Moving to Charleston from New York, Boston, California or Florida

Charleston draws people from all over the country, and the move looks quite different depending on where you start. A family coming from Boston faces a long drive up the East Coast, a family from California is looking at a cross-country haul, and someone moving from Florida may be only a day's drive away. Here is what each route involves, and what everyone should know before arriving in the Lowcountry.

How Far Is Charleston From Where You Are?

Distance is the biggest factor in both the cost and the logistics of your move. Roughly speaking:

• New York City: about 750 miles, usually a long one- to two-day drive down I-95
• Boston: about 1,000 miles, a two-day drive for most movers
• California: around 2,500 miles from Los Angeles, which makes it a true cross-country move
• Florida: anywhere from about 200 miles from Jacksonville to about 650 from Miami

Anything beyond a few hundred miles counts as a long-distance move, which is priced on weight and mileage rather than by the hour.

Moving From New York or Boston

The Northeast is a common starting point, and the biggest adjustment is usually space. Homes in Charleston tend to come with more room, but older houses in the historic parts of the city have narrow staircases and tight entries that do not work for oversized furniture. Measure large pieces before you commit to bringing them, and tell your mover about any apartment-building rules, such as elevator reservations or loading-dock windows, on the pickup end.

Moving From California

A move from the West Coast is the longest and most expensive of the four. That makes it worth being ruthless about what comes with you. Furniture that is cheap to replace is often not worth shipping 2,500 miles, and the weight you leave behind directly lowers your bill. Plan for a longer transit window and allow a buffer between your delivery date and when you need the house ready.

Moving From Florida

If you are coming from Florida, the climate will feel familiar, but a few things will be new. South Carolina has a state income tax, which Florida does not, and the rules for vehicle registration and property tax are different. Moves from Jacksonville or central Florida are often short enough to be done in a single day, while South Florida routes need more planning.

What Everyone Should Expect When They Arrive

• Heat and humidity. Summers are hot and humid, and a summer move is hard on both the crew and your furniture. Our guide to the best time of year to move in the Charleston area can help you pick a date.
• Hurricane season. It runs from June through November, so build some flexibility into your schedule.
• Flooding. Parts of the peninsula and other low-lying areas can flood during heavy rain, so ask about flood zones and insurance before you choose a home.
• Older homes. Narrow stairs, tight doorways and limited parking on historic streets all affect how a move is done.
• No basements. Most homes do not have them, so storage space is worth asking about up front.

Budgeting for the Move and for Life Here

The cost of the move itself depends on distance, weight and timing, and the cost of living after you arrive depends on where you choose to live. Our breakdown of the cost of living in Charleston shows what to budget for housing, utilities and everyday expenses, so the numbers are ready before you sign a lease or contract.

Where to Start

Begin with two decisions: which part of the Charleston area fits your life, and what you are actually bringing. Once you have those, the rest of the plan falls into place. If you would like to talk through the logistics, request a free quote and we will go through your route, your timing and your inventory. If you want the packing taken off your plate, our packing service can handle a single fragile room or the whole house.

Whichever city you are leaving, Saltwater Moving would be glad to help you arrive in Charleston with everything intact. Welcome to the Lowcountry.