MAIN Home Life House & Home Moving & Cost of Living in America

Sure, it's the third most stress-inducing change you'll experience. But the more you know about moving...the more of an adventure it becomes!

First, plan ahead to find out about the area you'll be living in:

• What does it cost to live there compared to the cost of living in your area?
  
  
• What are the schools, churches, cultural events and other area institutions like?
  
  
• Will you be able to enjoy the same activities you are used to or are you looking at new adventures ahead.
  
  
• Is the weather the same?
  
  
• What about the crime rate?

There are so many things you need to know before deciding on where to move – and that's just step one!

Once you've committed to the move you'll need to find a place to live and, if you're not renting, you have to sell your current residence. If you're lucky, you'll find two realtors who will work with you to make sure that the new home will be yours just as the old one is sold.

Then comes the move itself. Packing up all of your "stuff" and trusting strangers to deliver it in good condition. Having heard plenty of moving horror stories, you'll want to have insurance in case the movers damage or lose anything of value.

No wonder there is stress involved, but there is also lots of helpful advice to be found around the Web. Up ahead, check out top sites offering tips, suggestions and how to's for those about to make the big move, along with individual guides to moving to all 50 U.S. states plus features articles on the finer points of moving & relocating ...

FEATURE STORIES	see ALL Feature Stories
Moving with Kids
If you think moving is stressful, just add kids to the mix! Get help with tips and advice in our guide to reducing stress, scouting the new neighborhood, safety and budget considerations, and how to get kids involved in the big move so they don't feel left out ....
Moving Tips & Advice ... Online
Time was when you had to schlep to the post office, make dozens of phone calls and coordinate everything yourself. Today, you can get expert tips and visitor reviews, take advantage of interactive tools & calculators, and get help with practically everything else you need right online ...
3 Important Moving Insurance Tips
Although moving companies are required to take out insurance on the goods they move, consumers might want to take out added coverage to ensure proper reimbursement if anything is lost, broken or stolen en route ...

also see related features -> Dorm Kitchen Essentials Checklist

Getting Settled In a Dorm | Moving & Relocation Career Advice

Tips on Moving with Pets

also see in Travel -> Moving to a Foreign Country

Top Moving & Relocating Resources around the Web:

BestPlaces.net - Mega U.S. resource with city comparisons for some 3,000 locations with related school info, crime rates and statistics, climate and weather info, salary and cost of living calculators.

helpiammoving.com - Comforting U.K. site with a step-by-step guide to removals and storage companies with practical advice on pet and plant moving, checklists, kids stuff and more.

MonsterMoving - The monster resource with real-time mortgage rates, change of address service, cost of living analysis and home-buying calculators, mover quotes, personal move organizer and a weekly newsletter.

Relocation Index - Comparison shop moving companies and check out the relocation database for finding anything from moving truck rentals to guides and information on your chosen destination worldwide, including online tools, tips, resources, currency and time converters.

Relocate America - Comprehensive and easily navigable site offering tons of info on real estate services and guides for cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Relocation Central - Useful facts, info and free services including online help with everything from apartment hunting in the U.S. to finding local utilities and services.

Outpost Expatria - Excellent resource for the business person or family on the move around the world, with links to practical country info from text links or via a clickable image map.