Always, always find short-term accommodations if you can afford it. Trying to find an apartment in a week in a city you're not familiar with is a huge source of stress and you'll most likely end up living in a sub-optimal location.
I made one huge mistake: I signed my lease over the internet, without having seen the place first. It actually worked out for me, but the risk of getting scammed is too big for that sort of business. I'm not ever doing that again.
I'm moving to San Francisco in a week so I'm doing the same thing over again. This time, I have a few more things I want to keep than before, so I'll likely be paying rent for March and then flying back and shipping a few things over to San Francisco.
Everything I don't intend on keeping, like desks and chairs, is being given away or donated. That stuff is too cheap to move across the country. For example, I think my desk cost around $150. I've already gotten a lot of use out of it. So now factoring in the fact that I'd have to take it apart, pay for the shipping, and worrying about it arriving safely, it doesn't really make sense to save it. Also it's a glass desk, which is a giant freaking pain.
Read up on minimalism.... you don't need as much as you think you might.
* Long-distance moving companies don't expect repeat business so scams abound. In my case they loaded the truck then demanded almost double the payment as they'd "underestimated" the weight by 100%. Heard a lot of other similar stories. Word of mouth or a corporate rec (repeat business) seems to be the best way to go.
* I moved too much stuff, sell as many large items as possible and re-purchase at the other end. Moving couches, wardrobes, etc. costs a ton, risks damage, and such items are easily replaceable commodities.
* Negotiate relocation expenses as part of a job offer. Take what you expect it to cost and double it. Moving fees, broker fees, trips back and forth add up really quickly.
* If you have a partner/family, make sure they are on board and have a clear plan once they get there to get established, find work, make friends, etc. Moving to a new place changes you, so be prepared for that growth and change - and make a conscious effort to grow in alignment with your partner. You have a job in place and a built in way to make social connections, if your partner does not then it can be an isolating experience that can put a lot of strain on your relationship.