Blog

Moving to any new city can be confusing, and that is why so many people turn to moving guides. If you are interested in moving to Jersey City, NJ, there are a few things you should know as part of the planning process. These tips will help you not only move but also adjust once you make it to your new home.

Jersey City Is Sometimes Called NYC’s Sixth Borough

Jersey City is just across the Hudson River from New York City, so it only makes sense that many commute for work. In less than half an hour, you could find yourself in Manhattan. A lot of people in Uptown have trouble getting Downtown in less than 20 minutes, so Jersey City is in a prime location.

Jersey City Is Much Less Expensive than Surrounding Cities

The main advantage Jersey City offers other NYC? Affordability. Not only does it cost less to live, but it is also much more affordable to go out to eat or find entertainment. You will find plenty of multi-million dollar condos, but you will also find cheaper housing options.

There’s a lot To Do in Jersey City

Just because NYC is so conveniently accessible does not mean there isn’t a lot to do in Jersey City. In addition to plenty of shopping boutiques and restaurants, residents enjoy plenty of entertainment and culture. The Liberty Science Center and Liberty State Park are just two examples.

All the tools to live your best life are available in Jersey City. Local farmer’s markets make it easy to shop for fresh produce to cook at home. Music classes are available for children, allowing you to welcome culture into your life. You can’t forget about all the great places for a sunny day picnic, like the LeFrak Lighthouse either.

The main problem? Jersey City is not open 24/7 like New York. This gives many out-of-towners the impression that this city doesn’t have as much to do as NYC. This means that you do have to plan meals and outings accordingly.

The City Offers a Wide Range of Housing Options

If you are passionate about living on the waterfront, you can find a Jersey City home with access. Looking for something different? The Historic Downtown section may feel a lot like Brooklyn. You can find a slice of paradise in this New Jersey city no matter what you are looking for.

Jersey City Schools Have an Excellent Reputation

Moving to Jersey City with children can be a great move for those looking for supreme education. Among the most popular public magnet schools in the city is Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School. Rutgers and Princeton Universities are also conveniently located for students living in the city.

Learning Transportation Routes Is Essential

New Jersey has some of America’s busiest roads, and the Jersey Turnpike is just one example, extending throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. In addition to public and toll roads, public transportation is readily available. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, PATH Train, and buses make it easy to get around. With PATH, you can actually get to Manhattan quite quickly from Jersey City.

There Is a Good Time to Move

Trying to move in the winter can be difficult, and the summer can be overwhelmingly hot. For this reason, many opt to move in spring and fall when the weather is much more mild. If you must move in the winter months, preparing your vehicle before you arrive is essential, checking fluids and brakes.

Are you considering or planning a move to Jersey City? Contact us to learn more about your options for moving across the country.

 

If you are considering a move to Chula Vista, California, you likely want to know a little about the city, which is in San Diego County, and is the second largest city in the county. Chula Vista is only a short drive to both San Diego and the Mexican border. While you will likely have fun visiting both San Diego and many of the several Mexican border towns, there is much to love about the city itself.

Sports Fun

The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista allows Olympic and Paralympic athletes to train year-round. It includes facilities for sports such as beach volleyball, soccer, tennis, track & field, and many other sports. While it might be great to know your favorite athlete is training only a few miles from your home, that likely is not enough if you are a hardcore sports fan. Guided tours of the facility are available Saturdays at 11 am. Groups of more than 10 people should call ahead to reserve a weekday tour. Self-guided tours are also available daily 9 am-5 pm.

Chula Vista also offers sports opportunities for people of all ages. There are sports programs for youth and teens as well as adult sports programs in softball, kickball, soccer, golf, and basketball. There are also therapeutic sports programs for those with developmental or physical disabilities. There are other sports opportunities throughout the city to help keep people active no matter their age.

Outdoor Adventures

Chula Vista is located along the Pacific Ocean, giving locals and tourists alike great beach opportunities. Whether you are a fan of swimming, surfing, kayaking, boating, or doing other beach activities, there is sure to be a beach to serve your needs.

Chula Vista also has a water park. Aquatica includes water slides, tube rides, wave pools, and other water attractions. While the water slides have minimum height limits of either 42” or 48”, there also water attractions for smaller children. Slippity Dippity was even created specifically for those under 42” tall.

While water is a big part of the outdoor adventure Chula Vista has to offer, the city has other outdoor fun. For example, there are nearly 560 acres of parkland in the city. This includes areas for playing soccer, basketball, tennis, and other sports. It also includes walking trails, dog parks, playgrounds, and other great areas to enjoy the outdoors, whether by yourself or with your children. Perhaps one of the most unusual park features is Montevalle Park’s “Cheryl’s Place”, which has playground equipment specifically created for children in wheelchairs.

