Sunday, June 10, 2018

Moving tips for residents

Now that I am moving given a job change just a couple of tips for those who will be doing the same next year. Broken it down into phases

Looking for a new place
Apps that kind of help you scope out the places and average rent. Generally, 1-2 months is ideal timing since old tenants move out and you would be moving in.

  • Trulia- https://www.trulia.com/-  It gives you a sense of security, given you know the crimes that have taken place in the area and the average rent in the same region. Please note there might be a LOT of brokers in this place so you may have to pay a broker fee, WHICH IS A LOT! 
  • Apartments.com- https://www.apartments.com/ - This was a lifesaver for me in my hunt, since I was expected to shell out a LOT for an apartment. And the ones I saw were pretty expensive compared to the size. In my head, apartment complexes were nonexistent in the place I was moving to. However, on this site, you can see the different complexes and the average rent that it might be, which was super helpful and extremely relieving. 
  • Apartment List- https://www.apartmentlist.com/- This site helps you in shortlisting apartments based on your preferences of distance and budget.


Utilities/Mail
- Do note that you will have to end your electric/water accounts at your old place and start one's at your new place
- USPS has an amazing service whereby you can change your current address to your new one at this place and not worry about losing mail
- This is a website which helps in managing your electric utility bill. You get $25 off your electric bill via this referral link. The big reason I like it is that you can use your credit card when paying bills which helps in earning points. Review on Arcadia can be found here.

Bank accounts
- I would check whether your current banks have good coverage in the place you are going to move to. Eg- Chase is great in Ohio, but BoA is better on the East coast. Similarly, KeyBank is a major player in Ohio, not so much on the East coast.
- So either close or keep your current accounts depending on what suits your requirements.
- Update your mailing address with the accounts so as to not have issues when you make transactions.

Credit Cards
- This would be a good time to open a new credit card had you not already done so last year. Link to my credit card recommendations is here and flying tips with Amex referral is here. This is the link with all my current credit cards

Selling your old things
Apps like LetGo and OfferUp work well, or you can sell your furniture to your juniors/colleagues if you do not like to transact with unknown people.

If you have more tips please post below, or send me an email with your comments and I will update the same.