Seven Tips to Share After Moving Across The Country

Moving across the cross country can not only be fraught with anxiety, but can also be extremely difficult to manage from a logistical standpoint. By the time you finally get to the new destination that you will be calling home, you can be in such a state of tension and end up making basic mistakes you would normally never make. Thankfully, the task of moving to a new state thousands of miles away doesn’t have to be as difficult and stress inducing as it is for many people. Let me share with you the lessons I learned after recently conducting my own cross country move all the way from Colorado to Washington.

My Story And How It Can Help You

The preparation for my big move took the best part of a month to get completed. Having never undertaken such a big personal move before, I was met with surprises and had to adapt in order to deal with the realities of the big task, which was a bigger and harder task than I imagined it would be. Fortunately, after successfully completing my long distance move I feel that I learned a lot from the experience and am able to share my tips for dealing with both the practical logistics and the emotional aspects involved. Hopefully these will prove helpful to you and make it all go a little more smoothly!

It Can Be Hard To Know Where To Move To!

which way should i move across country?If you find yourself in the position that I found myself in, which is to say that I positively decided it was time for me to move to a different city, rather than having to move to a particular city for a job I’d applied for or been assigned to, then you’ll quickly discover just how many options you have. Normally options are a good thing, however sometimes too much of a good thing can be overwhelming.

Firstly, you have to decide which city to move to and then you have to narrow it down to specific neighborhoods where you’d be happy to live. Fortunately, it’s now possible to find out almost everything you need to know about a place just by using Google for a couple hours on your laptop or tablet. This allows you to find out information about the job market, housing costs, entertainment, the general culture of the city and a bunch of other useful things which are helpful to know about a place.

Once you’ve chosen a city be sure to use a site like Yelp to get a good of what the area is like street by street. After you’ve settled on a neighborhood within a city that you want to move to it’s then time to set a date on the move. If you have any flexibility in your schedule, then you should move at a time other than the summer months. Generally speaking, a higher percentage of people want to move in the summer which forces the price up on everything moving-related. Pick another time of the year and you can save a fair amount. Also getting multiple moving quotes from a reputable website online can save you the hassle of contacting companies one by one.

You’ll Need To Deal With All Your Stuff

sell-stuff-to-move-easier-cross-countryOver the years you end up accumulating tons of stuff, a lot of which you never use. When moving across the country you basically have to decide whether you want to transport stuff or sell it (or give it away) before leaving. A good strategy is to do a bit of both. Give yourself a clear weekend to go through all the stuff you currently have and decide what’s to be shipped and what’s to be sold. Once you’ve decided what you’re going to sell, two great places to start selling it off quickly are Craigslist and eBay. Selling things can be a little bit of a hassle, but a huge bonus is you generally raise more money than you would expect to. This can give you a nice amount of cash to pay for renting a truck and the gas you’ll need to transport it all cross-country.

Sorting Out A Rental From Afar Is Tricky

This part surprised me as I genuinely thought that in today’s internet world it would be easy to rent an apartment in Washington from the comfort of my sofa in Colorado. As it turned out it was actually quite tricky. A problematic aspect is the whole deal with putting down a deposit on a place which you haven’t yet seen in person. Obviously, nearby you would always want to see an apartment first before you put down any money. However, with the distance involved this can be hard to get landlords to agree to. In the end I found a workaround which involved staying at a friend’s house for a few days to check apartments and neighborhoods out until I felt comfortable putting down a deposit. If you don’t have friends or family to stay with, then consider taking a hotel or Airbnb for a few days.

Dealing With Appointments Can Be Crazy At First

Moving to a completely new places is like living in a whirlwind for the first few days when you get there. You need to meet with landlords, register with a doctor, dentist, meet new friends, workmates and employers. This all happens at breakneck speed and it can be easy to miss an important engagement. To avoid this happening, make sure you get a good calendar app to help you manage your schedule and be able to easily slot in new appointments as and when they appear.

Don’t Trust Your Memory – Make A To-Do-List!

To do moving listWith so much going on it can be easy to lose sight of what’s important and forget to get vital tasks done. Remove this possibility by making a to-do-list every day to keep you on track. Everyday in the build-up to moving cross-country right up until it was completed successfully I made a new to-do-list every morning and stuck to it. You can use an App such as Wunderlist if you like keeping things digital. I relied on using a small piece of paper with the key tasks written down in order and always kept it in my pocket.

