Last Minute Move

Packing Tips for a Last Minute Move Out of State

By on 05/29/2018

The stress of moving out of state can be significantly increased when it has to be done in just a short amount of time. Without the appropriate time to plan and schedule, it can seem impossible actually to carry out the move as you want. While it’s true that you’ll face more challenges as a last-minute mover, it’s not an impossible feat. Some of the best tips to help keep you scheduled and on-time with your move can be found below.

1. Get Rid of Junk

For a quick move out of state, there’s likely very little time to pack everything that you have. Do yourself a favor now and get rid of any junk you don’t want. MoveLine has a great article about how to determine what to sell or what to keep that can help you with the decision process. However, keep in mind that since you likely won’t have time to host a garage sale, you may want to call a junk removal company to carry things out for you.

2. Hire Packers

One of the easiest ways to minimize your stress is by hiring a team of packers to box up all your things for you. While this is an increased cost out of your pocket, it’s worth it. Most packers can get an average size home finished in a few days or less. They even take the time to properly wrap anything delicate and disassemble furniture, which can relieve your stress and free up much of your schedule.

3. Find a Moving Company

Finding a moving company should be the first thing that you do when you find out you have to move. After all, Cheap Movers Manhattan indicates that some moving companies require that their customers give them eight weeks notice. In most cases, you should be able to find at least one company that is willing to work with you. If all else fails, then you may want to rent a truck and do the moving yourself.

4. Hire Cleaners

It’s not only nice to leave your house clean, but it’s also necessary for the majority of situations. Save yourself days of detail cleaning by hiring a cleaning company to do it for you. Most professionals will come in teams and get your home cleaned in just a few hours. For the time that this saves you, it’s well worth the small expense.

5. Forget Boxes

While you will need boxes for your delicate items, you can easily throw your clothing into heavy-duty trash bags for quick packing. However, if you are hiring a moving company, ask them if they allow loose trash bags.

Make Last-Minute Moving Less Stressful

Moving out of state without a lot of time to plan doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might anticipate. While it might cost you more to hire professionals to help out, they’ll make sure you stay on schedule. If you can’t afford to hire them, then you may want to ask your good friends and family to help out as much as they can to speed things up.

CONTINUE READING
Posted In: , , , , ,
No comments
Cross Country Moving

Full-Service vs. Self-Service Cross Country Moving Options

By on 02/21/2018

When embarking on a long distance move, there are lots of ways you can transport your stuff. You can go-it-alone and rent a moving truck or you can hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting. Here’s a break down on each popular moving method and the associated long distance moving costs:

Hiring Movers

So, what do you have to do to guarantee an easy move? Hire a full-service long distance moving company! Though this is the most expensive option, it’s the least stressful because you aren’t responsible for any of the packing, boxing, hauling, or driving. According to these movers Atlanta, the moving company arrives at your home a few days ahead of the move and packs each room in an organized fashion. Then, on moving day, the movers show up to load the truck. Depending on what type of service you use, they’ll either drive it straight to your new home in a few days, or they may place it in storage while they wait to pick up other loads (called a consolidated load). Either way, you won’t be responsible for transporting any of your belongings to your new home.

Pros:

  • Licensed professionals who are experts at loading, loading, and packing
  • Insured – they assume responsibility for your things
  • Much less stressful

Cons:

  • Delivery could take almost a month, depending on where you’re moving
  • Most expensive option

Portable Storage Containers

Have you ever seen a PODS container sitting on your neighbor’s driveway and wondered what it was? PODS (which stands for Portable On Demand Storage) is one of the most popular portable storage container options used for long distance moving. It’s one of a dozen or so companies that delivers a container to your home or office for you to fill with your belongings. When you’re done packing it, you call and they come to whisk it away to your destination. This convenient moving solution has a lot of great perks.

Pros:

  • Convenient – can move on your schedule
  • Cheaper than a full-service move
  • Professional driver delivers your items so you don’t have to drive
  • Works well for those who need storage as part of the move

Cons:

  • You must pack the unit yourself or hire movers to do it for you
  • If moving appliances/pianos/other large pieces may still need professional help
  • Dealing with local codes may be an issue if your area has restrictions on what you can have parked in your driveway or in front of your house

Rental Trucks

Rental trucks are one of the best ways to move cross-country. Not only are they cheap, but they are readily available in almost any city in the country. U-Haul, Penske, and other big names offer customers a variety of truck sizes from which to choose, making it easy to rent just what you need. Plus, many offer auto-towing capabilities, making it easy to ship your vehicle and move your stuff in one move.

