Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 1:08:54 GMT
The Zebras are moving for the first time. We are buying a house about a mile from our current one. We will have, at best, about a week overlap.
Mr. Zebra is going to bust up the tile in the kitchen and laundry room. That has to be done first. Messy job! We are also re-carpeting the master bedroom. So we won't have a full week to move. Reno first. Knowing that the tile may not be finished putting down before the move.
With that said, what is your best advice for such a short move? A room at a time? All at once? We are hiring movers for the furniture and a bunch of the boxes. Suggestions for our cats? We have three. I'm beginning to feel a little overwhelmed.
Thanks in advance. It's great to be back!
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Post by shevy on Jun 30, 2014 1:25:01 GMT
I didn't move far but still rented a truck. There were constant trips with my little SUV; out, drive, in and repeat. It got really tiring. Much easier to load in 1 trip and unload in 1.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 30, 2014 1:28:50 GMT
Well, my advice would be that you need more of an overlap!
The BEST thing for me, about moving locally, was that I could take my clothes out of the closet ON THEIR HANGERS, lay them on the back seat of the car, drive over to the new place, and hang them up right away. A gajillion times easier than having to box them.
I had about a month, maybe six weeks, and so I was able to do about a carload a night-- wasn't too overwhelming that way.
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Post by junebugz on Jun 30, 2014 1:32:34 GMT
Good luck! I am overwhelmed right now.
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Post by fotos4u2 on Jun 30, 2014 1:38:47 GMT
Almost all of our moves have been short. Typically we would slowly move things that aren't as necessary over (such as storage that sat in the garage or attic), some of the kitchen and bathroom supplies. We'd then do one big move of the furniture and everything else with a truck rental. Most of our short moves were less stressful because we could unpack quicker. Good luck! We obviously love our neighborhood, we've lived in 4 houses within 3 blocks (and EX lived in an additional 2 houses in the neighborhood since he moved out 5 years ago).
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Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 1:42:31 GMT
I wish we had more of an overlap. We thought we would. But our house sold ridiculously fast. Very unexpected. (Less than a week, no advertising, no realtor.) Closing on our new house is July 17th. The people buying our house want to close July 21st. We are trying to get it pushed back to July 25th. Or later! I'm thinking we can move in a day. We're selling a lot of our current furniture and buying new stuff. So the furniture company can just deliver to the new house.
Things are "moving" so fast! I've started throwing A LOT of stuff away. I've packed a few boxes. I'll be hitting it harder tomorrow. It's getting real around here. Eeeeeeek!
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Post by Merge on Jun 30, 2014 1:46:00 GMT
When we did a short move like that, we moved as much as we could in the evenings in our cars (small items, clothes, breakables, kitchen stuff, anything that would be a pain to pack) and then hired movers to move all the furniture on one day. It worked out well. Now, we weren't dealing with a possibly unfinished renovation. But I'm sure that's manageable. You can still move around in those rooms before the tile is laid. The only issue I can see is if you're moving a fridge and washer/dryer - I might go ahead and plug the fridge in the garage if you can until the kitchen tile is laid and the grout is dry and sealed.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 16:09:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 1:59:47 GMT
When you pack up a room, label the boxes - kitchen, living room, master bedroom, etc. Then when the movers unpack the truck, have them put the box in the appropriate room. This worked for us much better than trying to put all the boxes in a central location and then dragging them to the correct room later.
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Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 2:09:00 GMT
The fridge and washer/dryer is definitely a concern. There's a plug in the garage for the fridge. But it's Texas. And hot. I think for a few days, we ought to be okay. The washer/dryer can always be moved to the garage and left unhooked up. It's not ideal. But it's doable. I'll have to make sure laundry is all the way caught up first. Mr. Zebra is a beast with tile jobs. He has all the equipment to make that go smoothly. It'll be a little inconvenient. But I think it can be worked around. Like I said, as long as he can get the "busting up" part done in a day or two, we'll be fine. He's going to hire a couple of guys from work to help him with that.
What about our cats? They spend the night when we do? They are inside/outside cats. One of them is super old and I don't think she'll be an issue. She won't be able to climb the fence. I am worried about our two boys. They are declawed and neutered. I don't think either of them are microchipped. I might look into getting that done.
You have all been very helpful. Thank you so much for the ideas. Keep 'em coming!