Entertainment

One of the largest venues in the area, the Sleep Train Amphitheater seats a little over 20,000 people. The amphitheater is open year-round and has played host to musical acts from a variety of genres. Performers at the Sleep Train Amphitheater range from the Spice Girls (who were the venue’s first sold-out concert) to Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Weezer, Brad Paisley, and other performers. No matter your musical preference, if you are a fan of music, one of your favorite performers is likely to have a concert at the Sleep Train Amphitheater in the near future.

Weather

The temperature in Chula Vista stays pretty stable throughout the year. While their winters are slightly colder than their summers, the annual average is about 72 degrees Celsius, with monthly average highs only fluctuating about six degrees one way or the other. They get about ten inches of rainfall a year, with most of the rainfall coming in the late fall to early spring. If you are looking for an area that rarely gets really cold or really hot, Chula Vista is a good choice.

Of course, there are other great things to enjoy about Chula Vista, but you will likely have to discover those for yourself. If you need help moving, contact us. We will help you find the best moving company for your needs.

 

Mention moving and most people groan. Mention moving in winter and people will look at you like you’ve lost your mind. However, there are dozens of reasons why moving house in winter is the smart move. House hunting is easier in winter, for example, because the real estate inventory is more manageable. Sellers make an extra effort to appeal to buyers in winter. Real estate agents will be happy to tell you where the best schools are located, as well as neighborhoods close to those schools. Additionally, no one has ever quite figured it out, but the infrastructure in winter hosts fewer commuters than in warmer seasons. Moving to guides don’t mention it, but here are five reasons moving to Annapolis in winter is a good idea.

One: House Hunting is a Snap

As previously mentioned, there are fewer houses on the market in winter. Sellers often lower prices in order to get into their own new homes. Buyers can pretty much write their own ticket. Real estate agents have more time to pay attention to you and help you zero in on what you are searching for. Lenders are less busy during winter. They will often dispense with some of the paperwork in an effort to keep their clients happy. Since the majority of business is done in warmer months, in winter these professionals will sometimes let certain fees slide in order to (a) get your business and (b) keep busy.

Two: Moving Companies and Trucks are Easier to Hire

It stands to reason that if real estate isn’t moving, then nor is anyone else. As a result, moving companies have nothing to do but clean out the trucks. Those moving in winter will have their pick of moving companies, and most likely will have their pick of excellent prices, too. Imagine not having to schedule your move. Imagine not having to shop around for movers, because they’re all booked up solid. Imagine a smooth move!

Three: Landscaping Your New Home Will be Cooler

Pardon the pun, but landscaping your new lawn in winter will give you many choices. Wrap your mind around colorful blooms,waterscapes, hard scapes and green foliage in spring when your new neighbors’ yards are just waking up. Enjoying your new outdoor room amid blooms and foliage will be wonderful. In Annapolis, much can be done before the ground freezes good and hard in December. Landscape artists will be in their downtime, too, and can concentrate on your project. Also keep in mind that landscape professionals work around the weather, ensuring your plants will be healthy and beautiful for spring.

Four: Annapolis Schools are Top Quality

For every neighborhood, there seems to be two elementary schools, one or two middle schools and one high school. Anne Arundel County boasts some of the top schools in the nation. Southern Anne Arundel County schools are also well regarded. According to Zillow, these are the highest rated schools in Anne Arundel County:

• Arnold Elementary School
• Public • Grades K-5

• Magothy River Middle School
• Public • Grades 6-8

• South Shore Elementary School
• Public • Grades K-5

• West Annapolis Elementary School
• Public • Grades K-5

• Cape St. Clair Elementary School
• Public • Grades K-5

• Windsor Farm Elementary School
• Public • Grades K-5

• Broadneck High School
• Public • Grades 9-12

Five: There are Cool Attractions during Annapolis Winters

If you move to Annapolis in time for Christmas, then you’ve got a treat awaiting you! Sandy Point State Park offers a stunning light display beginning shortly after Thanksgiving and going until shortly after Christmas. Six Flags offers rides, lights, food and fun (even visits from Santa) beginning shortly before Thanksgiving and ending around January 2. Feeling brave? Charity event Polar Bear Plunge takes place in late January. Those brave enough to dare the cold waters of the Chesapeake ensure their plunge will benefit those in need. Grab your coat, mittens and mufflers for a night to remember at the United States Naval Academy on New Year’s Eve. A barge is placed a safe distance from the school, upon which Academy personnel shoot off some of the most amazing (and we’re not exaggerating!) fireworks displays you will ever see. The show lasts about an hour. You can park on the Highway 450 (or Route 2) bridge clean up to the overlook. Shuttles also bring people from the nearby Navy Stadium to see the fireworks. Additionally, nearby Baltimore and Washington, D. C. offers some of the most acclaimed theater and music in the nation.

So there you have it, five excellent reasons for moving to Annapolis, Maryland in winter. The Bay might be too cold for you to slip your boat into the water, but there are many other interesting things to see and do in the surrounding areas. After you contact us, we’ll see you there!