Located just south of Tampa, Sarasota is often mentioned as one of the best towns to live in, not just in Florida, but in the United States as a whole. Time Magazine even listed Sarasota as one of the “World’s 100 greatest places,” alongside famous cities, such as Osaka, Madrid, and New York.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that one can just up and move to Sarasota without any preparation, expecting no issues whatsoever. On the contrary, moving to a new place is always a challenge, especially if you are relocating from another state or another country. So, to help you out, here are the things to know before you relocate if you want to make the move to Sarasota as easy and stress-free as possible.

1. Visit Sarasota in person first

As with moving anywhere else, visiting in person first is always a must. This includes not just visiting your new property, but visiting the town itself, looking around the local institutions, schools, downtown area, and other places you are going to frequent. Familiarizing yourself with the town ahead of time is important not only before you have made the decision to move, but even just to make your first days in your new hometown easier.

2. Find the right moving company

Moving without professional help is doable, but can be quite a stressful challenge, especially if it’s long-distance and you have a lot of belongings you need to take with you. Finding the right moving company can be a challenge, however, as many movers out there are not only not worth their price, but some are even operating without valid licenses and insurance.

Getting a personal referral for a good moving company is usually recommended over just relying on online reviews. Even then, however, doing some in-depth research into the movers before you hire them is a must. Fully licensed, insured, trustworthy, and reputable movers are a great boon when moving, especially when going to a new town or a new state. Three Movers in Sarasota is a company you’ll often hear recommended when researching moving to Sarasota.

3. Plan your move ahead of time

Long-distance moves are complicated endeavors that include many components. Starting to plan months ahead is always recommended if you want things to go without a hitch and without much stress.

4. Find employment before you move

Sarasota may be a small town, but it offers plenty of diverse employment opportunities. Still, it’s always recommended to find secure employment before moving to a new town or state. In the case of Sarasota, tourism is a major industry there, as are construction, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.

5. Arrange your utilities before you move

It is always recommended to reach out to your new utility providers at least two or three weeks before moving to your new place. This is especially true if any additional installations or repairs need to be done or any equipment needs to be set up.

6. Enroll your kids in a Sarasota school

Similar to finding employment before you move, it is a good idea to enroll your kids in their new schools before you move. In fact, it’s often a good idea to sort this out before you’ve finalized the purchase or rent of your new home too, as you’d want to make sure your kids’ school is nearby.

7. Get a Florida driver’s license

If you’re coming from out of state, you’re going to need to get a Florida driver’s license, even if you already have a driver’s license in another state. While you’re at it, don’t forget to register your vehicle with the state too.

8. Sort out your new healthcare provider and locate additional service providers before you relocate

Whenever you’re moving to a new town or state, it’s always a good idea to find a new family doctor and a dentist before the move itself. This is a good idea not only to save yourself some effort down the line, but also because accidents can happen during the move itself. So, having already found an in-network physician nearby you can rely on is a great benefit.

9. Consider the hurricanes

One of the few drawbacks of life in Sarasota, Florida, is that hurricanes are a constant risk factor there. Tornadoes and storm winds are also risks, but hurricanes are the greatest worry, with virtually all homes and buildings in Sarasota having at least some risk of damage from hurricanes.

This should always be a consideration when moving there, as where exactly in Sarasota your house is plays a huge role in calculating the risks. Additionally, there are lots of extra protections one can employ, such as installing hurricane-resistant windows, securing the roof, trimming nearby trees, reinforcing doors and vulnerable areas, and more.

10. Plan your move during the off-season if possible

This isn’t because Sarasota is a tourist destination, but because moving itself a seasonal business, just like tourism. Moving during the busy summer months usually means paying higher rates and having trouble finding a reputable moving company that isn’t already fully booked. Instead, if you can plan your move during the off season (September to April, typically), you will have a much easier time finding the best possible help at affordable rates.

Moving to a new town or across state lines is always a challenge, especially if your new home is in a drastically different place than where you are coming from. The more that is the case, the more time you might want to spend planning and preparing for the move. All that being said, Sarasota, Florida, is indeed one of the best places to live in the US, so if you plan and execute your move well enough, you’ll be in for a treat after that.