Pixies on the Move
 

I just realized that we sure have a lot of Pixies making big moves in 2005... osuche, sodaklostsoul, IAKG, me, and I think I've heard mention of a few more. The amazing thing is most that I have mentioned have been to be closer to the one they love... well maybe I'll be lucky enough to find one I love when I arrive, time will tell.

Have you ever moved across several states, and what hints and tips, fun anecdotes do you have to share about the move?

<----sits back and waits anxiously. :D

I've moved provinces more times than I want to count. DB's link to the Murphy's Law of moving is sadly very true! :D

I used to leave the kitchen until last but man, it's amazing how many boxes you end up needing for the dishes, pots, pans, etc.

I suggest packing up almost everything in the kitchen asap. You know you're going to be too busy to cook anyway!

It is stressful but remember - people move across the country every day & you can do it! You'll be damn glad when it's over, though!

I've been fortunate enough to have both of my cross country moves funded by someone other than me... I've watched two sets of professional packers pack all my belongings and I've managed to learn a few things ... lots of small boxes are easier to manage. And if they happen to be standard same sized boxes they fit into a trailer or moving truck much easier. I also learned that they don't believe in bubble wrap but rather LOTS of packing (non printed newspaper in large sheets) paper. They crumple up a few sheets in the bottom of a box and then fill it and put a few more crumpled sheets on the top before sealing it. And they go through a TON of it when packing up a kitchen. It will cost a little, but I found it to be worthwhile when I did a move on my own in the middle of the two professional moves to acquire a large collection of true moving boxes, and packing paper. The little bit of expense is well worth it. Look up "moving boxes" on the web and you might be shocked at how cheaply you can buy boxes.

Being organized and having a plan goes a long way. Because I've had other people packing my things I haven't had the luxury of purging as I packed. Rather I took the time to go through all the closets before hand and "organize" them, throwing things or donating them as I go. Then when you go back to pack it's already organized and you can just fill boxes.

It's damn stressful! I thought this move would be a breeze since I made a similar move three years prior and I had experience on my side. The small things still build up and drive you to the edge of insanity until you reach the calm right before the move and realize that everything is complete.

And Steph is absolutely correct about the kitchen... I haven't cooked in at least three months... partially because my house was in a state of renovation, and then afterward it was being shown and I didn't want any "offensive" food smells, then I moved out and am in a temporary living situation. Stop shopping and use up all the food you can. Frozen and refrigerated food doesn't travel well. And opened food is a disaster waiting to happen.

Do *not* bring those half-filled bottles of shampoo and soaps. No matter how much your sense of thrift and/or sentimentality beg you to do it. Even if you double bag them and put tape on the tops.....you will STILL have an ooey gooey mess. "taint worth it, I say. :P

Be nice to your movers. Say please and thank you, and tip them big. They will reward you by taking extra care. :)

Don't try to unpack *all* the boxes in one day...take it from someone who knows. :spin: you will get tired and sloppy, and make mistakes.

Could you get paper roll ends from your local newspaper?

The suggestion of similar size boxes is a good one. I've also found, through several moves and not *immediate* unpacking that plastic totes work *very* well--and you don't have to worry so much about boxes being crushed, etc.

Well I've got a variation on the problem....we're moving from England to Boston at the end of the month, so we can't take everything. Hell, we can barely take anything. We literally just took 18 shopping bags of books to the Oxfam drop, and it nearly broke my boy's heart to give up so many. Basically, we're turning up to an empty apartment with the contents of 4 suitcases, and we've got a week to get it liveable before he (and the car) disappear for 2 months.

I'm absolutely flipping terrified....I mean, I'm thrilled to be moving back to the states. But it's a new job in a strange city...all of which I can handle...it's getting the apartment set up that freaks me out. Any tips?

While it seems feasible to start small I once heard the #1 set/decorating mistake most people make whe moving somewhere new is that they start with a bathroom first, it's smaller space, cheaper, less choices to make. Problem is then yu end up designing the rest of the space to match a bathroom :spin:

Also on one move I packed a suitcase with 2 towels, 2 washcloths, 2 plates, 2 sets of silver etc. Just some basics til the rest came.

GingerV, I think you'll find it's amazing that you can do without a lot for a while. Heck, it's kind of fun to eat take-out sitting on the floor. :D

I'm a member of freecycle.org and people offer furniture almost every day. It's a good way to pick up things for free but I'm still in the college decorating stage (I've moved past milk crates but not by much).

Freecycle is a way for people to recycle and they can give away things to people who need/want items. There are mailing lists all over the States and Canada. I just picked up a toaster oven from another member. :)

I've been getting ready to give away all sorts of stuff on the Freecycle here....we almost unloaded our poor, long suffering car that way (it runs, but that's ALL that can be said for it...still, shame to scrap it). It never occured to me that I should check it to FIND stuff once I get there.

I'm just plain dim sometimes. Thanks Steph!

