Moving Between Guam and California: What You Need to Know

When you’re moving between Guam and California, the logistics can feel complex. Between choosing the right method to ship your household goods, understanding customs regulations, budgeting for the cost, and settling into your new home, there’s a lot to consider.

Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, whether Guam is your starting point or your destination. By understanding the overall process (and the important details!) you’ll be ready to plan a stress-free move for yourself and your family.

Why Move Between Guam and California?

Let’s start by discussing why people might relocate to Guam from California—and vice versa. 

In some areas of southern California—like San Diego, Huntington Beach, and Santa Monica—you can find sunny beaches and warm weather. However, Guam’s white sand beaches, turquoise waters, colorful underwater world, and laid-back lifestyle offer a very different feel.

Since Guam is a U.S. territory, you can still enjoy Guam’s tropical lifestyle while remaining on U.S. soil. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, this means no special work permits for employment, no need for currency exchanges, and no visa applications, which makes for easy movement between California and Guam.

If you’re living on Guam, perhaps you’re interested in trying out the California lifestyle in a place like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, or Sacramento. U.S. citizens and permanent residents will find it similarly easy to relocate to California from Guam—no work permits or visas needed.

The state of California has the fifth largest economy in the world. That means plentiful job opportunities for residents. The state’s seven biggest industries will give you a sense of the kinds of jobs available in California: 

(Source)

On Guam, you’ll find an economy that’s largely powered by the hospitality industry, the largest employment sector on the island. About 15,000 people on Guam work in accommodation and food services. An additional 10,000 people work in retail, which directly supports the tourism industry. Guam residents also find work in construction; health care and social assistance; administrative and support and waste management and remediation services; and wholesale trade.

There is some overlap between the two economies. Both Guam and California support a significant tourism and leisure sector. However, beyond those similarities, you’ll find different job opportunities in each location, which may motivate a move.

The DeWitt Guam team has assisted many military servicemembers and their families in relocating from Guam on permanent change of station (PCS) orders. Approximately 21,700 military members and their families currently live on Guam. An additional 5,000 Marine Corps troops are expected by 2028.

We’ve assisted servicemembers transitioning between Joint Region Marianas (including Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz) and several different military installations in California, including Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The Cost of Moving Between Guam and California: What to Expect

Moving between Guam and California means a hop across the Pacific Ocean, so transporting your household goods isn’t as simple as loading up a truck and driving to your new home.

As you budget your move, we’ll show you what to consider so you can plan for the cost.

Shipping Your Household Items Between California and Guam

Moving your household belongings will likely be one of the biggest costs when relocating between Guam and California.

You’ll have several options for moving your household items between Guam and California: 

Shipping Your Car to or from Guam

In both Guam and California, a car will be absolutely dispensable for getting around and exploring your new home. As you plan your move, you’ll need to decide whether to ship your car to or from Guam. To help you decide, check out the following ballpark costs:

• Shipping your car from California to Guam: ~$3,500
• Shipping your car from Guam to California: ~$3,100
• Fully electric vehicles are subject to an additional surcharge of $325.

Note that this ballpark only includes port-to-port service, which means you’ll have to pick up and drop off the car from the port yourself. In California, the main ports for shipping/receiving cars to/from Guam are Oakland and Long Beach.

Key Steps to Prepare for Your Guam–California Move

Next, let’s talk about planning for your move to ensure a smooth transition between Guam and California.

Prepare for Your Move with a Checklist

Getting organized is the first step toward a stress-free move.

Our DeWitt Guam moving checklist will give you a good start. Go through and add any additional items specific to your move, and then you’ll have a blueprint for planning your relocation step by step. We suggest giving yourself at least 6-8 weeks to plan and execute your Guam–California move. A checklist will eliminate all the guesswork so you know exactly what to do at every phase.

Save Money on Your Move by Downsizing

The cost of your move will be directly proportional to how many items you want to move. (And how much they weigh!)

The best way to save money on your Guam–California move will be to downsize. Go through all your belongings and sell, give away, or trash the items you no longer use or want. This will help you simplify your move—and reduce your cost.

Plan Early for Guam Moves with Pets

If you’re moving to or from Guam with a pet, there are two factors that make it challenging: 1) the distance and 2) Guam’s regulations for importing pets. That’s why you’ll want to start planning your pet’s move as early as possible.

Where the distance is concerned, it’s complicated by the fact that many commercial airlines no longer accept pets to and from Guam. (The exception: If you’re a member of the military relocating on PCS orders.) If you need to move a pet between Guam and California, you may need to hire a professional pet moving service to handle your pet’s relocation.

If you’re moving your cat or dog to Guam, start your paperwork with the Guam Department of Agriculture as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to help you gather the appropriate documentation and order the right tests. Otherwise, your pet may need to go into quarantine on arrival.

