Do you have an upcoming move scheduled from California to Washington? Depending on your old and new city locations, this could be a drastic move, encompassing thousands of miles – or you could just be moving across the state line!
There are many reasons that people move. You could be moving for a better job opportunity, to be closer to family, or just because you’ve always wanted to experience the wild, wonderful atmosphere that exists in the Pacific Northwest! Whatever the reason for your move, there are some logistics and strategies to a successful relocation that you should definitely be aware of.
- images/moving-from-california-to-washington-imgs
- Cliffside in Washington State sits a picturesque lighthouse, which is incessantly dwarfed by incredibly tall waves.min.jpeg
- A mountainside view of the iconic Mount Rainier offers incredible scenery.min.jpeg
- A bridge leads into a Washington forest by a stream.min.jpeg
- Seattle Space Needle towers over the city.min.jpeg
- A ferris wheel on the side of a river in Washington.min.jpeg
- Many people don’t consisted Washington State to be a marine state, but it shares hundreds of miles of coast with the Pacific Ocean. This makes it a beautiful state for constant, beautiful views of ocean spray and coastal scenes like this one! Definitely visit or move to Washington for its gorgeous marine scenery
- Cliffside in Washington State sits a picturesque lighthouse, which is incessantly dwarfed by incredibly tall waves
For example, even though it might only take a few minutes to drive across the state line (or a few hours to drive north from California), your movers have 21 full business days to deliver your belongings by law. Also, you might be moving from the arid, temperate climate of Southern California to the perpetually-rainy state of Washington. There’s a lot to consider!
Whatever the reasons for or details regarding your move, we’re here to make your experience as easy as possible. Read along with this moving to Washington guide for more information about your upcoming stress-free move!
Contents:
How Much Does It Cost to Move from California to Washington?
One of the most important things to know up-front about your move is how much it’ll cost you to make it happen. Are you interested in knowing the various options that you have to most directly influence the cost of your move?
There are three moving options, in the main, that you’ll be able to choose from when you’re looking to reduce your potential moving costs. While there may be different factors that will influence the overall cost of your move, you’ll find that the more you’re willing or able to do yourself, the less your move will cost. If you pay movers to take care of more aspects of your move for you, your moving cost estimates may be much more expensive.
Whether you decide to hire cheap movers or to invest in more bespoke solutions, you will certainly need to purchase moving insurance. (You can also just make sure that your moving company has this as an option when you sign a contract with them.) This will protect you in the case that something unexpected happens during your move.
Finally, if you don’t want to lift a finger during your move, if you want to have an especially stress-free experience overall, look into hiring premium apartment movers. Depending on what you need to do, you may find that this investment is very much worth it!
To summarize, here are the three different tiers of moving service that you may want to examine:
- A Full-Service Moving Company: Want to lay back and relax while trained professionals take care of every aspect of your move? We don’t blame you! This is an excellent option if you’re going to be busy during your move, you have a big family, or you just won’t have the ability to help pack and move furniture prior to your relocation.
- A DIY Moving Truck: Interested in paying a moderate amount but doing a good amount of work yourself? If you simply hire a moving truck, but commit to loading it yourself, you’ll find yourself with a good middle-of-the-road options for price.
- A Moving Container Experience: With this option, you’ll ship yourself a moving container or a pod, fill it up yourself, and then ship it to your final destination.
Here’s a good visual to help you figure out which of these California to Washington moving services are right for you:
| Full-Service | DIY Truck | Moving Container |
Studio/1 bed | $2,517 | $1900 | $1500 |
2-3 bed | $3,198 | $2500 | $1900 |
4+ bed | $6,000 | $3778 | $3000 |
Office-Commercial Moving | $8,237 | $5734 | $4000 |
How to hire movers from California to Washington
- Are you a fan of gorgeous mountaintop views? Whether you’re able to climb Mount Rainier or just look upon it from afar, the mountain is definitely a beautiful sight to behold. If you’re a fan of hiking, you’ll definitely love exploring all of the scenic experiences that this state has to offer
- A mountainside view of the iconic Mount Rainier offers incredible scenery
When you’re looking to move from California to Washington, you need to make sure that you have interstate movers – even though the states border on each other. Just make sure that, when you’re looking for movers and getting moving estimates, you make sure that they’re aware that that’s what you need!
