Moving and organizing tips
 

Ok, so I did a search but a lot wasn't relevant and I hate bumping old threads.

Tips and suggestions for moving out of my apartment?

Most of my stuff is going to a storage unit but I'm struggling about how to get rid of things, how best to pack, etc. A lot of my furniture was free or is old (and cheap) and isn't going to move with me. This is the first time I've had a full "home" worth of stuff to try and relocate.

Any suggestions? I'll be downsizing to a bedroom essentially.

Also, moral support would be good. I'm not enjoying this at all.

Be sure that you know what you're putting in each box. Don't throw your iron, stapler, and hangers all in one box. Because packing/unpacking is such a pain, when I have everything fairly organized, it makes the whole unpacking process a lot easier.

I have moved a million times, so I'll think of more things as I go about doing whatever.

Oh, when it comes to dressers and armoires (sp), I usually fill them up with clothes and what not and then using masking tape to keep the drawers shut. It makes those pieces of furniture way heavier, but it reduces the amount of boxes you'll need for clothing.

I ended up moving at least once a year for the first few years following college so I got pretty good at it. One thing I really stuck to was "If you haven't used it in a year, you probably never will". There are a few things that it's not true for, but I identified those early on.. for example, keepsakes which may just stay in boxes most of the time or a special gadget/heirloom type thing. For the most part though, what you haven't used in a year isn't going to be used and can be donated/tossed.

Label boxes like he said above. Try to keep like stuff with like stuff. Be methodical, empty the linen closet, move to the bathroom, etc.

Drolefille, you have my deepest and most sincere sympathies. I'm also moving this week. Only I'm taking all of my things from my mother's house (plus sentimental items) and moving into my small house. I've been moving a lot of awkward items for months, but am just boxing the heavy stuff for the movers.

I packed a suitcase, just as if I'm going on vacation, with the items I'll need this week (well, past two weeks), and am living out of that. It's streamlined quite a bit.

U-Haul will buy back any unused boxes, if you need any. They have good instructions, which I immediately lost :( and this is very stressful for me. While I've moved 17 times in my life, this is the first time it will be, "that which I don't take now, I will never see again," and it's freaking me out.

As for the food, I haven't bought anything "exciting" in the last month, and that which I don't take will go to the food bank. We're having an estate sale, so I'm not so sure about the clothing - but the way my mother dressed, it will probably go to the estate sale or to a consignment shop. There are major designer clothes that she never wore. I haven't even gotten into the two attics yet!

So, come cry on my shoulder. Maybe we can both get through this together!

I use the blue painter's tape to label boxes - easier to read than writing right on the box and if I'm re-using boxes from a former move or got some from a friend everyone knows that the blue label is the one I put on.

Don't wait until last minute to pack your kitchen (made that mistake last time).

Pack any heavy things toward the front of the truck.

If you're using movers, don't leave checkbooks and stuff laying around. My movers stole my checkbook and ended up nearly cleaning out my checking account (bank took care of it, but had I not had a decent amount of cash in the bank at the time, I'd have been on the hook for overdraft fees aplenty).

Well on the plus side, no movers to steal my things, on the downside, no movers to move my things.

It's probably a net loss since I don't have much in the way of things to steal.

I just moved, as a matter of fact just went to my moms and got the last load. I'd definitely agree with packing by room and using labels (I used masking tape). I made the mistake of packing all the clothes from my dresser rather than just taping them with everything inside. I also packed the kitchen stuff last and that WAS a huge mistake as well, there's just so much little stuff that takes up space. I packed all my clothes toiletries ect in a suitcase and that def helped when I needed to shower and change at the new place after a long day of moving. Then I left all my, I haven't used this in a year or been in storage, stuff for last Now I can go through that after the hard stuff is done to determine what can be given away/sold/shredded at my leisure.

If you don't do this already, put all of your important paperwork/checks/etc. in a hanging file box and transport it in a place (it was in the trunk of my car) where you know you'll be able to find it easily and quickly. I kept all the information for the truck, etc. in that box so I knew exactly where it was when I needed it.

