Moving Guru Blog

Moving Masses of Clothing

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Devie Lin

Clothing is usually the least of anyone’s worries when they’re moving. But anyone with an extensive wardrobe knows that that space adds up! Check out the following Moving Guide article for a couple short and sweet suggestions.

Clothing is light and shouldn’t be difficult to transport. Here are some tips to maximize your space.

Going the Traditional Route

Many people pack clothing in cardboard boxes and trash bags when they move. The problem is, it’s bulky and takes up room. To maximize space, consider saving most of your boxes and bags for difficult-to-transport objects such as computers, printers, or whatever might be too small and scattered to carry on its own.

Stay Organized

Ideally, you’re able to pack masses of clothing in super specialized wardrobe boxes. They’re compact and great for organization. Above all else, they solve the problem of pesky hangers, whose irregular shapes make it difficult to just stuff into a trash bag. These boxes don’t come cheap, though—at about $8 each, think about only buying several for your nicest clothing that perhaps can’t afford to be wrinkled.

Shrink What Doesn’t Fit

Clothing is mostly air and linen, which is why it can be so unwieldy to pack and store. Look into buying an oversized vacuum-sealed storage bag for anything bulky that you don’t mind getting wrinkled, such as jeans or sweatshirts. It works by sucking out all the air in the bag so that your clothing inside is compressed into easily managed wedges. Some vacuum-sealed storage bags even come in the shape of chairs and ottomans for optimal organization. A $25 bag is large enough to fit all sorts of things—one recommendation is to try putting your comforter or sheets inside.

The Overarching Ideas:

  • Mix and match
  • Look at specific articles of clothing going into specific storage units
  • Cardboard boxes and trash bags – shirts that aren’t too bulky, socks, underwear
    • Wardrobe boxes – anything nice that stays on its hanger
    • Vacuum-sealed storage bags – jeans, sweatshirts, comforters or pillows with fluffy down feathers
Posted in Difficult Things to Move | Leave a comment

Moving in the Snow

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Devie Lin

Moving in the snow, sleet and ice is difficult and dangerous work.  There are many precautions you need to take so that you can finish the your move safely and can enjoy a hot cup of cocoa after it.  Here’s what to do:

  • Wear Gloves – gloves will keep your hands warm so you can better grip boxes and furniture.
  • Wear Boots – boots with help keep you from slipping, and they’ll keep your feet warm.
  • Unpack Perishables First – some possessions, including plants and electronics, can be damaged by extreme cold.  Try to get them unpacked as soon as possible.
  • Use Salt – salt the path between the moving truck and the entrance you’ll be using.  Salt will melt the ice and snow, giving you far better grip while walking.
  • Use Towels Inside – if you track snow inside with you, it’s going to melt, creating a slipping hazard.  Use towels around any entrance so to prevent melt water from accumulating.
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Easing Your Child's Transition

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Devie Lin

Children are resilient, but a move–a total upheaval of their normal, day-to-day life–can be incredibly traumatic. Here are some things to keep in mind once the move is complete to make your child feel at home.

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Moving to a new city is hard. And when you’re a child, it’s doubly so.

Before moving, you’ve already talked to your child about leaving your old home behind. You made sure to tell him or her in advance so that your child could get used to the idea and say goodbye to friends. After the difficult processof relocating is completed, however, you’re now faced with the even more difficult process of getting your child to see a new city as a new home.

Give Your Child a Voice When Moving

Let your child have a say in perhaps choosing his or her own room. Ask your child what color it should be painted, and take him or her poster shopping—anything to encourage your child’s personality in the new home. It’s also beneficial to allow him or her to make decisions or offer input on furniture placement. If your child is up for the responsibility, feel free to suggest a TV in the room!

Have Your Child Meet New Friends

Encourage your child to spend time with new friends right off the bat. Set time aside specifically after school for play dates. If your child is older, help him or her register for recreational classes at the local community center. Give your child something fresh and interesting to do in the form of art, ballet, or whatever captures his or her interest.

Let Your Child Explore His or Her New Home

Take your child to local attractions such as the park or zoo. Help him or her sign up for a library card. Within reason, embolden your child to explore the neighborhood. If the new home has fixtures that he or she might not be used to, such as an attic or pool, encourage play.

The Most Important Things to Remember:

  • Go slow and don’t push for things that might be a little scary at first
  • Moving is very traumatic for children
  • Let them maintain contact with old friends
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Moving In and Unpacking

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Devie Lin

Once you arrive at your new home, moving truck in tow, the real fun starts.  Not only will you have to unload and unpack everything, you will also need to figure out where to put it.

Unpacking requires a plan of action.  If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll find yourself looking at boxes strewn haphazardly around and, even worse, carrying large furniture from room to room.  Here’s what to figure out before to arrive:

  • Labeling – make sure boxes are labelled during the packing phase so you can identify their contents and you know where they are going.
  • Furniture – come up with a plan for which pieces of furniture will go in which room.  Have rooms picked out before you move in.
  • Measure – if you have large pieces of furniture, measure them to make sure they will fit in the doors and halls.
  • Route –based on the measurements and where different things are going, plan your routes through your new home.
  • Help – figure out who will be around to help you.  If you need outside help, set up a time for them to meet you at your new place.