Excellent idea on the suitcase, Lil. Would definitely save some panic later on. :D

well, i kinda moved to the UK for 48 days....does that count, LOL

My job now is to get things settled with what college i am going to next and/or settling dowm on the family farm and getting a home ready for when Mayhem and his cats move from the UK to Iowa. If i had my way and didn't have All the 592948769847500268 forms to fill out and i's to dot and t's to cross and filled out in triplicate, yadda yadda yadda, Mayhem would be moving with me to my cornfield when i return to the states next week. but alas, it won't be for many many many months or a year or more....that thought makes me want to cry, that loooong with out my Mayhem.

Hope everyone moving has a safe and wonderful experience and whereever you move to, for whatever reason ... it'll work out beautifully! :thumb:

To add to lil's suitcase of 2's. I'd also suggest packing the shower curtain ... nothing refreshes a person after an exhausting move like a good shower! When I made the move to Texas, I drove and had more flexibility and packed my "shower things" and "cleaning things" so that I could get the apartment all cleaned before my things arrived - including all the shelf liner in place.

And if your driving...put the cell phone charger in the glovebox.....I'll find it one of these days, I swear I will!!! :D

My big move is less than 4 weeks from now, and I'm overwhelmed by all the crap... er... treasures I've accumulated over the years. Still don't know what to keep, sell or toss.

I hear ya, Flutelady! We've been here 4 years, we KNEW we would be leaving so we tried not to acumulate too much stuff....and I can't believe how much stuff needs to be shifted. Absolutely shocked. When did I buy all this? I don't remember carrying it all home! I'm becoming convinced that "stuff" breeds with "other stuff" to beget "more stuff" when I'm not looking...much like dustbunnies.

The next installment in our personal adventure: it may not be the smartest thing we've ever done...but we sold the car with three weeks to go. But if we were going to keep it...we'd have had to spend hundreds of pounds renewing it's tax and stuff.

At least we had it long enough to take half a ton of books to the charity shop.

Now everything I own has to be carried to the postoffice, when I can't beg rides from my friends....bonfire in the front yard is sounding better all the time.

It breaks my heart just to think about it. :(

I don't know that I could do it. But then again, I'm a packrat. :rolleyes2

I know!!! I moved three times in less than three years knowing full well I'd only be in each apt. for a short time. I did without a lot of comforts to make my next move easier and still I was amazed at what I accumulated in such a short time. It made me wonder what my parents (or packrats like Aqua :D) would do if they had to move again. My folks have been in the same house since before I was born.

I agree Ginger......I had WAY too much stuff, but it did feel good letting it all go.

Lizzs van and my car was full and I still have some stuff back in SD at my sis's, but it's a lot less then what I had. Didn't need all that stuff anymore.

good luck with your move flutelady :) you were one of the pixies I had in mind when I said I thought there were more ... I hope after sorting through the years of accumulation you find yourself happy with your move.

Something I learned some moves back...





...don't fill large boxes solely with books. :D

i see a move to Tennessee in my future

The book thing is definitely true. I would put a few big books at the bottom of each box to even things out. OMG I hate moving!!! :hair:

Whoever knew that there was so much involved in moving across state? The only moves I've ever made have been local. I'm thinking by the time this is over I'm going to need a long vacation, or if nothing else, a long time alone with you know who :D

Um, the "book thing" goes for DVDs/movies, too. :D

^^^ definitely applies to CD's as well. Here the small box theory goes a long way.

Our trick for DVDs/CDs requires a little sacrifice. We're losing all the jewel cases and putting them in one of those flip folders. Should cut down on the weight and the volume quite a lot....but I'm damned in I know how we're ever going to find anything again.

Woot woot! OMG! I wish you two all the best of luck!

And when she says full, she means it! My minivan was squatting very low!
(I make use of every square inch)

i guess my van seems like it is a moving van, it has moved me twice, and going on a 3rd, moved two friends in Iowa and Minnesota, moved Soda and child fron SD to MI.

I guess if you pay for the gas, i'll move ya, LOL

I've read that Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the US to live in. If you don't mind commuting 40-50 minutes, you may want to look at apt's north of Boston. Very good quality of life and affordable and close enough to "the city". Plus you just can't beat the NH-ME coast for getaways!

Good luck to all you pixie movers & shakers! :D

Thanks Lizz. i've only been in Washington and Oregon, so seeing another state, well hell moving to another state across the country should be a good experience for me

I've vacationed at the NH coast pretty much every summer for the last ten years or so. It is beautiful and we love the area. Water's a bit nippy though! ha ha

Tennessee will never be the same :D

16 days! I've really got itchy feet, this move can't happen soon enough to suit me.

We have creams for that here in the US. :D

lol....why do you think I'm in such a hurry to GET there, WI? ;)

Silly me...I thought it was my boyish charm and good looks. :D

yup...your boyish looks, your charming goods, and anti-itch cream....God bless America ;)