June 21 2018

Checklist of responsibilities for your move to a new state.

There are so many responsibilities and costs that come with a move to another state. Here are a few that have drained my pockets this past month.

• Get a new drivers license - $112 in CT **
• Register vehicles, get new plates, $127 per vehicle, plus tax in CT
• Register camper, get new plates, $127, plus tax in CT
• Register pets, $8 each in CT - if spayed/neutered
• Change address at post office, $1 online **
• Upfront cost of new gas and electric service
• Upfront cost of new cable/phone/internet service - Est $300
• Data usage on your phone to use map app to get anywhere in your new unfamiliar location **
• Groceries. Expect to leave everything in the fridge and freezer behind. They don't travel well.
  

** POST OFFICE: Be careful when changing your address at the US Post office online, when you give them your cell phone number, (required) they add you to a list of sales calls and I have now repeatedly and daily, received sales text messages since my move.
** DATA: For 2 months now I have gone over my data usage allowance on my cell phone because I have needed directions everywhere I go.
** DMV: Scroll down for your checklist of what to bring to the DMV if you have moved to Connecticut.  Sadly, I had to make the trip 2x and each visit was over 6 hours.

I have moved several times in my life prior to this but usually it was within the same County. These are things I didn't think about when we moved 5 hours away from home...

• Find a new grocery store to shop at
• Find a new family doctor
  
• Find a new hairdresser
  
• Find a new Vet
  
• Find a new pet groomer
  

Connecticut DMV packing list:

- Breakfast
- Gallon of water
- Essential oils for relaxation
- Camping chair
- Sleeping bag
- Lunch
- Book (s)
- Credit card with large limit
- Cash for the cash only cafe
- Patience
- Prozak
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Redbull
- Oh, and your pre-filled out, pre-printed paperwork and supporting documents.

June 11 2018

Upstate New York is known for their bitter cold winters but other than that, it really is a great place to live and the community has a lot to offer those who reside in it. The cost of living is quite low; there is an amazing abundance of outdoor activities for all seasons - parks, recreation, camping, hiking, trails, waterfalls; fantastic restaurants with diverse options; and a Wegmans around every corner. I grew up there, my family and friends are there, and my resume is postered with the projects that I helped build there.

Leaving all this... not easy.

Remain positive - think about the opportunities that lie ahead. 

When we were gratefully granted a relocation to Connecticut, I thought to myself that there is something Upstate NY doesn't have... the ocean.  So in our search for a new home - we headed straight to the coast.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of the actual move, but I will say that it takes a village to make it all happen... and moving out of state is that much harder.

Selling involves inspections, realtor showings, contractors, cleaning crews and a LOT of boxes.

Buying involves searching, paperwork, cash and a LOT of boxes.

Relocating to another state involves more than just a change of address - there's vehicle registration and drivers license changes as well as insurance changes, new family doctors and new vets, new groomers for parents and pets, and so much more.  Finding your way to the grocery store and back to your new house will likely involve the use of your iPhone map so make sure to up your data usage during the first month.  Both my daughter and myself went over our data plan due to directional impairment in unfamiliar territory.  Thankfully she was with me to help get set up in the new house while we waited for the moving company to arrive with ALL THE BOXES.

The moving truck photo above was taken in front of the NY house.