Question for anyone who's about.

[momebie]

So I'm moving. I'm moving from Orlando to Boston. I've spent some time researching movers and calling around for estimates and it looks like, at face value, having someone else move my stuff will cost ~$1500 and moving it myself with a UHaul would cost ~$2500. In general, I'm all about saving a thousand dollars and letting someone else do the heavy lifting, but most of the movers I've found are 50% glowing reviews and 50% horrid reviews with horror stories that I just cannot think about. So:

Have you ever moved long distance?
Did you hire people or do it yourself?
If you did hire someone, did you like them? Was it a pleasant experience?
Do you have any other knowledge that a first time mover like me might need?

Unlocking it! Send your friends over!

I don't even know. This whole massive life change thing is kind of stressful, but I'm getting less nervous about what will happen on the other end.

Comments

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

When are you moving? Are we going to end up meeting before you do?

[momebie.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at the first week of June, and we absolutely can! My March is kind of booked up, but if you think there will be a good time in April or May let me know. I wanted to come to the Dali museum again before I left while the Warhol art was there, so I can just make that plan around when you're free, either for museum shenans or meeting for dinner or something after. :)

[arana-suteshi.livejournal.com]

I didn't move a long distance (only about 40 miles), but I did hire movers. It was a very good decision. They got us out of our old house and into the new on the same day. If it were just me and my family, it would have taken a week, at least (with me doing most of the work). In the long run, it was cheaper and saved us a lot of stress and backache. As long as everything was clearly labeled, they got most of it to the right rooms, took away all their garbage, put the furniture where it needed to be... (My only gripe was that they had an annoying habit of flipping the boxes upside-down. Wasn't too thrilled to pop open a box and find tea and powdered sugar all over everything.) The guys I used had very good reviews, and some very bad reviews, but they were also the only ones available to do the job when we needed it done. I wasn't disappointed, even with one guy who wandered around like a lost puppy (I think he was a new hire), and the flipped boxes. It was still better than doing it all on our own. Good luck!

[septicidal.livejournal.com]

I have a few friends who have done East Coast to West Coast moves, and they have all wound up using PODs for their bulky stuff. The major downside they all mentioned was a long delay in the arrival of their stuff, and hassle in getting on-street space for the pod to be delivered.

I have a friend who recently moved from the Boston area to North Carolina, and they used Gentle Giant. She said the overall experience was positive - there were some minor annoyances with things getting packed (items she had asked them to not pack getting packed) and their TV was broken in the move. However, the TV was covered by the moving company, and while it was a hassle she felt it was a minor casualty given the extent of moving their entire house such a distance. And they wound up getting a newer, nicer TV.

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

Well, damn, now you have me half hoping the movers break my tv when I move next month... ;)

[pocky_slash.livejournal.com]

When I moved to Boston, my parents, quatredeathlady and I did the whole thing, but we were moving a much shorter distance and it was sweaty and gross work in the summer. I would def recommend movers (which we used last time but, again, it was a ten mile move, not cross country). I feel like basically everything has about 50% glowing reviews and 50% terrible reviews online, as that's the nature of life and the internet.

I HOPE ANY OF THAT WAS HELPFUL.

Super Secret Moving Trick

[sheepchasestudy.livejournal.com]

I moved from Oregon to Boston and shipped most of my things via Amtrack. The per pound rate is really cheap. I didn't move any furniture so that might make a difference. But we did do two pallets of household stuff for about $750.

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

Personally I find moving so stressful that I would never again try to do a move myself. It's just one less thing for me to stress about, if someone else is doing the physical part. That said, when I was younger I moved from NY to NC without a mover- but I brought almost nothing with me. It went fine, but if it didn't fit into or on top of my car it didn't go.

If it's actually going to cost less, I see zero downside to hiring someone. Just pack and/or move anything you really care about yourself rather than let them do it, and try not to be too anxious about timelines. If you can be chill about the schedule it should be fine.

[concinnity.livejournal.com]

Here via fleurdeliser! I've moved long distance something like 13 times. My personal preference is to do the packing myself and hire movers for the lifting and hauling.

POD can be great depending on the sort of stuff and kind of friends you have. I have tiny noodle arms and don't want to lift my 7 bookcases, kwim? Also - and this cannot be emphasized enough - shitty weather whilst moving is the.fucking.worst.

I've used United a couple of times with good results. Get good moving insurance; mine is covered through my bank. The worst that can happen is that a few things will break, and, rarely, some of your shit might get stolen. Far fewer things are stolen if you pack the boxes yourself. ime.

