Women retiring alone to a new city/state -- where will you go and why? (beach, weather)

[nancy thereader]

Thanks, tesaje. Any advice about moving is really welcome. I've never moved more than a few miles.

Someone suggested that I use those bubble pack things for plates and all. That seemed like a great suggestion to me. Has anyone else used those?

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Thanks, tesaje. Any advice about moving is really welcome. I've never moved more than a few miles.

Someone suggested that I use those bubble pack things for plates and all. That seemed like a great suggestion to me. Has anyone else used those?

IMHO unless you have exquisite or very special items, sometimes it is more economical and less trouble to start all over with NEW or used stuff purchased in your new area.

When I relocated 3,000 miles from east coast to west coast I only shipped (UPS & FedX) favorite clothes and family heirlooms like photos & a couple of items I could not replace. EVERYTHING ELSE was purchased at west coast yard sales, antique stores, etc. and it was fun getting new stuff (even if it was old) LOL. Of course, my bedding & personal items were purchased brand new, as well as TVs.

Funny thing.... my favorite dinnerware in Florida was a collection of white "Centura - by Corning" which I loved but sold at my final garage sale & gave away to friends. When I moved to Napa CA, at a local thrift shop I found an identical set of almost new Centura for just a few dollars!! It's amazing that I have replaced everything I left behind with "better" stuff (including antiques).

[Wisteria]

I know little about moving furniture and all. When I just moved, I still didn't have much, and when I moved from city to city or state to state, I usually went with just a carload….

I had shown Nancy this link for Santa Cruz vacation housing:
DOG AND PET FRIENDLY SANTA CRUZ CA LODGING / ACCOMMODATIONS AND VACATION RENTAL HOMES http://www.ahouseinsantacruz.com

I am so glad she will be able to live her California dream. That link will show you what people charge each WEEK to stay here (approximately $2-3,000/WEEK!!). This is a huge vacation town – and expensive! (There are cheaper places, but many, many people rent these.) And, yet, it IS possible to live here affordably! One just needs to know how. I am the Santa Cruz Cheapo Guide! haha Seriously, though, I know that most people immediately cross this town off their list because of costs – but…if one is resourceful, places can be found that are affordable (relatively speaking for here!).

I have lived in some very nice places that were expensive and always got by. One thing is I am not a consumer, so that helps. Secondly, I usually lived in nice places that had a variety of things to do and had nice weather – so I wasn't stuck inside all the time, or if I was (like Seattle), there were places built to accommodate the weather. (Although I don't think I'd ever live back in Seattle because the gloomy, rainy days were just too many for me.)

I am still not unpacked (I am looking for more shelf space), and I haven't had much time due to still working full-time. However, I do seem to be more relaxed. Probably because I don't have to come home and water a 1/3 of an acre every other night! Or prune numerous trees and bushes. Or rake redwood needles. The list goes on and on. Now, with just my little deck, and a small seating area out back, I am relieved of those duties. I haven't had time to paint the inside yet – I had hoped I'd get to it, but it's looking like it will take me a good 6-months to a year to complete….oh well.

However, I DID discover TWO beaches within walking distance of the park!! Yes – TWO! They are smaller, more private beaches and relatively unknown to tourists. I spent Saturday with a friend seeking them out. Here is a photo of one of the beaches, Sunny Cove, no more than 3 blocks from the park! Literally three short blocks. http://beachcottagesantacruz.com/res...ve+Beach+2.jpg
While I'm at work during the day, Nancy can take her books, snacks, sunblock, umbrella and towel and have her own private nook on Sunny Cove beach! Now, you have to admit....it's pretty nice!

Pretty cool!! Just remember that there are two single women (not) retiring alone in Santa Cruz!! And more to come! Join us!!

[Umbria]

Nancy - I was checking for moving boxes and checked Craig's List (per a recommendation). They are expensive brand new but people are moving everyday and are willing to sell good quality/shape for a fraction of the cost.

[Umbria]

Oh - and, something I picked up from the packers when I moved (my company paid for it or I would have done it myself). Pack tight - meaning, when your done with a box, shake it, nothing should shake. Stuff paper, etc... in between to keep things perfectly stationary as it's that sudden jarring/jiggling that breaks things.

Bubble wrap is excellent. I already plan to use as much of what I will pack anyway (towels, dish cloths, etc...) to help keep the weight as light as possible. Most charge per weight so rather than adding lots of weight with paper, I'll use my personal stuff when I can. Bubble wrap is light.

OK - I'm done EXCEPT if you are having the movers pack you need to know that they do whatever they can to increase the weight. I found things that couldn't possibly break or cause anything else to break wrapped in 10 sheets of paper (ex: a picture puzzle piece - no kidding). It was a miracle that I didn't mistakenly throw it away. I found many things like this.
I sure wish I was at your stage of moving.

[knoxgarden]

Look on Craiglist, Freecycle for boxes. Also look for a local carboard box company. I found one here in Knoxville and they were half the price of Uhaul moving boxes and much better. They also had a better range of sizes and would make them for special items (mirrors, lamps, etc.) at minimal extra cost.
It saved me a lot of money.
And do get the smaller book boxes for books. That way the movers can pick them up and stack them easily.
The best advice I can give is don't scrimip on the packing tape. The cheap stuff tears funny, doesn't come off the roll evenly and generally will drive you crazy. Go to Sam's Club or Staples and get the 3M or Duck brand tape in a big bundle. And get one of those tape appliers. Those are wonderful. Before I got mine, I'd go crazy trying to find the tape, then find the end of the roll and then have it come off in just a thin piece.
Happy packing!

[loveautumn]

Please keep in mind that alot of the major moving companies have a minimum weight they will charge...I think cross country it is like 1,000 lbs, so you pay for it even if you try and lighten the load. Just something to check into....

[Umbria]

Wisteria - The cottages are great - expensive, but if you had several people paying, not bad. SC is off my list - I have 2 dogs and 1 cat and will not get rid of any of them. I'll get my ocean/beach fix on vacations. It is absolutely gorgeous and if things were different, I'd give it serious consideration.

[nancy thereader]

Thanks for all of these suggestions about packing . They are really appreciated and I will look into every single one of them. I think that I have narrowed down my mover to one and I will be calling him to let him know.
Of course, I haven't gone out to Santa Cruz yet to put a down payment on the house yet, but I'll be doing that really soon.

It'll take a little while for my house here to close (about six to eight weeks).
It's a little hard to coordinate things long-distance, but I know it'll be worth it in the end (whenever that is..... ).

[knoxgarden]

Did you find a place in Santa Cruz? I missed that part of it. That's great. You're really moving along.