Moving Advice

[TheBrew]

To quickly recap since only a few people know this, I had a job interview in D.C. yesterday that went really well and it looks like 99% I have job and I just have to finish my certification in the next week before I sign anything (as well as finish my summer class).

I'm starting to plan on moving and while I have moved before, it was in the same state (or the neighboring state) so moving from the west coast to the east coast is a completely new experience. So I am looking for advice in two areas.

1) How to move. I don't have much, but I do have more than I can fit in a car. I'm going to get new furniture, so my big items are my Double Bass, my Drum Set, and my TV. Would it be better to haul it across country or to ship it? A trip cross country wouldn't be fun (unless I can get someone to go with me), but I do want to protect my Bass (the TV and Drum Set are easily replaceable).

2) Where to move. The area is a bit overwhelming for me now. I won't be starting out at much (mid-high 30s) so I don't want to spend more than $1200. However, I also don't want to live with anyone (as in a shared house. Apartment complex would be okay unless it has thin walls). I would like to live in a place with a good social scene for young professionals since I would like to meet people. Arlington looked like a cool place live when I checked it out a bit today. I will be working at Walter Reed (at least until they close down in 2011), so I want avoid a long commute (half-hourish is okay).

Any general or specific advice is appreciated.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I'll refer you to The Onion:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38306

It might be cheaper to move it all yourself ...

 

[Squiggy]

The problem with DC is that you're either going to get fucked by rent by living close into town or fucked by the commute by living OTB (outside the beltway).

I live in a one bedroom apartment in Arlington (Courthouse Metro). I pay about 1350 ish for rent, no utilities included. Total monthly living bills are about 1450 (rent, gas, electric). Cable is 100 for basic w/internet.

While I chose that way to get fucked, I make up for said fucking on my commute time and costs. I have a 10 minute walk to Metro, a 20 minute ride and it costs me 4.10 a day. Before, when I was living OTB in Centreville, VA I had a little less rent (1100), but my commuting cost and time was getting me. 30 minute bus ride to a 45 minute train ride total cost 10.35 a day. Now I'm living closer in but every thing sort of evens out.

Now, if you wanna risk live and limb you could find some cheaper places, but there are places in DC you want to try and avoid at all costs (SE, Anacostia).

Six weeks before moving day, fill one small box with books, seal it tightly, and write "books" on top in permanent marker. Then do nothing more until the day before your move.

I do this every time I move.

 

[Holdfast]

Even in a small country like the UK, moving is a pain in the proverbial, so I can only imagine the added complications in the USA. Bottom line, if you can afford it, hire good professionals (with insurance) to do it all for you.

Though, if you have very little stuff, and it sounds like you do, consider selling as much as you can before going so you can just take what you need as luggage on your flight and rebuy what you need at the other end. Depending on the value/amount of items, it might even work out cheaper than hiring pros to move the stuff for you.

If the double-bass is the only major other bulky item, you can get that shipped across professionally at modest cost.

Good luck. Personally I have no intention of moving again for quite a while if I can possibly help it. It's a nightmare. Mind you, my hatred of moving is also what's helping me economise on clothes purchases since I've run out of room in my current place, and really don't want to have to move somewhere larger, which means I have to be much stricter with myself. Hey, it's one way to save some dough...

By the way, in my book, commuting long distances daily is almost as big a pain as moving, so pick somewhere as close as you can afford to your workplace.

 

[Trekker4747]

Rent a large-enough-for-one-trip-with-your-stuff Penske self-moving van. (DON'T use UHaul their trucks are crap, Penske's are ace!) with a tow trailer for your car. You're obviously going to be driving this rig across the country so be prepared for large fuel costs and for the drive. You'll also want a padlock with a key to lock the trailer door while the rig is parked at a hotel during overnight layovers.

Be warned. The living expenses in the D.C. area are enormous. A barely habitable bungalow will cost you $500K or more. (Though if you live in many areas of California you may already be used to high dwelling expenses.)

