Moving states for a new job. How do I proceed with insurance?

I am currently in the process of leaving my current job and moving from VA to NC to start another job. The new job's insurance doesn't start until Aug 1st. After talking with my current employer, my insurance ends at the last day of employment which will be July 5th. With that being said, right now, from what I understand I have 2 options. First is using COBRA which would cost me ~800$ for 1 month. The other is using the affordable care act marketplace insurance. Looking at the website, seems like affordable care act insurance is significantly cheaper and also that I would qualify for it due to my job change being considered a "life change event".

I am also currently in the process of finding a place in NC so don't have a mailing address there (no family or friends in the state either)

Given all of that, I am wondering if someone can help me out with the following questions:

1.) Should I go ahead and use COBRA instead of the marketplace even though it's ~2x the price? Is the higher price worth the time I'll save trying to figure this out?

2.) Do I need to wait until I move to NC, get a place and then apply for insurance for the 1 month? Can I even do that?

3.) Just to confirm, when I apply through the affordable Healthcare act, I get my insurance out of NC right? No VA?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Edit: I am a 25M and only person on my taxes (no dependents)

submitted by /u/Scarecrow9090
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