 

Posted in Moving Logistics | Leave a comment

How to Unload a Moving Truck

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Devie Lin

Unpacking a moving truck takes special care, both for your sake and your possessions’.  Besides simply being careful, here’s what you need to know:

What You Need:

  • Ramp – most moving trucks have a ramp built in.  If yours doesn’t, get a new moving truck.
  • Dolly – a dolly will help you move heavy objects without putting all their weight on your back.
  • Gloves – gloves will help you grip boxes and objects, and they will prevent you from cutting yourself or getting slivers.

What to Do:

  • Perishables first – get your plants, foods, and any other objects susceptible to the elements out of the truck first.
  • Use the dolly – the dolly is your lower back’s best friend.  Use it.
  • Buddy up – tag-team bigger, heavier objects.
  • Avoid risks – pick up smaller boxes and objects while standing on the ground… just move them to the end of the moving truck first.  This will prevent you needing to walk down the skinny ramp with carrying things.
Posted in Moving Logistics, Moving Safety | Leave a comment

Why Hire a Home Inspector?

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Devie Lin

Home inspectors are professionals who check your new house from roof to basement, looking for problems.  A detailed home inspection is essential for anyone who intends to buy a home or who has already bought one for the following reasons:

Gain leverage – if the owners allow you to hire a home inspector inspect a home prior to signing a sale contract, problems with the home might give you leverage in obtaining a lower price, depending on the situation.

Avoid a bad purchase – inspection clauses in sale contracts and/or the law might allow you to cancel a home sale if discovered problems are severe enough.

Make the seller make repairs – the sale contract might provide that the seller has to make reasonable repairs for problems discovered pursuant to an inspection.

Prevent worse problems – if nothing else, a home inspection can turn up minor problems in your new home that you can repair prior to them becoming major problems.  For example, a leaky pipe can be patched or replaced before it bursts.

Posted in Apartment and House Hunting | Leave a comment

Apartment Hunting Tips

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Devie Lin

If you want to find a good apartment, you need to search… you need to check out numerous places and weigh their perks and drawbacks.  Here are some tips for getting the information you need:

  • Know your price – have a max rent based on your budget in mind.  This will help you gauge the different perks offered and prevent you from paying too much after being awed by the complex’s hot tub.
  • Read reviews – before you even check out a place, read some Yelp or Google reviews on the apartment building/complex.
  • Check out the room – apartment complexes usually show you a sample room; try to view the one you’d actually be living in instead.
  • Don’t sign right away – leave the apartment or complex and at least sit on the decision over lunch.
Posted in Apartment and House Hunting | Leave a comment

Moving for a Job

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Devie Lin

If you were recently hired for a job in a different city, or if your employer is making you relocate, you’re going to need to move.  The first question is: when?

Chances are you will have some time off between finishing work at your old job and starting at your new one.  It might be tempting to use this time to party with your old friends; however, you should make sure to move at least one week before your upcoming start date.  Here’s why:

  • Unpacking – setting up your new home will take a lot of time.  If you start work the day after moving, you might be walking unpacked moving boxes for months and months.
  • Acquainting – you should feel comfortable in your new city prior to working.  Know the route you’ll take to work, find the grocery store, meet your new neighbors.
  • Stress Reduction – moving is stressful.  So is starting a new job.  Putting them both within days of each other is taxing and should be avoided.

 

Posted in Moving Logistics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Having a Moving-In Party

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Devie Lin

As previously mentioned, you should have a moving-out party to unwind with your old friends and family before skipping town.  However, if the old axiom is true, there’s no such thing as too many parties, so you might as well have another one when you move in.

When contemplating having a moving-in party, you’re going to be confronted with a very tough question: who do I invite?  The answer is everybody.  Use it as a way to meet new people.

If you’re going to have a moving-in party, give yourself two weeks to set up your home and acquaint yourself with the neighborhood.  Then get to planning.  Here’s who to invite:

  • Coworkers – you might not know them well yet, but you are both aware of each other.  That’s enough.
  • Friends/family – even the ones you rarely talk to but who happen to be in your new city.
  • Neighbors – don’t worry about inviting the entire neighborhood, but do tell your immediate neighbors.
  • Anyone else who you fancy – that guy you met on the bus, your new hairstylist, your kid’s new best friend’s parents… whoever.
  • Friends of friends – tell all the above to invite whoever.

If you just get yourself out there and offer some food and drinks, you should have a pretty killer moving-in party on hand in no time.

Posted in Settling into Your New Home | Leave a comment

Moving During the Summer

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Devie Lin

Summer is heating up into the prime time to move.  60% of America’s moves happen during the summer, and for good reason: it’s warmer, the days are longer and the kids aren’t in school.

If you’re going to be moving this summer, here are three things to keep in mind:

  1. Stay hydrated – drink a lot of water during the move, especially if it’s hot or humid outside.
  2. Wear sunscreen – if you’re pulling a do-it-yourself move, you’ll be in and out a lot.  If it’s sunny, make sure to protect your skin.
  3. Check the weather – downpours and storms can swoop in and ruin any move.  Check to make sure you won’t be caught in one.
Posted in Moving Safety, Other | Leave a comment