Moving from the West Coast to the East Coast is an exciting experience, but it will also be a big adjustment.
If you’re used to the laid-back lifestyle of much of the West Coast, the faster pace of life on certain parts of the East Coast may come as a bit of a shock.
There are many factors that you’ll need to take into account for the big move, which we’re going to be addressing for you today.
Here are a few tips to help you make the transition.
1. Decide Where You’re Moving on the East Coast
The first thing to consider is where you’d like to live. Each part of the East Coast has its own unique culture and features that may or may not be a good fit for your lifestyle.
If you’re looking for bustling city life, you might want to consider moving to New York, Boston, or Philadelphia.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more laid-back lifestyle, you might want to look into states like Maine or Vermont.
Once you’ve decided on a state, the next step is to research different cities and towns within that state. Consider factors like job opportunities, cost of living, etc.
Here’s a brief overview of each of the 14 states on the East Coast:
Connecticut
There are many reasons to consider moving to Connecticut. Connecticut has a rich history, beautiful scenery, and a thriving economy.
There are also plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment, and the cost of living is relatively low compared to other states in the Northeast.
The state has a low unemployment rate and a high median income. There are many work opportunities in Connecticut’s growing finance industry.
Their public schools are ranked among the best in the country, and their colleges and universities are some of the most prestigious. The most notable of which would be the 5th ranked University in the nation, Yale.
Connecticut is close to New York City, allowing the residents of Connecticut to easily commute to Manhattan for work or fun.
Delaware
There are several reasons why people decide to move to Delaware. Some of these include the state’s cheap taxes while maintaining a high quality of life, as well as its accessibility to major metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.
Delaware also has a diverse range of lifestyle attractions, from pristine beaches and lush parks, to a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Florida
The Sunshine State is known for its beautiful weather, pristine beaches, and laid-back lifestyle, and these are the main reasons why people move to Florida.
Florida enjoys year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, which makes it a perfect place to live if you love being outdoors.
Florida is also home to an incredible sports culture, with teams like the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays of the MLB, and the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers of the NHL.
The state also has a strong economy – in fact, it’s one of the top states for business. The cost of living is also relatively low, and there’s no state income tax. Plus, Florida is home to some of the best beaches in the country.
Georgia
Some of the benefits of living in this southern state include its proximity to major cities, tax-friendly environment, mild climate, and diverse landscape.
Georgia is home to Atlanta, a fast-growing city with a booming economy. Georgia is also located just a few hours from some of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country, such as Miami and Charlotte.
This makes it an attractive option for those who want to live near big cities, but still enjoy the benefits of a smaller community.
In terms of taxes, Georgia has no personal income tax, which is a bonus. And when it comes to climate, Georgia is known for its mild temperatures. While the state does experience all four seasons, none are too extreme.
Maine
Maine is a great option to live for many people. Some might be looking for a slower pace of life, while others might be drawn by the natural beauty of the state.
Maine is a great place to raise a family, with plenty of outdoor activities and small-town communities where ”everyone knows everyone”.
The cost of living is also relatively low, making it affordable to live in one of Maine’s beautiful coastal towns or charming villages.
Maryland
Maryland is also a great option for lots of people. The cost of living is relatively low, yet there are plenty of job opportunities, especially in the Baltimore area.
Maryland is a great place to raise a family – the schools are fantastic and there are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy.
Maryland is also home to some incredible historical landmarks like Fort McHenry and Annapolis.
Massachusetts
The state is known for its excellent education system, its vibrant culture, and its thriving economy.
It’s an excellent place to raise a family. The cultural scene in Massachusetts is very vibrant, with plenty of museums, theaters, and other attractions to keep families entertained.
The economy in Massachusetts is booming, making it a great place to find work and “settle down” into a career.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a strong economy, low cost of living, an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and excellent schools.
New Hampshire is great for nature lovers, as it has a very diverse landscape, with mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers all located close together.
This makes it an ideal place for those who love the outdoors. And because New Hampshire is a relatively small state, it is easy to get around and there are plenty of friendly people living here.
