Moving To South Carolina From New York? What You Need To Know Before Moving South

Are you hoping to move out of New York soon? You’re not alone. In fact, more people are moving out of New York than almost any other state.

With a high cost of living and cold winters, people are fleeing to more affordable states with warmer, sunnier weather. South Carolina is one such place that is on the radars of many New Yorkers.

But moving to South Carolina from New York is no easy feat. Sure, they’re both on the east coast, but almost a thousand miles separates the two states.

There’s a lot that goes into moving to South Carolina, or any other state for that matter. It’s easy for important tasks to slip through the cracks.

Want to know what you need to do in order for your move to be easy, cost-effective, and stress-free? Then keep reading our guide on how to make the move down south.

1. Find a Place to Call Home

Before anything else, you’re going to need to decide where to live. Most people think that South Carolina is all beaches along the Atlantic Coast. But the state has much more to offer. Here’s what to consider when searching for your new hometown.

Regions

South Carolina is comprised of three major regions. The Lowcountry covers the coastal side.

This is where you’ll find incredible beaches and a bustling tourist scene, especially in the winter.

It boasts rich opportunities for water-lovers, such as solid surfing, breath-taking paddling, and innumerable fishing opportunities. Plus, you’ll find countless top-notch golf courses in the region.

It houses many of the largest cities such as Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Many transplants from northern states end up moving to Charleston, SC. It has everything they want without any of the snow.

The Midlands make up the central part of the state. It houses the capital city of Columbia, which is the financial capital of the state. Outdoor opportunities, as well as urban entertainment, abound in this region as well.

And in Upstate South Carolina, the westernmost part of the state, you’ll find the Appalachian Mountains and small, but growing, outdoor-centric cities like Greenville and Anderson.

Narrowing Down Your Choices

South Carolina is full of incredible places to call home. But ultimately, your preferences and circumstances will determine the best place to move to.

If you will be looking for a job in South Carolina, then moving near bigger cities like Charleston or Columbia might be the best option. If you work remotely and won’t be looking for a new job, you can choose a city based on preference.

If you dream of being near the beach, enjoying the mildest winters possible, and spending time in the water, the coastal region is for you. If you’d prefer mountains and aren’t afraid of a little snow each winter, then Upstate can be a good option.

Want access to everything? Moving to the Midlands, such as in or near Columbia, makes it easy to get anywhere in the state. Driving from Columbia to the beaches of Charleston takes less than two hours. And driving from Columbia to the mountains of upstate only takes about two hours as well.

Of course, if you can take a trip to explore the state before making the move, that will help a ton. There are plenty of smaller towns and cities that are overlooked by most people who move from out of state.

2. Get Your House In Order

Once you have an idea of where you’d like to move to, it’s time to start planning your move. One of your first steps will be to notify your landlord of your plans.

Whether the move requires breaking your lease early or moving out at the end of your lease, they are going to need to know ahead of time.

If you are a homeowner in New York, it’s time to call a realtor and get your house ready to sell. Sure, there are plenty of things you might want to do to prepare your house. But talk to your realtor first as they can tell you what homebuyers want and what they don’t care about.

3. Set a Moving Budget

Moving anywhere isn’t cheap. Especially when it’s hundreds of miles away.

It’s important that you set up a moving budget ahead of time so you know exactly how much you plan to spend. First, you’ll want to consider the cost of traveling to South Carolina if you plan on doing some scouting.

You’ll also need to start stocking up on moving supplies. You’ll need more boxes and packaging tape than you think.

But the biggest consideration is either hiring a long-distance moving company or trying to do it all yourself. The hardest part about moving is packing and transporting your stuff.

It takes time, it takes muscle, and it takes energy to do it yourself. And if you have to drive a big, loaded truck across the country, it adds unnecessary stress. And it still costs a good amount of money, even though you might think it’s cheaper.

Hiring a moving company, on the other hand, makes moving much less stressful. Instead of having to pack a truck and drive it hundreds of miles, you get to focus on the important stuff, such as exchanging farewells with family and friends.

By hiring a moving company, you’ll save your body from the stresses of moving, which often cause injury. And your belongings will arrive at your new home in the fastest, safest, most secure way possible.

4. Travel to Your New Home State

Once you’ve figured out how your belongings are getting to South Carolina, it’s time for you to make the trip as well. Will you drive your vehicles down, enjoying a road trip along the way?

Otherwise, you can fly, spending hours, not days, getting to your new home. You can have your cars shipped to your new state, so they arrive without the wear and tear of a long road trip.

5. Establish Residency

Now that you are a homeowner in Charleston, SC, or another great city, it’s time to make it official. You’ll need to head to the DMV right away and apply for a new South Carolina driver’s license.

You’ll need to take a vision test, pay a $25 fee, and turn in your old driver’s license from New York. You’ll also want to bring a birth certificate or passport, proof of social security number, and two sources of proof of a South Carolina address.

You’ll also need to register your vehicles in South Carolina within 45 days of moving.