Tips on economical moving? (Portland: hotels, to buy, live)

[gnab gib]

So, my wife and I are still on a plan to move to Portland (or maybe Vancouver WA) in the spring of '09. But we've been looking at the actual cost of moving out there from metro DC, and it looks like the expense will be enormous!

I'm sure there are others here who made a long move to get out to the PNW. Can you offer any advice on how you saved money, assuming you didn't get relocation costs paid for, or anything like that? What would you recommend -- PODs, a U-Haul, a moving company, selling everything and moving out there with the clothes on our backs? Any and all advice welcome.

Thanks!

[oldtintype]

How nice are your possessions? If they're really worth keeping and the price of PODS, go for PODS!! Driving a truck will take you double the time you think it will (speaking from experience), plus it ends up being a fortune between gas and hotels. I'd drive a car cross country but NEVER a truck full of furniture!!!

[elcapitan]

Load your stuff yourself into a pod or ABF type truck, and let them drive it for you. You don't want to drive a huge moving truck yourself all the way across the country. Moving is stressful enough as it is. That way you can relax on your way over, and take some time to see the rest of the U.S.

By the way, if you already have a job lined up over here, you can deduct your expenses if you file a schedule A.

[nancy thereader]

My son moved all his possessions from Boston to San Francisco in those U-haul large vans with lots of other people's things mixed in with his. ( is that PODS?) He paid about $1,200. But, he did not really have anything that was worth paying too much money to move. And, he moved his electric equipment (computers , tvs and all ) in his car by himself. For me, and I do not have that much stuff because I want to buy a lot of new furniture , I was quoted $6-7,000 by a major transport line.

I am not sure how I will move my car. I really do not relish the thought of driving it out all by myself from NY to Portland.

[oldtintype]

PODs is a company that delivers you a metal storage unit, you pack it at your leisure (another bonus) and then they come pick it up and transport it for you. The nice part is that you LOCK it so you don't have to worry about things getting lost or mingled with other people's stuff like moving companies do.

[nancy thereader]

That must be what he did, then. I have too many things for me to do that. I'll need a regular moving van. I wonder if any transport teeny little cars?

[Lillietta]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

That must be what he did, then. I have too many things for me to do that. I'll need a regular moving van. I wonder if any transport teeny little cars?

The prices quoted to you seem high even for a 3,000 mile move. Check with smaller companies and confirm with the Better Business Bureau as to their reputation.

I was going to have my handyman drive my car out, pay for his room and board, and then pay for his trip back. But do you have a friend who would like to accompany you and then fly back on his/her own?

[nancy thereader]

I will try smaller companies, thanks.

Gee, I wonder if my handyman who has become a good friend would want to do that. He himself is moving to New Mexico in a few years. I can't think of anyone else who would want to do that, though. It is a lot to ask of someone. Maybe my son, though.

[Lillietta]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

I will try smaller companies, thanks.

Gee, I wonder if my handyman who has become a good friend would want to do that. He himself is moving to New Mexico in a few years. I can't think of anyone else who would want to do that, though. It is a lot to ask of someone. Maybe my son, though.

I hope your son would. Mine offered and was extremely enthusiastic about a cross-country trip with his mom. And you might be surprised. Some friends would actually think it was a great way to see the country. I know because I met a woman recently from the islands off the state of WA who was traveling/moving to Chicago with a friend from DC who was glad to accompany her.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

That must be what he did, then. I have too many things for me to do that. I'll need a regular moving van. I wonder if any transport teeny little cars?

I don't know--they're big enough to move a whole household--they're not small by any means...maybe he used a different company.