The Unfiltered Truth: What Moving Across the Country is Really Like
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Moving across the country in August 2023 was undeniably one of the most challenging experiences I've ever faced. From the finances of moving to the planning of the trip to finding a home 2,000+ miles away, we’ve been to hell and back. Despite the hurdles and unexpected twists along the way, it has been a journey that was undeniably worth every moment. Fast forward 8 months, and the reality is that with its struggles, I don’t regret a second. With that, I’m here to guide you every step of the way from start to finish - so you don’t have to figure it all out on our own like I did.
Finances, Freelancer Struggle and the Adjustment
Being a freelancer has its perks, but it also comes with its set of challenges, especially when relocating across the country. The struggle to maintain a consistent work routine amidst the chaos of packing, moving, and adjusting to a new environment was real. Balancing deadlines with the demands of settling into a new place proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated. It took longer than expected to establish a new work-life balance, and there were times when I felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty of it all.
One of the most daunting aspects of moving across the country was the financial strain it placed on me. From the cost of hiring movers and renting a truck to unexpected expenses like temporary accommodation and storage fees, the expenses quickly added up.
The journey across the states was an adventure in itself. I opted to split up the driving days to make the trip more manageable, with some days stretching to 8 hours and others ranging from 2-4 hours. Each stop along the way offered its own set of experiences, from breathtaking landscapes to unexpected detours and memorable encounters. Despite the challenges, the journey provided valuable insights into the vastness and diversity of the country I have been itching to explore.
Adjusting to a new environment has been a gradual process filled with ups and downs. From navigating local customs and culture to finding new places to work and socialize, every day has been a learning experience. While the transition has been challenging, it has also been incredibly rewarding. I've met new people, discovered hidden gems in my new city, and learned to appreciate the beauty of embracing change.
THE JOURNEY FROM START TO FINISH
The Planning Phase 1 : The Journey Over
Before embarking on this cross-country adventure, meticulous planning was essential to ensure a smooth ride from Maryland to Los Angeles. Two tools that saved me was Google My Maps and Google Sheets. Don’t worry - I’ll get to the money spent at the end!
My Maps for Must See Stops & General Outline of Trip
Using Google My Maps, I created a customized map outlining our route and marking must-see stops along the way. This interactive map allowed me to visualize the journey, plan rest stops, and explore points of interest that we wouldn't want to miss. I would make a new layer for each day, color coordinating each stop for each day.
Each day is a different color - marked are our accommodations, coffee stops, and sightseeing stops.
Google Sheets for All The Details
Google Sheets played a pivotal role in organizing the nitty-gritty details of the move. I created a comprehensive spreadsheet that listed our accommodations, coffee shops, must-dos and the length of drive planned for each day. This detailed planning allowed us to stay on track, manage our time effectively, and ensure that we had everything we needed for a comfortable and productive journey.
Not pictured was daily average travel time on the far right
Using these tools, the planning phase became less daunting and more organized, setting the stage for a cross-country move that was as efficient as it was adventurous. These tools not only helped us navigate the logistics of the move but also added an element of excitement as we eagerly anticipated the experiences that awaited us!
The Planning Phase 2 : Finding a Home, Booking Movers, Selling our Stuff and Finding Work.
This was the hard part. Planning the trip over was so fun for me, but planning on the logistics was just tedious and time-consuming; so hopefully this can help you as you plan to move cross country.
Finding a Home
One of the first and most crucial steps in the planning process was securing a new place to call home. Researching neighborhoods, exploring rental listings, and conducting virtual tours became a regular part of our daily routine. We considered factors such as proximity to amenities, safety, and affordability to ensure that we found a place that met our needs and preferences. I can’t even BEGIN to explain how nice it was to have a friend here. A lot of homes in Los Angeles require you to tour before they say anything to you (??) so our friend was kind enough to take a few tours for us, send us photos and give us any details.
My advice? Try to book a trip out to your destination of choice before moving to tour apartments and areas. I don’t know what we would’ve done without our friend here.
Booking Movers and Comparing Prices
Hiring professional movers was another essential aspect of our move. We reached out to multiple moving companies, obtained quotes, and compared services to find the best fit for our budget and requirements. Reading reviews and asking for recommendations helped us make an informed decision and ensure that our belongings would be handled with care.
We ended up splurging on a middle-priced service for a Moving Cube through U-Pack. This was honestly a breeze and I’m so glad we did this. Luckily, we didn’t have many items (see next section) so we were able to pack up our stuff in a box and our car and made it across in a jiffy. We were staying at my parents for 4 days before we left so it was easy but also a struggle. They had a nice open driveway so we got the U-Pack delivered there, brought all our stuff to my parents then loaded it in within a day. All you had to do was call them with a pick-up time and that’s that! You just have to be present for drop off both times.
