Transitions: Major Life Upheavals Ahead

[riley702]

Well, shit, fuck, damn, piss, hell. I don't have much in the way of advice, but send you my well wishes. I'd go with keeping the kitties with you at all times. Even if cat-cat didn't have traumatic memories.

Edited June 23, 2017 by riley702
clarity

[rcc]

If it were me I would sell or donate my furniture (get a certificate for tax purposes and Goodwill will pick it up) and start fresh with new or slightly used.  I would keep the cats with you. 

Too much stress dealing with movers. The money they gave you to move would be better used for new stuff when you got there. The furniture store would deliver for free probably when you find your place.

Edited June 22, 2017 by rcc

[theredhead77]

25 minutes ago, rcc said:

If it were me I would sell or donate my furniture (get a certificate for tax purposes and Goodwill will pick it up) and start fresh with new or slightly used.  I would keep the cats with you. 

Too much stress dealing with movers. The money they gave you to move would be better used for new stuff when you got there. The furniture store would deliver for free probably when you find your place.

I am getting rid of most of my stuff. My bed is a Tempurpedic and my couch is amazing, both were expensive AF I want to keep those. Other than that, I was planning on dumping most everything else which is why I was thinking a pod service could work. I also have to ship my car.

[rcc]

Just my 2 cents again but I would sell my car too and buy or lease another one. 

Since you're moving across the country it just seems to be the best way to me because of the expense. One would offset the other.

My neighbor just moved from the midwest to the east coast and she had movers. Nothing but problems with them and her car was damaged in the move. Her front tire rim was damaged and she also had to buy a new tire, but since you can't just buy one tire she had to buy two for the front (all wheel drive vehicle). Then her battery went. She says she should never have done it that way. She was overcharged, had to fight with them because of damage, and it was one big headache.

[theredhead77]

UGH. What a pain for your friend. I've been tossing around the idea of selling my car since it's black with black leather seats (which will suck in the GA sun) but it's not even a year old and has less than 5k miles on it. I'd take a huge hit on it. My buddy moved his prized Charger without issues; I'm going to use the company he did and hope for the best.

[ennui]

2 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

If anyone can think of a better way I'm all eyes.

When I moved across country with two dogs, I arranged for commercial movers to pick up everything, then I drove my car with the dogs. It was quite the adventure and I'm not at all sorry I did it that way. (I bought a souvenir in every state.) When we reached our destination, I had a couple of days sleeping on the floor before the movers showed up with my stuff. 

I can't imagine doing all that flying back and forth. 

Be sure to keep accurate records for tax purposes, but you won't be able to deduct moving expenses since your company is paying for it.

Edited June 22, 2017 by ennui

[theredhead77]

I would totally drive if the kitten-cat could tolerate a car ride. He acts like he's being tortured when he goes in the carrier to take him to the vet. I couldn't even imagine a 3 day drive. What moving company did you use @ennui?

[ABay]

Is it feasible to board the cats at their vet's?

[theredhead77]

1 minute ago, ABay said:

Is it feasible to board the cats at their vet's?

Probably but the cat-cat spent quite a bit of time in a shelter and I'd hate for him to think I abandoned him (especially since there will be stacks of boxes piling up).

[ennui]

22 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

I would totally drive if the kitten-cat could tolerate a car ride. He acts like he's being tortured when he goes in the carrier to take him to the vet. I couldn't even imagine a 3 day drive. What moving company did you use @ennui?

I have a friend who drives interstate with cats; he says they calm down after a bit. The trick is to start closing off their hiding spaces well ahead of time or you'll never catch them.

I think I used Alllied, but I'm not certain. I'm sure you have a lot more choices now than I did then. 

You could put the cats in a box, punch a few air holes, and let the movers take them.  (I kid!)

If I recall correctly, and the laws may have changed, but within ten days of your move you will need to take the cats to the vet for health certificates. Your vet may have suggestions, including tranquilizers. (When I got health certificates for the dogs, no one ever asked to see them, but I had them.)

