Dallas is an excellent city to live in with its cheap cost of living and zero state income tax. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the second largest airport in the country, so air travel is a breeze. Sports lovers flock to this city during the sports season. The weather is great (except for the hot…
Convenience, practicality, and safety are some of the values you’re looking for when hiring a mover. Moving to a 4-bedroom house is a lot to take in, even if you have friends and family to help you. Doing the inventory, disassembling furniture, and packing everything are stressful activities that can cost you your sanity. However,…
Americans have always been economically driven, prone to moving when looking for the best opportunities. Whether it is in search of better housing, cheaper rent, a blossoming job market or a vibrant cultural scene, moving affords you the luxury of choice when it comes to settling in an area that best suits either your needs or preferences. And as it turns out, Californians are the most mobile of Americans, with a few hundred thousand leaving the Golden State each year.
As a matter of fact, research shows that 86,000 people left California in 2018 and the trend rages on to this very day. While there are several reasons why people are pack up and leave California for other states, two of the most prominent ones are housing and the cost of living. Studies conducted by MIT showed that housing costs in California in 2019 were almost 60% higher compared to Texas. Also, Texans spend roughly 5% less on just about everything else compared to Californians.
The 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report also supported these figures as it found out that 53% of California residents are already thinking about moving out of the state because of the high cost of living while 72% of Californians say that the expenses and availability of housing is a serious challenge for them.
Another thing that is pushing Californians to make the decision to relocate to other states is the astronomical taxes. California state taxes have gained a loathsome reputation for being one of, if not, the highest in the entire United States. California’s state-level sales tax is the highest in the country at 7.25% and when this is combined with local sales taxes, the rate can go as high as 10% in some cities. Because of this, it’s not surprising to see states with lower tax rates attracting a lot of Californians.
One of the most popular states for outbound Californians is Texas. The Lone Star State has gained the title of fastest-growing state in the country, thanks in large part, to the hundreds of thousands of Californians that now call Texas home. While the reasons why people are leaving California have been discussed, there are also plenty of reasons why people are relocating from CA to TX. Here are a few of them:
This is one of the best benefits of living in Texas as it leaves you with a little more money in your wallet rather than having to pony it up to the state. If you have a business that is struggling to find its footing in California, you can try developing it in Texas.
There is a large gap between the cost of living in California and Texas. Housing expenses in Texas are 54% less than in the Golden State while a family that has several kids can save more than 60%. All other costs are lower as well: food is 18% lower, health insurance is less expensive and entertainment costs 14% less than in California.
Texas’ capital of Austin made it to Forbes’ list of 10 growing economies and the state is highly regarded to assume the top spot in the economic landscape, thanks to the presence of world-class companies such as Google and Apple. Overall, Texas’ economy is the second largest in the entire country and when ranged against other countries, it can even take 10th place in the entire world.
Texas has different regions that have different climates but for the most part, the state enjoys a subtropical climate with summer temperatures ranging between 80 and 100° F. Wintertime in Texas is mild and not snowy as well.
Finding a cheap moving company may not be so hard; finding one which offers quality work, however, is a bit more complicated. If you’ve worked with a bad moving company before, you understand the frustrations this adds to an already stressful event. Avoid that headache during your current moving adventure by following the tips below when choosing a moving company. These tips ease the frustrations you feel when it’s time to hire a moving company.
A moving company can meet your expectations only when you know what you want and need in that professional. Ahead of choosing a moving company, write down a list that includes your needs, wants, and expectations in the moving company.
Write down a list of questions as you write down the list of expectations from the moving company. Ask each moving company you consider to answer the questions. Write down the answers.
The information provided during this mini-interview ensures that you find a mover who meets your needs and expectations. It’s an excellent time to get to know the company a little bit better. Some of the questions you may want to ask include:
These questions are among the most important to ask a moving company ahead of the hiring process. At a minimum, interview three-four moving companies, asking the above questions in the process, if you want to secure services with the best in the business.
Online moving company reviews provide a broad insight into the company and what you can expect when they handle your needs. Reviews posted by previous customers, as well as experts, are easily accessible on the web.
Check out a few different websites to read reviews from a mixture of people and gather their honest opinions. Remember to use legitimate sites when searching for reviews. It’s estimated that around 80% of all people moving read reviews before hiring a moving company. So should you.
Word-of-mouth provides details about moving companies that you can’t find elsewhere. Ask friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others to give you their moving company recommendations. They’ll provide you with all of the details that make choosing a moving company simple and easy.
Good, cheap moving companies do exist. It’s up to you to put forth the work to find this moving company. Use the information above in your efforts, and finding a great moving company at a cost that won’t break your budget is more than possible. Moving is a big job but with the right moving company, there is incredibly less stress. Don’t settle for the wrong moving company!
You’ve moved the contents of your house to the new location, but when you checked your bank account, you realized you spent more than you should on your moving company. Envision how much you could have saved if you took the time to check on your movers before hiring one. Finding a cheap mover in Dallas is achievable if you know how to check movers within the area.
Reputable moving companies seek to build healthy relationships with their customers. Therefore, they strive to give the best services at a competitive price. Several ways to check on your prospect moving company include checking their website, online customer reviews, or talking to customers. Word of mouth is a convenient and reliable way to find a cheap and efficient moving company.
While word of mouth is reliable, a reputable moving company doesn’t scrimp on marketing. Most moving companies maintain an up-to-date website where you can calculate your move using the website’s moving calculator.
