Let’s face it; moving is tough. And moving to a new state with no money is even tougher. Though everyone will make sure our pockets are loaded in a normal world before we approach an out-of-state move, things often don’t work out like that.
However, this is not a preferred means. You don’t have to stress yourself more than necessary to move out with no money, especially if you make advance planning. We’ve all heard and read about people who move to other states or countries without having more than $5 in their pockets and still managed to make it work.
Whether you are pinned to a corner or have to make sure the move works for you, note that your current situation and possible solutions are all specific. We can only provide you with general practical tips for relocating without money. This will hopefully help you with your difficult upcoming moving journey.
1. Do Your Research
Moving to a new state with no money is a decision that requires a lot of thinking. It would help if you considered the cost of living in the new town or city you plan to move into.
This includes the possibilities of finding affordable housing and job, and so on. A free online calculator for the cost of living can help compare two or more cities based on income and other factors that will be essential when you are moving out with no money.
Cost Saving Tips
If you, for any reason, plan to hire long distance movers, a full-service move is expensive than renting a moving truck or container, but it may bring you more convenience and your budget is enough to pay another person to work for you or can’t just take time off your work, do this. Make use of our moving costs guide to make a comparison of various pricing.
2. Assess Your Finances
Regardless of the amount you have on you for the move, whether $100 or $1,000, you need to know your worth so you can make effective planning.
Create a budget for your move that includes packing and travel costs, such as gas and food on the road. If you have a home waiting for you there, then cool.
If you need to get home after the move, find out how much you will spend on this. You can always get cheap room rentals on sites like Airbnb, which will help you in keeping costs at the lowest while you try to settle in.
3. Do Not Buy Packing Supplies
You definitely want to avoid the cost of packing supplies as it will quickly take away all the money on you and cause you to spend beyond budget.
You can ask friends or other close persons for free moving boxes if they have recently moved and are willing to give away some of their moving containers.
You can also visit some close-by local businesses that usually recycle cardboard boxes in good condition just because they have more than enough of them. You can just hunt for boxes in your neighborhood instead of spending on packing supplies.
4. Sell What You Can
You need not to sell all your possessions because you want to move to another state without money, but you surely can sell off items that you no longer need around you.
Aside from the fact that it will help you save some extra cash, getting these items off your life will also reduce your packing load, so you will need to get lesser supplies.
This will be so important because you have just one car to move your belongings from one point to another.
Pro Tips
Are you aware that you can hire movers by the hour to help with your packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and even setting up your furniture? Find how Moving APT can help you.
5. Keep The Essentials
There are some things that you will need as you start moving. For instance, you don’t have to sell clothes that you can wear for an interview or your laptop because it might later affect your savings.
Both items will be important if you plan to hunt for a job. This is also true of your essential documents such as social security card and I.D. card, even though you are not considering selling those anyway.
Update your resume, and print out some copies, so you have them to present upon request. Other items you will need to have with you on the move are checks, basic toiletries, a few clothes, any cards, documents, or other important items related to your medications and banking – if possible, any item you use in your daily life.
6. Create a Backup Plan
For reality’s sake, think of the worst case that could happen and plan accordingly. If you couldn’t get housing, what solution is available in your destination city or town? Are there any organizations that you can rely on for meals and groceries while hunting for a job? Are there career service agencies available to give you advice and maybe assistance?
Do not hesitate to get help; these organizations are established for that.
7. Go Back into a More-Economic Status After The Move
After achieving your goal of moving to another state without or with very little money, your mood will feel a little dampen when you discover that you still have to face your toughest challenge.
Moving without money or a job is a great challenge on its own, but there are also few sudden tasks to handle before you can then congratulate yourself on your victory.
Pro Tips
Budget Truck Rental offers the most discounts than any other rental truck provider. From student discounts to savings for military members, find out How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Moving Truck?
8. Find Work Immediately
Regardless of the amount of money you’ve saved in getting ready for your move, you will discover that money drains quickly from your checking account if you are without a source of income.
- Moving supplies
- Security deposits
- Professional clothing for job
- Interviews
They all add up to something. One of the essential keys to having a successful move to another city is to secure a job immediately.
Unless you’ve accepted an offer, job hunting must be what you spend your entire day doing. If you can take the risk of relocating to another city without a job, there is no way you will be able to wait until you get the right job.
You can still be doing part-time or temporary jobs to keep your finances stable until you are able to get a better long-term alternative.
Even with a small source of stable income, working as a retail associate, barista, or bartender, you can easily elongate your savings’ lifespan, buying you more time to find the right work.
The Best City to Start a New Life with no Money
Have you decided to relocate to another city without money, but still looking for the city to go to? If you want to explore, you may choose any of the many cities that may pay you to relocate there.
- A $10,000 incentive and co-working membership is being offered by Tulsa, Oklahoma to remote workers who decide to live in the town for a minimum of a year
- Alaska and Colorado are also two of the multiple places that also provide moving incentives in cash, or sometimes land or housing to bring in new people into their communities.
- Despite Japan’s population, it still offers free houses to people who are willing to pay taxes and fees.
So, should you consider moving to one of these cities offering financial incentives? Maybe you don’t necessarily have to.
When making a decision on the best city to relocate to with no money, you need a place where:
- The cost of living is affordable
- Employment opportunities promising
- You have old relationships with people such as friends or family members.
The best city to move to with no money or job will be determined by your specific situation. Maybe it is a cross-country move or a new and exotic place.
FAQs
Is moving to a new state with no money possible?
Moving to a new state with no money is not a decision that should be made in a rush. Yes, there are many ways to reduce the cost of moving. But, it is not just about moving. You need to consider the cost of living in the destination place you plan to move to and also your possibility of getting affordable housing, a job, and many other things.
What state in the country pays people $10,000 to move there?
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Some of the first remote workers to become a member of the famous Tulsa Remote Program are the husband-and-wife team and the program offers $10,000 cash as well as other benefits to new residents, with the sole purpose of drawing people to the second most populous city in Oklahoma. The actual attraction for the 30-year-olds was way more than the financial gains.
What way to move is the least expensive?
Rental trucks (such as a U-Haul) and moving containers (like PODS) are the two least expensive relocation options. Renting a moving truck is the cheapest of all the options (by around 300%) if you are moving locally, but be ready to do much heavy lifting.
Is moving with no job risky?
If you plan to move with no job in the destination, don’t be scared. Many people do this more often, and usually, it is an unpreventable case. It, however, takes a little time, work, and determination (and probably some luck).
What amount should I gather to move to a new state?
So, how much money to keep before you relocate? The exact amount can vary significantly based on your scenario, but $4,000 should be sufficient for a local move. And when moving state to state, $7,000 is a reasonable amount of money to save up to complete the move.
Conclusion
Always weigh your options. If you have some flexibility to postpone your long-distance move until you have enough money, then do. If a friend is offering you a couch to stay on for free, then accept it. You only need to proceed with the move cautiously and always to be sure of the possibilities and the impossible ones.
Make sure you are smart about it, and one day, you can also share your story about how you successfully move somewhere with $5 and a dream that actually comes to reality.
If you have a little buck to move, you can as well opt for affordable out of state movers to take the stress away from you.
