Many people think about moving out but they often face a difficult choice of how far they can or should move. Young people are always determined to live further from their parents to prevent being monitored by them, while others consider it very comfortable to be able to visit their friends and relatives anytime they wish. One more important thing to consider planning moving out is significant differences between long and short distance relocation. Both these move types are completely different and it is necessary to understand what to wait for choosing one or another type.
- Distance
It is natural that the main difference between short and long-distance relocation is a distance to be covered by movers and a truck to get from your current home of living to a new one. In fact, for every person, the term ‘short’ or ‘long’ has its own meaning. For someone, 30 miles is not a long distance, but there are people who consider it significant, so it is important to differentiate these notions taking into account measurements approved by moving companies. Local move is repositioning within one city, metropolitan area or the area within 50 miles. One more popular viewpoint is the fact that local moves are all the relocation processes that take place within one state. Even if you need to cover 500 miles within one state which can be considered an impressive distance, it can still be considered a short distance relocation. Long distance moving is also known as interstate one and it means that you should leave one state and enter another state to move for a long distance.
- Cost
The cost of relocation in local and distant moves is also calculated in different ways. Naturally, it is clear that usually, long-distance moving is much more expensive, but it is not always a rule. Usually, local moves within one city are estimated at several hundred dollars, while the cross-country relocation budget will be several thousand dollars, undoubtedly. Moreover, when a moving company makes a moving estimate of the local relocation, it considers a much bigger number of factors including:
- Number of hours spent on the site;
- Number of movers involved;
- Home size (by rooms);
- Fuel surcharge;
- Use of materials and equipment;
- Sales tax;
- Insurance.
In addition, they can also increase the cost of relocation for storage, crating or craning services, getting things up and down the stairs or large items, overnight hold or other services.
The situation with long distance relocation looks absolutely differently since usually, the price depends on two important things:
- Volume and weight of staff you possess;
- Distance to cover.
- All other factors may have a certain impact on the total cost but not that significant one as in local relocation.
- Possibility to prepare a new home for move-in
Many experts point out that you should prepare your new home for the arrival of your belongings, but usually, it is possible to do that yourself only if you move not that far away. It is almost impossible to control the loading process and then arrive at a final destination much earlier than a van or truck with your belongings to prepare it. Naturally, if you move locally, you can get ready in advance when you have free time. With long distance relocation, it can be a real problem. Of course, it is possible to connect the utilities by mail or phone, but you will have to ask someone to meet cheap long distance movers if you can’t get there early enough as well as tidy everything up afterward.
- A number of challenges faced
One more important difference between short and long-distance moving is a number of tasks to complete that are connected with your relocation. You should understand that moving is not only packing and transporting boxes, these are also significant changes in your life if you move for a long distance. In fact, you change not only your home when you leave the state. You should find a new job, new friends, school or kindergarten for your kids. Moreover, you should get used to the new environment and customs and traditions. Sometimes, even the climate and style of life are absolutely different too. Long distance relocation also leads to the inability to ask your relatives for help as well as a necessity to plan your budget differently since taxes and expenses have changed too. One more thing to consider is a necessity to get a new driver’s license as well as pass through the registration for voting.
Looking at the differences between local and interstate relocation it is possible to conclude that both preparation and the moving process itself are special for every type mentioned. It means that a person who plans to move should clearly understand how far he or she is going to relocate and pay attention to the peculiarities connected with it.
