Relocating to another state is not a decision you can make lightly. To make the most out of your move, you may need to consider the statistics and rankings of both states, as well as the style of living that your new state offers. Of course, you will most likely need the services of one of the interstate moving companies Illinois has to offer, as well. Verified Movers can help you make an informed choice, once you decide that the relocation is in your best interest. But in this article, we are going to talk about how you should prepare for moving from Illinois to Virginia.
Moving from Illinois to Virginia 101
In a nutshell, there are “only” three things that you need to do. Those things are:
- Get to know both of the states
- Prepare for the moving process
- Enlist help
And that’s it! Simple, right? However, each one of the above-mentioned bullet points requires considerable time investiment. Finding ideal moving assistance, for example, can be a challenging process in and of itself. To get the best results, you may also want to look into some of the interstate moving companies Virginia has on offer, as they might provide you with a better price. As for the rest, well that is what this article is for. Let’s dive into it straight away.
The more you prepare, the easier your relocation will be.
Moving from Illinois to Virginia – What will you be leaving behind?
The first thing that needs to be on your mind is all the good points about Illinois, as those are what you might end up missing. Even though you are living in the state, it is good to know what exactly is it that makes it special. Knowing about its statistics and overall rankings is going to help.
Illinois statistics and rankings
The state of Illinois currently holds the #30 spot in the overall state rankings, according to usnews.com. While this might not sound overly enticing, there are some areas in which the state excels, as well. For example, Illinois is #11 in education and #12 in opportunity. These are its strongest points. The median income of its residents is around $35,100, and the median home price in Chicago is about $350,000.
The weakest point of the state is its fiscal stability, which is dead last among all the states. The economy does not fare much better, holding a #39 position in the rankings. Incidentally, these two factors are one of the main reasons why people choose to hire one of the top movers in Chicago and relocate to another state. But before you start contacting moving companies, let’s take a look at what Virginia has to offer.
Illinois is a good place to live, but there might be better options for you out there.
What does Virginia have in store for you?
The state of Virginia is one of the country’s top states to live in. It features amazing surroundings and gorgeous scenery, as well as ample opportunities for its residents. It is one of the most popular states to relocate to, for very good reasons. Let’s see what the rankings and statistics have to say.
Virginia statistics and rankings
The state is ranked quite highly in the overall rankings, managing to snatch the #7 spot. Some of the key factors are opportunity (#8), Crime and corrections (#9), health care and education (both #12), and economy (#13). The infrastructure is the singular ranking that falls below the average and is at the #39 spot. The residents of Virginia have a somewhat higher median income than in Illinois, and they earn about $36,500 annually.
The median home price, statewide, is about $372,500. Note that this is not in one of the largest cities, but across the entire state. This means that you might not be able to purchase a same-size home even if you sell your Chicago property and want to relocate to one of the larger cities. Luckily, there are neighborhoods that have a much lower asking price for a home, providing you with numerous options.
Pros and cons of living in Virginia
Pros
The main draw of the state lies in its thriving job market. The unemployment rate is consistently falling below the national average. There are great government employment opportunities, due to the fact that there are 27 military bases in the state. Furthermore, more than 20 Fortune 500 companies have their offices in Virginia, offering a variety of jobs in the private sector.
The second main advantage that the state offers are its world-class medical facilities. Yes, healthcare might cost you more than in Illinois but you will have access to some of the best facilities in the entire country. The state’s best hospital is The University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, and there are more than one hundred different hospitals that meet the highest standards. Needless to say, that makes relocating to this state particularly favorable for senior citizens.
The last but definitely not the least factor is that Virginia is simply one of the “happiest” states. State residents simply feel better about their community than in most other states. This is largely thanks to high-income potential, amazing healthcare, and overall community safety.
Availability of world-class medical care is a thing you should not underestimate.
Cons
But the state has some drawbacks as well. The traffic is a veritable nightmare, to put it mildly. With over 7.5 million registered vehicles, it is no wonder that the roads are clogged almost every hour of the day. And then there are taxes.
You are going to be earning more in Virginia, that much is true. However, the state will tax you heavily. The individual state income tax rate is 5.75%. Coupled with a local tax burden, you can expect a combined tax rate of as much as 9.3%! Furthermore, there is a steep tax of 21 cents per gallon every time you refuel. You will get used to accounting for taxes sooner than you might think.
There are a few more notable cons, such as “wacky” laws, unpredictable weather, the presence of nuclear facilities, a huge number of tourists, and somewhat low connectivity between anything that is not a large city. But, trust us on this one, the taxes and the traffic are going to occupy most of your grumbles.
Moving from Illinois to Virginia – The relocation process
If you decide that relocation is the best thing for you, there’s the moving process to consider, as well. In a nutshell, here’s what you will need to do:
- Find a good moving company
- Create a moving checklist
- Get help from friends/family
- Organize your time and efforts
- Gather packing supplies
- Declutter
- Pack everything (don’t forget an essentials bag)
As far as finding a good moving company to help you relocate, you can utilize the services that Verified Movers offer, to great effect. Our team can help you find the best movers for the job, as well as enable you to easily get the best price for moving from Illinois to Virginia. If you need to know anything about the relocation process itself, our doors are always open for you.