Monday, June 25, 2018

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Texas

Nowadays you will not surprise anyone if you tell that you are going to leave California and move to Texas.  Beautiful coastline and eye-catching hills no longer attract people so much that they could withstand all those difficulties they face on a daily basis. According to the report of the California Legislative Analyst’s office about a million people left the state between 2007 and 2016. It was estimated that by the end of 2018 the number of people who leave this area annually will reach 26,000 individuals. Moreover, the biggest number of people who are thinking of moving or have already decided to do that are qualified middle-aged white-collar workers with the average income in California between $100,000 and $200,000. Consequently, soon many companies will lack educated specialists who look for better life in other states including Texas. You may wonder ‘why Californians are moving to Texas?’, however, there are several reasons for that:
  • California state income tax is the highest in the country.
  • Housing and rental prices are extremely high and 1/3 of renters living in California cannot afford that.
  • Endless traffic rule violations and brutal behavior of drivers on the road.
  • Inability to run business in the state.
  • Unstable political climate with the swing to the left.
  • The ratio between the salary and the cost of living is unrealistic.
As a result, it was estimated that by 2050 20 million people who used to live in California would gradually move to Texas because of these and many other reasons.

Benefits

Texas takes the first place among US states that were chosen by the Californians as a better place of living. In 2016, over 70,000 residents of California found their new home in Texas. Moreover, this state has gained a title of the fastest-growing state in the nation thanks to the hundreds of thousands of Californians in particular.  Of course, it happens not only because of the challenges people have to face in such states as California but also advantages they get when they become locals in Texas. Consequently, there are many benefits of moving from California to Texas.

1. Both personal and corporate income taxes are absent in Texas

Sacramento Tax March
This is one of the greatest benefits for people who would leave a huge part of their income in their own pockets instead of giving it to the state. People who have the business and moving from California to Texas trying to develop it in the new state, have more chances to be successful there.

2. A lower cost of living

There is a significant difference between the cost of living in California and Texas. Housing costs in Texas are 54% less than in California, while a family with kids may save over 60%. However, it is important to compare all the other typical expenses for both states to see how cheaper it is to live in Texas. There is an 18% difference in food cost, 8% less expensive health insurance, and 14% lower spending on entertainment.

3. Faster growing economy

Thanks to the capital city of Texas, Austin that takes the tenth place on the Forbes list of the top 10 growing economies, today the state is also regarded to take the leading positions in the economic sphere as numerous reputable companies like Google and Apple have moved to it. Today the Texas economy is the second largest in the USA and if it was a sovereign country, it could take the tenth place in the whole world.

4. Warm and mild climate


Despite the fact that there are regions in Texas that encompass different climates, the biggest part of the state has a subtropical climate with the average summer temperature of 80-100° F and mild not snowy winters. The climate is very similar to Californian one and is very pleasant for living.

5. Much space for everyone

Texas is the home to six of the largest cities in America, and there are many smaller towns and villages that are rather inviting and nice for living.

6. Better employment opportunities

As Texas has become the main location of many leading American and global companies, people who live there have received more opportunities to be paid more and have a regular full-time work due to a large number of job positions.

7. Unique entertainment


If you are a fan of live music, you should move to Austin, the center of the American and world’s live music.
People who enjoy eating tasty food should remember that Texas offers the most delicious fried food and BBQ (there are over 2,000 BBC joints in this state).

8. Liberal state

Either population or local government treats most of the regulations in Texas rather liberally. There are many gay families, simple city rules and obvious business regulations, so you will not have to get used to multiple restrictions.

9. Texas people are friendly and easy to come along with


Though you can see migration between many states all around the USA, Texas remains one of a few states where local population does not wish to go anywhere. It happens because people are satisfied with their way of living and it makes them open, friendly and easy to communicate with.

Disadvantages

In spite of the fact that for a person, who moves to Texas, this place may seem a paradise at first glance, not everything is that smooth in this state. Unfortunately, there are no perfect destinations and even a cheap and well-organized place for a living might have its drawbacks. You should be prepared that moving to Texas you might face several challenges including:
  • A necessity to get a Texas driver’s license and car registration;
  • Bigger cost of transportation services up to 17% than you had in California and lack of public transport;
  • Unpredictable weather changes and high chances of storms and tornadoes;
  • Loyal gun laws that allow open carry;
  • Inability to travel to other states because of big state area and heavy traffic;
  • A restricted choice of products for sale because of not many farmer markets;
  • Too conservative views on many points.

Tips to a person who is moving from California to Texas

Every person who is moving to Texas from California must not only evaluate all the pros and cons of this decision but also prepare for the moving process. It is natural that you will have absolutely different experience if you move with kids or think of moving dogs from California to Texas. The first thing you should do when you start organizing the moving process is to learn how and where you can get all the necessary documents to stay in Texas legally. You might also need to change your driving license and perform other actions with your vehicle to drive safely in the state and in this cases, DMV.ORG can be a useful helper in this task.

