Australia is a big continent, and staying in one corner of it your entire life can limit your options. Whether it is for professional or personal reasons, moving to another part of Australia can be a great choice. This is especially true if you pick one of the big cities like Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. But it is not easy if you have to move across the entire continent to reach your new home. Here are some tips on how to make a move more convenient for you.
Have Money Ready
Moving to a new city, one of the things that might shock you is the cost of living. If you are lucky, it is lower, but usually, it is more expensive than in your previous place. To prepare for this, you need to have money ready. Make sure to save enough money several months before the move or borrow some cash to ease the transition. If you will move for professional reasons, be sure that the new job will be able to pay for all your expenses.
Have a Place Ready
Before you even move, one of the things you need is a place to stay. There are several options. You can rent a place, which can be the most affordable option. Apartments and homes are available in many big cities. Renting a unit for the first few months in the new city allows you to save up for a more permanent home. But if renting is not available, there are homes ready for sale. This is more expensive and will need you to do a bit of research. House and land in places like West Melbourne are great options because they are a ride away from Melbourne’s Central Business District.
Prepare for the Actual Move
If you have correctly lined things up, then you will be ready to start packing. This can be a complex process, especially if you are picking up your old life and packing everything away. A good idea would be to start preparing and packing a few weeks before the scheduled move. Sort out the things you will be bringing and leaving behind. This is also the time when you can contact professional movers to help you. Organise everything so that moving day will be less stressful.
Do the Paperwork
Relocating interstate requires you to update some documents. The first one is your car registration and licence. Keep in mind that different Australian states have different driving rules and regulations. Check the local government website to see what you need to do to update your licence and whether you need additional testing. Before that, though, you might want to use public transport for a while. Another essential document that needs updating is your voter registration. Contact the Australian Electoral Commission and inform them of the move. They will enrol you in your new state since voting is compulsory.
It is not exaggerating that moving to another state in Australia is like moving to another country. Fortunately, it is not that bad, but it can still be pretty rough. You need to be ready to achieve a smooth transition to a new life in a new city.