New Jersey
There are many reasons why people choose to move to New Jersey. Some are drawn to the state’s vibrant cities, like Newark or Jersey City, while others may prefer the more suburban or rural areas.
New Jersey is in a convenient location since it’s close to both New York City and Philadelphia. This makes it a great place to live if you want easy access to two of the most exciting urban centers in the country.
New York
New York is a great place to be if you want to pursue a career in almost any field. Whether you’re interested in fashion, art, media, business, or anything your mind can dream up, you’ll find opportunities to network and grow your career in New York.
Another reason to move to New York is for the variety of experiences and people you’ll encounter.
There’s nowhere else quite like it in terms of the energy and vibe of the city – it really is a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. You could spend weeks just exploring all of the different neighborhoods.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a great state to move to if you’re looking for a peaceful, pleasant place to live.
North Carolina is known for its friendly people and low cost of living. It’s also a great place to raise a family, with plenty of outdoor activities and historical attractions to enjoy.
Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for busy city life, but not quite ready for life in New York City, you should consider Pennsylvania. It has a lot to offer, from its rich history and culture to its beautiful countryside.
Pennsylvania is home to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, two amazing cities with tons to offer. They have some incredible sports teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL).
Pennsylvania is also a more affordable place to live than some of the larger states, like New York and Massachusetts.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a great place to raise a family, with its low cost of living and abundance of outdoor activities. The state is also home to many colleges and universities, making it a perfect place for students and young professionals.
With a population of just over 1 million people, Rhode Island is a great place for that mix of small-town and big-city life.
South Carolina
Like North Carolina, South Carolina has a booming economy, with very low crime rates, making it a great place to start a business.
South Carolina also has many employment opportunities for those who are looking for work. South Carolina residents enjoy a high quality of life, with plenty of cultural and recreational activities available.
Virginia
The weather in Virginia is very pleasant, with summers being warm but not hot, and winters being cool but not cold. And if you’re interested in agriculture, Virginia also receives a good amount of rainfall, making it ideal for growing crops and other vegetation.
Another great reason to move to Virginia is the opportunity to live in one of the nation’s most historical states. Cities like Williamsburg and Jamestown offer residents a chance to step back in time and experience what life was like in America’s early days.
2. Search for Housing Early
First, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to rent or buy a home. Once you’ve decided, you should start looking for homes at least a few months before you plan on moving.
This will give you plenty of time to find the right home for you and your family. It will also allow you to get an idea of the prices in different areas, so you can budget accordingly.
Make sure you know the options available to you before you make any serious decisions.
It can be difficult to find housing in a new state or city if you don’t know where to look, but the internet makes it easy. Check out sites like Realtor.com and Zillow.
It’s helpful to have an idea of what you’re looking for in a neighborhood, before you start your search. This way, you can narrow your search down to only the areas that fit your needs and preferences.
3. Create a Checklist
Many people find that creating a checklist can be a helpful way to stay organized during a move.
Your moving checklist includes anything from a list of all the items you need to pack, to a schedule of when different tasks need to be completed.
You can even create checklists for each individual room in your house, so that you know exactly what needs to go where.
If you’re the type of person who likes having everything laid out in front of them, then creating a checklist is going to be a lifesaver for you during your move.
4. Set a Budget
Creating a budget list when you move is a good idea in order to prevent overspending. There are a few things you’ll need to account for when setting up your budget, such as the cost of movers, deposits for utilities, and any changes in your overall cost of living.
One way to keep yourself on track is to break down your expenses into categories, like “transportation”, “housing”, and “entertainment”.
Moving can be expensive, but by planning ahead and sticking to a budget, you can avoid spending more money than necessary through the process.
5. How Will You Move Your Stuff?
Moving is not something to take lightly, especially if you’re moving across the country.
You have to figure out how you’re going to get all your stuff from the West Coast to the East Coast, which is no easy feat. And if you’re hiring movers, you need to get that sorted out sooner rather than later.
Even if you’re not hiring movers, there’s a lot to think about in terms of getting everything packed up and organized.