Hire long distance movers from California to Texas

Usually, families with children, pets or without them require some professional assistance for the process to be completed faster and without unpleasant surprises. Moving can be often connected with damages, thefts or forgetting some important items, so it is always better to turn to a professional moving company from California to Texas and make this process smooth and non-tiring. Remember that you need to think not about how to keep all your items in safety during transportation but about the way how to organize your living in the new place in the best possible way. That is why «California Movers: Local & Long distance moving company» is always happy to offer you premium moving services to Texas so that the start of your living in the state could be associated only with positive emotions, while we will take all the responsibilities for a reasonable cost of moving services. Make this challenging experience an exciting adventure with qualified and professional assistance from our company!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Complete Moving Guide to Santa Clara, CA

Imagine oranges growing in your back yard all year round. During any season, simply stretching your arm in the leaves and coming out with a healthy, juicy treat that just so happens to be a great color. If you like the thought, imagine the reality of living in such a luscious locale.

Though it sees like a dream, Santa Clara is very much alive with old and young residents who are proud to call the province home. If you have ever considered moving to the municipality and you love oranges, you should really take a moment and read on and give it some thought!
Santa Clara Climate
The coldest month is January, average low of 38, and the warmest month is July, average high of 82. With only 14 inches of rain spread over 54 days annually and no snowfall, locals here love the area that has 261 sunny days a year. Of course as in any California community, you must always be aware of a potential earthquake in the province. That is why it is so important to know how to prepare for an earthquake since they can happen at any given time, any day of the year.
Santa Clara Neighborhoods
Twenty-three constituent neighborhoods make up Santa Clara, which is the 48th biggest community in California. As far as an affluent area in town where the upper middle-class reside, Homestead Road rates high among the wealthy. Many middle-class families with children appreciate living close to the school system on many roads including Steven's Creek Boulevard, Miramar Way and Benton Street. While some of the sector is simply lovely, it is just as important that it is out of harm's way. Some of the safest areas to live in town are Pruneridge Avenue, Benton Street and Bower's Avenue.
Registering Your Car
To complete the registration process, your vehicle must also be inspected by the California Division of Motor Vehicles. You have 20 days to register your car after becoming a state resident and you must provide smog and weight certification, your last issued out of state title and proof of insurance. You only have 10 days to acquire a driver's license after becoming a resident and you must provide a thumbprint, fill out a DL 44 form, have your photo taken, and provide your full name and Social Security number. You must also pass vision, traffic and road sign tests.
Santa Clara Schools
The Santa Clara Unified School District serves area students in its 16 elementary, 3 middle and 2 high schools. The system also has a K-8 site, continuation high school and an adult education campus. In whole, the system educates more than 15,000 students. With an average class size of 30 in all grades, students receive the one-on-one attention from professors needed for success. Of course there are several specialized schools in the sector, with many students attending religious-based campuses. As for post-secondary schools, the Santa Clara University, Jesuit college; Mission College, junior college; and Golden State Baptist are the choices within town borders.
Santa Clara Employment
With a 6.5 percent unemployment rate, almost two points down from the national average, and 2.67 percent job growth, Santa Clara has remained an economically successful sector during the recession. Top employers in the area keep locals working full-time in various industries. According to the City's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Applied Materials and Intel together had more than 15,000 employees. Texas Instruments comes in as the third top employer with 3,500 workers and California's Great America staffs 2,500 laborers. When looking to start a business rather than work at one, local merchants partner with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, an organization that is dedicated to keeping economic development strong in the city.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Santa Clara County community is higher than the state and national average. Coming in at 55.1 percent more than the U.S. average and 18.2 percent greater than the California average, the sector can seem a little pricey. However, according to CNN Money reports, the median family income of $94,193 and the median home price of 495,500 seemingly balances out the high cost of living in the community. As a new resident, renting before you own may be the right choice until you are sure you're happy in the community. Be that the case, then expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom unit and higher for two or three-bedrooms. As for utility costs in Santa Clara, those will and do vary depending on family size and usage.
Santa Clara Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Santa Clara, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in California. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Santa Clara Transportation
With two major train locations, Santa Clara is home to the Great American Station and the Santa Clare Station. The rails, respectively run by Amtrak's Capital Corridor, Altamont Commuter Express and Caltrain, take locals in and out of town on the tracks. Another way to travel publicly is by bus with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. With many routes and reasonable rates, residents enjoy riding around the region. As for airports, Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are three nearby landing strips locals use when flying in and out of town.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Between the Santa Clara Senior and Teen Center and the Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center, residents of all ages enjoy everything the region has to offer. Aside from government services engaging locals, residents love to play outside at any of the province's 38 parks. Agnew, Maywood and Steve Carli Parks are three hot spots to hang out while Reed Street Dog Park is the perfect place to enjoy time with a furry friend. When locals are looking for a friendly game of competition, they frequent the newly-constructed San Francisco 49ers stadium, or if they desire to take a wild ride, they visit California's Great America, a largely attended amusement park. As for dinner and a show, it's never a problem in a province that has excellent eateries, theaters and museums.
Santa Clara Relocation Tips
  • It may be one of life's biggest stressors, but it doesn't always have to strap you for cash. Moving and saving money is possible if you simply follow a few suggestions.