I did the same for all of live-in's important paperwork.

I'll be the dissenter and say DO NOT go nuts purging clothing etc - as a matter of fact don't purge at all. It sounds like you're not in a good head space about the whole thing and the last thing you need is to pitch something and then realize a year later you needed it. Put it in a box and store it, then come to your storage unit someday and go through it at your leisure.

Ditto what pshhx1 said about labeling. Label to a ridiculous extent on boxes. As long as you know what it is it doesn't matter if it sounds really stupid.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Yeah I'm not in the best head space about it. However for example I'm taking 4 bags of clothes to my parents' and doing laundry and can purge some from there. I have a ton of clothes left from high school/college or hand-me-downs that I've been meaning to get rid of for a while so that makes it easier. But like a well reasoned critical thinking process? No, not there now. (And all my books are getting the same packed up and moved home treatment too.)

The sharpies and the masking tape are my friend for the labeling.

When we moved my bed last, we taped all of the legs together and also the head board and foot board (mine are tiny). It's not something major, but it reduces what you have to carry by just a little bit and by the 7th hour of packing/unpacking, those 10 minutes saved are a blessing.

Also, I don't know about anyone else, but I never pack all of my fragile stuff together (aside from kitchen things). I try to somewhat scatter those small things and picture frames and wrap them in newspaper, paper towel, bubble wrap, or some combination. Also, I keep those boxes that happen to have a fragile item packed nice and snug.

The mattress bags that Uhaul sells are pretty handy for moving your mattress/box spring and keeping them clean. Another handy item for moving and cleaning and purging: builder bags. These are the heavy duty, thick, black trash bags that come on a roll. They are huge! These bags hold a ton of trash when you are throwing stuff out and want to minimize trips to the dumpster. They also are the perfect size for making garment bags. Whever I move, I keep clothes on hangers, put a few like items together, make a garment bag out of one of the builder bags, and then tie up the bottom. That way, you can just throw the clothes in stacks in the back seat of your car or on top of some boxes in the moving truck. The clothes are ready to hang up when you get to your new place. These bags are also great when you decide what you want to donate to Goodwill, etc. because they can hold so much more than regular trash bags.

I did the exact same thing years ago. I sorted out all of the I know I don't wants and got rid of them. Anything of value I kept with me in my bedroom. This was good for me, because my storage unit was broken into and luckily they got bored pretty quick. I agree with labeling boxes. The last time Andy and I moved we also put the intended room on the box, so that when friends and family helped us move, they brought the boxes to the right room and it saved a lot of time afterwards.

Andy also uses little freezer bags to tape any screws and allen wrenches and tapes them to the piece of furniture they coordinate with, that way we aren't trying to find pieces when we eventually put things back together.

I invested in a laundry sorter too with removable mesh bags, and that helped keep my room organized. I kept all of my bills and important papers in a hanging file.

Good luck!

honeychile, I am sorry about the loss of your mother. So, so hard.

Don't pack blankets. You'll want them to cushion your furniture in the moving van.

Regarding labeling boxes, try to pack according to the rooms the stuff will be in, not where it is now. If you are downsizing, you may end up combining rooms (like office and living room are now together).

You'd be surprised at how many people collect boxes and bubble wrap. Ask around, and you may be able to get a lot of that stuff for free.

I'm really sorry for your loss. Definitely don't get rid of anything. I was just having a conversation with my mom about cleaning out her grandmother's house. Her father rushed them through it, and over 30 years later, she's still mad about it. Best to get rid of things on your own terms.

Forgot about this! Yes!!!

When you take your bed apart (for example), grab all the bolts, throw them in a sandwich bag, and tape that bag to the head board or something.

There's nothing more frustrating than assembling something and then finding out you're missing one really important screw in the end.

hehe, Did this already with the dining table. We're ditching most of the furniture and borrowing a pickup for the bed and a few other pieces that I'm actually keeping.

