Moving from Florida to California

Relocation is a long process that takes a lot of time and good organizational skills. Most of the time it can be very stressful. You will have quite a lot of chores and obligations to do. And all that in so little time. Be prepared that without a good plan, you won’t be able to do it. You will have to set your budget, and you must take care that you don’t go over it. After that, you will need the Best Cross Country Movers you can find. Moving from Florida to California is quite long and you need to find the most reliable movers you can get out there. There is packing and all other preparation for the move. And, one of the things many people exclude is thinking about reasons to move. You should consider the pros and cons of both states when you are making a decision.

Hire a moving company

Moving long distances is not quite the same as moving into an adjacent area. Yes, the preparation and packing are mostly the same but traveling takes some time. In this case, you won’t be able to just ring your friends to drop some stuff at your new place. Best cross country movers can help you find the best movers for your relocation. They will handle most of the heavy lifting so you do not have to. In the meantime, you can devote yourself to other things and important matters.

A woman hiring movers when moving from Florida to California
Moving from Florida to California could be easy if you hire professional movers

The choice of a moving company is crucial to every successful moving process. Some of us have moved quite often and we know it is a lot to take in. Your life cannot hold, and your job, hobbies, and kids are still in need of your attention. Moving companies will save you a lot of time and trouble. Hiring good movers can take some time so you make sure to start on time. Ask around about recommendations. Look up online for reviews and comments of other people that went through a similar situation. This way you can make sure that you made a good choice and that your relocation will be seamless.

How to choose a reliable and trustworthy moving company?

The easiest way to ensure that you have a reliable, trustworthy, moving company on your side is to allow us to find one for you. However, if you want to perform the search on your own, here’s what you will need to do:

Start by making a list of all the companies that operate within the area of your choosing. In this case, they will need to cover both Florida and California. You will always want area experts on your side, as they will be able to do the best residential moving job. After you have finished forming the list, it is time to trim it a bit. You will want to visit each mover’s webpage and see if you like what they are offering. Feel free to cross off the movers that you don’t like, and “circle” the ones that you do. The next step is to verify that the movers are trustworthy.

Every moving company speaks highly of itself. If you go by their words alone, all of them are fully worthy of your trust. However, that might not always be the case. At this point, you will want to read as many of their customer reviews as possible, as well as check their presence with the BBB and FMCSA. When reading the reviews, try to have multiple sources. Don’t simply read everything on one site and call it a day. The more diverse your sources are, the better.

At last, once you trim the list to a manageable number, and you’re fully satisfied that the movers on it are trustworthy, it is time to contact each of them. You will want to get a free estimate, as well as talk with your movers about your relocation.

An easier path

As you can see, the process can be quite exhausting. If you want to get to skip to the last step and get a list of fully verified and reliable movers, which are experts in the areas of your choice, all you need to do is get in touch with us.

Prepare your family and create a plan

Relocation is not just random packing and loads of hard work. It is also lots of talking and adjusting to the change that is coming. Moving from Florida to California is exciting, but some family members may take this hard. Kids perceive this as a loss and you must talk this out. Point out all the good things about relocation to California and how much fun it will be. Ensure that you can still visit and see old friends and family members.

a person writing down a moving plan
Always make a moving plan

On the other hand, there is also a grown-up part of the conversation. Older family members must sit down and divide moving tasks. Create a moving plan that will contain your weekly tasks. Starting from the day you seal the deal with the best cross country moving companies Florida. A solid plan will keep you on track with responsibilities, tasks, and spare time. Include every family member who is willing to help. Consider their jobs and free time as well. There is no need to lean on friends and family once you hire a moving company.

Create a moving checklist

Once you have the plan formulated, it is time to organize its execution. For this, you are going to need two things. A moving checklist and a moving budget. Both of them are staples, and you will want to create them before you proceed. As far as the moving checklist goes, it is a bit different for residential and commercial moving. But for the most part, you will want to list all the tasks that you need to accomplish prior to moving. Try to write down every single task, no matter how big or small. Also, feel free to update the list as soon as you think of another task that needs doing.

Make several copies of the list, and provide one to each family member. Put the “master copy” on a clearly visible spot (e.g. fridge door). This will ensure that you always have the tasks in your mind, as you will subconsciously be aware of the list if you can gaze upon it several times a day. The list itself will serve many purposes, from improving morale to specifying exactly what is left to do before you can relocate.

Determine your moving budget

The other thing that you will need to figure out is your moving budget. You will want to have it set as soon as possible. That is before you start looking at moving services such as storage services, packing services, etc. It will allow you to save time on not even considering the services that you can’t afford. Additionally, it will temper your decisions with reality. You simply can’t spend more than what you have. Knowing what you have is the big thing here.