 

[Captain Ice]

^Agreed. Though I think you should skip Penske and rent from Budget since their trucks are equiped with power liftgates.

Also, if you get the job, the company may be willing to help pay for your moving expenses, so get and keep receipts for everything.

 

[Squiggy]

Also, if you get the job, the company may be willing to help pay for your moving expenses, so get and keep receipts for everything.

Not in this economy.

 

[Maestro]

If your new employer is 50 miles away from your previous one, your moving expenses are tax deductible. Keep receipts and deduct everything.

 

[TheBrew]

Thanks for the tips. I checked out the Arlington area today and I really liked it. The Metro for me is a bit harder since it stops about 1/2 a mile from Walter Reed, but I'll have to see if there is a bus/shuttle.

 

[nevermore]

Live in Baltimore, take the Marc to work. It's about a 45 trip, but its only like $7.00 each way and many local employers will contribute to public transport commuting costs. Tons of people do it.

Rent in Baltimore is less than half and the social scene is really good. You can rent a 3-bedroom rowhome $1200/month or a great 1-bedroom in midtown for $700-900. Living expenses are also about half. For instance, you'll pay $7.00 for a microbrew at a relatively cheap place in DC; about $4.25 in Baltimore. Also, a great underground music scene.

Also, DC sucks.

 

[Squiggy]

If you live in my complex and say I suggested it I get 500 bucks.

Only losers live in Baltimore. I mean, what's it known for? Some guy wrote a song and another guy who married his cousin wrote some poems. The end.

 

[Trekker4747]

If you live in my complex and say I suggested it I get 500 bucks.

Only losers live in Baltimore. I mean, what's it known for? Some guy wrote a song and another guy who married his cousin wrote some poems. The end.

Flamingliberal living there would be enough for me.

 

[nevermore]

Also, the crime. Makes it exciting!

 

[Squiggy]

Well, I wasn't going to say that, lest I come off as creepy. I'm trying to work on that.

 

[nevermore]

^Good for you! Are you in a 12-step program, or trying to go it alone?

 

[Squiggy]

I'm on the patch.

 

[sidious618]

Well, The Wire was filmed in Baltimore so that's something. Then again, that show wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for the city.

 

[Pingfah]

I like Baltimore, it's fun. Some cool bars, and nice crab cakes.

 

[Trekker4747]

Well, I wasn't going to say that, lest I come off as creepy. I'm trying to work on that.

Squiggy, you posted a picture of yourself mooning another poster here.

I think the "creepy" stigma is burned in to your skull.

 

[SeerSGB]

Also, if you get the job, the company may be willing to help pay for your moving expenses, so get and keep receipts for everything.

Not in this economy.

Yeppers.

The wife is wanting to move up in the company, the only open positions about hers are in Kentucky and Virgina, but the moving costs are keeping us from trying cause the company dropped moving coverage for anyone below district level staff. They've even stop covering some leases (they used to pay a percentage if you lease instead of bought).

I'm on the patch.

Well the label says "ORTHO EVRA" so you might have the wrong one

The problem with DC is that you're either going to get fucked by rent by living close into town or fucked by the commute by living OTB (outside the beltway).

I live in a one bedroom apartment in Arlington (Courthouse Metro). I pay about 1350 ish for rent, no utilities included. Total monthly living bills are about 1450 (rent, gas, electric). Cable is 100 for basic w/internet.

While I chose that way to get fucked, I make up for said fucking on my commute time and costs. I have a 10 minute walk to Metro, a 20 minute ride and it costs me 4.10 a day. Before, when I was living OTB in Centreville, VA I had a little less rent (1100), but my commuting cost and time was getting me. 30 minute bus ride to a 45 minute train ride total cost 10.35 a day. Now I'm living closer in but every thing sort of evens out.

Now, if you wanna risk live and limb you could find some cheaper places, but there are places in DC you want to try and avoid at all costs (SE, Anacostia).

Thanks for that. We're looking into the DC/Baltimore area and this gives me a decent idea how and where to look.