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,779
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jun 30, 2014 2:12:22 GMT
I would clean a room in the new house and then move that room. Then do another, etc...
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Post by Merge on Jun 30, 2014 2:12:57 GMT
The fridge and washer/dryer is definitely a concern. There's a plug in the garage for the fridge. But it's Texas. And hot. I think for a few days, we ought to be okay. Are you concerned about the fridge keeping things cool in the hot weather? Because we have a separate fridge in our garage (in Houston) year-round and it has no problem.
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itskrystle
Shy Member
Posts: 43
Jun 29, 2014 13:35:53 GMT
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Post by itskrystle on Jun 30, 2014 2:17:58 GMT
When you pack up a room, label the boxes - kitchen, living room, master bedroom, etc. Then when the movers unpack the truck, have them put the box in the appropriate room. This worked for us much better than trying to put all the boxes in a central location and then dragging them to the correct room later. This is what I was going to suggest. It makes it much easier to find the things you need immediately as well. Start packing as soon as possible too. We started packing as soon as we put in the offer on our house and still felt like it wasn't enough time. There was so much left to do on moving day. I saw a packing tip on pinterest that worked really well for us. Leave your clothes on the hangers, wrap trash bags around them, and tie the bags at the neck of the hangers. You can just pick up the group of hangers and move them from one closet to another. I hope it all works out smoothly for you.
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Post by MichyM on Jun 30, 2014 2:20:33 GMT
I've only moved within the same city. The last few moves I've used movers (I do the packing and unpacking), and do it all in one day. Rip the bandaid off, you know? For me it's easier.
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Post by MichyM on Jun 30, 2014 2:21:39 GMT
Yes. I did this my last move. It was awesome!
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Post by tidegirl on Jun 30, 2014 2:24:05 GMT
I agree with the pp ^^. Make small trips and put the stuff away before you bring the next load. It makes it much easier on both ends, packing and unpacking. I am sure you have already purged but continue to do so. It is much easier to get rid of it before the move. We moved by rooms only leaving the essentials behind. I agree with just hooking up the appliances in the garage until the renovation is complete.
Are your cats inside only or both in and outside? I have only had one cat. Many years ago. When we moved it disappeared and showed up weeks later at our old place.
Congratulations on your new home.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 20, 2024 16:09:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 2:24:56 GMT
Oh, I just thought of another one - if you have glass or china items that need to be packed, visit your local liquor store and see if they have boxes they'll give you. They have the sturdiest boxes and a lot of times, they come with cardboard inserts that will easily hold your glassware. Sure beats rolling everything up in newspaper.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,709
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jun 30, 2014 2:25:16 GMT
Make sure that you label every single box.
Have a box of essentials - tp, personal care items, change of clothes.
( ( ( hugs ) ) )
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periwrinkle
Shy Member
Posts: 38
Jun 26, 2014 4:05:01 GMT
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Post by periwrinkle on Jun 30, 2014 2:26:14 GMT
Purge and pack what you can prior to the move. Keep out what you need. I'm using the term "pack up", pretty loosely.
When you get the keys, move the stuff you didn't pack first, and cram as much In to your car as you safely can with each trip.
My mom used to go over and put the curtains up first and clean everything. (Paint if necessary). Dishes went into a laundry basket with towels. They went straight into the cabinets when they got there and towels into the closet.
Clothes didn't come out of the drawers. The drawer went into the bottom of the trunk (full) with lighter things on top. As soon as the dressers were placed the drawers were pushed back in.
Basically, don't move things you don't need to keep. Remember that you only need to keep things from breaking for 10 minutes in the car. The more time you spend packing it up, the longer it well take you to move it.
A week isn't much of an overlap, even without renovations.
If you have little kids that can't carry things, hire someone to watch them.
Short moves are so much easier than long moves, but they can still be pretty stressful.
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Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 2:27:25 GMT
The fridge and washer/dryer is definitely a concern. There's a plug in the garage for the fridge. But it's Texas. And hot. I think for a few days, we ought to be okay. Are you concerned about the fridge keeping things cool in the hot weather? Because we have a separate fridge in our garage (in Houston) year-round and it has no problem. Yes. I'm in San Angelo. It hasn't been as hot this summer as years past. Still high 90's though. I really think it'll be okay.
