Located only an hour from Boston, Providence has been a desirable choice for Bostonians looking for a lower cost of living without losing that New England charm. In recent years, Providence has seen more inbound migration, whether for personal reasons or for employment. In addition to its close proximity to Boston, the compact city is a short drive or train ride away from popular metropolitan areas like New York City.
Aside from its location, Providence also enjoys plenty of green space, more affordable housing than Boston, nice neighborhoods, and excellent educational institutions. Whether you’re a young professional or relocating with your family, you can feel at home in this diverse city.
Though it’s not a cross-country move, moving from Boston to Providence will require planning and a bit of research to make the process smoother. You will still be moving to a different state, and with that comes some adjusting.
Keep reading to get the basics of what you need to consider when moving from Boston to Providence.
Packing & Planning
It’s recommended that you begin planning for your move at least three months in advance. If you’re moving during peak moving season (late spring to early fall), you may want to start planning even earlier. You don’t necessarily need to have everything packed in boxes when you still have a couple of months left in your home, but getting started will make the entire process more organized.
Having a moving checklist can help you go step-by-step through the planning process. If you’re a few months out from moving, start by getting rid of unnecessary items or furniture (selling furniture isn’t always so quick, so you’ll want to do this early).
If you’re planning to buy new furniture, get measurements of the room sizes and arrange deliveries in advance so you can settle in and have everything you need without waiting. When you’re getting closer to your move date, set up the accounts for your utilities and other services to avoid delays or interruptions.
Have monthly subscriptions for products that are delivered to your home? Contact those companies and make sure that those deliveries will switch over to your new address after you move. If you have a car, you’ll also need to update your driver’s license at some point. It will help to make a list of all the places you’ll need to provide your new address to (insurances, banks, government services, or any other institutions from which you may receive important mail).
Hiring a Moving Company
Aside from the administrative work that comes with moving to another state, one of the most important steps in the process is hiring the right moving company. Moving companies get booked up far in advance of move dates, so waiting until the last minute is not a wise choice, especially if you want to ensure you hire high-quality movers.
When researching moving companies, explore their websites as well as reviews on other platforms like Google and Yelp. Check to see if the movers are licensed and insured so that your items and furniture don’t get damaged during the move. While going with a cheap moving company may seem like the more cost-effective option, if the company is not reliable, you may end up with more problems in the long run.
The last thing you want is for movers to be late, rushing, and not handling your furniture with care. If you’re moving into a building, you can receive fines if the building is damaged by the movers. Plus, certain apartment buildings and communities have rules around when you can do your moving – if you run past a certain hour this can put you on the wrong foot with your new landlord.
Isaac’s Moving & Storage is a trusted moving company with over 25 years of experience. All movers are properly licensed, certified, and receive extensive training. We have offices in both Boston and Providence and know the areas well.
What to Expect
While still a metropolitan area, it’s no doubt that Providence is not as big of a city as Boston. However, you’ll still find plenty of employment opportunities (and you can still commute to Boston if you have a hybrid or in-office schedule). You’ll get to enjoy a slightly more calm environment and you’ll also be able to save some money while you’re at it.
Rhode Island has a good public transportation system, and many of the neighborhoods in Providence are walkable, with dining and recreational activities nearby. After all, the city is a little more than 20 square miles, so you can get to where you need to without having to go very far.
Ready to start planning your Providence move? Let Isaac’s Moving & Storage help you have a smooth, stress-free move. Contact us today for a free estimate.