Thank you. My brother thinks I'm lollygagging (all those who know the Bull Durham reference, raise your hands), but he nor his wife have ever been to an estate sale. When I told them that the estate agent simply opens drawers, evaluates the price, and puts things out to sell, they didn't believe me. *sigh* There are a LOT of things I'd like to take, but for the sake of the sale, probably won't. I've moved a lot of the awkward & small things out to my house (I lived with her for the last six years, when she became legally blind - thank heavens I kept my house!), but I have tons of boxes of books which are simply too heavy. I still need to get into both of the attics, too! Oh, I used my blankets with some of the middle-range china. I wrapped a few tea pots in bubble wrap, then put them between the blankets.

One cool thing I found a week ago & am looking for again: my parents moved into this house 50 years ago, and it was the model house for this subdivision (read: all the upgrades). One of them found the advertisement for it in the paper, and kept it! I think that would be a very interesting thing for anyone who buys the house! I also have a list of neighbors, babysitters, dog walkers and lawn mowers ready.

As much as moving sucks, I can't help but be envious. My theoretical move-out date seems to get further and further away all the time.

[/self-pity and unnecessary whining]

Taking notes here. We are moving at the end of the month. I am in packing hell right now

Sing it! I keep dreaming of my mother saying, "Look in the attics - BOTH of them!", so I'm not taking one step without checking out the attics. But, with the heat index hovering at 100 this week, I doubt that I'll be in the attics in a hurry. Besides, they're both VERY awkward to get into - I will have to take a cell phone in case I hurt myself. The one is in the linen closet - after you take out all of the linens. The other is over my mother's closet, so there's only one shelf to clear off, but I'll need a ladder. I plan to have pillows on the floor, in case I need to throw something down!

Oh, Drole...I am the Queen of getting rid of everything for a move! When I moved to Baltimore, we took nothing but our clothes because we got all new furniture! Start putting up flyers around school to see if any of the students would want some of you old furniture. Since you aren't using movers, you can't pawn off your furniture on them. I've had movers take coaches with stuffing pouring out the sides! Anyway, Good Will will take the other stuff, but you have to call and make an appointment for them to pick it up, so plan ahead.
I don't know where you live, but if you are in a suburban area, putting stuff on the curb is also a surefire way to make things disappear. :)
Moving boxes can be expensive. Try going to grocery stores and pulling behind the stores to the dumpster areas. When the stores get shipments, they will dump the boxes out back. I was lucky working in a hospital that I got to do this with the Pharmacy instead. You may be able to go inside and ask them for boxes and see what is the best time to come by to get them before they get nasty.

Everytime I move (which is frequent), I wish I had thrown away more. I disagree with 33girl's advice. Really consider if you have worn something and will ever use it again before packing it in a box. With this last move, I wanted to cry when the movers left, and I surveyed the mound of boxes in my kitchen. I survived, but next time will be different!

Ask at Target if you can have boxes. Wal-Mart, too. They go through like 8,000 a day and if it's not the reusable kind that stores use, they'll probably send you out of the store with a cart full of them.

My suggestion is to pack by room and don't waste your time labeling too much (i.e. "books, paper, picture frames" could just be "office") I used to waste so much time gathering up similar items and labeling everything, but then I realized you just move it to the right room and open it up anyways, and you can find what you need pretty quickly.

To my GC friends who are moving - my heart is with you. Moving is the hardest experience for me. Every time I have to do it, at some point, I break down. I posted here somewhere with some tips, let me see if I can find them.

Ditto on this.

Also, paper tape is crap. Get the annoying plastic tape that needs the dispenser. I am a sucker and get the paper tape every time, but it always tears. Professional movers ALWAYS use the plastic tape.

Don't over pack your boxes. You'll end up busting through the bottoms and hurting yourself trying to lift them. If you get big boxes, fill them with large, light objects, not heavy objects like books.

