Need tips on moving across the country (relocating, packing, U-Haul)

[iluvwriting]

I'll be moving in a couple of years, (think 2011) but if at all possible, I'd like to start preparing now. I just don't want to have to do everything in the last 2 months before I move, you know?

I'll be moving from California to Maine (yeah, literally across the country).

Any moving tips? any tips on driving across the country?

[faithfulFrank]

You are wise to start now.
When you factor in the high cost of moving "stuff", you realize that very few things are worth moving across the country.
Many things won't fit the new place, the decor, etc. Many things get outdated quickly.

Have garage sales, give stuff away, donate them and get the tax break, etc,etc.
One drawer at a time, one closet a week, etc. Make sure at least one extra bag of garbage gets thrown out a week.

This getting rid of stuff is so good for you! It feels so good! You will feel like you are on track with this move if you start now.

Frank......also moving in two years.....

[ComputerUser000]

Originally Posted by iluvwriting

I'll be moving in a couple of years, (think 2011) but if at all possible, I'd like to start preparing now. I just don't want to have to do everything in the last 2 months before I move, you know?

I'll be moving from California to Maine (yeah, literally across the country).

Any moving tips? any tips on driving across the country?

Read an old post of mine:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...different.html

[iluvwriting]

Thank you for the tips so far!

[nightbird47]

I started packing books first, and put them in the back of the closet. This was when I returned from the trip where the house was bought. I still had five months on the apt lease but didn't sit and wait. I started looking up rates, costs, feedback about anything I could think about with moving companies, you pack types to the commercial ones, and rental trucks. I had an a/b/c list of stuff to take or not take, depending on what we rented. As it happened I took more furnature than I had planned but only since we lucked into borrowing a horse trailer and truck for the move.

If you have pets make sure you get all vaccinations, spay or neuter, and the like on track and keep your records. Begin recruting drivers as soon as you know details as well. I agree with the sorting through and getting rid of what doesn't need to go, especially if you have a lot of stuff. Also when you know where you'll be moving to and how much space there is keep that in mind. Couches and tables and such generally can be replaced cheaply unless you happen to have something really special or expensive.

Pack for weight, not content. Make sure you can lift the box yourself. Label them a,b,c,d etc and keep a list of whats inside. If its going to be some time don't seal them until your ready since small things can be added.

Check regulations where your going. Does your dog need a one or a two year rabbies vaccination for instance. Consider the weather where your going too. If you are going to have a cold winter, don't buy ahead but in the area where you'll get the right stuff.

If you have a cell, check on the reception in your target area before you renew your contract.

I wish you much luck and hope you make it. I've never been to Maine but I'm sure it will be a very different experience to embrase and learn and grow from.

[monkey cabal]

Keep your eyes open for moving boxes. You can find them curbside after someone else moves in. You will save a buck or two for each box you collect, maybe a couple hundred bucks in total. Break them down for storage, then use moving tape on moving day to rebox.

Collect only standard sized moving boxes, not odd sizes or shapes. They stack better. (Maybe collect a few odd sizes for odd sized stuff.) Also start saving bubble wrap.

Good luck!

[JustJulia]

Check Craigslist every day for free boxes and moving supplies. After we moved, we got rid of all our boxes and bubble wrap in two big batches. We just listed them in the Free section of CL, and people picked them up. You should be able to find lots of free boxes there as long as you can move quickly to respond and get them. That should save you a lot of money.

When we moved, we got a stipend from my husband's new job. I bought a couple of "moving bundles" from a company called ULine. They sell bundles of boxes in various sizes, a big roll of bubble wrap, some rolls of packing tape, a tape roller and some felt-tip markers for writing on the boxes. Their prices were much, much better than buying supplies at U-Haul or similar place. ULine was near me (before they moved), so I just went to their place and picked the stuff up. If you know you are going to need a LOT of boxes, I recommend looking into this. Free boxes are great (we used those too), but it can be hard to find the sizes you need.

[St.Patrick]

Make a list of every account, card, license you have (credit cards, store cards, bank accounts, insurance, stock trading, driver's license, social security, etc, etc...) and make a note of any that have required notification periods. In particular Driver's License, Vehicle Registration/Insurance, and Voter Registration all have requirements for notifying them within a certain time period (California Vehicle Registration is within 10 days of moving if I remember correctly). If you do any shopping online, be sure to update those accounts with your new shipping info.

Amongst all the hustle and bustle of moving cross-country, be sure to schedule at least one day off of work in your new state, to go to the DMV and take car of all you license/vehicles. Read-up on the requirements that the new state you are moving to has as well. You may need to gather documents like your birth certificate, and if you have any kids: immunization records.

The 2 things that I wasn't adequately prepared for when I moved from CA to IL were: notifying the state of California that my car was no longer being used in that state (they require written notification), and updating my voter registration (I got a nasty gram in the mail reminding me).

Don't forget to update your insurance policies after moving to indicate that you no longer need to be insured in your previous state. I didn't realize for several months that I was still paying for insurance coverage in CA even after I had added coverage for IL.

[thepinksquid]

We moved from FL to CA in May. We used a large-sized POD, packed it pretty full and drove the distance in 5 days. We bought cheap banker's boxes from Office Depot for much of our packing--they held up quite well. As suggested above, ULINE is a great box company as well. Good luck to you!