Pros:

  • Cheapest moving option
  • Several services to choose from; coverage across the U.S.
  • Convenience/ease-of-scheduling

Cons:

  • Liability on you if anything gets broken
  • You must load/unload and drive the truck

When it comes to moving to Virginia, you have lots of choices for how to get here! Be sure to review the pros and cons of each choice to figure out what works best for you.

 

CONTINUE READING
Posted In: , , ,
No comments
Smith Mountain Lake

An Insider’s Guide to Life at Smith Mountain Lake

By on 01/26/2018

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is a gorgeous 40-mile long lake created as a reservoir in 1963. If you enjoy outdoor beauty in every season, camping, and water sports, it’s the perfect spot for weekend getaways, long vacations, a second home, or permanent living. Residents here enjoy cooler summers, […]

CONTINUE READING
Posted In: , , ,
No comments
Hampton Roads VA

Hampton Roads Relocation Guide: What to Know About the 7 Cities

By on 01/20/2018

The region of Hampton Roads consists of seven cities: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. While they are situated close to each other, every city has a distinct character. Locals also refer to this area as Tidewater, the 757 or HRVA. If you’re planning on relocating to the area, here are some tips for local Norfolk movers.

Traffic

A part of Interstate-64 connects many of the areas to help commuters navigate between the cities and neighborhoods. The highway runs in a big loop, and newcomers might find it challenging to understand whether they’re traveling east or west. This traffic circle consists of an outer and inner loop to keep directional traffic separated.

Bridges and Tunnels

Since so much water surrounds the region, traffic routes come with tunnels and bridges. Inclement weather can affect these, so make it a habit of listening to traffic reports. While most of the bridges open at regularly timed intervals, some operate at random times.

Climate

The weather is usually mild but can change quickly, especially in the spring and autumn. While it’s not unusual to get snow in the winter, expect school closings and warnings to stay off the roads when just a few inches fall. On the flip side, the area attracts lots of tourists in the summer, especially in Virginia Beach. This can lead to traffic delays during the tourist season. If you live within 2 miles of the oceanfront, be prepared for long waiting times at the local restaurants during that time as well.

Things to Do

Hampton Roads is a haven for water lovers and not just because of the Atlantic Ocean. You can explore the Chesapeake Bay, James River, Intracoastal Waterway, Elizabeth River and Lynnhaven River. Boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and deep-sea fishing all make popular pastimes.

Norfolk is home to one of the most renowned art museums in the world, the Chrysler Museum. It houses works by the likes of Cassatt, Rothko, Pollock, and Renoir. Another cultural point of interest in Norfolk is the Hermitage Museum, which has international artwork and antiques on display. It’s also home to over 10 acres of serene gardens that border the Elizabeth River.

Travel

While Hampton Roads is located on the Atlantic shoreline, you can get a change of scenery within just a few hours. Two hours inland, you’ll find the state’s capital of Richmond. Just a bit farther west, you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Outer Banks of North Carolina beckon just two hours to the south. If you want to visit the nation’s capital, board the Amtrak train in Norfolk for a stress-free trip to DC.

Real Estate

Hampton Roads home prices reached an all-time high in 2007. By 2012, they leveled out again. Of course, each of the seven cities has its own real estate trends that are influenced by individual neighborhoods. However, prices remain the lowest in Portsmouth and the highest in Chesapeake. The remaining cities’ median home prices rank in the following order, from lowest to costliest: Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.

CONTINUE READING
Posted In: , ,
No comments
Virginia Beach

Why You Should Move to Virginia Beach – 5 Great Reasons to Relocate

By on 01/07/2018

On the Eastern seaboard where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean lies the coastal town of Virginia Beach. With a population of just under a half million, Virginia Beach is not a minor waterfront community. Ripe with business and not far from the nation’s capital this coastal, diamond-in-the-rough might just be the perfect place […]

CONTINUE READING
Posted In: , , ,
No comments