Declutter your home before moving from Florida to California

Decluttering is a huge part of every moving process especially with long-distance moving. You cannot afford to drag all of those things along with you. In the end, this is a fresh start and you should have space to make new memories. Decluttering can also lower the cost of moving significantly. The less you have to pack, the more you save on packing supplies. You can even get to the stage of renting a smaller truck to pack into. So be strict when throwing everything out. Once you start, have in mind items that cannot be moved. Hazardous and flammable items are not supposed to be relocated. So leave your fuels, cleaning supplies, and the rest with the neighbor.

Decluttering does not mean you need to throw everything away. Create three piles of clutter from your stash. This process should occur before the best cross country movers California arrives. One pile should go to trash directly and that would be items that are of no use to anyone. The second pile should be the one you want to donate to shelters in Florida. They accept all kinds of items and your contribution will matter. If you want to earn some money you should make a third pile for selling. Provided that you have time for a garage sale.

clutter, chaos, garage
Clutter can take quite a while to sort out.

Boost your moving budget when moving from Florida to California – Organize a yard sale!

A great way to get additional funds for your relocation is to put all that clutter to use. You can organize a yard (or a garage) sale where you can sell off some of your unwanted belongings. People love these kinds of events, as they can get a bargain on most items. Of course, you will have to price your items generously for them to be attractive. However, consider the time and energy that you are investing, as well. If you price the items too low, the whole endeavor might not be worth your while! Therefore, this is something you need to consider first.

Write down all the items that you wish to sell, as well as their listing price, and see if you are comfortable with the amount of money that you might get. Do understand that there will be further negotiations involved and that the listed price will need to go down. A savvy seller lists the items a bit higher, knowing well that the customer is going to want to haggle. You may not be a professional merchant, but you might want to brush up on your haggling skills beforehand. They have the potential to earn quite a bit of money during these events. Or you can go for a “fixed” price approach. “Take it or leave it” if you will. This is a great way to not have to bother with haggling, but it does reduce overall sales potential.

Prepare yourself for the trip

Preparing yourself is more important than packing or decluttering. You need to make sure that you are relaxed and comfortable. Moving is a stressful period in our lives even if we are happy about it. So you need to make it as easier as you can. Why not find the best packing services for it. That way you can focus on other things.

a cup of coffee
Take some rest before you move out

There is a lot to think about so make sure you have time for yourself. With a moving plan you created, you should be able to find some spare time to devote to the self-care. Do not forget about the gym, reading, and listening to music. Relocation with your family will be much easier if all of you are feeling great.

Here is what else you can do to make yourself feel great before moving:

  1. Eat healthily and drink plenty of water by making healthy meals
  2. Wear comfortable clothes
  3. Go to bed on time after a long day
  4. Learn more about your future place of residence
  5. Go for a walk after calling it a day

These activities might seem impossible to achieve with a busy schedule. But trust us when we say they are beneficial. Doing what you love after a hard day will reset your mind and help you bond with your family. Never miss the opportunity to spare some time for yourself and your hobbies.

Once the reality kicks in about long-distance relocation ahead of you, you might start feeling nervous. This is an absolutely normal reaction for a change this big like moving from Florida to California. Keep in mind that this change is good and things will be back to normal pretty quickly. You just need to be a bit more organized and you will be able to manage everything. Also, you will have your movers by your side to ensure this process goes well. Together you are the key and will be able to relocate in a heartbeat!

Prepare an essentials box for each family member

You will also want to prepare a special box for each member of your family. The “essentials” box needs to include all the items that will both make your trip comfortable, and which will enable you to function normally for a day or two, even without the rest of your belongings. Items such as change of clothes, entertainment, toiletries, etc. all need to find their way into this box. Basically, everything that you can’t imagine living without even for a day needs to be inside the box.

person holding a passport , bag on the ground
An essentials box will also contain your passport and other important documents.

Say goodbye to your friends, family, and neighbors

Lastly, you will want to make sure that you say goodbye to everyone you care about when moving from Florida to California. You can do this any way you want, from individual goodbyes to a farewell party. The important thing is that both you and your friends and family get some closure. Who knows what the years might bring, but for now you will want to turn a new page in your life book.

People riding bicycles on the track in Miami Beach.
Living in Miami might be fun, but have you considered moving from Florida to California?

Is moving from Florida to California what you want?