Selling Our Stuff
Downsizing and selling our belongings was a necessary step in preparing for the move. We listed items on online marketplaces (specifically FaceBook), did Instagram sales and donated unneeded items to minimize the amount of stuff we had to transport across the country. This process was super tedious but not only helped lighten our load but also provided an opportunity to declutter and start fresh in our new home, AND gave us some extra $$ for the trip. Win, win!
Finding Work
As a freelancer, finding work in a new location added another layer of complexity to the planning process. Networking, updating my portfolio, and reaching out to potential clients in the new area became priorities in the weeks leading up to the move. Leveraging online platforms for creators helped me lay the groundwork for establishing a professional presence and securing new opportunities in my field, and still does 8 months in.
The Journey Itself
Here's a breakdown of our journey, including memorable stops, our go-to coffee places, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons learned along the way:
Stops Along the Way:
Knoxville: We bopped around downtown and got sushi and ice cream for a celebration of our first day. Honeybee Coffee was our first stop the next day before heading to…
Nashville: Definitely a place to see, but wasn’t for us. We aren’t big partiers, so we just walked around and enjoyed the sunset and Love Circle. Snagged coffee at Three Brothers before stopping at the local mall. Next stop was
Hot Springs, AK: We planned to get there earlier to enjoy the bathhouses but they were booked, so we just walked around, got pizza then woke up early to head to Fort Smith Coffee co and then
Amarillo: But first was a stop in Oklahoma City for the Route 66 Museum. This was a nice break from a longer drive day and was cool to see! Before our stay, we checked out the Bug Ranch then got Mexican downtown and it was delicious.
Albuquerque: Next morning we stopped at the Cadillac Ranch before heading into New Mexico, which was so fun. I saw a sign for a swimming hole and we took a detour for The Blue Hole, which was super cool and so cold so naturally I jumped in. We spent the afternoon getting tattoos to remember the trip then walked around Old Town Centre.
Holbrook: We took a Hot Air Balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders! This was such an awesome experience anyone should do while in ABQ. Then we headed to check out the Petrified National Park which is totally underrated and a fun stop. After that we headed to our Airbnb which turned out to be a bit sketchy, prompting us to rebook a hotel down the road for a more comfortable stay. We just went in the pool and hung out for the night.
Sedona: Before heading to Sedona, we checked out Flagstaff and grabbed a brew from Single Speed Coffee Lab. We decided, since it was mid August, to stick to a shaded and short trail for the afternoon at Fay Canyon. The next morning we hit Hole in the Rock for sunrise and it was such a stunning view!
Phoenix: Stopping at the Desert Botanical Gardens which is definitely worth it, we were nearly dehydrated from the 100+ degree weather. But afterwards, our AirBnb was the same situation, leading us to rebook a hotel far away (OOPS) from our initial location. We accidentally spent the night in…
Palm Springs: Honestly a beautiful place to stay. No regrets! But we did have to go backwards to visit…
Joshua Tree: Took a few hours to explore this amazing park, and woke up at 3AM to head back in for a night of stargazing. So worth it!
Los Angeles: The final destination of our journey, where we celebrated the completion of our cross-country adventure.
If you want. more detailed, each destination to-do, packed to the brim itinerary, shoot me a DM on Instagram or an email - I’m happy to send it over!
Embracing Flexibility
One of the most valuable lessons learned during this journey was the importance of being flexible and adaptable when plans change unexpectedly. Whether it was rebooking accommodations due to unforeseen circumstances or adjusting our itinerary to accommodate new discoveries along the way, embracing flexibility allowed us to make the most of our cross-country adventure and turn challenges into opportunities for growth and exploration!
Money Talk
I know this is what you all have been waiting for! I was very meticulous when it came to budgeting and planning for how much we would generally spend. I didn’t track every cent, but from my calculations, it seems I was pretty close to exactly what I guesstimated versus what we actually spent.
One perk? Traveling with a partner! When you are doing a big move like this, the perk is that you can split up all the payments. WHEW. I saved up roughly 7k before leaving, which now looking back probably would’ve tried for 10k.
TOTAL SPENT(roughly) : $10,160
Just trip costs : $3,185
Just moving expenses : $6,975
Per person total : $5,080
Broken down expenses for two people:
U-Pack : $2,575
Deposit on new apartment : $4,400
TRIP -
Accommodation : $1,864
Park passes/parking fees : $100
Food/coffee : $874
Gas : $350
The accommodation and food was exact, but everything else was guesstimated. Regardless, we went to ‘comfier’ route because my boyfriend likes comfort, where I would’ve camped my way over, haha, so our accommodation was a bit pricer than expected. If you have any questions, reach out!
Want more? Subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch a video coming out soon on all the details of our trip!
Thanks for reading, and let me know if there’s anything I missed or you’d like me to touch on.