Edited June 22, 2017 by ennui

[DeLurker]

I was surprised to find out the cat I adopted from a rescue rides ok in the car.  A bit unsettled at first but after a couple of shorter rides where we stayed together and came home together. I put him in a harness and let him free range in the car now and leash him before we get out.

I used meclizine the first day of big driving (after talking with the vet) to ease motion sickness.  Same stuff in Bonine that is sold OTC.  But not since the first time because he's fine.

We we're going from Houston to Vero Beach so 1,100 miles each way.  We went last summer (rt) and just made the trip to Florida again this week.

Try taking him a few times to give it a shot. Ask a friend to drive so you can comfort the cat.  Finish each test drive with a high value treat immediately after you get home.

[theredhead77]

The shelter kitty (the cat-cat) is fine with the box and the car. I think he associates it with being rescued from the horrible shelter. The other kitty (kitten-cat) is the one that hates boxes and cars. I really didn't think it through when I named him Schrodinger. This reminds me that I need to make appointments to take them in for their shots and discuss sedatives.

[Bastet]

Riley is scared in the carrier and car, and I have no idea which would upset her less -- a long car ride that's quiet and just with me, or a much shorter plane ride that's filled with strangers (and altitude changes) and bookended by airports.  I tend to think she'd do better in the car, but I really don't know.

[AgentRXS]

A rescue I works with transports cats from the shelter I work at to northern states with a lower cat population (Vermont, Maine, etc).  They have a transport network of drivers who drive certain legs of the trip.  Adult cats and kittens of all temperaments have gone on these transports rides.

One product that has been tried and tested multiple times is Feliway  and it really works. Spray it in  just before you load him in the carrier and place a towel over the carrier and it should work.  And as mentioned above, you will probably need health certificates, but check with your vet just be sure.

I would do the whole road trip with my kitties thing. Moving is just as stressful on them as it is for you, and they will feel much more secure having their master/"mommy" with them at all times. :)

Edited June 23, 2017 by AgentRXS

[theredhead77]

I guess I didn't mention I am going to bring a friend and take them as carry on. I'd drive before I put them with luggage.

I'll see what the vet suggests. I'm not sure I can find someone to drive with me and I don't want to do that drive alone.

[NutMeg]

11 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

Finally, to move my kitties I'll have to fly them there and we're staying in corporate housing since I have nowhere to stay with them, here once my things are gone. I'm going to have to fly them to this temporary housing, fly home, hope the movers / pod people don't flake, have them load everything up and fly back in the course of 2 days. Or, I'll have to lock the cats in the bathroom hope the movers / pod people don't flake, have them load everything up and fly out that night, hoping the housing or hotel I lined up doesn't fall apart.

3 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

I guess I didn't mention I am going to bring a friend and take them as carry on. I'd drive before I put them with luggage.

I'll see what the vet suggests. I'm not sure I can find someone to drive with me and I don't want to do that drive alone.

 

@thereadhead77, of the first options in your first post, I'd go for the second. Better lock the kitties in the bathroom than leave them by themselves in an empty place. [For what it's worth, in my experience moving three times with a cat, the cat found a way to hide each time the movers were around - a slightly ajar built-in cupboard that had already be emptied, behind the washing machine, etc. but came out when I called her after they had gone.] Alternatively, if you do fly them first, could the friend that's flying with you later flight earlier and stay with them? (Even if you have to fly twice, they won't be alone.) Or catsit them the day of the move?

Some medication might be useful for the flight, to ease the stress. See with your veterinary too about potential medication for a drive instead of a flight. I didn't use any the first time I flew with my cat, because the vet believed she was comfortable enough with me not to need it. Big mistake, poor thing was scared out of her mind (with me on the plane, in a carry on). The second time I flew with her, I went for some tranquillising/valium-for-cat med, that time the rule between countries needed her to be in cargo, traveling not with luggage but with prized racehorses. After we got "home", she was keen to tentatively explore her new environment, whereas the first time she only wanted to hide. So definitely some med is what I'm doing next time, even if I was reluctant that first time and relieved the vet didn't really recommend it. 