You also need to figure out whether you’re looking for long-distance movers or cross-country movers. Depending on where in California you’re moving from, this might not be necessary; however, if you’re moving from the most Southern part of California to the most Northern part of Washington, getting these special types of long-distance movers might really help your process.
You’ll also need to decide whether to use a moving broker or a moving company to help perform your move. There are benefits and pitfalls to using each, and you’ll definitely have to decide for yourself! We’ve made your decision easy, fortunately; we’ve put together a guide to the 10 best long-distance moving companies. Your stress-free move is just a click away!
What Are the Top Benefits of Moving from California to Washington:
Wondering why you’d want to move from California to Washington? We’ve got your back: These five top benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest will definitely help you make the great decision to relocate to Washington State!
- The gorgeous natural views: Living in Washington State gives you the unique opportunity to be very close to both majestic mountains and gorgeous whitewater rivers. If you like the idea of being close to both the Cascade Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, Washington will be a great home for you.
- The high value of real estate: Washington is home to some of the most expensive and profitable pockets of real estate in the nation. In this state, you can be sure that your real estate investment will pay off in years to come.
- The easy transportation systems: Washington is a huge bicycling state. If you don’t want to own a car, you’ll find that many of the systems in Washington’s cities will support that decision. There’s also a lot of trains and subway systems, all of which can help you minimize your personal carbon footprint.
- The world-renowned educational opportunities: Want a good education? Move to Washington. Whether you’re looking for good schools for yourself or your loved ones, you’ll find that Washington State abounds in great research programs as well as good K-12 opportunities.
Compare Price of Living between California and Washington State:
While it may feel prosaic, one of the things you’ll need to consider when you’re moving to Washington State is the financial ramifications. After all, that will definitely have a large impact on your life once you’ve moved to your new home!
Fortunately, when it comes to analyzing the price of living, the costs associated with living in California tend to be much higher than living in Washington, no matter what. To make sure that you have all of the information you need, we’ve teamed up with the Economic Policy Institute to give you the following information:
COST OF LIVING | California | Washington |
Taxes | 1282 | 734 |
Food | 845 | 812 |
Healthcare | 890 | 856 |
Housing | 1876 | 1028 |
Transport | 1277 | 1241 |
Internet | 1098 | 553 |
Childcare | 1331 | 1390 |
As you can see, then, there are financial pros and cons whether you live in California or in Washington. When you’re putting together your information about living in your new home, definitely take the time to figure out whether this new financial information will work for your budget!
Best Places to Move to in Washington:
You may not be able to decide where in Washington you’re going to move; if you’re moving to be closer to a job or to family, that might be decided for you. Alternatively, you might get to pick where you’re going to relocate to! In this case, we’d like to offer some suggestions of the best places to move (or visit) in the beautiful state of Washington:
- Olympia: If you’re a fan of fishing and boating, you’ll love Puget Sound! This Northwestern city also has glorious seafood restaurants and good views of Mount Rainier.
- Do you like hiking, camping, and other rustic countryside pastimes? If so, then living in the rugged Pacific Northwest is precisely what you want to do! Everywhere you turn there are gorgeous forest trails and bridges like the one above that will certainly whet your appetite for adventure
- A bridge leads into a Washington forest by a stream
- Richland: Interested in moving to the Tri-Cities area? This city is steeped in scientific history and, even now, is a hub of modern tech innovation (and jobs!).
