Okay—yes, it’s been over a year since our big move from New Jersey to Texas… but better late than never, right? I’m finally sharing our full out-of-state moving experience—what worked, what didn’t, and all the little lessons learned along the way.
First Things First: Moving is NO JOKE.
This was my third major move, each happening during a different life phase. Let me tell you—it never gets easier. However, each one brings growth, fresh perspective, and a ton of memories. If you’ve never moved out of state, and get the chance, I say go for it. It’s hard, but so worth it.
A Few General Tips Before We Dive Into the Logistics:
Take care of yourself. Especially if you’re moving with kids and uprooting a whole family—it’s a lot.
- Flexibility is key. Not everything will go according to plan, and that’s okay.
- Spreadsheets = lifesavers. Work backward from your move date so you’re not scrambling.
- Ask for help, you don’t have to do it all alone.
- Celebrate the season you’re in, even amidst the chaos.
- Let yourself feel all the things. Moving is emotional! Let your kids do the same.
- Remember: eventually, things will settle, and you’ll be writing your next chapter in a new space.
Now, Let’s Talk Logistics
We had 2 kids, 1 house, 2 cars, and a brand-new, new construction home waiting for us in Texas. That long lead time (12–14 months) helped us plan out things at a manageable pace.
Here’s how we broke it down:
12 Months Before the Move:
We signed for our lot and paid the initial deposit—let the planning begin! I started decluttering by moving furniture we didn’t want into the basement to sell or donate. I sold a ton of it on Facebook Marketplace (less stuff = less stress later).
9 Months Before:
I tackled the kids’ toys and clothes, and then moved on to our own closets. Anything we didn’t love or need? Gone.
6 Months Before:
We started talking about when to list our house. The market was looking good (yay, seller’s market!), but we weren’t taking any chances. We also decided we wanted a buyer who’d purchase most of our furniture. Less to move!
3.5 Months Before:
We officially listed the house in October. It sold within weeks. With this, we could close right before the big move, which was a huge relief.
3 Months Before:
Time to book our move!
After lots of review-reading and researching, here’s what we went with:
- PODS for our belongings
- RoadRunner Auto Transport for our cars
We also booked our one-way flight to Dallas (eek—it was getting real!).
Why We Chose PODS:
- Easy online booking process.
- POD was delivered a few days before our move, so we could load it up with local movers.
- Ability to store it in Dallas for a month until our house was ready.
- Only needed one small POD since we sold most of our furniture.
Why We Chose RoadRunner Auto Transport:
- Easy booking process.
- Reliable pickup and on-time delivery.
- No issues with either SUV.
2 Weeks Before the Move:
We prepped the house for the new family. My husband made them a binder with all the important documents, and the kids even wrote sweet letters to welcome their kiddos to the home. Heart. Melted.
1 Month After the Move:
Scheduled the POD delivery online—seamless! Local movers helped unload everything, and just like that, we were (somewhat) settled into our new life in Texas.
Total Moving Costs:
Here’s the breakdown for those curious about the budget:
- RoadRunner Auto Transport (2 SUVs): $2,058
- PODS (delivery, move, 1 month storage): $3,807.58
- Note: We did get hit with an extra month’s charge due to a closing delay—totally out of our control.
- Local movers (NJ & Dallas): $600
Total: $6,465.58
Here is a timeline to help you visualize our moving process:
Phew—that was a lot (trust me, I lived it). But if you’re planning an out-of-state move, I hope this gives you a helpful head start!
Here’s to creating happy memories,
Rashmi