I Found It Incredibly Stressful To Move Cross-Country

Sometimes it’s better to acknowledge a problem rather than pretend it isn’t there. Moving long distance caused me a lot of anxiety and I didn’t always find it easy to cope with. A couple of times I had a minor breakdown where I needed to remove myself from the stressful situation and take some time to breath. One of these was when I was told that some of my stuff, which I’d chosen to ship, was going to be delayed in getting there by two days. That sucked and made an already difficult day even more trying. I learned to cope with the stress by listening to some meditation apps on my phone and making sure I got plenty of sleep. I tell you this not to discourage you from moving. Rather I just want you to know that moving can be stressful and you should be prepared to deal with it.

Get On The Ground To Really Know The Place

A key thing I learned was that getting my feet on the ground and walking around the area got me acquainted with the neighborhood I’d moved into far better than travelling by car ever would have done. You really gain a much better feel for an area when you go through it on foot compared with passing by it in a car. Even if you’re going to rely on your car most of the time, it’s still a good idea to go for a good walk in the area to get to know the area better.

Summing Up

It can be hard moving cross-country. However, it has been so worthwhile for me and I don’t regret it all. Hopefully the lessons I’ve learned will help you cope better with moving and make it a better, less-stressful experience. Good luck!

Things To Think About When Moving To Phoenix Arizona

Phoenix AZ Arizona City ShotMoving to another state can be daunting both emotionally, psychologically and physically. It can be heart breaking especially if you’re moving away from your home town. However, learning a little bit about Phoenix Arizona might help put your mind at ease. Phoenix is a fine place but unlike other states in the country, can be too hot for your liking. This is the only feature that seems to bother people. However, winter in Arizona is nothing like other states that experience snow. Even though their weather is very hot, you can cool off in pools, the beach and they also have great air conditioning in houses and places of work to keep you cool. Apart from this, there are a few other things that you should think about when moving to Phoenix, Arizona.

1. Who’s Going to Move you

moving truck sketchThe first thing that’s going to put your mind at ease before moving across country to Phoenix is finding a good moving company. A bad one will make the relocation more stressful than it already is. However, a good one will help you accept the change and put your mind at ease. Your moving company of choice needs to be as professional as possible. It needs to handle your belongings with utmost care and aspire to get them to Arizona in one piece. They also need to have proper customer service. Your needs should be listened to and met regardless. They should come pick up and drop off your belongings off at the right time that you’d both agreed upon. For a moving company to be qualified to move you across state, it needs to have a US DOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). They should have a license to operate in Arizona as well as the state that you’re moving from. You should verify this information to guard against being scammed by rogue movers.

2. Who’s Going to Cover the Cost

stack of moneyMoving to another state can be very expensive. If you’re job is the reason behind the move, it is only proper for them to cover the moving expenses. For most companies, this is common and one does not even need to ask. However, if your company is silent on the issue, feel free to approach them. Moving away from your comfort zone is sacrifice enough.

3. Cost of living

Since this is the first time that you’re going to live in Phoenix, Arizona you need to know the cost of living there. After this, compare it to what you’re used to. It might be cheaper or more costly but getting the information first hand will help you plan better. If the cost of living is higher than your current city of residence, you can make the necessary arrangements to survive. This will include; the type of job to get, amount of salary to ask for, which schools to put your kids in and the kind of house to live in.

4. How is Phoenix Arizona

A new state is just as strange as transferring to a new school. You need to do a little research about Phoenix. This will make the relocation less taunting. Some of the things to look into is the cost of housing, cost of living, distance to social amenities such as schools, hospitals, gas stations and job, weather, culture and traffic. This will help your mind conform to the idea hence making the shift bearable.

5. Quality of Schools

Rear view of a little school children raising their hands in the classroomWhile at it, consider the quality of life and social amenities. Are the schools good? How are the hospitals? Are there entertainment joint close by? Take time to survey and find out the number of schools that are near your new area of residence. Go a step further and find out how well the students perform, how many teachers are available, students per class. This will help you determine whether your child will be given the needed attention to settle in and catch up with the others.