Get all the details on moving your pet to Guam.

Set Aside Important Items You’ll Need During Your Transition

When you ship your belongings between Guam and California, they’ll take a few weeks to arrive. Make sure you set aside the following items so you’re well prepared in the interim:

• Medications and/or Medical Supplies: Assemble an extended supply of any medications or medical supplies, like diabetic test strips.

• Documentation: Keep important paperwork and documentation with you, such as passports, birth certificates, and titles to any vehicles you’re shipping or selling.

• Your Purse or Wallet: If you’re hiring professional movers to help you pack, put your purse or your wallet in a separate area, away from everything else your movers will pack. (Some people choose the trunk of their car.) It might sound odd, but moving crews pack absolutely everything. Putting these items away will prevent any mistakes and ensure you keep all of your crucial items in your possession.

Protect Your Move with Full Replacement Value Protection

Finally, if you book a professional move between California and Guam, your movers will ask you if you want what’s called full replacement value protection for your items. Under this coverage, if any items are lost or damaged in transit, the moving company will repair them or compensate you for their full replacement value.

Since you’re executing a long-distance move, it’s important to consider your options for protecting your move. Full replacement value protection can offer significant peace of mind.

For a thorough description of your coverage options, take a look at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Settling Into Your New Guam or California Home

Moving between Guam and California isn’t just about getting your belongings from Point A to Point B. It’s also about transitioning to a new way of life. Whether you’re adapting to island life on Guam or starting your California adventure, we’ll share a few tips for making your new locale feel like home.

Unpack with Purpose

Once all of your belongings are delivered, the task of getting everything unpacked and organized can feel daunting.

Avoid overwhelm by tackling one room at a time, in order of priority. Start with bedrooms, so everyone has an area to retreat and decompress, if needed. Then, set up at least one bathroom before moving on to the kitchen. From there, you’ll have a solid base to unpack the rest of the house in a lower-stress environment.

Explore Your New Home

One of the most exciting parts of a relocation is exploring your new environment and meeting the local community.

• If you’re moving to Guam: You’ll get the opportunity to experience Guam’s rich and fascinating culture, including that of the Chamorro, Guam’s original inhabitants. To kick off your Guam journey, check out our list of 10 ways to experience modern (and ancient!) culture on Guam.

• If you’re moving to California: With over 840 miles of coastline (and plenty of inland adventures), California offers something for everyone. Soak up some sun on a southern California beach. Go skiing in Big Bear, or hiking in the deserts of Joshua Tree National Park. Stroll the streets of San Francisco as the fog lifts off the bay or stop into the world-famous Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Gaze at majestic El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Sample a classic California Chardonnay in Napa Valley. The list goes on and on—with plenty of options for you to discover what you love about living in California.

Make Connections in Your New Community

Making friends in a new place can be tough, whether you’re moving to Guam or California. But the faster you’re able to make personal connections in your new home, the faster you’ll feel settled in your new locale.

If you’re moving with children, you’ll likely meet other families pretty easily through school. To expand your social circle, you also might try:

• Joining Local Groups: Interest-based groups can be a great way to find new friends. On Guam, Guam Boonie Stompers is a great organization for those who want to explore Guam’s outdoor landscapes. In California, Meetup.com offers options all over the state for gathering with like-minded people.

• Volunteering: Contributing to a cause you believe in can quickly connect you with people who share your values. On Guam, the Volunteer Guam Facebook page—and your local mayor’s office—are both goods places to start. To find volunteer opportunities in California, check out the California Volunteers website.

Recognize That a Little Homesickness Is Only Natural

Moving between California and Guam means a pretty big change. The culture, the languages spoken around you, the rules and regulations, and the daily patterns of life will be different than you’re used to.

If you start to feel a little homesick, it’s only natural. These types of feelings are common when making a big life change. They may start to subside once you receive your personal belongings and set up your house with all of your favorite things.

Either way, it’s smart to prepare yourself for homesickness. First, give yourself some time and space to adjust. Then, consider seeking out some familiar activities in your new home. If you love trying new restaurants, get out and explore the culinary landscape. (Check out our restaurant picks on Guam.) If you love being in and around the water, get yourself to a Guam or California beach and establish a new favorite spot. You might find yourself slipping into an easy routine before you know it.

Making a Safe and Stress-Free California–Guam Move

Even though moving between California and Guam isn’t as simple as throwing your stuff in the back of a truck, it doesn’t have to be a stressful event. With the right planning (and the right professionals on your side!) you can make a stress-free move between California and Guam—and quickly start enjoying your new home.

Need some help moving your belongings between Guam and California? We’d love to help you with an easy Guam move! Just reach out to our experts for a quote. (We’re also happy to answer any questions you might have on Guam life or Guam relocations!)