Miss Dionne Warwick was the queen of classic R&B hits. Her 1968 song Do You Know the Way to San Jose elevated the city to legendary status. Now that was a bop.
Somewhere along the way, San Jose lost its allure, like many cities in the Bay Area. And that’s not intentional, not by a long shot. The affordability crisis has resulted in thousands of residents packing up and leaving the place they’ve called home for decades.
The Silicon Valley Pain Index report shows that the Bay Area’s largest city is also the most expensive in the U.S. In fact, the average inhabitant needs to earn more than $136,000 to keep their housing payments at 30% of their income.
Hairstylist Cassie Cook puts it bluntly and tells CBS News: “I can’t afford to live here.” Other residents share her sentiments and are compelled to relocate to more affordable cities.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same predicament. Before you start dreaming of greener pastures, consider the following.
Factor in the Cost of Living
Your reason for moving out of San Jose may be as simple as the rising cost of living. And there’s no shame in admitting it. You’re not the only person struggling financially.
The Bank of America Institute’s data paints a grim picture. Its report found that almost 24% of households would be classified as living paycheck to paycheck. Inflation is growing faster than wages, putting a significant strain on lower-income homes.
Do your research and factor in the costs of rent, groceries, transport, etc, by using an online cost of living calculator.
Packing Up
Don’t go at it alone if you’re attempting to save on relocation costs. Moving house is already stressful. Moving to another state is downright nerve-racking.
Save yourself the trauma and anxiety and hire full-service movers to help get the job done. Enlist a moving business that’s familiar with the Bay Area and specializes in long-distance moves.
A big plus is the provision of packing services and storage facilities. FairPrice Movers advises hiring San Jose movers who are efficient, trained, and have experience in handling apartments and office relocations.
Admin Work
“Oh, I just love doing administrative tasks”, said nobody ever. It’s tedious work, but somebody has to do it.
Once you’ve found your new home, get on top of setting up utilities in your name at your new address and schedule the disconnection of your San Jose utilities. HGTV suggests filling out a change of address form to prevent service disruptions or even identity theft.
Request registration forms for your children’s new school. This is important if you’re moving in the middle of the school year.
Cutting Moving Costs
You want a smooth-moving transition, but you also want to save on costs wherever possible. Request quotes from various moving companies. Remember, the cheapest isn’t always the most reliable. Think value for money.
Reduce your clutter by donating stuff you don’t need or reselling it on a trusted online marketplace. Not only will you lighten the load, but the moving company could present you with a lower estimate on your final price.
Consider postponing your move after peak moving season. Experts suggest scheduling it between October and April, when moving costs are much lower.
Cleaning Checklist
Many people argue against cleaning out their old place with the excuse, “It’s someone else’s problem now.”
Don’t be that person. Also, it’s a decent thing to do. And if you’ve studied your rental agreement, there’s very likely a clause stating, no clean, no return of deposit.
To avoid the hassle, you could bring in a professional cleaning service. Still, it’s good to have them go through Real Simple’s move-out cleaning checklist:
- Dust ceiling fans and vents
- Remove nails and screws from the walls
- Wipe down walls and doors with a mold solution (1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle)
- Clean windows and window ledges
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
Settling into Your New Digs
Whoever said a change is as good as a holiday obviously didn’t move across state lines.
Moving is a major lifestyle change, so give yourself time to settle in. Visit your local coffee shop and grocery store. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and join local meetups and hobby clubs.
And if you left your heart in San Jose, keep those connections alive. You might one day decide to call it home once again in your future moves.
Alexa, play Dionne Warwick’s Do You Know the Way to San Jose.
