Moving to SC: Tips?

[SoftPyramid]

For several years, I’ve been thinking of moving away from my home state. I’ve finally settled (?) on moving to Charleston, SC.

The lease on my current apartment is up at the end of July.

So, my question is: How do I start the serious planning phase?

Does anyone have experience in planning moves of 600+ miles? There’s tons of “relocation” info available on ye olde Interwebs, but most of it is too general or too ad-like to be helpful.

I’m just a little overwhelmed with budgeting tables, tax rates, realtors’ fees, etc. and am hoping for some advice on how to stop panicking and start planning.

Thank you for your help!

[cache]

I moved 2500 miles, but it sounds like you have a bigger "anchor." When I moved, I sold or gave away all of my furniture, etc, and only took what I could fit in my car. I had a place to live lined up, plus I had sent out about 200 resumes to local companies.

I did a lot of research on where to move, but it looks like that part is complete for you. I spent a lot of time going through chamber of commerce websites, company websites, etc, to get names and addresses for companies to apply at. I found a place to live temporarily through a roommate website, and I lived there for 3 weeks before finding something more permanent.

I've always been confident in my own abilities to make things work regardless of the situation, so this wasn't a huge deal for me, even though I moved without having a source of income or knowing anyone.

[wordsmith]

My largest scale moves, in excess of 600 miles, were to and from college, so real estate and such wasn't really a consideration. Still isn't, come to think of it, since I'm not a homeowner, and won't be for quite some time, most likely.

What specifically are you wondering about, in terms of preparations? Most of my moving preparations have always centered more around job-related things than anything else.

[SoftPyramid]

Cache; Good lord. Congratulations on carrying out the ballsiest move in the history of time.

Wordsmith: I guess I’m concerned about the timing of planning.

When do I need to call local realtors or housing agents? When is it realistic to start sending resumes/checking job postings? How soon should I reserve a rental truck?
I don’t want to be doing anything last minute. But, I also don’t want to commit to anything too soon.

I’m planning on leaving my current post on June 1, giving me almost two whole months of planning. Is that enough time?

[wordsmith]

I personally could move almost anywhere with a month's lead time. When I job search, it's with the understanding that I'm available at a month's notice. When I apartment shop, I'm looking for a place I can move into within a month (again, not looking to buy, so I can't speak to that at all). I've never moved with a rental truck, but I've helped others move who have, and they seem easy to come by, where I am.

[cache]

Thanks...I hear that sometimes, but to me it was no big deal...and I am getting the itch again...might be doing it again in the not too distant future...except this time I would probably want to jump an ocean.:D

As for jobs, here was my timeline:
T minus 2 months: Research companies
T minus 5 weeks: Sent ~100 resumes to companies I am most interested in.
T minus 3 weeks: Sent another ~100 resumes to back up companies
T minus 2 weeks: Sent follow up letters to the original 100 companies reminding them of my impending arrival.
Day after arrival: got newspaper/checked job websites for companies who were specifically hiring, canvassed town, called a few places I really wanted into...

I started my job 3 weeks after arriving.