6. Prepare to Adjust

You already know that Phoenix Arizona is very hot. Probably hotter than the state that you’re coming from. If you’re coming from a cold state, get ready for the change. Shop for warmer clothes, swim wear, air conditioning and open shoes. If you’re coming from a cold city, chances are that summer clothing is cheap.

7. Availability of Jobs

If you’re moving for personal reasons then you need a job when you get there after all, life must continue. You need to do a little research on the job market. You can look around for a job online and even send your CV around. You can also go to Phoenix ahead of time and apply in all the firms and companies that you possibly can. The last option is moving first then job hunting while you’re there.

8. Downsizing your Belongings

The more the stuff you have to take with you the more you have to pay the moving company and the more stressful it will be. Sort out through your belongings. Some items that you own will not be of use in Phoenix especially winter clothing. You can choose to sell at a yard sale, give to friends or donate it to charity. Aim to travel as light as possible.

9. Say Goodbye

Some people take a pass on this but always end up regretting later on when its too late. You need to say goodbye to your home, neighbors, family and friends. You need to visit your favorite spot for the last time, historical sites and your favorite restaurant in order to let go and accept the new changes, relocation. You can even throw a go away party and invite everyone that matters to you. Allow your kids to say their goodbyes too and anything else that they need to do in order to be mentally prepared for the relocation.

Moving to Phoenix, Arizona doesn’t have to be a sad affair. If you give yourself enough time to prepare and plan for the relocation, it can be fun and exciting. This is an opportunity to explore and make new friends. There is a perfectly good beach 4 hours away from Phoenix for when it gets too hot. This is a chance to sun bathe and live the summer feeling more than you were used to.

How to Save Money While Moving Coast to Coast

family getting ready for moveMoving is fun and exciting. However, at the same it’s too heavy in the pocket and hectic. Whenever, you consider the option to move you leave something behind and move into a new life. So you need to be prepared for sudden surprises which life might throw at you. Every single buck will count so why not save from the beginning. Read below to find how to lower costs when moving coast to coast?

Your decision will change you and your life completely. It might be a new city, a new job or relocating for moving ahead. Whatever might be the reason; you can plan and move towards making you moving cost cheap, secure and trouble-free. You will need to focus on too many things simultaneously so if your movers and packer service suit your need and situation it simplify and streamline the entire moving process resulting in a stress-free life. Read some tips on how to lower costs when moving coast to coast? It will help you make the best of moving.

Things you need workout before starting packing

The most common question that pops up for everybody whenever thinking to shift is “How much will be the cost of moving”. Moreover, you will get your answer only after you start taking quotes from moving companies. Don’t rely on one company instead keep discussing and get started with the best-offered deal.

Usually, it has been found that the cost of moving depends on a few factors mentioned below

• What do you need to carry?

• What is the distance to your destination?

• How much time is it going to take?

• When you need to get it done?

• Is there any specialty service needed?

movers blue bgAfter deciding on the above question selects a list of few companies you want to take the service from and then start hunting for the best bargain. Once you get a fair idea of the quotes from them now try these tricks on how to lower costs when moving coast to coast? Make it as cheap as possible.

1. Don’t keep the dead bird hanging: As discussed earlier charge depend on what you carry and where you carry. So, reconsider what do you need to keep and what’s a waste. Removing excessive baggage will help you cut the cost.

2. Selling will become an aid: Heavy and old furniture adds to the cost. Why hang on to the broken sofa or your damp wooden bed? We don’t throw things so easily. Like the chair, you have used all your life is broken but you still feel it is something I cannot throw because I won’t get something as comfortable as this one. There are so many things which have just kept for the heck of keeping it. So, open a garage sale and sell them or donate them to the needy. You can always try online portals to sell. Click the picture of the furniture and upload it on the portal. There many people who are keen to buy second hand furniture. This will even raise some extra bucks for you and indeed be of use in future. Even one less box will be worth the effort.

3. Time is the key to discount: Time of the move decides on the cost but it something you can only luckily plan. If you have the choice to plan the move prefer going towards the winter season. You will definitely be offered off seasonal discounts. Always try moving on Mondays or Tuesdays as people hardly prefer it and mover companies are comparatively free and that will slash the rates by almost 5%.

