Wyoming has everything you can ask for in a paradise – rolling hills, rows of magnificent mountains, biodiverse forests, and bountiful aquatic life. It is the epitome of natural beauty and elegance. On top of that, the community makes it even more interesting. This state has the smallest population in the tenth largest geographical state. With just six residents per square mile, Wyoming offers plenty of room to spread out and enjoy nature. Plus, the state offers affordable housing, a low crime rate, and reasonable taxes.

If you’re thinking about making Wyoming your home, now is the time. Here’s how you can efficiently plan your relocation to the good old Cowboy State.

Pay Wyoming a Visit

This is the most logical first step to any relocation. You might think you know everything after reading some articles on the internet or spending a few days browsing properties on realtor.com. But that research just scratches the surface.

That said, try to free up your schedule and visit your new town or city in person. Besides having fun, your goal this time is to get an overall feel of the place. Scout out potential homes and apartments, dine in one of the restaurants and talk with the locals. Do some shopping while observing the community.

How do you feel? Remember that you might live here for many years. Think it through. Once you’ve carefully weighed the pros and cons, the next step is to start planning.

Create a Game Plan

A plan helps keep things on track, especially when doing something as complicated as moving out-of-state. It’s best to start making preparations a few months before the move to account for changes and challenges that may crop up.

Below are some questions to ask when outlining your plan:

  • Can I perform a DIY move without issues, or should I hire a moving company?
  • Do I need to pack my own, or should I leave the task to the movers?
  • How big of a budget do I need? What can I do to reduce the costs?
  • When should I move? Can I afford to be away from work for a while?
  • Should I ship my car and fly? Or is it cheaper to drive to my new home?

Your answers to these questions will serve as the backbone in developing a timeline and moving checklist. If you decide on a DIY move, list down what you need to do, like renting a truck and buying packing supplies. Likewise, if you choose to employ movers, start taking notes of prospective companies and their services.

Be prepared! This is not the time to “go with the flow”.

Hiring a Moving Company

Enlisting professional help is more complicated than it sounds. With so many rogue movers lurking on the market, you’ll have to be careful with the company you choose to deal with. Avoid making compromises. Try to hire movers who provide affordable services and give the best value for your money.

Don’t know how to find the right movers? No worries! Here are some valuable tips to ensure you hire from among the best Wyoming moving companies:

  • Compare quotes from multiple companies. Why? Because every business operates differently. Some will have a better price-to-performance ratio than others. Look for the one that can deliver your demands without straining your wallet. Explore your options as much as possible. Don’t settle for less.
  • Ensure that your movers are licensed and insured. How to check? Start by asking for their USDOT number and see if it’s registered to the FMCSA database. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau for any complaints regarding the company. Lastly, don’t bother with movers who are not transparent with their insurance coverage policies. It’ll help you avoid stress if things go south.
  • Check online reviews and recommendations. No amount of marketing can beat the feedback of a customer. Knowing other people’s experiences will help you dodge a bullet if the company has some questionable practices.
  • Be on the lookout for red flags. Sometimes, you can spot a shady moving company in advance. Rogue movers typically:
    • Request a large deposit before initiating the move.
    • Tell you the estimate over the phone.
    • Lure you in by providing a low-ball quote.
    • Don’t have a website, or they run a poorly maintained one.
    • Ask you to sign incomplete or blank documents.
  • Only agree to a binding estimate: This type of estimate obliges movers to name a price and honor it when the move’s over. It prevents them from collecting extra charges unless you’ve specifically requested additional services or added inventory after the initial walkthrough.

Make Necessary Arrangements and Preparations

Alrighty. With reliable movers to take care of the heavy work, you can now focus on other important matters. Here’s a list of the things you might want to settle first to avoid getting stressed on moving day.

  • Make travel arrangements ahead of time. The earlier you start hunting for flights, the better deals you can get. If you plan to hit the road, perform car maintenance and book hotel reservations in advance to avoid delays.
  • Update your health insurance. You want to have full medical coverage the moment you make the transition. Depending on your provider, you might have to purchase a new plan when moving to Wyoming. Some job-related relocations don’t require you to get new coverage – be sure to ask your HR person.
  • Secure your children’s school records. Start looking at the schools in your potential neighborhood. Notify your kids’ current institution about your move so they can gather the documents you need. Subsequently, enroll your kids at their new school. 
  • Transfer utilities. More likely than not, you’re going to need new providers (for gas, electricity, water, etc.) in Wyoming. However, it won’t hurt to ask your current company if they provide services in your new state. Furthermore, the best timing for utility management is to turn them off a day after you move out and reactivate them a day before you arrive at your new home.
  • Gather packing supplies. Looking to save? Be resourceful and utilize existing materials in your home. You can use newspaper for packing, old blankets for cushioning, and clean trash bags for stowing laundry. As for moving boxes, try to secure some from neighbors and friends or gather boxes from your local grocery store.

Downsize Accordingly

One common mistake when moving is trying to relocate everything you own. Besides making it hard to manage space inside the truck, it also increases the final price. That’s why you see plenty of blogs encouraging homeowners to downsize before moving.

Check out these great tips on how to declutter your house:

  • Organize your inventory. Separate belongings into three groups, namely: to take, to sell, and trash. Get rid of duplicates. A general rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used something for the past six months, chances are you won’t need it after you move.
  • Sell your items. Try to sell unwanted items on platforms like FB marketplace or eBay. If you’ve got time, having a garage sale is a great way to make some fast cash.
  • Donate your stuff. If you don’t have time to market your goods, it doesn’t hurt to give them away to those that need them most. You can donate clothes to a local charity or hand old toys over to your neighbors’ kids. Making people smile will make you feel great!

Streamline Your Packing Process

Packing is one of the most crucial tasks when moving. There’s more to it than just cramming stuff inside boxes. You have to make sure the contents are secure despite the rattling and bumping during transit. Packing might seem tedious, but it has to be done. So here’s some advice on how you can get it done in no time.

  • Avoid spending your entire day packing. You’ll only exhaust yourself and make little progress. It’s better to pack for a few hours in the morning. Rest during lunch. Perhaps watch a movie or get some fresh air outside. Continue boxing up in the afternoon. You’ll be surprised with your progress when you don’t overwork yourself.
  • Prepare an essentials box. It should contain necessities that’ll help your family survive the first few days in your new home. Put in some fresh sets of clothes, medications, bathroom supplies, plates, and dining utensils.
  • Color code boxes. Take labeling up a notch with a color code system. How? Simply assign a color to a room and use markers with the said color to mark the boxes. This will make unpacking and setting up your new home much more manageable.
  • Packing hacks. Caught in a rush? Save time by packing laundry in clean trash bags. You can also roll clothing instead of folding to save more space. Suitcases are great for stowing books, so you can easily drag them around. All in all, there are many creative ways to make packing a lot easier.

Or at least label the boxes.

Additional Tips When Moving to Wyoming 

  • Do some more research. Start by comparing living costs between towns. Familiarize yourself with state laws and regulations. Dig deeper into the Old West culture. Find out more about recreation and festivities. Your goal is to learn as much about Wyoming as to avoid culture shock.
  • Pack or purchase additional winter clothing. The things you heard about Wyoming’s winters are true – cold, bitter, and harsh. You’ll appreciate having extra layers to keep you warm as the Christmas season approaches.
  • Finally, travel by car. Sure, taking a plane is convenient and all. There’s no denying that. Still, this move is the perfect chance to see Wyoming’s beauty. It would be a waste to skip on the scenery. Enjoy every moment of this ride of a lifetime.