nashville! As always, if you have any questions on buying, selling, or moving to Nashville/middle Tennessee, I’m here to help! Send me a message here.