How to move to California

Would you guess that California is the most populous state in the U.S.?  If your answer is yes, according to the 2010 census, you're right.  The state's population is 37,253,956 with the next closest being Texas at 25,145,581.  And while it's true that 1.5 million people moved out of California between the 2000 and 2010 census,  1.8 million people moved into the state.

And chances are,  since you're reading a post called "How to move to California", you'll be one of the people included in the count of those who move to Caifornia between 2010 and 2020.

So, how about a little advice on how to move to California…and save money while you're at it.

First, to keep from overspending unnecessarily, before you begin getting moving estimates, we recommend that you determine how much you're moving and what your moving budget is.  That will help you choose the right type of service.

Options for moving to California:

Do-it-yourself – I mean really…do it all yourself. If you're planning a fresh start and want to leave everything behind, you may be able to pack it all in your vehicle.  Or mail it parcel then hop on a plane.  Just remember that if you're moving from the south or mid-west, it may cost less to move furniture and household goods than to replace them once you get to California. Check it out before you make a decision.

Do-it-yourself (kind of) – I'm talking about rental trucks here.  Rental trucks have a reputation of costing less than hiring movers.  And there's a reason.  They're also notorious for being inconvenient and difficult to drive.  If you think this is an option for your move, I recommend that you determine what is most important to you:  cost, comfort, convenience (or all). Many folks don't like the thought of moving long distance in a rental truck— especially in the winter months when mountain passes are involved.

Do-it-yourself (with a little help) – ’You pack, we drive' services have kind of become a phenomenon over the past ten years.  People like the idea of not having to drive the moving truck, but still saving money.  U-Pack Moving, MoveBuilder's sister service, is a great example of one of these companies.  You'll often see prices that compare to truck rental, but you don't have to drive.

Do-it-yourself (with a lot of help) – MoveBuilder offers a service where you can "build" a move that fits your needs and budget. That means if you've got a tight budget you can choose  just the services you need the most.  So, you always get an experienced driver, and you choose whether you need someone to help you load or unload. 

Full service moving – If I were moving to California, I'm pretty sure this is the way I would do it. Get someone to do all of the packing, loading and unloading.  Of course, you can expect it to cost more than the other options, but you get to leave out the stress— and if it's with MoveBuilder, there's full value coverage included in the price with a full pack, load and unload. That's the way moving should be!

 If you need more information about how to move to California, let us know!