Moving to Austin TX on a Budget: Tips and Tricks

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Austin TX is home to many parks and greenbelts, great views of the Texas Hill Country, and a vibrant event scene. It’s a great place to live because of its affordability, strong job market, and quality of living. We can see why you want to live here. But if you are moving to Austin TX on a budget, it can be tough. With moving and storage Austin companies, moving to Austin will be easy. Read more to find out how to move on a budget.

Look for the right moving company before moving to Austin TX on a budget

There are lots of movers, however, which one is the best for you? When moving to Austin on a budget, you’ll have to check reviews, consider your needs, and ask for moving quotes Austin. So consider the following:

  • What’s your budget? Having an idea of your budget is very important. You aren’t just paying for a truck to relocate your belongings. You are also possibly paying for movers, packing supplies, transportation fees, etc. That’s why you need to ensure you aren’t just paying for one part of the relocation.
  • Consider your needs. Considering your needs means figuring out what services you need. For example, you might’ve packed your items in advance and now you only need movers to move them to the truck and transport them to your new home.
  • Read reviews. After you’ve found moving services Austin Texas, make sure to read their reviews on Yelp, Google My Business, and check Better Business Bureau. If all of the reviews seem fine and if the costs fit you, you can be assured that your relocation will go smoothly.
movers loading a truck
To move to Austin TX on a budget, make sure to find a reliable moving company.

Move at the right time

When moving to Austin TX on a budget, you will have to move at the right. This means that time of the year and month, and day of the week can affect the moving costs. So with this in mind, these are the best time to move:

  • Move during the off-season: The cheapest times to move and look for storage solutions Austin are fall and winter. But, when it comes to Austin, it’s specifically between November and February. So if you can, try to schedule your relocation between these months. The reason why moving services are cheaper during these months is mostly weather and holidays. Additionally to the lower prices, you might even get more attention from movers because of a slower schedule.
  • Try to move on a weekday: Many people don’t have to go to work during weekends. And that’s when they are going to try and schedule a relocation. So if you can take a day off during the week. Scheduling your relocation during the week can potentially give you access to lower prices.
  • Schedule your move in the middle of the month: Just like fall and winter and weekdays, the middle of the month is usually the best time to schedule a relocation. Most people schedule their relocation at the beginning or end of the month.

Pack in advance

This tip for moving to Austin on a budget can save you so much time on a relocation day. And time is money. So before you look for moving companies, start packing items you know you will not need during the relocations. These include extra clothes, electronics, dinnerware, and shoes. When you pack these items beforehand, you will have time to focus on other moving tasks such as moving furniture and appliances on a moving day. However, bear in mind that the majority of moving companies won’t cover damage to items that you pack! 

man packing shoes for moving to Austin TX on a budget
Make sure to start packing in advance before moving to Austin TX on a budget

Ask friends and family for help

Do you have lots of friends, family, or colleagues who work nearby? If you do, ask them to come over to help you. But make sure to offer them food and drinks after you’re done. However, keep in mind that you are moving to Austin on a budget, so try not to overdo it. In addition to saving time and money on packing your items, you will have a good time with your friends and family. But if you don’t want to ask them for help, or they are unable to help you, you can always hire hourly movers Austin to do the packing for you.

Declutter your home

The fewer items you have to move, the more money you will save on your relocation. So when you are preparing to pack everything, go from room to room and see what items you own. Is there a couch or a sofa that won’t fit into your new home? Are there any old clothes that you don’t wear anymore? Or some old electronics you don’t use any longer? So after you’ve figured out what you don’t need anymore, put it into 3 piles: Sell, donate, and trash. This way you will save a lot of money and time.

Look for free or cheap boxes

This might seem obvious, however, buying moving boxes can quickly increase the price of your relocation. However, boxes are everywhere, and all you got to do to get them is ask. Offices are a great place to look for boxes and you can save money on relocation by using the boxes from your work. So make sure to ask your colleagues to save boxes for you. They will be happy to free up space and you will save a lot of money. And you can even check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to see if people are giving away or selling boxes for dirt cheap.

boxes on the floor
You can save a lot of money if you look for free/cheap moving boxes.

How much does it cost to live in Austin?

The cost of living in Austin is considered to be higher than the national average. However, in comparison to major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, or San Francisco, it’s much lower. According to numbeo.com, monthly expenses are about $1080 without rent. The rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in downtown will set you back $2.475 while it’s about $1.630 outside the city center. Even though the cost of living may seem a bit high, the city still offers great job opportunities, quality of life, and vibrant culture. Moving to Austin TX on a budget can be tough, but it’s possible! Just make sure to find the right movers, plan the relocation at the right time, pack in advance, ask your friends and family for help, declutter, and look for free moving boxes. All of these are great ways to save money on relocation.

References:

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Austin

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