4. Moving Boxes Are Not Created Equal: If you planning to arrange your move all by yourself and you plan to buy moving boxes then always buy equal sized or proportional boxes. This will occupy less space and be carried safely. Same goes for the heavy furniture like bed, sofa, dining table etc disassemble it and carry it safe.

5. Competition will keep your perks high: More the competition more will they lower the rates for you. So get the quote from multiple vendors and it will help you get maximum discount on the deal.

6. Deduct and save from yearly taxes: As per government law, moving expense can be deducted from your taxable income.

While speaking about moving from one coast to other, movers are always the best option compared

How to involve kids in Your Long Distance Move

Moving can be stressful and hard not just for you but also for your children. In an early age it is harder to understand and get used to any kinds of changes at home. Whether you have to move because of your new job or just because you want to start fresh, there is a way to do it without traumatizing your kids. You have to be prepared to put aside some time to explain to them why it is necessary to leave your current home and tell them about all the amazing things which they will be able to experience in the new country or city. You have to keep in mind that every child reacts differently to such type of change and there could be some complications which, however, you will certainly know how to handle.

upload.wikimedia.org – via Iframely

As hard as it is for you to leave everything you know and move to another place, it will be much harder for your little ones. Depending on their age, you might have to face different problems, especially with the teenagers. That’s why it is best, if possible, to plan the relocation earlier when your children are still little. Sometimes, however, this thing happens unexpectedly but there is a way out of any situation. If you involve your kids in the whole moving process, you will help them get used to the idea faster. On the other hand, you will also have someone who can help you with the packing and organizing of your things, as well as with the cleaning. Just stick to the following tips and you will see that you won’t have any problems.

Discuss the situation – Moving can be scary and that’s exactly why you have to encourage your little ones to reveal their feelings. Organizing a discussion about the upcoming relocating will help you understand better the fears and doubts of your kids and assist them to get over them. You can ask them all kinds of questions about the way they feel and also share some of your feelings with them. By showing that you have the same fears, it will be easier to connect with your little ones and get through this hard situation together as a family.

kids with moving boxesAsk your kids to help with the packing – Once everything is out in the open, you can ask your kids to help you with the packing of all of your things. They can start by going through their own stuff and deciding which things they will take to the new place. When you all start sorting through your possessions, you will notice that there are a lot of stuff which you don’t need. You can either donate them or throw them out, the choice is entirely yours. The important thing is that while performing this thorough cleaning, your kids might finally get excited about the moving.

Let them clean their rooms themselves – After the packing and organizing of your things, there will be a big mess for sure. For the cleaning of your home, you can ask your little ones for help as well. The more things you do with your little ones which are connected to the relocation, the better. If you divide all cleaning tasks between you and the other members of your family, you will not only finish faster but will have fun because you will be together.

Encourage your kids to learn more about their future home – The reason why your children might be still reluctant is because they don’t know anything about the new city or country in which you are moving. You can tell them interesting details about it or encourage them to make a research alone. In any case, this will help them realize that relocating into a new place is not so bad after all.

The article is written and contributed by NW1 HouseCleaning

moving possessions without breaking them

Tips To Protect Your Stuff when Moving

moving protectionWhen you’re moving anywhere, be it across the country or cross the street, it can really stress you. Adding property damage to the scenario will slap on extra weight to your already filled head, and that is not a very good time. Unless you’re the DIY moving type, you’ll probably employ the use of movers to get your things from place to place. During this process, there are times that your stuff will be left with total strangers, which can lead to disasters if careful planning and proper hiring is not performed. There are some good options to ensure that you give yourself the best chance to help prevent any problems in transit with stolen or damaged goods. Once you arrive at your location, you will want a professional locksmith to secure your new home, such as the locksmiths at www.queencreeklocksmith.com.

Risks

Your possessions will be in the most danger of damage when they are in transit, and if you’re moving a long distance across the country, the movers will have your things for weeks, sometimes switching in between loading warehouses to other moving trucks along the way. The vibrations of the vehicle on the road or bumps will cause vibrations and shifting, which can break or crack furniture, electronics and housewares of all kinds.

Moving men pose a risk to your things as well, they are generally good at what they do, but everyone makes mistakes and after long days people can get careless when they are tired and drop things from time to time.