  • Make sure when you oversee the move-out, you have a pen and pad near so you can check off all that needs to be done.

  • Meet the neighbors and begin life-long friendships in the California Community.

Sunday, June 10, 2018

How to Organize Commonly Forgotten Items During a Move

No matter how many lists you make, it is still possible to forget items during a move. With the business of packing and ensuring everything is stored safely for the movers, it can be easy to forget to check cupboards and stowed away items. Especially when under the stress of a move, forgetting important things is expected. If you are planning a move this spring, here are some tips on how to organize your move, and a list of commonly forgotten items you should double check. With the right preparation and planning, your move will be smoother and less stressful.

Most Commonly Forgotten Items During a Move

  • Miscellaneous kitchen items: Items like fridge magnets, leftover food, dishwasher dishes, and items in kitchen cabinets can be forgotten during a move because they aren’t always visible. Be sure to check all your cupboards, especially the high shelves, before you pack up and leave.
  • Valuables hidden in secret hiding spots
  • Borrowed items such as library books
  • Clothes at the dry cleaners
  • Outdoor equipment: Check the garage and shed for your garden hose, gardening tools, household tools, and any items stored under the deck
  • Items in the attic, crawl space, basement, or in storage
  • Plungers and other toiletries (new homeowners won’t want to find these lying around!)
  • Clothes hung behind the doors
  • Small wall hangings, lamps and lighting fixtures
  • Prescription medication
  • Important files and documents
  • Items to leave for new homeowners: Be sure to leave behind the garage door opener, important keys, and padlocks—any items the new homeowners would need to access all the areas of your old home.

How to Organize Your Move

The above list can help you check every nook and cranny in your home, but it will be frustrating if you run around your old home throwing items randomly in boxes. There is an organized way to prepare for your move, and here are some simple tips to help you get through.

Plan and Categorize by Room

Begin from the indoors of your home, and work outdoors, first by packing based on each room. You can begin with the bedrooms: Work from one room to the next, packing clothes, furniture, bedding, and other possessions, carefully labelling each box to identify what items are inside, and which bedroom the items belong to. This will make unpacking much easier! In addition, now is a good time to clear out any items you want to donate, give away or sell, so you can bring less items into your new home. When you get to the outdoors, do the same—label the boxes to identify that these items belong outside, and what each box contains. Be sure to mark “fragile” on any boxes that need careful handling so your movers will work accordingly.

Schedule Important Commitments

Make sure to tie up any loose ends before you move to your home. Check to make sure you have returned any library books or borrowed items, cancel gym or other local memberships if you won’t be going there anymore. If you need to terminate club memberships, explain that you are moving to reduce the risk of fees on your card, and ask if you can be refunded for the unused portion or have the balance transferred to a gym near your new home. Plan for these appointments and commitments by writing them on your fridge calendar or creating lists on your phone so you can keep track.

Use Sticky Notes for Reminders

If you’re a visual person, use sticky notes to remind yourself of important items or things you need to do during your move. Stick them wherever the reminders are needed or post them in places that you often go. You can post stickies on the fridge, mirror, cabinets, or the inside of your front door.

Make Use of Checklists

Whether you make lists in a notebook, or your phone/digital calendar, it’s important to make sure all the cleaning, packing, and preparing are done before your moving date. There are a lot of areas to consider when cleaning your home, and parts of the home can be easily forgotten if you’re not on top of things. Get proactive by using alarms and reminders, and checklists to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

Don’t Forget to Eat!

Moves are stressful and it’s easy to forget about yourself while you’re thinking about your house. Plan breaks when you can drink water and eat a healthy snack or order food. Eating throughout the day will give you the energy you need to get through all your duties, and it will help you process what you’ve done so far, so you can better tackle your next project. You can always pre-order food to be delivered ahead of time, so you won’t forget to have a good meal.

Get Help from a Professional Moving Company

Moving can be stressful, and if you have a large house or live alone it can be extremely tiresome to tackle all these jobs on your own. If you are unable to get enough time off from work, all of these tasks can seem impossible to keep track of. Whatever the challenge may be, you don’t have to plan and execute your move on your own. There are professional movers who know the ins and outs of a house relocation, and they provide a number of services from cleaning, to packing, to labelling, to moving, and more. They can help you with specific tasks like moving your items from your old home to your new one or do all of the hard work for you from the first stage to the last.
If you’re looking for a professional moving company to help you with your move, consider working with Firemen Movers. We are a GTA-based moving company that has a wealth of experience in all aspects of moving. This allows us to think about all the small details and be there to fully support you. Contact us today for more information or to get a quote on our services.