Essential Steps for Relocating to Grand Junction in Colorado

Are you considering relocating to Grand Junction in Colorado? This vibrant city in the heart of the west slope offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a welcoming community. To ensure your move to Grand Junction, Palisade or Fruita is as smooth as the Colorado River, we’ve outlined the essential steps for a successful relocation. And since my wife and I recently moved to Grand Junction, we’ve gone through these steps ourselves and can help offer some advice as well as a few funny stories!

Set Clear Goals and Objectives for Your Move to Grand Junction

Before you start packing, take some time to define your goals and objectives for relocating to Grand Junction. Whether it’s for a new job, a lifestyle change, or family reasons, having a clear purpose will guide your decisions throughout the process.

Taking in the downtown Grand Junction Festive Lights in December

Research the City of Grand Junction

Get to know your future home! Grand Junction boasts diverse neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a low crime rate. Dive into research using websites like Niche.com to discover more about this fantastic city and others in Mesa County. Niche gives cities grades for multiple categories like weather, cost of living, jobs, schools, outdoor activities, etc. to help you compare cities as well as top lists for certain criteria like best places to retire, or best cities to raise a family.

Additionally, consider partnering with a knowledgeable local real estate professional to guide you in finding the perfect area to call home. I’d love to show you around the Grand Valley, point out the highlights and help you compare neighborhoods and different areas in Mesa County.

Create a Budget for Your Grand Junction Relocation

Moving can be costly, so crafting a budget can be insightful. Your budget should encompass potential expenses like moving costs, housing, transportation, and daily living. Need assistance with budgeting or securing a mortgage for your Grand Junction home? Don’t hesitate to reach out for recommendations.

Search for a New Home in Grand Junction

With a competitive real estate market, starting your house-hunting process early is key. Partnering with an experienced Grand Junction real estate agent is your best bet to secure your dream home. With over 22 years of experience, I am here to ensure your success when you are ready to find the ideal Grand Junction property, or any property in Mesa County. We can start by simply setting you up for an MLS search so you can get familiar with the current housing inventory. Visit my Get Started page.

Prepare for Selling Your Current Home

Packing is a substantial task, so start decluttering and organizing your belongings in advance. In addition to donating items, we found it helpful to sell larger items online with sites like Marketplace on Facebook. Consider this a pre-listing essential for a quick sale if you’re leaving your current home behind. Need help finding the right agent to sell your property? We’ve got you covered. I can provide referrals to trusted agents nationwide or even help you choose a local agent based on your specific needs. Just let me know how I can help!

Grand Junction Postcards we mailed to our friends to announce our move and provide our new address

Notify Important Parties About Your Move

Keep your contacts in the loop about your relocation. This includes your employer, friends, family, and service providers. I can offer tips on how to streamline this process and make it as smooth as possible. You’ll also find a lot of helpful info on this website.

One tip I will give now is to update the address on your credit card first before you start using it to set up automated payments for other providers and be sure to sign up for Informed Delivery with the USPS when you do your mail forwarding address. If you don’t have this set up already, it sure comes in handy when you are between locations, especially if you are living in a temporary location as a part of your move. We mailed our friends and family a postcard from Grand Junction to give them our new address, that was fun! We bought them either at the Colorado National Monument or a fun bookstore in downtown Grand Junction, ask me about it!

Plan the Logistics of Your Move to Grand Junction

Choose your method of transportation to Grand Junction – whether you’re driving, flying, or hiring a moving company. Maybe you’re driving your own moving truck across country like I did. We made one initial small trip with a towable trailer and one vehicle, flew back to Minnesota, then our final trip was with a 20’ truck I drove and my wife drove our second vehicle. We considered a portable on demand storage unit you can fill and have shipped too. I have tips on moving boxes too, ask me before you buy any!

Register Your Vehicle and Update Licenses when you arrive

If you’re bringing your vehicle with you, research the requirements for registering it in Colorado. Additionally, update your driver’s license and vehicle registration to reflect your new Grand Junction address. If you are coming from out of state, Colorado DMV will charge you $25 for them to walk out to the parking lot and check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on your vehicle. Now, you might luck out and they forget to charge you the fee, but just be prepared. And you go to different places to get your driver’s license (state of Colorado) and register your vehicles (Mesa County). You can read my post about How to Establish Residency in Colorado.

Secure Employment in Grand Junction

For job-related relocations, ensure you have your position secured before the move. If you plan to start your job-hunting in Grand Junction, I can offer networking advice and assist in job search strategies. If you are considering starting your own business or bringing your business with you, check out the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, CO. They have a wealth of resources as well as maker space options for small businesses. They have kitchen facilities and large equipment for manufacturing available for use.

Connect with the Grand Junction Community

Palisade Farmers Market – this vendor was offering a variety of classes

Upon arrival, immerse yourself in the local community. Join clubs, attend events, and engage in social activities. Grand Junction and the whole Grand Valley offers numerous opportunities to explore and enjoy, so soak it all in.

If you come in the summer months, be sure to check out the weekly farmers markets in Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita! If you are on Facebook, start following the Visit Grand Junction Facebook page and other related pages to see all of the events and opportunities. There is practically some event, festival or celebration going on most of the time.

Relocating to Grand Junction is a significant life change, but with the right guidance, thorough planning, and a helpful real estate agent, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Every step in the process gets you closer to a fresh start in the Grand Valley. Welcome to Grand Junction – we’ve been waiting for you!

Call me with your real estate questions about moving to the Grand Valley or if you need help finding an agent where you are now. I have a network of agents I’ve worked with and can refer to you across the country. I am thankful to be on the Christi Reece team serving the Grand Valley area of western Colorado.

Learn more about moving to Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade.