Moving News and Relocation Advice

College time has come and it’s time to move away from home. Though you might not be moving an entire house load of furniture and belongings, it is still a stressful period of life. You are still moving, and moving tips still apply.

While it cannot predict which mementos are most important to you, the following list will tell you some of the basic items most college students like to bring away with them. Remember to check with your future roommates before packing to avoid any duplicate appliances!

Kitchen:

• Broom and Other Cleaning Products
• Coffee Pot
• Cooking Utensils
• Dishes
• Microwave, Hot Plate, Rice Cooker and any other item you can’t cook without!
• Pans
• Silverware
• Trash Can

Bathroom:

• First-Aid Kit
• Pain/Headache Relief Medication
• Plunger
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Toilet Paper
• Towels

Bedroom:

• Alarm Clock
• Bed Sheets
• Book Shelves/Crates
• Computer/Printer
• Desk Lamp
• Fan/Space Heater
• Favorite Pillows
• Hangers
• Lamp
• Laundry Basket
• School/Study Supplies
• Waste-Paper Basket

Living Room

• TV
• VCR/DVD Player or the equivalent.

You go to a restaurant, you are expected to leave a tip to the waitress or waiter. There are many scenarios where the social protocol is to leave someone a tip. But how about tipping the mover? The trucking people did a great job, they got your precious belongings without a hitch to your new home. So, should they receive a tip? Is it even allowed?

First of all, tipping should be reserved for movers who did their job correctly. If a mover goes out of their way to accommodate you then, by all means, tip accordingly.

Provide cold drinks, coffee, finger sandwiches or whatever is suitable to the weather and time of day. Also provide food if the move takes a while and extends over the lunch period: pizza, sandwiches, something quick they can eat while on the move and on the job. It’s not really a tip, but is a courtesy nonetheless.

If there’s only one or two movers, tip between $40-60 (to split if there are two) depending on how hard the move was (stairs, heavy boxes, awkward items, etc…).   If there is more than one mover, tip $20 per person and give all the money to the head mover or supervisor so they can divide it afterward.

If you received absolutely amazing service, tips can reach up to $100. But the movers need to be really good, really helpful and do something beyond the call of duty, such as helping with last minute packing, taking the time to carefully wrap fragile items or help you catch an escaped cat. That’s definitely the sign of a really good and caring mover.

Finding the great dream home of your life that suits your lifestyle and needs is a dream that can become a reality.

It’s easy to see a place you love and decide right off the bat to move into it, but it’s not the best way to go about finding the best place. Research everything and anything you can, like the neighborhood, city, surrounding areas, and job market. You might have always dreamt of moving to, say, Houston, but in reality could be an absolute nightmare if you move there and discover some aspects of city life you never considered. So research, research, research.

Make yourself a monthly budget that you are confident you can stick to. From there you can decide how much you have to spend on your dream place. Going over your alloted amount could result in you not having enough money for other necessary amenities. If your dream place requires more than 1/3 of your salary, see if you can eliminate items from your budget that you don’t necessarily need (entertainment costs, cable TV, Internet, etc) to achieve your dream.

Your dream home is just that: a dream. When looking for a place, keep in mind your must-haves (heat and hot water included with rent, air conditioning, free parking, etc.) and don’t budge. Find a place with everything you want but with little hassles like small rooms or peeling paint. Try looking past the imperfections by being realistic. The best place in your budget may not have every single amenity you desire, but can very well be the dream home you have been looking for after some TLC.

Summer is the most popular time for people to move. The weather is better, there’s no worry about ice or hold ups due to a blizzard and the kids are out of school. Whether moving a short distance or across the country, proper packing is your best insurance against property damage. It’s tempting to leave everything to the last minute. Unfortunately, you can’t just throw your whole house into a beach bag and go. Better moves begin with proper planning.

Some Packing Reminders:

• Reinforce the bottom of all boxes.
• Pack one room at a time and label each box with room and contents.
• Fill unused space in boxes with paper or filler to prevent shifting.
• Mark boxes containing fragile items clearly with “Fragile”. Load these boxes on top and secure in place.
• Disassemble any items you can.
• Wrap sharp corners to prevent them from puncturing or scratching other items.
• Move valuables, houseplants, swim gear and necessities with you, not in the truck.

Protect Furniture:

Protect furniture by padding with bubble wrap or blankets and securing firmly. Remove furniture legs when possible. Place wing nuts or screws in bags taped to underside of furniture. To protect against scratches, coat fine wood furnishings with wax.  Stand sofas on end and secure to minimize space used. Place loose cushions in bags and use as filler between pieces. Move dressers with drawers full to avoid repacking. Secure drawers from opening during transit.

Help Electronics:

Use original boxes for computers, stereos or televisions whenever possible and follow manufacturer’s instructions for moving. Wrap each piece with bubble wrap or foam packing material. Immobilize any moving parts. Remove all cables and cords and label for easier reinstallation. Tape electrical cords to backs to prevent plug damage. Compact discs, video and cassette tapes will warp in a moving truck in hot weather.

Appliances

Defrost, clean and dry refrigerators/freezers days before moving. Utilize the interior space for lightweight or crushable items. Disconnect and empty hoses for washing machines and place in the tub. Immobilize the tub with a moving brace or by placing towels/blankets between the tub and sidewall. Tape electrical cords to backs of machines to prevent damage.

Moving is a chore. Let’s face it. Plain and simple. But, there are some things you can do to make moving a bit less stressful and put a little bit of fun into it as well.

First of all, your mindset plays a very important role in how you view moving. If you are completely dreading it, then you will have a bad time and it will take longer (or at the least seem like it) and make you miserable. So, try and find the good side to the move, regardless of the reason.

Next, associate the move with things you enjoy, such as your favorite music. Packing can be a long and tiring process, and it can get boring. Download your favorite music to your MP3 player or a CD to play while packing and in the car during long drives or the flight.

You can also put the kids to “work” by having them sit down with paper and pen and write down their hopes and dreams for the new home. What are they looking for in a new school? What kind of activities do they plan to get involved in at the new location?  Doing this will help get them into the swing of moving and put a bit of excitement into the idea of a new location.

Another idea you can use to make moving more fun and interesting for your children is to pack goodies and surprises into each box. This way, unpacking will be something the children will want to help you with!

Let’s face it, some places are just better to move to than others. But what constitutes a “good” location over a “bad” one? After all, if you like it there then it is good and everyone has their own opinion on that.

However, certain popular criteria hold true regardless of where you plan to move, such as good schools if you have children, strong local leadership, employment opportunities, a thriving community, improving real estate markets, growing green initiatives, plentiful recreational options and an overall high quality of life.  One of the top cities in the USA to offer the above criteria is Anchorage, Alaska.

A bit about Alaska:

Alaska was purchased in 1867 from Russia for $7.2 Million. The total land mass is roughly 570,374 square miles. It is 16.1% of the total land mass of the United States. There are more than 100,000 glaciers, 3 million lakes and 33,904 miles of coastline. It is the home of the 2 largest national forests. The Tongass National Forest is approximately 16 million acres and the Chugach Nation Forest is 4.8 million acres. It is also home to the highest peak in North America, Mount Denali.

Anchorage is one of Alaska’s largest cities and is home to over 300,000 residents, which is small in comparison to many other popular North American cities of the same size. The city lies between the Knik and Turnagain arms of Cook Inlet and the rugged Chugach Mountains.

The city was not much until 1914 when Congress granted the city permission for a public railroad. There are two military bases located in Anchorage, so many military families relocate to the state on a regular basis. There is much to do in Anchorage, as it is a very diverse city, offering such entertainment as dog sledding to five-star restaurants.

Centuries ago, people moved to follow their food source or for need of a better climate, or just out of curiosity. Today, people move for more eclectic reasons. But, how do you know the time is right for you to pack up all your things and head to a different direction? How can you be sure that you’re making the right decision?

First, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I bored with my job?
• How difficult would it be to find a new job? Is my job portable?
• Is there a city, state, country I’ve always dreamed of living in?
• What are my responsibilities that I need to consider?
• Can I afford to move?
• Can I afford not to move?

Moving for Work:
In an attempt to cut overhead costs, companies, like people, are on the move. This change in the economic climate has resulted in more employees and their families relocating to another city, state or even country. If you find yourself in this position, before you agree to the move, take a moment to reflect on where you are in your career and if this move will lead you to that next step. This is the time to find out how, and if, the transfer deal might be sweetened to make moving worth your while.

Time to Retire?
If you’ve just retired and are looking for a sunny, warm place to move, it’s a good idea to consider all your options. Make sure you investigate health care services and medical insurance, cost of living and what it will be like to move away from family and friends. On the other hand, this is a great opportunity to have a more active life, meet new friends and travel. The best way to decide if moving is right for you is to try it for a long-term vacation - three to six months - which will give you a chance to see if a permanent move fits your new lifestyle. Keep in mind that retiring from a job, a career, a daily routine, can take a while to get used to and a move could either aggravate the stress you may feel or help to relieve it.

Change of Scenery
Perhaps you have always wanted to move somewhere warmer or near better skiing. If you have a dream or would like to live in a place that supports a lifestyle you’ve always wanted then make your list, take a trip, see what it’s really like and make it happen. It’s not as difficult as it might seem and the payoff is bigger than ever imagined.

Regardless of whether your china are family heirlooms, collectibles or inventory for an antique store, when self moving china and crystal, you must pack it the right way to prevent shattered pieces. Follow the below tips to help ease the process:

1. Get dish protection kits (you can generally find them online for about $17). Dish protection kits are a handy way to purchase all the materials you need at once. A kit typically includes a sturdy box, cardboard separators and foam pockets of different sizes for individual plates. Boxes hold 6-8 dinner plates. Or sheets of felt can be purchased at fabric and craft stores, and placed between plates. Yards of felt can be bought off the bolt for wrapping tea pots, platters, etc. Some home stores sell storage bags specifically designed to store china. They are typically cloth or plastic bags, felt-lined and closed with zippers. If you do not wish to use boxes, consider mid-sized Tupperware containers with handles on either side.
2. Store 6-8 plates per box. If using foam pockets, place only one plate in each pocket. Stack no more than 6 plates to avoid putting pressure on the bottom plates. For items that have lids, such as teapots, wrap the lid with felt, foam or high quality paper towels, then turn the lid over so the top hangs inside the vessel.  For extremely fragile pieces such as bone china, wrap the piece loosely first in felt or foam, then bubble wrap. Be careful not to wrap too tightly.  Keep boxes light and well balanced.
3. Protect glassware. Like dish protection kits, glassware protection kits come with everything you need. A kit typically includes a sturdy box, cardboard separators and foam pockets for individual glasses, mugs or wine glasses. Boxes usually hold 12 8-oz. glasses. Bubble wrap can be used for wrapping, although it takes up more room per item.  Sheets of felt or high quality paper towels can be wrapped around glasses. When putting glasses in a box, stand them on end and place cut-up cardboard between the glasses. Pack enough glasses in one box that there is no tilting or shifting, but do not pack them together tightly. When wrapping wine glasses, do not put pressure on their stems. For extremely fragile pieces, wrap the piece loosely first in felt or foam, then bubble wrap. Be careful not to wrap too tightly.  Stack boxes of glasses on top of heavier boxes (not underneath) to avoid crushing due to weight.

Moving is serious business and you can never have too many reminders of things to do and that need to be done. Below is a list of tips you might already know or need a reminder to do.

1. Don’t forget the safety deposit box. Not everyone has one, but if you do, leaving it behind could meaning having to drive a long way to get it back.
2. Get rid of things. Consider carefully what you need to keep. People spend hundreds of dollars to move things that will undoubtedly be thrown away some day. It’s not just a matter of the expense, but the hassle too. Moving time is the best time to get rid of the things you really don’t need.
3. Don’t forget those lists. You will forget things if you don’t have a list or two. Start with a list of things to do before the move. It might include things like getting school documents transferred, filling out change of address forms, returning borrowed books and movies, transferring prescriptions, getting maps, and arranging utility shut offs and start ups.
4. Have a moving sale. It’s a good way to get rid of those things, and you might even raise enough money to pay for the move.
5. Make the moving company reservation a month ahead. You wouldn’t want to find out they are booked up on the date you need them.
6. Pack early. It’s hard to say how long it will take until you are doing it. Start early to avoid running around looking for boxes at the last moment.
7. Have an “essentials” box. This will have things to make your arrival easier, like toilet paper, paper plates, soap and such. Pack the box where it is easily accessible.
8. Check weather reports. It’s no fun arriving in a snowstorm with your coat packed away somewhere. Allow for extra moving time if the weather is going to slow down traffic.
9. Notify family and friends of your new address and phone number(s). Do this before you have the phone shut off.
10. Save receipts for moving expenses, like gas, hotel rooms, and anything else related to the move. Then ask your accountant or tax preparer if you are eligible for a tax deduction for moving expenses.
11. Try to re-establish your routines quickly. It helps to quickly re-establish routines in your new home, so if Saturday night is movie night, don’t break with tradition. Moving is less traumatic if you have some consistency in daily life. If you are moving with children, this may be one of the more important moving tips to remember.

When you move, it helps considerably to draw out a moving timeline for everything you have to do. Not only will this help you know what direction you’re going in, but it will keep you from forgetting steps as you go along. There is a lot to remember and the easier you make it on yourself the better.

Here are some ideas for drawing out a timeline. The one drawn below is a rough draft idea only. You can make your own that outlines your particular moving details.

1. 10 - 12 weeks beforehand. Check out the new neighborhood, schools, shopping, safety locations (hospitals, police, etc.) and other areas important to you. Be sure the neighborhood you’re moving to has all that you need, is safe for you and your children, and is in a good school zone. Often you can read about your new neighborhood (city, town or village) online, but visiting will tell you things that research online won’t.
2. 8 - 10 weeks beforehand.  Plan your moving budget. There are a lot of expenses that are involved in moving. Plan for everything and add some. It never hurts to have a little extra. Also, start looking for your professional moving company, if you plan to use one. If you are self moving, plan to rent a truck well in advance. Get your estimates now.
3. 6 - 8 weeks beforehand. Check all your major appliances, heating, cooling systems, etc. Make sure everything is working well. Clean up the yard and outside of the house. Don’t forget to mow the lawn. Declutter and start separating your belongings into categories such as what you plan to keep, throw away and sell or donate. Have a garage sale to get rid of extraneous items and make a few bucks.
4. 2 - 4 weeks beforehand. Prepare for closing and the fees, commissions and taxes that come with it. Forward your mail. Fill out the US Postal Service’s Change of Address form.
5. 1 - 2 weeks beforehand. Coordinate to have utilities shut off at the old house and on at the new home.  Create a pack or kit to have all the essentials on moving day. Finish packing.
6. Day Before. Mark your boxes so the ones you want unpacked first will be in front on the truck. Do a double check of your whole house to be sure you forgot nothing.

And then, of course, there’s moving day, which you will need to use mostly for dealing with the movers and any little details for last minute.