You need to understand that not every relocation is for everyone. And you can’t move somewhere without having good reasons behind that decision. You should know that lifestyle in California is not that similar to the one you are living right now in Florida. And, keep in mind that living in California is not that cheap. Or cheap at all. California is one of the most expensive places to move to in whole America. And it’s among the highest in the nation by the costs of living. Are you sure you can afford that? But if you are sure that you can afford life like this, and you care more about other factors, then you should go for it. Once again, ask yourself before you bring any final decision if this is what you want, for good?

Keep in mind that if you have kids, you should ask them for an opinion too. Of course, they would take it harder than you, since they are still kids, but their opinions also matter. Therefore, have a nice talk with them and together as a family makes this decision. It’s a huge change and you need to be all together in this one. After that, you can make together a plan for how to move from Florida on a budget.

Pros and cons of living in Florida

Even though you already are living there, you need to remind yourself. Making a list of pros and cons both of Florida and California, for instance, is a good idea. This way you will have all benefits and disadvantages from both parts in one place. And it will be easier to make a final decision like this. You will also be more certain in your decision. After you come to a conclusion and final decision, you will find residential movers or any other that are suitable for your relocation. But first, start realizing what you like and what you don’t like about the place you currently live at. And in this case, that is Florida.

Aerial view of some city in Florida.
If you like warm and sunny days, expect them in Cali too!

Pros

  • The weather in Florida is good most of the time. It is hot and it is sunny almost every day.
  • Even winter is nice and not cold at all. If you don’t like snow, this is perfect for you.
  • Your only concern should be federal taxes since there is no state income tax.
  • There are plenty of beautiful beaches where you can enjoy.
  • If you like yachting, sailing, diving, swimming, or cruise ships, then this is a state for you.
  • Golf and tennis are also common sports.
  • If you have kids, there are various theme parks where you can spend your weekends.
  • Nature is quite rich. Many lakes, rings, and springs. Also, animal life is considered exotic.
  • The population is mixed. You can expect to meet people of all nationalities.
  • Real estate is cheap. You can easily buy a new home.
  • Relatively low costs of living, but not in the whole state.

Cons

  • The weather is nice but expect extreme heat and humidity. It can be quite oppressive.
  • If it rains, it really rains heavily. Thunderstorms can sometimes knock out the electricity. Plenty of lightning strikes are seen too. Also, there is a risk of hurricanes.
  • If you prefer mountains, then this is not the best place for you. Florida is completely flat. There are not even hills to be found.
  • Expect to see plenty of insects. Especially bugs. Also, there are plenty of snakes, spiders, and scorpions.
  • Florida is a tourist place, so it can get overpopulated.
  • Not many historical landmarks can be found here.
  • There are more and more people moving in here, so there is increasing strain on natural resources and infrastructure.
  • You will have to drive everywhere since there is almost no public transport.
  • Even though you might be enjoying the sun and warm weather, you can get bored. There is basically only summer season in all year!
  • The South part of Florida has a high crime rate.
You need to save if you plan on moving from Florida to California.
Since costs of living are low in Florida, you can save for your move quite a lot!

What are the costs of living in Florida?

You probably already know that Florida is not the cheapest state in America. But at the same time, it’s not the most expensive one. It’s actually on the list of one of the most affordable states in the United States when it comes to costs of living. Of course, it varies from the exact place where you live. Not all cities have the same standard and prices. Florida is popular among celebrities, so some parts are extremely expensive. But there are the cheap ones too. For instance, an average home in Florida can cost you around $230,000. The minimum wage in Florida is $8.25, far below a livable wage which is $11.75. This is quite good when you are considering moving from Florida to California. You can definitely save enough money for the long-distance movers Florida has.

Pros and cons of living in California

We all heard about the California dream, right? But, is it really like that? You need to figure it out before it’s too late. You should not start with your move or contact the interstate movers California can provide you with, without fully being sure in your decision. There are quite a lot of things to consider such as costs of living, educational system, healthcare system, lifestyle, and so on. The more you find out about life in California before you decide to move in there, the better. So, like you made a list for Florida, now it’s time to make lists for California, too. And after that, you can compare them with ease.

Beautiful landscape of Palm Springs in California.
One of the differences between Cali and Florida is that you have mountains and hills in Cali!

