Written by: Isaac Grant
Date:

Moving from California to New York constitutes a long-distance relocation. You will be moving from one side of the U.S. to another, a prospect that you need to thoroughly prepare for. This is something that necessitates the use of a moving company, so you might want to search for one as soon as possible. To make the process easier, you can use the services of Verified Movers to get matched with a professional mover without spending too much time and effort. You will also need to prepare for a change in your lifestyle, as well as the moving process itself. But don’t worry, with the help of this guide, you will be able to finish everything in time!

Moving from California to New York – Preparation

Before you get to the moving process, here’s what you will need to do:

  • Get ready for a different lifestyle
  • Learn more about both states
  • Research your new neighborhood
  • Say your goodbyes
  • Get to know NYC even further

Relocating to another area can be difficult. You need to make sure that your mind is in the right place. Going through the abovementioned steps will help you prepare accordingly. Before you hire one of the cross country moving companies California has, it is important to get your matters sorted. This will not take you that much time but it is important to get started as soon as you can. You will have plenty to do, after all.

moving from California to New York - preparation stage

Relocations require careful preparation.

Get ready for a different lifestyle

Living in NYC is nothing like living in California. The weather alone makes a huge difference. You may need to purchase additional clothing, as well as prepare for colder periods throughout the year. Furthermore, life in a big city is fast-paced and you might need to get accustomed to that. You may even want to ask your interstate movers New York about some recommendations. They know all about the problems that newcomers might face and are a great source of information. The more you know, the better. With that in mind, we have prepared some key rankings and statistics for both states. They can help you make the best decision or at least adapt easier.

California rankings and statistics

The great state of California spans an area of 163,694 square miles. The capital of the state is Sacramento, and there are around 39,500,000 people living in the state. California also creates a GDP of $3,133 Billion, and its citizens enjoy a median income of around $35,230. However, the state is ranked in the “middle of the pack”, according to usnews.com. The main reason why California is so popular, and why top movers in Los Angeles get numerous moving from California to New York requests on a daily basis is due to the state’s strong economy. Furthermore, health care in the Sunshine State is extremely advanced, taking the #5 spot in the overall rankings. Coupled with the fact that the climate is well-suited for people in retirement, this makes this state to be one of the most desirable to live in.

Drawbacks

However, there are numerous statistics that show that California has its own fair share of issues. For example, when it comes to opportunity, the state is dead last. Furthermore, fiscal stability takes the #36 spot, and the natural environment is trailing one behind, at #35. Even though California is one of the wealthiest states in the country, infrastructure is ranked rather poorly, at #31. Here are the full rankings:

  • Health Care – #5
  • Education – #20
  • Economy – #10
  • Infrastructure – #31
  • Opportunity – #50
  • Fiscal Stability – #36
  • Crime/Corrections – #28
  • Natural Environment – #35

While these statistics do not represent how living in the home of Hollywood and Silicon Valley is like, they do provide a significant overview. Unless you are planning on another state-to-state relocation, you will do well to take them into account before you look into one of the best long distance movers California has to offer. While living in California might not be ideal for you, and you might be looking for a change of scenery, relocation is a big decision. You want to make sure that you are making the best “move”. To help you with that decision, you will want to know the statistics of your new state, as well.

a city in California

Knowing the statistics will help you make the best decision.

New York rankings and statistics

To put it real simply, the state of New York is the “best” state in the entire country. The state is smaller than California, spanning an area of around 71,301 square miles. The first large discrepancy between the two states lies in both the population and the median income. New York boasts a population of around 7,615,000 people, which is several times less than in California. However, the populace enjoys a significantly higher median income of around $38,000. This means that living and working in New York can be more profitable than in California.

But the median income is not the only thing that the state ranks highly for. Most of the state’s rankings get a top-10 position, with only opportunity, crime&corrections, and the natural environment is in double digits. The fact that most of the long distance moving companies New York City has on offer receive relocation requests to New York on a daily basis speaks for itself. Furthermore, the Empire State is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. After moving from California to New York, there will be numerous biomes to explore, from rainforests to deserts.

But, most importantly, the infrastructure in the state leaves little to be desired. While there may be two states that are in front of New York, the #3 infrastructure speaks for itself. Coupled with the third-best economy and fourth-best education, there’s no denying that Empire State delivers a great lifestyle. Here are the full rankings of the state of New York:

  • Health Care – #8
  • Education – #4
  • Economy – #4
  • Infrastructure – #3
  • Opportunity – #25
  • Fiscal Stability – #6
  • Crime/Corrections – #19
  • Natural Environment – #15

The major economic “driver” in the state is its aerospace industry, due to the fact that the defense and military sector employs a huge number of people in the state. They are, in fact, the second-largest job provider in New York. The other industries that are in high demand are technology, clean energy, and maritime industries. Most of the long distance moving companies New York offers also report an increasing number of commercial relocations. Businesses that cannot bloom in other states might very well have a chance to make it in New York.

In addition to all the natural beauty, great economy, and infrastructure, New York is also known as the birthplace of numerous world-famous brands. The likes of Microsoft, Starbucks, and Boeing all started in this very state. And then there’s the fact that the Empire State is critical to the U.S. agriculture and food industry. The state generates around 70% of all the apples in the entire country, as well as serves as a leader in cattle, potato, and milk production.