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Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 2:30:50 GMT
Purge and pack what you can prior to the move. Keep out what you need. I'm using the term "pack up", pretty loosely. When you get the keys, move the stuff you didn't pack first, and cram as much In to your car as you safely can with each trip. My mom used to go over and put the curtains up first and clean everything. (Paint if necessary). Dishes went into a laundry basket with towels. They went straight into the cabinets when they got there and towels into the closet. Clothes didn't come out of the drawers. The drawer went into the bottom of the trunk (full) with lighter things on top. As soon as the dressers were placed the drawers were pushed back in. Basically, don't move things you don't need to keep. Remember that you only need to keep things from breaking for 10 minutes in the car. The more time you spend packing it up, the longer it well take you to move it. A week isn't much of an overlap, even without renovations. If you have little kids that can't carry things, hire someone to watch them. Short moves are so much easier than long moves, but they can still be pretty stressful. It is quite possible you are my new girl crush. Oh my goodness!!! The kids are 10 and 9. They can help! Hard labor will be good for them.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,179
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Jun 30, 2014 2:48:25 GMT
When we moved into our house, it was probably less than two miles. We moved clothes (on hangers), delicate things, electronics, etc., by ourselves. We did those things one day and then had the movers come for the furniture and boxes the next day. We left things in the dresser drawers and just put the drawers back in. ALL boxes had labels and the movers put them in the rooms where they were going. No boxes were stacked in the garage waiting to be unpacked; only garage items went in there.
My parents were there at the new house, and they unpacked and put away kitchen items. I probably rearranged a few things later, but it was a big help to have someone there doing some things like that while we made trips back and forth.
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periwrinkle
Shy Member
Posts: 38
Jun 26, 2014 4:05:01 GMT
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Post by periwrinkle on Jun 30, 2014 2:48:54 GMT
I've had 13 addresses in the last 17 years. Some have been across town, some have been international. I was a military brat, I'm not sure how many times we moved when I was growing up. Hopefully you Find some of it useful. Move your own jewelry and put it someplace out of the way. (My parents lost some jewelry during one move) Don't try to cook. Make peace with convenience foods for the week, and use paper plates and disposable cups. I know for one move, all of the linens and extra bedding went into big black trash bags. I went through the house....stuffed everything that I could toss into a trash bag (without breaking it) into bags, threw it into the car and set it in the garage when we got there. Once we were out of the other home and the furniture had been placed, I started going through bags and putting stuff away. Lol, got some looks from the neighbors when they saw us carrying trash into the new house... sometimes it's just about getting it done. But seriously. ..A week is a really short overlap. If at all possible. ..you might want to rethink that one.
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Post by cynipidae17 on Jun 30, 2014 2:58:25 GMT
I've always packed everything I don't need then try to move most of the last packed stuff in first since it is what you usually need first. I would find a room in the new house you can keep closed put the cat stuff and the cats in there first so they are not underfoot.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 30, 2014 4:43:27 GMT
Hey, I lived in San Angelo for 6 months and 11 days, 22 years ago. Not that I was counting or anything! We are military and have moved 14 times in 24 years.
If you have a 9 and 10 year old, you have more stuff than you think. Rent a truck or you will be making a jillion trips back and forth. If need be, you can leave your stuff on the truck for an extra day or two until the tile/painting/carpet is done. It will be cheaper to rent the truck for an extra day or two than to pay an extra week on a mortgage.
Either hire someone to help you or bribe your friends heavily. But not with alcohol until you are moved in! You are going to be butt tired at the end of a week and won't get everything done that you want to get done.
Start packing now. If you are doing it yourself, it will take longer than you think. Especially with kids who want to be fed daily and schlepped from one place to another. Farm them out to friends for the week if possible. They will be of some help, but are still pretty young to be of any real help for an extended period (or week.) Purge outgrown clothes, toys, etc before you move them. Sure you can have a garage sale at the new house, but that takes time. Better to just give them to someone in need.
Don't use printed newspaper to pack anything. The ink gets on your dishes and your hands and your clothes and you need to wash everything to get it off. A Uhaul store sells plain newspaper. It's worth it. You can also get boxes for free off of Craigslist. Especially if you are in a military town. We sold our boxes for $1 and made over $400. I put all our paper into boxes and gave them that as well. Then just sell them again on Craigslist and you won't have to hunt up boxes. They will all be the same size and stack nicely. Rubbermaid totes need to be packed tightly or they will collapse under the weight of the stuff on top of them. Hanging clothes are the least of your worries. They move easily and are almost an instant thing to unpack. The bags are a good idea so that you don't need to buy wardrobe boxes, which were $18 a box for our last move.
