Moving

[egerandi]

So, after 4 years in one place, we decided to move one zipcode over.
Already know the new area, but it will be an adjustment to go from an urban loft to a semi-suburban apartment. With carpet :/ But at least I can paint the walls, which I'm in the process of doing (selecting colors that go with my stuff but doesn't clash much with the beige carpet). Which is making my head spin. And so is pushing the moving date one week early after I neatly planned out everything with the least amount of offtime from work.

BTW, now I know why we stayed this long (for me that is), aside from liking where we were: moving sux. Big time. And it's soooo expensive! The movers make more money per hour than I do, what the what?! Anyways, just venting.

OK, back to packing (ugh).

[Trainer]

Oh good luck with your move!! You'll feel at home in no time!

[ladycattat]

Hey Girlie...where are you headed to? And as far as moving goes....I know it's a PITA, but it's waaaay less expensive...have you considered renting a truck and doing it yourself with a bunch of friends? Just promise them all the pizza and beer they can hold(AFTER the move).
I can totally relate to what you're feeling. Andrea...meet Stress.Stress....meet Andrea. If you wanna talk, you got my number!
~~~~~~sending happy moving vibes your way~~~~
Laurie

[zooeyblue]

Good luck with your move. I hope all goes smoothly! I know it can be a pain in the. . . .!!!

[egerandi]

We're staying downtown, but moving to Little Tokyo: a bit less noisy and grimy
We are moving on a Monday, so it's tough to even find a friend that would be available at that time. Last time, one of them who volunteered flaked on us in the last minute, so we were almost screwed... Anyway, we are boxing everything during the week, and on Saturday we do have a friend helping us move the boxes in a rented van. That should reduce the time needed significantly for the actual move, and we'll only need the hired company to move our bigger items.

The expense comes in all shapes and forms: we found the perfect apartment one month too early, and decided to take it, because they couldn't hold it for us long enough. That means double rent for a month. You would think that's enough time to get everything done, alas, almost all weekends in June were almost all booked for us, so we had arrange around them. I have to take days off at work, and even though they are paid offtime, I could use them for something more fun, like the vacation I've scrounging them up for I plan on taking in September.
I was going to do the room painting myself, but I can no longer fit it in to get it done before we have to move in, so now we have to pay for that too. We were gonna get the carpet replaced by wood, but forget it: crazy expensive to do it, and we would have to put the carpet back when we leave.

The new place is shaped differently, and many of our bigger items, like our $1200 dining set and a large vintage couch won't fit. We've been trying to sell them, which means we lose a lot, but have hopefully enough to get a replacement. Have to buy vacuum cleaner too. Have I said I hate carpet?

Sorry, I'm just whining now, and keep forgetting the amazing amount of cabinet and counter space both in the kitchen and bathroom. Love it

[superwahz]

Eww...moving. I grew up in a military family, we moved states every 3 years and often moved 1-2 times within those 3 years going from apartments to base housing and such. You'd think I'd get used to it but nope...every time I move I still dread it. We just moved this past December (after moving from NZ in Feb. 2009) and will be moving again in the spring of next year (though we don't know where yet!).

The only thing I hate more home-wise than moving is renting! Thankfully this place has hardwood in the downstairs...but we also have a 2 person spa tub that despite 6 months of enzyme treatments still spits black sludge into the water--cold water mind you, since our hot water heater doesn't warm more than 15 minutes worth of water at a time! And there are no ceiling lights so we had to buy lamps for every room! I keep reminding myself all this is just a learning experience so we know what to watch out for when we can finally buy a place, but that's hard to remember when I'm swearing because the 20+ yr old stove has yet again burned me!

Some movers here charge a minimum of 1-2 hours, whether you need them or not. We hired 2 guys to unload a storage cube and it took them all of 20 minutes (wow do they move fast!) but we had to pay them for the full time. I didn't mind because they saved us a lot of time and energy (the house is 2 story) and I knew they don't make a lot here once the company takes their cut...but it's something to keep in mind. If there is a minimum there, you may save money by just having them do it all, depending on how much stuff you have. You've probably already thought of that though!

Enjoy your painting privileges and more space!! Having a bigger kitchen and bathroom is heaven, once you're settled it it'll all be worth it. Til then, whine away! I think we can all sympathize!

[egerandi]

Haha, yeah, I'm familiar with the no light situation, we lived with it for 4 years. I can move around in our loft like a blind person
And yeah, I agree, once we buy a place, we know what to look out for. Until then, we keep collecting the downpayment and enjoy the large living space. Where we are, we could get about half the size of space if you add the HOA fees to the mortgage payment, pretty ridiculous.

As for the movers, they charge min 2 hrs, which is how much we estimate it's gonna take just to wrap and move the big stuff. A friend of mine just used the same company, and didn't have half the stuff we have, and it took 3 hrs, although there was also a 30 min drive involved, which is only 10 for us. Another company was gonna charge $450 fixed price, but not including any of our boxes. THe guy originally estimated our place to be $700-1000! I almost fainted.

Anyway, yes, pulling through, taking care of what needs to be done, and soon, we'll have a happy new home with lots of overhead lights, patio, large kitchen and bathrooms. THanks for the sympathy

[tizzylou]

Whine away!!! We have all been there at one time or another. By DH actually had to move me 3 times in one year, his daughter twice and another friend of ours once all in the same year. I told him that he should have opened his own moving company and made some money while he was at it. Seriously, the only thing worse than moving in to a new living space, is moving boxes from one storage unit to another one, to save money!!

[karen]

Ugh- yes, it's just no fun. In the beginning the possibilities SEEM fun, but then the boxes, and the tape, and the nerve racking decision on the paint color- then the unpacking. And the thing you stress over the most seems to be no big deal, but some tiny little variable you never thought of crops up and bites you. In the new studio there are a grand total of 5 electric outlets for the entire space 1600 square foot space, and all of the gear we operate. Ugh. I completely panicked on the paint color when we moved into our house too, but it all works out. Good luck to you!

[ladycattat]

Andrea....couple of things to remember before the actual moving.....
Do your absolute best to stay as healthy as you can....take your vitamins, get your fresh air and exercise, and eat right. I know from experience that if you are rundown, you'll get sick, and moving when you are sick is the most miserable thing EVER!!
Have both you and your man each pack a box that has a minimum of 2 days worth of clothes and underwear and socks and shoes and toiletries, and any meds you need.....everything that you need to put yourself together. Label it REALLY well, and put it in a place you absolutely will not forget, cuz the first couple of days you can't find **it.
Also, and this is really obvious, when you go over there with little boxes of stuff before the *actual moving day*, make sure you have some sort of light, and BRING TOILET PAPER. It really sucks if you need it and there isn't any. Just saying.
I'm sure I will chime in with more advice, having just gone thru this 4 months ago.
Oh, and be glad you're not moving with kids....it makes it soooo much harder!
Laurie