Here's the Checklist You Need If You're Moving to TN
If you’re thinking about making a move to Tennessee, you’re not alone. Between the slower pace of life (when you want it, of course), the vibrant towns with tons of things to do, and more, it’s easy to see the appeal of making a change.
But making a move, any move, and especially a big relocation, requires a solid plan. You’ll want to do a lot of research before packing up your belongings and hiring a moving truck. Here, we’re sharing everything you need to know when you’re considering moving to Tennessee, from how to choose the right area to how to settle in once you get there, so that you can feel confident with your plan every step of the way.
Why So Many People Are Moving to Tennessee
Before we get into what you need to do before making the move, let’s break down some of the reasons why Tennessee keeps showing up on people’s radar.
People love that the Volunteer State has:
No state income tax
A lower cost of living compared to larger cities and coastal areas
Four distinct seasons, but with more mild winters you’ll see further north
A real sense of community
A good variety of places to live, like larger cities, charming and historic suburbs, and open land to build your dream home
Whether you’re looking for a new build or a historic home, you can find the right spot to create a life that really works for you.
Your Complete Moving to Tennessee Checklist
Now that you’ve decided you’d like to move to Tennessee, you’ll need to check some to-dos off your checklist so that you’re making your move in a way that’s as smooth and seamless as possible. Here’s what you’ll want to get done:
1. Decide Where to Live in Tennessee
When it comes to where to live in Tennessee, you truly have so many options. And here, just like anywhere, the place you land will end up shaping your day-to-day life more than just about anything else. Where you work, what your commute looks like, where your kids go to school, and how you spend your free time will all be influenced by where you decide to settle. Here’s what you’ll want to consider:
Middle Tennessee (Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood)
There’s a lot happening in Middle Tennessee and it’s growing quickly as people take note of how desirable it is. It’s ideal for families, professionals, or anyone who wants to find a good mix of suburban and city life (or wide open spaces with city amenities close by). With great public schools, a welcoming community, plenty of history, lots of live music, and gorgeous homes, it’s a great choice if you’re planning on moving to Tennessee.
East Tennessee (Knoxville, Chattanooga)
East Tennessee is great for outdoorsy families and professionals. Knoxville (where the University of Tennessee is located) is a great choice in this part of the state. Chattanooga, near the Georgia border, is another good spot. From scenic outdoor activities near the area’s mountains and lakes to museums, festivals, and more, this part of Tennessee is something special.
West Tennessee (Memphis and surrounding areas)
If you’re considering Memphis or the surrounding areas in West Tennessee, you might be interested in the lower cost of living, the bounty of culture, great food and music, and history, or living in a small city.
No matter where you’re looking in Tennessee, you can find somewhere that’s a good fit for how you want to live.
How to pick the right place to live:
If you’re not sure which part of Tennessee might be best for you and your family, the best thing you can do is to visit each location you’re considering in person if you can. That’ll be the best way for you to get a feel for what life there might be like. Think through what your lifestyle might be like. Do you want a quiet neighborhood or something livelier and more social? Are you looking for lots of land or a more established neighborhood? Think about what your commute might be, where your kids would go to school, how close you are to grocery stores, restaurants, and other amenities, and more. Once you weigh all the factors, you can narrow down your search to the areas that might be the best fit.
2. Understand the Cost of Living
Now that you’ve narrowed down where you’d like to live once you move to Tennessee, you’ll want to take the cost of living in your top areas into account. Tennessee tends to be more affordable than some other locations, particularly larger cities or coastal towns, but what you’ll pay for property taxes, housing, and more can all vary based on where in the state you live. Look into housing (buying, building, or renting), property taxes, utilities (which can change seasonally), groceries, and other regular expenses.
You might find that you have a bit more flexibility if you’re coming from a state with a higher cost of living, but you’ll still want to make sure you do your research in advance so that you know what you’re in for once you make your move.
3. Secure Housing (or Land)
Next on the list? Thinking through your options when it comes to housing. Planning is going to really matter when it comes to this step, so you’ll want to take your time and do your research so you can weigh all of your options.
Generally speaking, you have 4 options: buying an old home, building a home, buying a new build, or renting. The pros and cons of each option will be different for everyone, but if you’re considering buying or building, you’ll want to make sure you recruit a trusted real estate agent or builder early on in the process to help guide you through.