Good luck with all of these decisions, it's such a hassle, isn't it? but I trust that it will ultimately work just right :)   

[theredhead77]

New plan! Book a flight to find a place to live the first weekend in August. THEN worry about movers. September isn't "peak" moving season.

I pulled receipts - my couch is 7 years old and was $1200 (it's an awesome couch) and my bed is only 5 years old and replacing it would cost more than a uPack type thing.

If I go the uPack route I can probably find a couple friends to load up my heavy stuff since I'm on the first floor and I'll hire their helpers or see if there is a local moving company that I can hire to unload.

In the mean time, I'm continuing to get rid of crap I don't need.

[walnutqueen]

@theredhead77 - you will be sorrily missed in CA, at least by me.  And, no, I don't have a pickup or able arms to help you move the heavy stuff.  However, I'd drive across country in astronaut diapers for some kitties' sake (just in case).  So PM me if you're ever that desperate.  ;-)

[MrSmith]

@theredhead77 Regarding your cats, do you have a friend who would/could care for them for a few days? I'm sure you've probably checked on this already. So I'm not sure why I'm even asking. Alternately, you could kennel them while you're gone, either in your new town/city or in your old one. Check recommendations. I know it'll cost some money, but it might be worth it. Otherwise, you could check for Facebook groups in the area and see if any of those cat lovers will care for your kitties for a few days. If I were local to you at either end, I'd offer to do it. (We have a whole bedroom we could use to isolate them from our cat and our dog. My wife would make sure they didn't get lonely.) So I wish we were able to help you.

[riley702]

It's a small victory, but I went to the store without a head covering today. And no one batted an eye! My hair is somewhere around 1/4 to 1/2 inch long right now, and seems to be coming in white. OK... I've been wearing a scrub hat like they wear in OR for work. The few I've given a peek have complimented my "nicely-shaped" head. LOL. And so now, I've been totally checking out guys with shaved heads to see if they're "lumpy" or not. There have been a few lumpies.

[Qoass]

Good for you, @riley702. Speaking only for myself, I don't notice baldness or very short hair on women anymore. It seems to have become quite commonplace.

[MrSmith]

I agree! Good for you, @riley702! I've been shaving my head since the summer of 1998 or 1999. Even before then, if I saw a woman with little to no hair, I didn't give it a second thought. There are all kinds of reasons people have short hair or are bald. Some are medical and some are by choice. I never want to call attention to it because it's rude and, especially in cases where it is medical, will probably hurt that person's feelings. I'm just glad you're still among the living, whether you have hair or not! :)

[NutMeg]

@Theredhead77, I've discovered in my recent research that medication for cats wears off after 4-5 hours, so they should be fine in your case if you decide to go with it (but it's important to check with your vet beforehand in case of health conditions that could make it  dangerous).

A pet relocation specialist (I didn't even know those existed) mentioned Bach flower remedies that seems to have a good effect in making cats less stressed on the journey, so I'm going to be looking into that.

[Zola]

I have one or two major transitions in my life thus far. 

The first was my parents decision to emigrate from my natural home of Bloemfontein, South Africa, and to start a new life in England (my father's decision via a really good job offer). I was only 11 or 12 at the time, and really didn't understand why we needed to move to such a remote country. It also meant leaving my school, my friends and relations, the lovely weather and the vast size and natural wonder of South African compared to the relatively small and densely populated British Isles.

Took me 2 years and plenty of arguments and hissy-fits with my parents before I finally adjusted to a British way of life. I still hope to move back home some day soon, but for the time being I will gain some work experience and some qualifications before heading home

 

My other transition was finally telling my parents of my sexuality at the age of about 14/15. They were both quite disappointed when I brought girls home rather than boys. And this resentment lingered until I was 18, and only then did things change because i went to university for 3 years and I enjoyed the single-life without my overbearing parents getting all judgemental over me.

Fortunately, time is a great healer, and they have both accepted me for who I am and what I like, which has certainly taken a huge burden off of my shoulders. Of course I have no idea what they will think should I ever marry my current partner. But that is for another day.