We're moving at the end of August. I'm so glad we decided to buy a new couch that will work for all of our living room furniture - we're just moving our chair and couch to the curb, and our new couch will be delivered the next day.

We also decided to get rid of the idea that it's good to have a sleeper sofa around - we have a second bedroom and we haven't used the bed part of the sofa since we moved in 2 years ago. I don't know why I thought our place would wind up being a hotel!

Were you moving because you wanted to and were happy about the change? Because I don't think she is. Hence my advice.

I know what you mean, but I've had to move many times just because I had to, not because I wanted to. The unpacking is the worst part. Also, paying to store items that you don't and won't use is a waste. I take after my grandmother who moved her family sometimes twice a year across country with the railroad and kept everything to a minimum. If you really have an emotional attachment to something, by all means, keep it, but if it will make your life easier, throw it away!:D

As for the things you'll definitely need in the future, those things that keep well should be kept.

The best place for free boxes? Liquor stores! Sometimes they don't have lids, but that should be fine if you're not actually shipping anything. A lot of times liquor stores just leave all their empty boxes outside and you can just go and pick up as many as you want. Also, if you or someone you know has any publishing ties, anywhere that deals with a lot of paper has those great heavy-duty paper boxes.

Ok I couldn't find the thread, but I made a spreadsheet during our last move, and it really helped me keep organized. I sectioned off the weeks, listed the tasks, and made notes. You can be as general or as specific as you want.

[IMG]file:///Users/tonivillines/Desktop/Screen%20shot%202010-07-07%20at%2012.55.16%20PM.png[/IMG]For example:

March 27 – April 2 Notes OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-3 Bake cookies 1 hour before Go through holiday boxes in basement Keep/donate/trash Order boxes from UHAUL 2 glass, 2 dish, 10 medium, 15 small, packing paper Take photos out of frames & pack Use large manilla envelopes with cardboard Clean out kitchen cabinets & pack Use special dishware boxes Take down decorations & pack Label by holiday name Make list for lights and outlets needed in new house Budget is $----.00

I also labeled and numbered the packing boxes. I kept a list of the boxes (numbers 1-13 were kitchen, for example) and then wrote what was in each box (BOX 4: Silverware and cooking utensils). That way, during and after my move, boxes went to the correct rooms, and I knew which box things were in.

A few more suggestions:

- Do your keep/donate/trash thing as early as possible. Once you complete a section, pack it (in the order that makes sense to you).

- Set aside important documents, bills, and paperwork in a tote bag that you will carry personally in your car on moving day.

- Keep out X weeks' worth of clothes, toiletries, medications, etc. in a suitcase and live out of that during the final few weeks.

- Make arrangements for utilities (phone, cable, internet, electricity, etc.) setup before you move in. It's easier these days to use your cell phone to set this stuff up, so you don't have to wait days for the phone company to set you up.

- Get a final oil change/tuneup on your car if you're moving more than a few miles away. The last thing you need to happen on moving day is for your car to break down.

- Notify the DMV/car insurance policyholder as soon as possible.

- If renting, get renter's insurance. It's quite affordable and worth it.

- When moving into your new place, ask someone to help you clean the kitchen and bathrooms before anything moves in. Surfaces, inside appliances and cabinets, etc.

- Get your medical and dental records before you move (if you'll be changing doctors). This can take up to a month.

- Get a list or menus of take-out/delivery places near your new place before moving day.

- Whether moving into an apartment or house, have a final inspection right before you move in. If renting, make notes of holes in the wall, stains on the carpet, chipped paint, etc. That way, you won't lose your security deposit next time you move, due to previous owner's damage.

- Also, check all light switches, outlets, appliances and faucets to make sure they work. Check windows and doors, locks/latches, etc. Check fire alarms/CO detectors. Change batteries the day you move in.

- If not provided, change your locks. The security is worth the cost (usually $50 per door). Get two extra sets of keys made. Give one to a close relative or friend, and put the other in a safe place.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it. I hope this helps!