Items definitely get stolen along the way, since not everyone that gets hired will live up to their reputation that they jotted down on their application. You can never be sure who has access to your things on the road, as portable storage units can get broken into on the way.

Solutions

full moving boxNow that we’ve handled most of the problems that you could encounter when moving, now for some tips to help your stuff arrive in good repair.

Make sure that you pack all of the sentimental items that you really don’t want anything to happen to way before you move. Make sure you use proper packing procedures, and take the time to make sure you have all the important stuff in a few well-packed boxes. We suggest carrying these items with you and moving them yourself, if at all possible. If you are driving these can be the few items you have filling up your trunk or back seats.

Other Tips:
1. Make sure to research the moving company that you decide to use thoroughly, ask friends and family, look at the BBB and other online reviews. Always get a second source of information before signing on the dotted line.
2. Be present with the movers if at all possible when they are packing your items.
3. Take pictures of all your major items for insurance purposes.

Nothing adds a headache to a move like broken property or missing stuff. In every move something will go wrong or missing, we just hope that these tips get you thinking about some ways to help protect your belongings from unwanted harm.

moving insurance long distance moving

What You Need to Know About Cross Country Moving Insurance

Regardless of whether you have decided to hire a mover or do the moving yourself you should consider the possible moving insurance options you can work with. You could easily end up with some irreparable damage to your personal property during transit and without insurance you will have a hard time replacing it. In most cases you’ll be able to get insurance coverage through the moving company you hire to get the job done, however you will need to focus on it if you want to succeed without any problems. The following tips will give you the information you need to do just that:

• Choosing a Moving Company – Make Sure the Moving Company Files Claims in a Timely Manner!

You should pay special attention to the moving company you plan on using in terms of insurance coverage. You will also need to check out the liability coverage they have for any damage or loss provided by them. Check out the contract and find out where the section is that covers the value of your possessions based on their estimate. You should also check out the maximum liability for the value of insurance provided by the mover as well as the nature of the process involved in the placing of claims. This will never guarantee you will have a maximum liability damage coverage for your claims. There are many things that may modify that amount, such as taxes, laws and regulations.

For a more in-depth display of moving laws in the USA, check out the protectmymove.gov site here.

• Moving Company Insurance Options

One of the first things you need to know is that this type of insurance will always be based on valuation of your belongings. Valuation is in essence a method that determines the liability of the goods being moved. The more expensive your things, the more insurance you should purchase. There are three types of it that get covered.

Released Value Coverage

Declared value or “Released Value” is the overall value of the items based on their weight, multiplied by a specific modifier per pound of weight. Released value coverage should be included by default by your long distance moving compay, as mandated by federal law. The movers are liable for about 60 center per pound of goods, so it is very minimal coverage.

Lump Sum Value Coverage

On the other hand you have the lump sum value as another option, which covers the value of your items with a specific amount, which mostly depends on the insurance provider. You have to know the value of what you plan on shipping so you can make a declaration of it in the bill of lading. If you want this type of coverage you should be able to purchase it from a third party insurance company.

Full Value Protection

The third option you have available to work with is the most sought-after full value protection. Naturally, this includes the damaged, lost and destroyed property that covers the entirety of the cost for replacement or repairs in case of trouble. There will be deductibles and at least a minimum coverage you will need to cover. This is by far the most expensive but the most comprehensive coverage, which can be purchased from many moving companies but also is available elsewhere.

Remember that you can buy insurance from your moving company or a third party. When you sign a contract with a moving company they will generally offer you extra insurance, which may or may not be a good deal depending on the company.

• Calculating the Amount of Insurance You Need

First of all you will need to cover the amount by checking out the total weight of what you plan on moving, then you will need to take into account the number of rooms you need to move and their contents. Once you’ve done that you should make an inventory list of all things you need to move, citing down their weight and approximate value. This will give you a good idea of the dollar amount that you would be comfortable having as protection. If you have small or fragile items that are worth a lot of money, such as antiques or breakable jewelry, you should take out special insurance on these items alone. Cross country moving companies still will limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value, which is usually anything valued at more than $100 per pound (china, fur, jewelry, silverware etc.)

Insurance for Cross Country MovesFor more information regarding long distance moves, we recommend The Ultimate Long Distance Moving Guide.

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