I'm moving!

[MetalPants]

In about 2-3 weeks, I'm moving.

In the time between now and then, I have to find a place to live, pack up all of my belongings, and find a way to transport them.

So anyone got any advice on how to make the packing/transporting any easier?

 

[Non Sync]

Start packing now. Don't put books in anything bigger than a book box.

How far are you moving? Are you going to be doing it yourself or wanting to hire someone else?

If you do it yourself, get a bigger truck than you think you'll need. It's easier to have some room left over than trying to figure out how to squeeze in the sofa.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

Pack heavy things into small boxes. Heavy and big boxes mean hiring lots of expensive dudes to tote them around.

 

[backstept]

Start packing now. Don't put books in anything bigger than a book box.

How far are you moving? Are you going to be doing it yourself or wanting to hire someone else?

If you do it yourself, get a bigger truck than you think you'll need. It's easier to have some room left over than trying to figure out how to squeeze in the sofa.

I've moved several times in my life and my mom has a ton of books so I definitely know that books aren't fun to move

go to a print shop like Kinko's or whatever and see if they'll give you their empty boxes that copy paper comes in . . . they're like 11X17 by about 12 high . . . they stack well and hold a decent amount of stuff and they have lids so there's no dealing with folding flaps or tape
one downside is that they don't fold flat like regular moving boxes when they're empty so they take up the same space as full ones . . .

good luck, and make sure to label the boxes! or else you'll never find anything once you get where you're going

 

[Miss Chicken]

I moved six months ago after living in the same house for nearly 30 years.

My best advice - if you haven't used something in the last year seriously consider throwing it away. In fact it is a very good time to do a severe weed of your possessions.

Also have a box full of your essentials i.e. things that you will need to use, or might need to use, within the first couple of days of moving in.

 

[indranee]

one word: don't.

 

[Azlynn]

The copy paper boxes is a great tip. Regular sized paperbacks fit exceptionally well into these boxes - I think it's about 6 flat stacks, and then room for just 2-5 standing on end. They're very popular at work with people moving - they happily empty the paper out and stack it in return for the boxes.

And second the decrapping, even if you don't think you have a lot of crap. Anything you're not using, ditch it. This can really thin out kitchen packing, as people tend to accumulate kitchen stuff even if they don't need all that much.

 

[JNG]

I used http://www.upack.com the last time I moved, and was quite pleased with all aspects.

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

Throw out, sell, or give to charity as much crap as you can bear to part with. Don't be sentimental, and have a friend with you to keep asking "do you really need that?" as you're going through your stuff.

You really don't want to move a bunch of stuff you're ambivalent about. My god does that suck. Been there, done that. Which is why I slashed and burned during my last move.

Start stocking up on newspapers now, they make awesome packing material.

Confine your heavy items to small boxes. Use the large boxes for light, voluminous items.

Oh yeah, bite the bullet and hire a professional moving crew. Sooooo worth it.

 

[Niorah]

^ All that she said.

Seriously, don't hold back on the expenses, it's your whole life you're moving with you, so hire the best.

If you have some particularly fragile items, make sure to have some bubble wrap at hand.

Be definitely mercyless with clothes, if you haven't worn it in the last year, leave it to a charity.

Make sure to pack all cables in one box, so you won't have to look for them in ten different places when you're setting back up your electronic equipment.

And most of all best of luck with your new life!

 

[MetalPants]

one word: don't.

It's move or else have a three hour drive (one way) to work each day. Or I suppose I could lose the $11k raise that I got. I'd rather move than see either of those happen.

 

[Finn]

supermarkets should have some boxes you can take with you.

 

[indranee]

one word: don't.

It's move or else have a three hour drive (one way) to work each day. Or I suppose I could lose the $11k raise that I got. I'd rather move than see either of those happen.

oh, that I understand. I used to have a 2.5 hour drive each day. all the best with the move. I hate moving, hence my earlier post. the irony is that I'm actually going to be moving soon. ugh.

 

[the Dagman]

I second the idea of hiring a moving crew. I did that with my last move and it was so worth it. No having to hit up friends to help, no added cost of renting a truck or moving van. My stuff was already packed and sitting in a storage unit, so no extra packing was involved. I just led them to the storage unit, directed them to empty it into their truck, then led them to the new apartment and directed them as to where each box and piece of furniture went. Two and a half hours and it was done. Best $300 I ever spent moving.

 

[Aurian]

Absolutly no loose stuff. Have a lamp? Stick it in a box. Don't pack too heavily.
Throw away stuff you are not using. Get more boxes than you figure you need. You will need them. Stick a post-it (and tape it to the box also) with info on what you have in the boxes and where it should be placed (kitchen, livingroom, storage).
Items that you need the first day (coffeemaker, toothbrush, deodorant, snacks,,, basically your absolut needs) go into ONE box. Mark it well and make sure it isnt lost.

 

[Barbados Slim]

I always use friends, rent a U-Haul and pay them in beer. Cheaper than movers and it's part of the bro code to help a friend move.

I agree with packing large boxes lightly. I hope you don't have any convertible couches, those are the worst things to move. Worse than washers and refrigerators.

 

[nevermore]

The copy paper boxes is a great tip. Regular sized paperbacks fit exceptionally well into these boxes - I think it's about 6 flat stacks, and then room for just 2-5 standing on end. They're very popular at work with people moving - they happily empty the paper out and stack it in return for the boxes.

Or hit a liquor store. Beer boxes are about the same size and very sturdy. That's what I always use to move my books...

 

[Holdfast]

Seriously, don't hold back on the expenses, it's your whole life you're moving with you, so hire the best.

+1

Last time I moved, I paid for them to do the packing as well as the transport. Costs a little more, but then you're completely insured for any damage and you also don't have the hassle of doing it yourself. Of course, you still need to unpack at the other end...

I hate moving, to be honest. I don't plan on doing it again until I REALLY need to.

 

[Mallory]

Same here. Except the last time I did let them hook up the washer, the dryer and the ice maker in the fridge at the other end. Worth every penny.

 

[Holdfast]

Same here. Except the last time I did let them hook up the washer, the dryer and the ice maker in the fridge at the other end. Worth every penny.

This is wisdom.