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From HI to GA we stayed at an extended stay place (2 dogs and a cat) until we found a rental. From GA to CT (same pets) we stayed at a motel until our house closed.
We have not sold our house yet, or bought another, but my husband is in a panic about the time delay in moving furniture to new home, driving up from Florida to Pa. with 2 cats, and getting to new house before the furniture arrives.
My thinking is find a hotel in the local area that will accept pets for a couple of days. Better that we all be together somewhere other than a strange, empty house with movers bringing in furniture.
We moved last winter with our three cats. They do get stressed out as they no longer have their "property". Be sure to take their favorite things and lots of items, such as blankets, that have their scent on them. The first night in the new house, our big male cat woke me up in the middle of the night by pressing his paw on my shoulder and his nose was pressing hard against my cheek. He also developed a bladder infection shortly after that, which is common for him to do when stressed by travel. They are fine and well now but they do need a little extra care and attention. Please no not underestimate their reaction to a move. Mine have not shown any interest in going outside but there are lots of stories about cats and dogs who try to find their way back home.
Our movers arrived a week late but we had already set up our air mattress and brought a few pots and pans with us as we like to cook at home. I also packed our favorite spices in small jars. Don't forget some TP for your first few hours.
If not mentioned before, I would seriously consider selling what you can in SF, and then buying new, or, as often the case is, buying at a quality consignment store, in your new location.
Much, much cheaper than shipping all that furniture. Of course, if some has true sentimental value that is a different thing. I've even picked up the odd thing at the Sally Ann stores, although most of that stuff is way too dated, and often of questionable quality. Many of the good quality consignment stores will not even take the usual press wood furniture so prevalent today.
I disagree to an extent. I think you should get rid of any furniture that is nearing the end of its life (worn or outdated) and any that is questionable in terms of whether you need it, or things that may not fit in the new place. Also, get rid of cheap pressed wood furniture, as mentioned above. But good, solid wood furniture is expensive to replace, and you will not save money by leaving it behind. Of course, also take family heirlooms, any thing custom made, and things with sentimental value. Here is an example of why it is best to know where you are moving to first: our home in California had very little overhead lighting (except kitchen and bathrooms) so we had quite a few lamps, including floor lamps. But our house in Texas was full of can lighting, ceiling fans with lights, etc. We needed almost no lamps, other than those on our night stands. Knowing that, we sold or gave away almost all of those lamps, which spared us the expense of moving them.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Originally Posted by G Grasshopper
I disagree to an extent. I think you should get rid of any furniture that is nearing the end of its life (worn or outdated) and any that is questionable in terms of whether you need it, or things that may not fit in the new place. Also, get rid of cheap pressed wood furniture, as mentioned above. But good, solid wood furniture is expensive to replace, and you will not save money by leaving it behind. Of course, also take family heirlooms, any thing custom made, and things with sentimental value. Here is an example of why it is best to know where you are moving to first: our home in California had very little overhead lighting (except kitchen and bathrooms) so we had quite a few lamps, including floor lamps. But our house in Texas was full of can lighting, ceiling fans with lights, etc. We needed almost no lamps, other than those on our night stands. Knowing that, we sold or gave away almost all of those lamps, which spared us the expense of moving them.
You make some valid points when it comes to good furniture, and of course heirlooms. But the general idea is to get rid of as much "stuff" as possible. One would be surprised how much money you can raise by having a series of garage sales before your move. It always amazes me what people will buy.
Our plan is even more complicated. We're moving from CA to OR in three weeks. DH is going to continue to work in CA for 8 more months, so we've gotten a CA apartment and are only furnishing it with stuff that can go to goodwill, except a little bit of stuff and his clothes we can drive up with his car next year. Another third of stuff is going to goodwill straight away, and the rest is moving to OR. I fly up for a week by myself ahead of time to take possession, get carpets cleaned, security and Internet set up, etc. I bought Coleman air mattresses and a pump and had them delivered to the house already (current owners were gracious enough to receive the package and put it aside), and I'm taking an extra suitcase with sheets, towels, a blanket, and essentials. I plan to buy some plastic patio chairs and little tables, and like someone else suggested, get some nice bar stools for the breakfast bar. Then when the main load is getting moved up, we'll drive my car up and stay at the house with the campy stuff I've already set up until delivery. It's gonna be a grand adventure and I can't wait!!
There is an extended stay hotel in Durham next to the Research Triangle Park that is only like 200 bucks a week, and it's relatively nice. New tv's, little 2 burner stove and microwave, table, space, etc. I stayed there for 5 days while I got my crap together. It's not luxury livinf, but it's affordable safe and convenient.
If you are not moving your mattresses (and I wouldn't unless they are brand new), got to a mattress store when you arrive and buy your guest room mattress (this may or may not be of lessor quality than your own mattress and can be bought quickly). Some places will deliver same day or next day and most will throw in a bed frame. For furniture, get inexpensive patio furniture to use until your delivery arrives.
This is a good idea but I wonder if dogs would freak out. Maybe cats are easier.
I'd try to rent something furnished that took pets if at all possible.
No, cats aren't easier Ours was just a local move, but I knew mine would freak out once the moving began (and I was worried they'd run off) so that morning I took them over to the new house with their food and litter box and left them there. When we got back there a few hours later with the furniture, I could not find them and they weren't making a sound. Turns out they were both hiding under the furnace scared to death. Poor babies...
Thanks for all the replies everyone We considered extended stay, but with so many animals the costs becomes ridiculous pretty fast. I am just going to fly over and hook myself a rental before we drive over. Already talking with a real estate agent who is helping me out, posting in FB groups and generally just keeping an eye out on the whole rental situation. Not much to for two more months though, can't really secure anything this far in advance (.. sadly!)
Right now the plan is a air mattress and some camping chairs. We'll survive for a week (or even two!)
I am fully prepared for freaked out cats. We're getting Feliway, making sure they can't get under any hotel beds on the road trip, getting a tranquilizer from the vet that I can administer if they get really freaked out (hoping I won't have to though.)
1 week on an inflatable mattress. No shades on the windows. No coffee maker. No air conditioner (June). No chair to sit in. It was hell.
My poor cats were traumatized. They didn't even have any furniture to hide under.
The day my truck arrived was one of the happiest moments of my life
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We're moving from CA to OR in three weeks. DH is going to continue to work in CA for 8 more months, so we've gotten a CA apartment and are only furnishing it with stuff that can go to goodwill, except a little bit of stuff and his clothes we can drive up with his car next year. Another third of stuff is going to goodwill straight away, and the rest is moving to OR. I fly up for a week by myself ahead of time to take possession, get carpets cleaned, security and Internet set up, etc. I bought Coleman air mattresses and a pump and had them delivered to the house already (current owners were gracious enough to receive the package and put it aside), and I'm taking an extra suitcase with sheets, towels, a blanket, and essentials. I plan to buy some plastic patio chairs and little tables, and like someone else suggested, get some nice bar stools for the breakfast bar. Then when the main load is getting moved up, we'll drive my car up and stay at the house with the campy stuff I've already set up until delivery. It's gonna be a grand adventure and I can't wait!!
Ours was just a local move, but I knew mine would freak out once the moving began (and I was worried they'd run off) so that morning I took them over to the new house with their food and litter box and left them there. When we got back there a few hours later with the furniture, I could not find them and they weren't making a sound. Turns out they were both hiding under the furnace scared to death. Poor babies...
