Arizona Moving Guide

Congratulations! You are thinking of moving to one of the sunniest, most beautiful states in the Southwest! Whether you are going to move to Tucson or the greater Phoenix area, you have several things you should consider and plan before getting here.

1. Research the Neighborhoods

One of the most important things to do before relocating to another city is to research the neighborhoods and different areas of town.

Crime Statistics
First, you will want to weed out bad areas of town, and find the better areas of town with lower crime rates. Below are a few good resources.

Proximity to Attractions
Think about the convenience of location and proximity/commute times to things and places that are most important to you (Shopping malls, gyms, golfing, bike/walking paths, outdoor recreation walkability, gyms, freeways, job, etc.)

Get Personal Recommendations
Ask friends, family, and your online social networks for recommendations.

Get a Sense of Pricing
Browse real-estate listings (or rental listings) on Zillow.com or similar to browse available listings in your price range.

2. Find a Realtor

Now that you know the general areas you are interested, it will be helpful to find a good local realtor. In addition to asking friends and family if they have any personal recommendations for realtors, do some online research to find a realtor that will suit your needs.

You may want to consider finding a realtor with a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation, since this means they have specific training and experience helping seniors buy and sell homes. Research to see if a realtor has many listings and also find reviews (yelp, google, Facebook, Linkedin etc.). Interview at least 3 (in-person or over the phone/video conference) and make sure you and the realtor can get along. You may drive to view many homes with this person!

If you are considering a Retirement Community or Senior Living home/apartment, get a good agent to help you navigate the many retirement, independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. You might want to consider possible future health and mobility issues when choosing a home. A home with no stairs, wide doorways (to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers), and walk-in showers may be more accommodating for long-term needs.

3. Visit

Even if you have visited before, it is very important to visit the neighborhood before moving. Or at the very least, keep your belongings in storage and rent or stay in a furnished Airbnb before buying a home. In fact, sometimes the best way to get to know an area is to rent in the neighborhood before purchasing a home. This is when you will want to visit homes with your realtor, or check out different Senior Housing options with an agent. See our visitor’s guides to Phoenix and Tucson for help planning your trip.

4. Find Movers

Finding a good mover can be tricky. Be sure to do your research before committing to one. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has very good resources about how to hire a reputable mover and walks you through the whole moving process.
– Read Moving Checklist.
– Read: Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move before hiring a mover or signing any papers. This will help you to avoid being scammed.
– Find a mover (not a broker!) who is insured and registered with the federal government. You can search here.
– Check for complaints against the moving company you are considering.
– Read tips from the Arizona Attorney General’s website about moving fraud.
– Get an onsite inspection and written estimate from several movers and compare them.
– Never give a cash or large deposit before the move.
– Do NOT sign incomplete or blank documents/contracts
– Be aware of these moving scam red flags.
– If a scamming mover ever does “hold your property hostage”, call the AZ Department of Public Safety’s moving hotline at 602-223-5000.

5. Plan your Flight/Drive

If you will be flying to your new home, schedule your flight. If you are driving out to Arizona for your move, be sure to have a mechanic check over your vehicle before the trip.

6. Downsize and Declutter

Prepare for your move by getting rid of things you no longer want or need. This will reduce time spent packing and unpacking, and will also reduce your moving costs. Don’t get rid of all your winter clothes! We know you are coming to the warm desert, but believe it or not, Tucson and Phoenix can still get below freezing in the winter. Plus, mountains and northern Arizona cities like Flagstaff regularly get snow.

7. Get Insurance

– Health/Medicare
– Home/Renters
– Car insurance
– Check to see if you will need to update your will and legal papers.

8. Find new doctors and new dentist

Online reviews and Medicare’s online comparison tool are a good places to start. But be sure to check if they are in your insurance’s network. Medicare has a comparison tool online for this.

9. Mail Forwarding

Schedule your mail forwarding to your new address. Change subscriptions and billing to go to your new mailing address when your moving time is closer. Remember to change your address with banking and credit companies too!

10. Utilities

Schedule your current utilities to stop at your old home, and start at your new Arizona home.
– Electric
– Gas
– Water
– Trash
– Cable
– Internet

11. Move & Celebrate!

Hopefully your move went smoothly, and you now have loads of unpacking to do. If so, take a break and celebrate! Treat yourself to a meal out – you deserve it!

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