Another way to find a cheap moving company in Dallas is to look into their moving history. Do they overbook to compensate for their income? How much do they usually ask for long-distance movers? Do they underpay their crew to save on operational expenses? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself regarding your moving company’s history.
Hiring a licensed and certified mover ensures that you’re spending money on reliable companies. While it is not a guarantee, licenses and certifications give you an extra layer of protection from moving scammers. Unscrupulous companies may ask for cash deposits before the move, so consider it a red flag if they ask for a cash deposit. Cash deposits or transactions in cash only will negate the opportunity to trace your moving company if they fail to deliver their services.
Hiring the company with the cheapest quote is a big no-no. While hiring the company with the cheapest offer is tempting, it makes you vulnerable to paying hidden costs and extra charges. Instead, it is best to compare quotes and services.
Reputable companies also invest in proper crew training, especially their truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also has these driving tips for truck and big vehicle drivers to ensure the driver’s safety and the safety of their household belongings while on the road.
Narrow down your choice to three or four moving companies, then ask for a written quote before deciding to hire one. A written quote shows responsibility and reliability on the part of the moving company. However, be honest when giving information to your prospect mover, especially regarding specialty furniture and appliances and high-value items like fine arts and antiques to move.
It is also best to have a walkthrough with your prospect company so they can give you a reliable quote. Information to include in the quote are services included in the cost, the time frame of the move, the expected date of pick-up and delivery, and other necessary information. Don’t skip on information about insurance coverage. Get third-party insurance coverage for your high-value items to give them better protection.
Moving companies offer various services to their clients. Don’t hire the company for services you won’t use. For example, you can hire hourly moving labor in Dallas, which is cheaper than full-service moving, especially for small, short-distance moves. Other companies also offer various packages – full service, crew-only service, vehicle-only service, or hybrid moving services.
Some companies can offer more than the required number of moving crew to maximize the capacity of the crew and shorten the move. This technique is a cost-effective alternative to spending days packing your things and hauling them to the moving truck. Make a list of the items you want the moving company to pack and move and which tasks you’ll take on for DIY packing.
The top priorities to check on your moving company are the physical address and upkeep of the office, the vehicles and moving equipment, the storage unit, and the crew. The right equipment allows the company to lower their services than if they do things manually.
Some apartment buildings, especially the older ones, do not have service elevators, so movers have to contend with several flights of stairs. This manual way of doing things is slow and may cause injury to the crew or damage to your things. However, if the moving company has removable ramps for chairs, they can haul your things more efficiently to offer lower labor costs.
Other companies also offer GPS tracking for their trucks so you can track the whereabouts of your belongings to give you peace of mind.
You can find the cheapest moving company in Dallas but still pay more than you should if you don’t prioritize your belongings to move. Cut down your expenses by bringing only the essential things and getting rid of everything else. Here are some easy-to-follow decluttering tips to try.
Here are seven tips when you’re moving on a budget: 1. Plan Ahead The best thing that you can do for your move is to simply be prepared for it. After all, moving is one of the most stressful things that you can do. It has been categorized as the third most stressful life event…
Does a looming relocation fill you with apprehension? Simply adhering to a few simple guidelines helps alleviate stress. Consider using these ten helpful strategies:
In most cases, households underestimate the amount of time required to sort and pack their possessions in anticipation of a relocation. Consider doubling (or tripling) the amount of time you initially allocate for packing.
If your budget permits, treat yourself to new, high-quality moving boxes and packing materials. Full-time moving companies appreciate the importance of using strong boxes with extensive wrapping and padding. While these supplies do cost a little bit more, they reduce accidental damage.
Fragile items generally arrive in a better condition when the person responsible for packing them spends a little extra time carefully securing them within thick moving boxes. Never place small, loose items unsecured inside a box with other objects; instead, rely on storage compartments or smaller boxes packed within larger ones.
Visit a landfill to properly discard potentially hazardous items such as insecticides, caustic cleaning agents, oils, paints, alcoholic beverages, and other potentially flammable substances. You’ll have an opportunity to re-stock them after your relocation.
If you relocate across a state line or an international border, you’ll need to obtain appropriate travel health certifications for your pet(s) from a veterinarian. Consider asking the clinic to recommend a sturdy, high-quality transport carrier.
If you subscribe to a local newspaper, a dairy service, a laundry service, or a utility company and you need to cut off service prior to leaving your current address, make sure you take this step prior to the arrival of Moving Day. Performing these types of administrative tasks in a rush at the last minute will delay your departure. These types of necessary transactions sometimes cause frustration or anxiety if providers do not receive sufficient advance notice about a relocation.
When possible, contact the Post Office in advance to file a formal change of address notice. This step helps ensure you won’t fail to receive mail delivered during a relocation.
Carefully labeling moving boxes and retaining a master list of the contents expedites unpacking. It eliminates a lot of confusion and stress associated with moving. Use clearly visible labels.
Take along basic personal care items your household uses on a daily basis during your relocation. This step prevents discomfort during the move and after your arrival. This kit should include a flashlight and a cell phone.
Make sure you obtain a complete night’s sleep immediately before Moving Day. You’ll prepare your body to handle the challenges of relocation more effectively.
By following these tips, you’ll eliminate some common sources of Moving Day stress. Very few people truly enjoy the process of transitioning from a familiar place to a new address. However, by relying upon common sense and using these ten simple strategies as a guide, you’ll ease many anxieties surrounding household relocations!
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