Rugs are the last thing to go on a truck and the first thing off. Then you won't have to move everything to put the rugs down.
Have a "Last Box". We use a Rubbermaid tote because we are in and out of it constantly. Put extension cords, hardware from the disassembled furniture, tools, shims for bookshelves, a landline phone, paper towels... You get the idea. We always find puzzle pieces and marbles under the furniture and I toss it all into that box. We also put the coffee pot, coffee and filters in there as well. Put the nuts and bolts and screws from the furniture into ziplock bags and LABEL them. Sometimes we tape them to the furniture, sometimes we put them in the Last Box. Sometimes we do a bit of both. Just know where the hardware is and keep it all together for each piece of furniture. I also have a tote for paper plates, napkins, cups, utensils, etc. It helps to keep all of that in one spot and accessible. Pack the bedding for each bed all in one box and set up the beds first thing. You will be tired and it's wonderful to just open up a box and have clean sheets, pillows, blankets, etc. Mark another box with towels and set that one aside as well. You will want to shower at the end of the day.
If you have lived in the house for 10+ years (based on the age of the kids and that this is your first move) hire a cleaning company to clean the house for the new owners. You won't believe the filth you will find when you start moving beds and the entertainment center. Gird yourself now--I still find it appalling after all these years, and I've never lived anywhere longer than 4 years.
Move or hide the precious things yourself so that they don't get lost/stolen/broken. I cried when one mover shoved my 4 year old's paper snowman into a box and broke off his stick arms. DS never did crafts and I treasured that stupid snowman. And I may have been a little tired. Have I mentioned how tired you will be?
Lock the cats into a bathroom or closet when you are actively moving with the doors open, and put a big sign on the door. That way, they can't escape.
Good luck!
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,870
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Jun 30, 2014 5:33:17 GMT
I moved 1 mile away last Fall.
I hired movers. They did all the furniture and heavy boxes. That was on a Monday which was the last day of the month. I moved a lot of little stuff and light boxes on the previous Friday/Sat/Sun myself. I was exhausted by the end of Monday.
Good luck!
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Pinky Zebra
Full Member
I love Daryl Dixon. I want to lick his face and have his babies.
Posts: 169
Location: West Texas
Jun 26, 2014 5:37:40 GMT
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Post by Pinky Zebra on Jun 30, 2014 5:41:38 GMT
Hey, I lived in San Angelo for 6 months and 11 days, 22 years ago. Not that I was counting or anything! We are military and have moved 14 times in 24 years. That memorable, huh? People either love it or hate it here. I grew up here. So I would have been here when you were. I was 21 then. The town has grown a lot. You probably wouldn't recognize a lot of it. Thanks for for the tips. You had some great suggestions.
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Post by rune2484 on Jun 30, 2014 8:18:59 GMT
We used Smart Boxes for our last short move and they were wonderful. Maybe those would work for you?
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Post by peasful1 on Jun 30, 2014 8:32:58 GMT
The fridge and washer/dryer is definitely a concern. There's a plug in the garage for the fridge. But it's Texas. And hot. I think for a few days, we ought to be okay. What is your concern with the fridge? Is it a hot garage? We live in Phoenix area and we have a full-size fridge in the garage. It's fine. We have friends who keep a mini fridge on their back patio year round for drinks. No issues.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Jun 30, 2014 11:53:29 GMT
Label your boxes very well. That way, you don't have to unpack every single box at once. I'm in the middle of unpacking boxes but it's be 10 weeks since they were packed (They had to travel from India to Poland). Also, I would keep my clothes on hangers as previously suggested. Try to get rid of as much stuff as you can. We purged before moving and now I'm looking to purge again. Moving keeps us from accumulating too much stuff (for the most part)
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jun 30, 2014 18:29:59 GMT
The shortest move we made was also the hardest. I would send as much with the movers as possible. We didn't plan for it like we would have a long move - we took car loads over, didn't pack well (hanging clothes were put in a pile in the car), etc. It was exhausting.
We did OK with the cats. We emptied out the room their litter box and food were in first then just closed off that room so that they had their own space, and we didn't have to worry about them getting outside. They came to the new house in the last car load.
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