If you’re going to build a home, start conversations with potential builders early and make sure you understand the timeline you’re looking at. Will you need to rent something temporarily before your home is ready? Will you wait to move until the house is completed? When you’re talking to prospective builders, make sure you ask lots of questions. You’re going to want to choose a builder who prioritizes how you’ll actually live in your home in addition to how it looks. That’s central to Zurich Homes’ process.
We consider things like
Thoughtful indoor/outdoor flow
Entertaining spaces (both indoors and outdoors)
Functional layouts tailored to your daily routines
And more
4. Plan Your Move Logistics
When you know where you’re going and when you’re moving, you’ll want to plan out all of the logistics required for the actual move. Your moving to Tennessee checklist should include tasks like:
Hiring professional movers or renting a truck
Scheduling your move date
Decluttering before packing
Packing everything up (and storing things if needed)
Transferring or setting up utilities
Updating your address
And more
If you're dealing with an out-of-state move, give yourself extra buffer time, especially during peak seasons. The more comprehensive your logistical planning, the smoother your move will ultimately go.
5. Transfer Licenses, Registration, and Legal Documents
Once you make your move, you’ll want to make sure you take care of some paperwork and update your important documents within the first month:
Get a Tennessee driver’s license
Update your vehicle registration
Update your voter registration
Transfer insurance policies
None of this is very difficult, but you definitely don’t want to put it off.
6. Set Up Your New Life Locally
When you’ve started to settle in, there’ll be some more to-dos that you might overlook if you don’t plan for them. Make sure you find local doctors, dentists, and other healthcare providers. Enroll your kids in school and activities. And don’t forget to explore your new city. Pop into local restaurants, attend community events, and start to make the area feel more like home.
Relocation Tips for a Smooth Transition
Moving to a new state (or a new part of the state you already live in) can be really daunting. These considerations can make a really big difference:
Visit more than once before deciding on a location. Different neighborhoods, cities, and the like all live differently. Rushing the decision can lead to regret.
Talk to locals. They can tell you all about what it’s like to live there—the stuff you won’t find online.
Don’t rush the housing decision if you’re unsure.
Think about renting short-term if you want more time to explore.
If you’ve decided you want to build a new home, make sure you find the right builder and take the time to do it right. It’ll be well worth it.
Moving to Tennessee can mean a shift in how you live day to day, so the right plan makes all the difference. Use this moving to Tennessee checklist as your starting point, take your time with the big decisions, and focus on creating a life (and home) that actually works for you.
Because once you’re here, you’ll want to enjoy it.
FAQs
-
Yes, we love Tennessee and think it’s a great place to live! With friendly communities, a low cost of living, and a slower lifestyle than you’ll find in some big cities, you’ll find that you get the vibrant culture and great amenities of cities with quieter suburban or rural living, depending on what you’re looking for.
-
The most important thing to know before you make the decision to move to Tennessee is that each part of the state is quite different. It’s super important to spend plenty of time researching and visiting the areas you’re considering moving to so that you understand what you can expect (or might expect) when you actually move. Plan ahead for your home search, especially if you want to live in popular areas in Middle Tennessee, where markets can be harder to break into and affordable housing can be more of a challenge to find in high-demand areas.
-
The exact cost of your move is going to depend on your specific situation, but here are a few things you’ll want to make sure you budget for:
Moving costs
Housing (deposit, down payment, or build costs)
Initial living expenses
-
You can really weigh your options when it comes to renting or buying, particularly if you’re hoping to land in a more urban area. If you’re not sure exactly where you’d like to land long-term, finding a short-term rental can be a good way to go. That’ll give you time to explore more, navigate school zoning and preferred activities, and more. If you already know where you’d like to live, you might find that buying or building a new residence is a better option for your family.
-
The exact building timeline is going to depend on a bunch of different factors like the builder you’re working with, how long designs take, how long permitting takes, weather conditions, and more. Generally speaking, building a new home will take anywhere from 8-14 months from start to finish, but you’ll want to be sure you factor in time for potential delays.
Thinking about building in Middle Tennessee? Learn more about our process.
