Thinking about packing up and moving south to Texas? You’re not alone. The Lone Star state is home to 28.7 million people and that number is exponentially growing as more ethnically diverse young professionals flock to Texas. Be it a major city like San Antonio or Austin, or if a ranch is calling your name, living in Texas has something for everyone. With a deregulated electricity market, a booming job and business market, and several top universities, there are plenty of great things about finding a new home in Texas. From setting up utilities to getting a driver’s license, read below for a moving to Texas checklist that you can reference before and after you relocate to the Lone Star state.
The Lone Star state is an increasingly popular place for people who are relocating for professional or personal reasons. With its low cost of living, booming job market, and diversity in geography, culture, and lifestyle, it’s easy to see why people want to call Texas their new home. To help you prepare for your move, both before you leave your current home and after you arrive in Texas, we are sharing our moving to Texas checklist to make sure things go smoothly.
Before Moving to Texas
Research a Variety of Texas Cities and Neighborhoods
The state of Texas is home to Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, three of the biggest cities in the country. Big-time sports fans will find their kin in Dallas, those who want a more relaxed vibe can settle in San Antonio, and people seeking an ethnically diverse culture and business can get what they’re looking for in Houston. If you’re seeking a smaller city with an eccentric community filled with young professionals, you should definitely call Austin home, otherwise known as the self-proclaimed live music capital in the world. The cost of real estate varies amongst all these major cities, as they have dense city centers and sprawling suburbs, with home prices changing from neighborhood to neighborhood, allowing those who are moving to Texas to find a new home at any budget. Once you have decided which city best suits your character, hone in on the different neighborhoods that make up each city to determine which lifestyle fits what you’re looking for.
Find a Place to Live and Set up Utilities
The best way to find a place to live in a new state is by working with a local realtor in your new city. They can offer expert advice for a variety of neighborhoods to help you get a home that best suits your taste, lifestyle, and budgetary requirements. In Texas, you have the right to representation in all real estate transactions, be it for rental or purchase, so this free service of someone negotiating contracts on your behalf is highly recommended.
Additionally, it is a safe bet to schedule the activation of your utilities before you arrive at your new residence. You will certainly want electricity when you get here as air conditioning, water and working lights will help unpacking go a lot more smoothly. Especially at times of extreme temperatures, being able to combat unwanted heat or cold as you make trips up and down the stairs will prove advantageous. Many utility plans available offer service in exchange for continuous payment and a one-time deposit. This deposit should be accounted for in your moving expenses. Since moving often causes individuals to be strapped for cash, anticipating any additional expenses is a valuable method for keeping costs manageable. Phone ahead or check online to see what each utility provider charges for a deposit and either pay or budget for it.
Create a Moving Budget
Moving expenses tend to add up out of nowhere. After all, you are packing up all your belongings and family members in one place! Thus, it is prudent to create a moving budget for potential vehicle breakdowns, emergencies, and any snags that occur along the way. If you are financially capable, it can be very beneficial to hire a moving company to assist you in this big life transition. When getting quotes from different moving companies, make sure you inquire about any hidden costs that might not be mentioned in the upfront costs.
Tie up Loose Ends
When moving to a new state, it is important to tie up all loose ends in your current city before up and leaving. It is important to give your boss ample notice about your decision to move as they may need your assistance in training your replacement. On the flip side, if you are moving due to a new job, let your new boss know of your travel schedule so they know when the best time is to contact you, if necessary. Additionally, make sure you cancel any local services such as your utilities, internet and TV subscriptions. Lastly, make sure you notify all creditors and the postal service of your new address to ensure that all your mail is forwarded to your new Texas home.
After Moving to Texas
Register Your Car and Transfer Your Texas Driver’s License
There are certain things required of you by the state of Texas when you first move to town, especially when it comes to your car. Make sure you get your vehicle inspected and get a sticker to display on your windshield from a certified technician that states you passed the inspection. Texas law requires all drivers to have at least $25,000 in coverage for destruction or injury of property, $30,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident and $60,000 for injury or death of two or more people in an accident. As long as the auto insurance you had issued in your previous state met these requirements, you don’t have to make any changes. You have 30 days from the time you move to get your vehicle registered in the state — this will come with new Texas license plates for your car. Finally, you have 90 days within moving to Texas to get a Texas driver’s license, making you an official Texas resident!
Locate Essential Services and Establish Essential Relationships
As soon as you get to Texas, it is important to locate essential services and find new providers in a timely fashion. Figure out where the local grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals and police stations are in your immediate area. This will all come in handy when you need access to these services on a moment’s notice. Additionally, you should open up any new bank accounts, find the nearest ATMs, new healthcare providers, and even a new hairstylist and babysitter should you require one. Lean on referrals and references, and understand that establishing these new relationships might require some trial and error, which is perfectly normal!
MOVE TO TEXAS TODAY!
People from all over the country are making the move to Texas and building a new home for themselves. Whether it is the vast range of affordable real estate across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, the live music and top universities in Austin, Texas, or the deregulated energy markets across the entire state, there are plenty of reasons to move to the state of Texas and become part of a new community. Start reviewing your checklist and move to Texas today!