- Bothell: If you want to live close to Seattle but don’t want to pay the steep prices of living there, this city is close by and much more livable. There are beautiful parks and festivals in Bothell year round to enjoy.
- Auburn: This neighborhood sits between Tacoma and Seattle, offering optimal access to both. It’s a good commuter city, with lots of available and convenient transportation options!
- Redmond: Do you like Nintendo and Microsoft? This city hosts the headquarters to both! This city has also been named one of America’s Best Places to Live (as well as “The Bicycle Capital of the Northwest”).
Checklist How to Move to Washington:
Now that we’ve discussed what might be the reasons why you could move from California to Washington, you might want to know the best way to make sure your move happens in the least stressful way possible! If this is something you’re curious about, keep reading. We’ve got all of the things that you need to do planned out in the most optimal way possible.
1. Plan Ahead: The earlier you’re able to plan your move, the better! Remember, there’s a lot of work associated with a move, no matter how far away the relocation is, and the earlier you’re able to get started on all of that work, the less overwhelmed and stressed you’re going to be. Start by downloading checklists that can help you compartmentalize the work that you need to get done, week by week, so that you’re ready to go as you need to be.
2. Downsize: If you’re able to get rid of a substantial amount of your belongings prior to the move, you’ll find that your move will be much less frustrating (and it might even be a lot cheaper). If you have time prior to the move, host a garage sale, visit your local donation center, or just give away as many of your belongings as you can. Chances are you have a lot of items you won’t necessarily miss, and you’ll definitely have a lower-stress move with fewer things.
- Seattle’s famous Space Needle makes this city instantly recognizable, no matter the angle. Seattle is a wonderful city for tourism, people-watching, food, and more
- Seattle’s Space Needle towers over the city
3. Get Moving Quotes: It’s not the most fun part of moving, but taking your time to do your homework and get multiple moving quotes from various companies can help you find the most competitive price out there! Call around, ask for testimonials, and make sure that you’re getting a comprehensive view of moving companies in your area before committing to any one of them.
4. Book Movers: Once you’ve interviewed your moving companies, including both DIY, basic, and full-service options, it’ll be time to make sure that you definitely have a date booked on a mover’s calendar. They will probably require you to have some kind of a deposit put down, so just be aware of that before you sign! Also, making sure to read your contract in full and keep a copy of it in your moving binder is also a very good idea.
5. Visit Your New Area: If you have time to visit your new neighborhood or community in Washington prior to moving, then make sure you do so! This may seem frivolous, but it’s a part of your moving experience that will make living in your new hometown a lot easier. Think about it: If you move to your new neighborhood and already know where the grocery store and gas station are, that’ll make the moving experience easier, right? Taking the time to do this will also help you be much more excited about your upcoming move.
6. Start Packing: This is another activity that’s vital to start as early as possible. Packing up your entire home is going to take a lot of time and effort, so, in the weeks leading up to your move, it’s a good idea to do it piece by piece. For example, you could start by boxing up off-season items or lesser-used clothing, so that when you get closer to your move, all you need to deal with is the essentials. Of course, if you’re purchasing a full-service moving package, your movers may be able to help you with this step.
7. Create Essential Box: Whether you’re doing the packing or not, you do need to put together an essentials box that’s full of the items you will need for your first day and night in your new home. For example, you could put a change of clothes, your phone charger, and some toiletries in this box: Anything that you know you’ll need access to and don’t necessarily want to spend hours digging for in boxes (or waiting to arrive). You’ll be glad you did this later!
8. Say Farewells. This may seem like an odd item to put on your to-do list; surely, you’ll remember to say your goodbyes! Unfortunately, it’s all too common to over-schedule yourself and the last few weeks prior to your move, before finding out at the last minute that you don’t have enough time to do even the most essential of activities. Plan out a set period of time to go around and say goodbye to all of your friends in the area. These are crucial memories that you’re building, and you’ll be glad later that you took the time to make it happen!