But why are these rankings and statistics so important? Well, they provide you with an indication of what you can expect from life in the state. And they can serve to reinforce your decision or to help you make another one. But for the most part, if you want to base your decision on statistics and rankings alone, you are definitely making the right choice moving from California to New York.

a busy street in NYC

Welcome to New York City!

Research your new neighborhood

Once you arrive at your new home, you are going to need to establish a new routine. Make it easier on yourself by researching the area you will be living in before you go through with the relocation. You need to know where are the amenities that you will need (stores, gym, various services) beforehand. While you can definitely do that after you move in, it is a lot better to arrive prepared. By investing some of your time and energy into research, you can make sure that your new neighborhood is exactly what you need. And in the case that you don’t have much of a choice in choosing one, you will arrive prepared at the very least.

Say your goodbyes

It is entirely common to miss your old home and friends when moving away to another coast. You will want to lessen that burden by saying proper goodbyes to people and places in your old area. You can organize a “farewell party” or get together with your friends at the places you hanged out with. Saying goodbye is important, as that will help you sever the old ties and enable you to create new ones.

plates spelling the word

Make sure to say your farewells!

Get to know NYC

New York City is absolutely huge. It can be overwhelming to arrive and have so many options in front of you. Often described as the “cultural capital of the world”, its museums, art galleries, and Broadway shows excite the masses. While California definitely has its fair share of wonders, NYC is on another level completely. The fact that you can encounter over 800 languages being spoken, as well as cuisine all around the world is mind-boggling. Furthermore, if you are not already used to public transportation, you might want to explore the options available to you. Every day, more than 10 million people utilize the public transportation system, due to its extreme efficiency. In fact, owning a car in NYC is often more trouble than it’s worth. You can easily get around using the metro.

Also, the city of New York never sleeps. Regardless of when you wake up, there will always be something to do. You can get a slice of pizza well after midnight, and the streets will never be truly empty.

But for all its grandeur, NYC is not without its fair share of drawbacks. The rent alone is enough to put most people off living there, provided you do not want to share an apartment with several roommates and commute 2 hours to work every day. Affordable and NYC are two separate categories, truth to be told. This city is the 7th most expensive in the entire world, after all. Lastly, there will be crowds almost anywhere you go. You will need to adapt to standing in line, that is a way of life in NYC. We recommend you create a lengthy playlist (or buy a couple of audiobooks) to get you through the initial shock.

Moving from California to New York – Moving process

When it gets to the moving process itself, here’s what you will need to do:

  • Create a moving budget
  • Hire a moving company
  • Declutter
  • Obtain packing supplies
  • Pack an essentials bag

Of course, there will be other things that you will need to do as well. It is in your best interest to create a moving checklist so you can keep track of the tasks. Long-distance relocations can bring in a lot of stress if not managed properly, so make sure that you leave yourself plenty of time.

tools used to prepare for moving from California to New York

You will want to organize your time and efforts.

Create a moving budget

The first thing you will need to do is set a moving budget for moving from California to New York. This will enable you to optimize your spending, knowing exactly what you can afford. But knowing what you can’t afford is even more valuable. You will not need to spend a lot of time considering various options if your budget simply can’t allow for them. While some stretching is alright, try to stick to it as much as you can.

Hire a moving company

Choosing a mover to relocate your household is not as easy and straightforward as it might seem. There are so many moving companies out there, each claiming they are the best for the job at hand. But only some have the experience necessary to handle relocations over such distances. To get in contact with top NYC movers, you will either need to do extensive research or utilize the services of a moving matchmaker. Either way, this is something that you wish to do as soon as possible, as that will guarantee the moving date of your choice.

professional mover doing inventory for moving from California to New York

Professional movers will do most of the work for you.

Declutter when Moving from California to New York

The more items you bring with you, the greater the cost. That is why you will want to go through a decluttering process before you have your movers load the truck and moving from California to New York gets underway. The best way to do it is to declutter room by room, or even combine it with the packing effort. Do note, however, that decluttering is a process that requires input from each family member. What may seem worthless to you might be invaluable to someone else. It will take you some time to sort out everything so it is best to start early.

Obtain packing supplies

Your relocation will require plenty of moving boxes and assorted packing materials. You have two main options here. First, you can simply purchase everything from your movers, or a store, and have it delivered to your home. This is a costlier option but a much more convenient one. Second, you can obtain cardboard moving boxes from your local stores and purchase packing supplies second-hand. Simply stroll around your old neighborhood, visiting the stores you normally shop in, and ask if they have a box or two for your relocation. As for the packing materials, sites like Craigslist and Facebook are great places to search for deals. You can also ask if anyone has moved to the area recently, as they often have some surplus supplies. You can always buy what you are missing from your movers/specialty stores.

Pack an essentials bag

Lastly, you will need to prepare for the journey ahead. You should prepare a dedicated “essentials” bag. You will want to pack anything that you simply can’t live without, even for a day or three. The fact of the matter is that delays can occur when moving from California to New York and you want to be ready if they do. Pack an extra set of clothes, an entertainment device or two, toiletries, and anything else that “makes you tick”. Don’t overpack, though, try to keep the contents essential.