Pros

  • The biggest plus about California is that the state made a commitment to actions towards recycling and other actions that are about climate change. There are strong environmental regulations and the state’s government is concerned about the planet.
  • Expect higher salaries than you had them in Florida. 
  • Quality of living is better than in most the other states. 
  • The weather here is also very nice and pleasant. You won’t have a problem with looking at the forecast and planning everything according to it.
  • Saltwater and sunshine have a lot of health benefits. Pretty extensive benefits come from living in a warmer climate. Especially for people with illnesses, like respiratory issues for instance. It is affecting mental health too!
  • Many business opportunities and good potential! There are plenty of start-up companies in California. And when it comes to the job market, you couldn’t choose the better state.
  • California has rich history and culture. 
  • If you are someone who is an outdoor or nature enthusiast, you are moving to the right place. There is a wide range of outdoor activities such as surfing, longboarding, rollerblading, running, biking, hiking, camping, and so on. 
  • It is home to the entertainment industry. 
  • Expect to be accepted no matter who and what you are. Here, there is a huge tolerance and diversity. No one will judge you, and you will have lots of support if you need it.

Cons

  • Even though the salaries can be huge, the costs of living are quite high. Everything costs more. Both housing costs, and haircuts, for instance.
  • Unfortunately, pollution is one of the problems. This state is one of the states suffering from it. There are too many cars in bigger cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are. But, slowly but surely, the government is sorting this problem out.
  • You should know that California is considered overpopulated. But, this might not be the case for you. Depending on your opinion and what you are used to in Florida, you will figure it out.
  • If you are moving with kids, expect expensive schooling. 
  • Taxes in California are higher than in other states in the US.
  • Similar to Florida, public transport is not the best thing in California either.
  • The weather is mostly nice but it can be unpredictable. It can be sunny all day, without one single cloud. But it can start to rain in the next minute.
Red car on the street with the Hollywood sign on the hill.
If you decide to live in Hollywood, your first neighbor might be a celebrity.

What are the best cities to live in when you are moving from Florida to California?

No matter who you ask this question, everyone will have more the less the same answer for you. All cities in California are good for living. And it mostly varies from your own preferences. You should think about what you are looking for, and what kind of cities do you prefer. After that, when you choose your city and your new home, all you have to do is call your commercial movers and get there! If you are really looking for the best from the best cities to live in, then you should consider looking at:

  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco
  • San Diego
  • Sacramento
  • Santa Barbara

These are at the same time the most popular cities in California too. They are not popular without a reason. But, you shouldn’t forget about the neighborhoods. It’s not enough only to consider the city. Before buying your new home, you want to know where exactly you want to live, and what are the best options for you.

For Los Angeles that would be Downtown LA, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Koreatown, Woodland Hills, Marina Del Rey, and Beverly Hills. When it comes to San Francisco, you should consider Sunset District, Pacific Heights, Noe Valley, Presidio Heights, Marina, Seacliff, and so on. Moving on to San Diego, think about North Park, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, Little Italy, Hillcrest, or Gaslamp Quarter. For Sacramento, your options are Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, Land Park, Natomas Park, or North Oak Park. And the last one being Santa Barbara, you can choose from Downtown Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, The Messa, Riviera, and so on.

Find the proper movers when moving from Florida to California

Relocations like from Florida to California are quite long. You are moving from one part of the United States to a completely opposite side. So, for moving from Florida to California you need a team of professionals. But, worry not, you can find them! It’s just important that you start looking on time. The sooner you start, the better chances there are. Your best shot here is to do it by word-of-mouth method. This means you should ask your friends or relatives for a recommendation. It’s definitely the most confident option because you will know what to expect from the movers.

If not, the internet is there. Research what movers you have around and make a list. Remove moving companies that are not licensed and that don’t have experience behind them. You want experienced professionals. It is a serious move we are talking about after all. Once you get in touch with a moving company, it’s important that you say all the services you will need. From storage services to needing all the moving supplies. Only like this, you will know if the movers are suitable for your move.

Moving from Florida to California requires a lot of packing and being punctual.
Remember to get the moving supplies in advance so you can finish packing on time.

It’s important that you pack on time when you are moving from Florida to California

If you don’t want to use the packing services your mover can provide you, then you will have to pack on your own. It’s very important that you start packing as soon as you realize you will be moving. And what you want to do, is pack room by room, and do it by the importance of the room and items. For instance, many people start from the bedroom, since it’s considered as the most private and important room. Or the bathroom. This depends on you and your usage of belongings. Also, keep in mind that it’s very important that you finish packing on time since the movers won’t wait for you. Once you set the date for the move, you can’t postpone and change it. Let all the members of the family pack. It will be faster, easier, and even fun!

Come fresh into your new home

It’s true that you are about to spend quite a lot of money. But, it’s also true that you deserve to reward yourself. You can buy some nice new home decorations or something for your garden. It will make a nice look in your new home, and you will have a memory to look at. Once you finally move, take your time and get some rest! You will be exhausted and it’s important that you come to your first day of work rested.

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