You need to consider whether you’re going to pack up your stuff yourself, or if you’ll just leave that to the movers. It’ll end up costing more, but sometimes avoiding the hassle of packing your stuff is worth it in the end.
There are several reasons why you might want to consider hiring a moving company when moving across the country. For one, it can be very stressful to try to coordinate everything yourself – from packing up all your belongings, to renting a moving truck, to driving across the country.
Hiring a professional moving company takes a lot of that stress off your shoulders, and they will handle everything from start to finish so that you can focus on settling into your new home.
Hiring a moving company can also save you time and money. They have the resources and experience to efficiently pack up and move your belongings, which means you won’t have to waste time or money figuring out how to do it yourself.
But if you need to save a few dollars, here are some useful tips if you decide to try a DIY move:
- Label everything with what room it goes in with a list of the contents and any special instructions.
- Pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
- Place breakable items in boxes marked “Fragile.”
- Use packing paper, bubble wrap, or newspaper to cushion fragile items.
- Pack up all of your books tightly together to save space.
- Make sure that dishes and glassware are packed in dish packs or sturdy boxes.
- Wrap silverware and knives in packing paper or bubble wrap to protect them from damage during transport.
- Fill extra space in boxes with packing paper or towels
6. Set a Schedule
It is absolutely crucial to set a schedule when you’re moving. Setting a schedule will help you stay organized and on track.
Having a timeline and setting goals can help keep you motivated throughout the process. And it can also help reduce the overall stress levels during the move by providing a structure to follow.
7. Declutter
Decluttering long before you move is essential because it greatly reduces the amount of time you’ll spend packing and unpacking. It also means that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for when you get to your new home, since there are less unnecessary items to sort through.
The most efficient way to declutter is to go through your stuff one by one, and ask yourself whether or not you really need it.
If the answer is no, then get rid of it. A good test to know if you really need someting, is to ask yourself if you’ve used the item in the past six months.
8. Factors to Consider When Moving
Cost of Living
In general, the cost of living tends to be higher on the East Coast, especially in large metropolitan areas such as New York City and Boston. This is due in part to the fact that these cities have a higher demand for goods and services, which drives up prices.
Real Estate Prices
Generally speaking—the cost of housing is also higher on the East Coast than on the West Coast. This is because land is more scarce on the densely-populated East Coast, which makes it more expensive.
Job Opportunities
There are many job opportunities on both the West Coast and East Coast, but there are some key differences between the two regions.
The West Coast has a strong technology industry, with companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple having headquarters there. The East Coast has a greater concentration of financial services companies, such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.
The West Coast is also known for its entertainment industry, while the East Coast is home to major media outlets like CNN and the New York Times.
These are generalizations of course, as no matter what industry you are in, there are going to be jobs for you on the East Coast. There just may be less on the East Coast than on the West Coast. You should factor in whether your specialization is highly sought-after on the East Coast.
Lifestyle Preference
You may find that the pace of life is more relaxed or that there are more cultural activities and events to enjoy in the East Coast. That’s not to say that moving to the East Coast will be boring. You can still enjoy city life if that’s what you’re after, it all depends on the city you move to.
Weather
The difference in weather will depend entirely on what city you’re moving from and to. If you want to learn about moving from a specific city to another, there’s a chance we have a guide on it!
You can go over all of our long-distance moving guides and see if we’ve written about your specific situation.
Conclusion
If you’re considering moving from the West Coast to the East Coast, then hopefully this guide has given you some good advice. It is just important to remember that the two coasts have slightly different lifestyles and economies.
Generally speaking, the cost of living is higher on the East Coast, especially in larger cities like New York and Boston. And even though there are a lot of job opportunities, it’s also more competitive on the East Coast – so make sure you do your research before making the move.
Finally, think about what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. Do you want to be in a big city with lots of activities and nightlife? Or would you prefer a smaller town with a slower pace of life? No matter what you’re after, you should be able to find it, somewhere on the East Coast!
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Where there is a will, there is a way.