Written by: Kate Becker
Date:

Are you thinking of moving from the East Coast to the West Coast? This can be an exciting and life-changing decision, and you should prepare yourself the best you can. These two coasts have noticeable differences in climate, lifestyle, and culture. These are all big things to consider when making the transition. Furthermore, you will need to learn how best to prepare your home and yourself for the move. Through decluttering, packing, and the drive, you can go on your own, or with a moving company. Cross-country moves can usually be too much of a bite for someone who is inexperienced. This is why you can easily find the perfect moving company with Verified Movers and their database. You can get matched with movers who can meet your needs, and you can proceed to relax and discover more about West Coast, and the differences from the East.

Differences between the East Coast and the West Coast

Once you decide to change the coast you live in, you can uproot your whole life. These two parts of the country have a lot of differences you should know of. Firstly, The Weast Coast is widely known for its sunny weather, laid-back vibe, and very diverse cultural scene. Whereas you have probably heard that East Coast has changing seasons, a fast-paced lifestyle, and an extremely rich history.

People with skateboards in LA
Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast means moving to a laid-back lifestyle

Choosing where to live might also depend on the change in culture. You will find that West Coast has more liberal and progressive views, whereas the East is more traditional and conservative. The change also comes with the cost of living, where the East Coast takes the win as a cheaper area. Still, both of these coasts have their own unique charm and attractions, and there are many reasons to live on either one!

Prepare for moving from the East Coast to the West Coast

Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast can seem like a huge task. These types of long-distance moves can be very hard to organize with your daily schedule. Still, the most important things for making it easier are to start early and plan everything. You should start by decluttering your home. Get rid of anything that doesn’t service you anymore, and look at how much easier it will be to pack. For packing, you can either learn tips about packing or hire professional packing services from a moving company. You will need to label all the boxes so you don’t have a mess once you move into your new home.

When it comes to hiring long distance movers, always do your research and choose a company you can trust. There are many reliable companies that can fit into your budget and who won’t damage your things. You can even get their help with choosing the best moving date! Sometimes it won’t be the perfect day, like the first of the month, but maybe it can save you money and help avoid the traffic. Once you plan all of this, you can be sure that your move is going to be easy and enjoyable.

A woman researching moving from the East Coast to the West Coast
Do your research on the new lifestyle but also the places you can make your new home

Find your new city and your new home

Finding a city you want to live in if you are not bound by your new work or family can be exciting. This area of the USA offers many different places for life. From those popular big cities with lots of opportunities, especially exciting to young people to calm and family-friendly cities. If you do want to consider big cities, busy lifestyles, and exciting opportunities, you can think about Los Angeles or San Francisco. However, if you are more into a peaceful lifestyle, safer neighborhoods, and slow life, Portland and Seattle can be a perfect choice. Any of these cities offers different types of neighborhoods, with different prices, amenities, and cultures. So, be sure to not only look into the city but also into the area in the city you would like to live in.

Once you settle that, you can go on to find a home. Ideally, you will want to plan a budget for your new place, no matter if you are renting or buying. After that, write a list of things that are nonnegotiable, like closeness to your work, the number of rooms, or even a big kitchen. Every person has different needs and wants different things. Knowing exactly what you want and what things you are ready to compromise on will make this process easier.

Be ready to adjust to this change

Moving to the West Coast from the East Coast is a big change, and you should prepare yourself for how best to adjust to your new life. Firstly, you can learn and embrace the culture of the city you are moving to. The West Coast is a diverse place, and being open-minded can take you far. Secondly, be open to new experiences. Try new things, be sure to walk around and explore the city, as well as be open to meeting new people. Having friends in your new city will make it much nicer. And finally, give yourself time. There is no rush in making this place your new home. Lean into the experience and enjoy it, and with time, everything will come into its place.

A Hollywood sign
West Coast offers so many large and diverse cities

Plan the logistics of moving from the East Coast to the West Coast

Now onto probably the hardest part of moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, the drive. Once you have everything packed and ready, you will need to figure out the logistics for this move. You probably know that it takes between 3 and 5 days to drive from one coast to another. This will depend on the places you are moving to and from. Renting a truck and making this drive can be too much for some, as you will also need to make stops, and rent places to sleep. The drive, although beautiful, can be stressful. Among some of the best cross country moving tips, you will find the one to leave to the professional movers. With their training and experience, they will know exactly how best to plan the drive, so your things come to you quickly and in a safe manner.