9. Get Some Rest: Moving is a very strenuous activity, and it definitely takes a lot out of you! You’re going to want to make sure that you have as much rest as possible in the week leading up to your move, so that you are prepared to do all that it takes to have the energy that you need when you’re actually performing your move.
10. Enjoy the Move: Remember, moving is likely something you’ll only do a handful of times over the course of your life – and each time represents a whole new chapter for you and your loved ones. Because of this, it’s a good idea to remember to take some effort to ensure that your moving experience is as fun as possible! While this may take some doing, it’s one of the best things you can do in order to feel at home in your new community as soon as is possible.
Moving Services to help you relocate to Washington
When you’re moving from California to Washington, it can be easy to be tempted to DIY your move (particularly if you’re just moving over the state line). However, this doesn’t have to be the case. (And, remember, if you do DIY your move, you’ll often find yourself completely overwhelmed at the last minute – definitely something you want to avoid!).
Fortunately, we’ve got your back. Below find a comprehensive guide to the types of moving services that you’ll need when you’re looking to relocate to Washington:
- Furniture Transportation: Think about it: The most difficult part of moving your belongings is likely taking care of your bulky furniture. If you’re doing it yourself, it’s easy to get deep scratches on your valued pieces, or to find yourself with a dresser, bed, or desk that’s just too heavy to move by yourself! When you choose to work with professional furniture transporters, you’re choosing to have peace of mind and certainty that all of your furniture will make it to your new home with no casualties.
- Washington houses some of the most fun cities to wander around in in all of America!
- A ferris wheel on the side of a river in Washington
- Residential Movers: Moving your home is hard. There are lots of things to pack up, including clothing, plants, furniture and more! An experienced company of residential movers will have the skills and expertise needed to pack and move all of your belongings. You won’t even have to lift a finger!
- Piano Transportation: Do you have a precious, bulky, and delicate musical instrument in your home? If you need to get your piano from California to Washington, you may find that it’s a storied endeavor. Pianos often need very precise environmental factors (such as temperature, humidity, and more) so they don’t get damaged en route. Your movers will be able to make sure that this happens for you!
- Art and Antiques Movers: If you have sculptures, paintings, or fine furniture that needs to be moved with care, don’t settle for the back of your friend’s car or a hot, unsafe truck that you rent for yourself. Even if you DIY the rest of your move, it’s a good idea to make sure that your art and antiques are moved by professionals who know precisely how to move things in a safe and thoughtful way.
- Hot Tub Movers: Have you ever thought about moving your hot tub? From disconnecting your hot tub in your California home to setting it up again in Washington without any mishaps, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Instead of accepting that, choose to work with a great company of professional movers in order to ensure that your move is completed flawlessly, hot tub and all.
- Pool Table Movers: If you’ve ever looked under the green felt of a pool table, you know that there’s a lot at stake when it comes to moving your pool table safely! There’s a brittle, delicate, heavy, and insanely expensive rock under the green felt that absolutely needs to be handled with care. Instead of risking moving it by yourself, choose to work with movers who have done it before – and have insurance to save you in case anything goes wrong.
- Office Movers: Trying to navigate a complicated move with bulky office furniture, IT equipment, secure document storage, and more? Your office movers can make sense out of your move without your having to stress about anything! Work with professional office movers to ensure that you move with minimal business down time (and you stay in budget, too.)
- Long Distance Movers: Thinking about moving across the country or at least across several state lines? You need to make sure that you tell your prospective movers where you’re going so that they can be sure that they have all of the permissions and licenses necessary to get you where you need to go!
- Last Minute Movers: Finally, it’s always a good idea to have the number for a highly-reputed last-minute mover in your pocket! While it’s usually best to plan your move weeks or months in advance, sometimes, that simply won’t be possible. In these cases, whether it’s due to a last-minute job situation or a family emergency, you’re going to need professionals to help you. Last minute movers can really save you when you’re in a pinch!