Moving to a new state can be overwhelming. Because of the many responsibilities you have to undertake during the moving process, it can be helpful to have a clear guide to get you through this monumental task. Without further ado, here is a handy five-step guide to completing a hassle-free move to GA:
1. Update Your Address
No matter where you move, updating your address, and all the services and bills attached to it, is crucial. Doing so will ensure you can handle other aspects of your move, and your new life, without worrying about essential services. You will want to visit the official USPS change-of-address website to simplify this process and make sure the post office is fully aware of your new residence. You’ll want to select a starting date for having your mail forwarded, and pay the fee for verifying your identity, to ensure the process is completed correctly. If you have any worries about other services being updated about your change of address, you should update them before you make the big move.
2. Get Your Car Settled in the Peach State
There are plenty of auto-vehicle-related concerns to take care of when you move to a new state. First off, you’ll want to get a brand-new, official GA driver’s license. Getting these tasks handled as local movers get your home in order is a fantastic idea. Waiting until the last possible moment to update your license can lead to all sorts of issues, and even fees, so getting this done straight away is highly recommended. For GA residents, it’s often a state requirement that you update your license within thirty days of moving to the state. This timeframe is much shorter than in many other states. You’ll want to ensure your car’s title and other matters are taken care of in the eyes of GA’s court as well. Few things can ruin your transition into living in a new state quite like car troubles, after all.
3. Register to Vote in GA
Now that you’re an official resident of the Peach State, you’ll want to ensure you can have a say in the state’s political landscape. Once you’ve gotten your license updated, you can immediately take action to register yourself to vote legally in GA. Thankfully, you can make this life-affirming action at the same time you get your driver’s license settled. You’ll want to register with any particular political party ASAP as well, so you’ll be eligible to vote in upcoming primaries and other more niche elections. For those who want to join a local political organization in their new hometown or county, there can occasionally be more specific, but often quick, registration tasks that you’ll need to complete.
4. Getting Your Insurance Plans in Order
Many people fail to realize that they have to update their insurance policies when moving to a new state. While this is not always the case, you should always check into this possibility, to ensure you will not have to deal with a major legal headache anytime shortly. Updating your car insurance is particularly important, as GA requires residents to have certain minimum insurance rates related to bodily injury liability and property damage liability. After you’ve dealt with your car insurance, you’ll want to move on to updating your health insurance. Most of the time, this will simply involve you locating where you can move your primary care services to in the state of Georgia. Checking with all other insurance providers you’ve got a deal with is recommended as well, to ensure you’re all set for your new life in the Peach State.
5. Setting up GA Utilities
The last item on the list, but certainly not the least, is to confirm that all of your utility services have been coordinated. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself struggling during the in-between time of having your utilities ordered and having them actually set up. You’ll want to cover the following: cable services, internet providers, trash services, water, gas, electricity, and any landline telephones you’ll need. Be sure to notify your present utility companies of your end-of-service date and pay your final payment before you leave. Establishing an account with your neighborhood utility companies before you move in can ensure that you have service when you do.
Have a Fun Time in the Peach State
Once you’ve got settled into your new home, you can begin discovering the many cultural wonders of the Peach State. From a fantastic live music scene to some of the best southern cuisine imaginable, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to fall in love with your brand-new home state.