Other tips: if you are driving a vehicle out to new!location yourself, pack a big suitcase and a box of stuff you'll definitely want right away: pillow, coffee pot, bottle opener, entertainment that doesn't require cable hookups, etc.

Other other tips: I personally don't move food products. *shudder* a. bugs b. you forget you have stuff and then next time you move you're looking at canned goods that expired two years ago and spices from the previous century.

good luck!

[myras-girls.livejournal.com]

I have only moved across country as a child but every time the movers lost and/or damaged stuff.

I have friends who've moved across country and, again, there's always some mishap- the truck is late, a box gets lost, etc.

I've never had problems using movers locally, though.

If you use movers I would say pack all your most precious possessions with you in your car, and bring enough clothes and toiletries that you're covered if your stuff arrives later than expected. Also, I would keep a good inventory and take photos of anything over $100 in case you need to file a loss claim.

[sky-was-green.livejournal.com]

When I moved from Pittsburgh, I used a company that affiliated with Mayflower. Mayflower had smaller moving companies on either end that met up with a big Mayflower trick and did the local bits with smaller trucks. Everything got here and nothing broke, even though I wasn't even here yet to supervise (I had a friend steering into a storage unit until I actually moved). That is what I've got!

[melayneseahawk.livejournal.com]

I used Allied Moving when I moved from Pittsburgh back to DC, and I was seriously not impressed. On the other hand, my father and his girlfriend used Allied to move stuff from Florida and NYC to DC and were plenty happy. I believe Allied is franchised or something, so YMMV.

Nik-the-boyfriend used some fancy company when he moved from DC to Seattle, and he was very pleased with them, but they were subsidised by work. Don't remember the company, but I can ask him.

ETA: OTOH, when I moved from DC to Seattle, I left all my furniture and most of my books and stuff at my Mom's. I moved my clothes, tech, baking stuff, etc. in luggage that I checked. I still intend to bring the rest of my crap out here (likely when we move into our own place in the next year), but I'm not sure yet precisely how I'm going to do it.

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

i am sooooo excited that you are moving. *____*

[laetificat.livejournal.com]

I really honestly forget what service we used, but it was fairly cheap and came with one guy. Get more than one guy. Get two or three guys if you can. I'll ask Glenn what it was.

I think that all you can do is wrap your furniture tightly with moving blankets and hope for the best (i.e., no dings.) There will be dings.

I have never had glowing reviews about anyone. I wish I had better news!

[7veilsphaedra.livejournal.com]

I was directed here by Lady Ganesh, who put a notice up asking for general advice, although it seems that your friends have more specifically American-centric moves that could mean more to you than my experiences. I've moved long distances many times, including overseas.

First things first:

Make sure you have a good look at the mover's insurance policy for damage and loss of items before you commit to hiring them. If this is not posted on their website, ask them to email or fax you a copy. Go over it with the salesperson to clarify any questions or concerns you might have. Make sure you understand completely what they will or will not cover before you hire them.

Make a complete list of household items that will be moved and their condition (say, for example, there is some wear on that sofa). Take pictures to show them in their undamaged state.

This is a good time to divest yourself of things you don't want to pay to move. Do this before the movers get there.

Evaluate and separate items you treasure, items which would cause you grief to lose regardless of their monetary worth, from things that would be a mere aggravation and inconvenience. Say, for example, you have musical instruments (http://www.pressherald.com/news/Musicians_face_longer_wait_for_airline_rules_to_protect_instruments.html), original paintings (http://www.goldenpaints.com/justpaint/jp11article1.php) or antiques (http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/movefurn.html), take the time to personally package those items with the care and attention you feel they require, or make sure to personally supervise their movement. This will save you needless heartache.

Some items may require dissemblance. Beds tend to fall into this category. In that case, make sure all the nuts and bolts and washers are sealed in a tough ziplock bag and taped to the main components. Make a note of how they were taken apart in case you have to put them back together.

Electronics, including kitchen gadgets should be well-sealed in plastic wrap before being boxed, since dust and moisture affect them.

Similarly, all fabric items should be similarly wrapped including rugs, mattresses, comforters, duvets, pillows, clothing, towels. You want to not only protect them from dirt and moisture, but from insects.

Try to use up or give away all your food items and staples before you move.

... that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[marilla82.livejournal.com]

The consensus among the family and friends who've moved across long distances with and without movers is as follows:

- hire professional movers
- hire more than one guy
- make sure they're insured
- it is TOTALLY worth it

[glass-houses.livejournal.com]

BAWSTIN!!