Moving out of state

How do you prepare to move out of state. We are thinking Maryland or Florida. I've haven't ever moved anywhere, how much money should you have saved, should you have a job lined up before you'd even settle on a place?

Re: Moving out of state

I would definitely have money saved up before moving, it can be costly. If it were me, I wouldn't move anywhere unless I am financially stable and have a job lined up. What if I can't find a job, how will I pay rent, or feed my child...a lot of things to consider before moving.

Re: Moving out of state

I would have a job lined up, some savings and a place to rent on a monthly term. I would plan to stay in the rental for 3-6 months while I figured out where we want to live. If you have school age kids then I would rent for a year and look for a nice house in a nice neighborhood.
As for how much - well that is personal to everyone but for me, I would want 6-8 months of living expenses regardless of moving or where I am living.

Message edited 6/10/2011 9:49:17 AM.

Re: Moving out of state

Re: Moving out of state

I would absolutely look into having a job lined up.

ESPECIALLY in Florida.

I meet people weekly it seems in my travels who have moved down there thinking the grass was going to be greener, then moved back because they couldn't find work, or could only find something that would be considered a professional role here, paying a decent salary, that only paid like minimum wage there.

I also wouldn't buy a house either until you knew it was somewhere you were comfortable living for awhile.

I also think it's helpful to talk with people who actually live in certain areas, to get an inside scoop, before actually taking the plunge.

Re: Moving out of state

we moved to florida....my DH was able to transfer making the same salary so it was a no brainer....we knew of the area we wanted to move into and we scoped it out a few times...we bought a house, a short sale figuring it was a great time to buy....for us grass is def greener....

we had money saved, put 20% down and still had $ left over in savings and now i don't have to work, we live in a nice area in a gated community, nothing not to love...the biggest and only real sacrifice was leaving DH's family and my extended family (my parents are in FL)

Message edited 6/10/2011 3:48:01 PM.

Re: Moving out of state

I would look at Maryland, but not close to DC because you will pay just what you do in LI! Check out city-data.com for neighborhood, school and job info. Make a few visits, get a great realtor who knows the area. Your husband will have to grow his business so he should try some corporate prospecting and also advertise on CL when you get down there. I think that will be the toughest part, if he has a steady business here he is going to have to do that all over.

ETA: and I would absolutely RENT before you buy. We are going on 3 years in NC in our 2nd rented house and are buying it from the LL

Message edited 6/11/2011 12:41:20 AM.

Re: Moving out of state

In this economy, I would absolutely have a job lined up.

Florida is having a lot of unemployment.

I would not count on finding a job quickly. Some only finding jobs 1 year later.

Re: Moving out of state

Re: Moving out of state

Re: Moving out of state

My husband, son and I just have just moved to Maryland. We found a job for my husband before we moved. He interviewed in the beginning of April and we just moved last week. My husband started his job this past week and I have been in NY tying up a few loose ends. Actually I am making the permanent move today with my 2 year old. We would not have moved without a job for him since the job market is tight and the hiring process can be slow. But once he was offered the job it went really quick. Basically we left here 2 1/2 weeks later.
After he found the job I apartment searched lined up a couple of places to look at and went down for a long weekend. We found a place that was close to his job for now.
As far as money it depends on how you spend but especially since you have children you need a little cushion. We are renting, so we needed 1st and security deposit, we needed to buy a washer and dryer for the house. (we purchased off craigslist) We also needed some furniture. We had to rent a 16ft truck plus bring our 2 cars down. We practically needed a whole truck for my sons toys.
Good Luck

Re: Moving out of state

If you have kids - i would absolutely have a job lined up - especially for medical insurance reasons.


We moved to San Diego without jobs and it worked out for us, but it was better times. When we moved back to NY, I was pregnant and DH had a job lined up. we wouldn't have moved without a job with a child (or one on the way)