[theredhead77]

For those playing along at home, I had a visual appointment with Mayflower today and received a ballpark quote from Two Men and a Truck. Two Men and a Truck will be coming out in a couple weeks to do a visual quote. Their ballpark quote seemed stupid high - between $7500 - $8100 for a dedicated route or $5200 if I can wait a month for delivery. I'd be living in corporate housing until my stuff showed up and will have to weigh the cost of that rent vs the savings of the cheaper service. If I go the U-Pack route it will be about $3500 - $4000 and will take 3-5 days.

The guy from Mayflower said I have about 3,000 lbs of furniture if I take it all.

[NutMeg]

Argh, @theredhead77, you've just hit a sore spot I've had for the past few days: the prices moving companies are quoting me are insane, and that's before insurance which is almost as insane. I thought this was going to be a relatively easy and pain free process, but the range of quotations I got from 3 companies went from x to x+50%, so I've contacted a few others, and the one I told they are way above the others and above my budget now says they can give me a better quote (than the "best" quote they sent me this morning), while another one is now offering insurance at 2.5% rather than 3.5%. It makes me feel like their default setting is to try their luck with as high a price as they think they can get away with, whereas I don't have time to lose on these shenanigans and was hoping to have made a choice by now :(

Edited July 12, 2017 by NutMeg
somehow, I missed that my intended "pain free" had been changed to "panfry" by autocorrect

[Quof]

Why are you buying insurance from the movers?  Check your homeowner's/tenant's policy, which should most certainly cover your possessions while they are in transit. And if they are damaged due to the movers' negligence, it's their liability insurer who pays, not a insurance coverage that you buy.

[NutMeg]

I'm not buying insurance from the movers for sure yet. But I am slightly worried that they might get sloppy if the insurance is a third party, which could be me being paranoid. It's just that they all include insurance as an item, but it's not such a great insurance at first glance, for instance - I could hardly believe it... - they don't cover scratches in furniture! I'm tempted to value my stuff as low as possible, because really there are only a few pieces that are very important to me but could never be replaced, like a Chinese camphor wood cabinet from the 1920s that I bought in Macao years ago and never saw the like of ever. It's more that I don't want to have to buy all new things for the most part. I've also been in touch with another insurance company that gives me a price which is one tenth of the others', this one's business is more insuring commercial shipments of all kinds and values. I'm going to set some time before the end of the week to read everything I've received so far, each offer is between 5 to 8 pages long, and I need to look at all the small print :) but as luck has it, my week has been awfully busy and that's not something I want to tackle when I'm not totally focused.

[theredhead77]

The rep from Mayflower called me back last night and I'm shocked that my quote is only $3500. He's going to write one up for my car and send over the package later. It will take 10-20 business days to get there, but that is what I was expecting anyway.

The one thing he kept hammering is to make sure it's a guaranteed rate from whoever I decide to go with otherwise the company can jack up the rate after the move.

[Quof]

Yikes - be careful moving a car.  Friends moved cross-country and shipped their car with their belongings.  The tractor trailer had an accident, rolled, and all the fluids from the car leaked all over their belongings.  I think the car itself was the only thing that was usable after that.   

[ennui]

4 hours ago, NutMeg said:

a few pieces that are very important to me but could never be replaced, like a Chinese camphor wood cabinet from the 1920s

Take photos before the move.

Aside from ooak* pieces, furniture isn't often worth very much. 

* one of a kind

[theredhead77]

A friend of mine who works for a relocation company is getting me hooked up with a full service moving company. They pack, move, unpack for you for only a few hundred more than Mayflower vanlines. yay! They also offer free 30 days of storage in case I don't know where I'm moving to.

Here's my new dilemma since this storage option / not having to have a firm address option opened up

1) Cancel my trip the first weekend in August - the hotel is fully refundable, I believe the airfare can be transferred to another flight w/o fees (need to double check) Find a place after I get there. II'm already planning on staying in corporate housing until my stuff shows up, I'd just stay there longer if needed.

 2) Still go and try and find a place but fly home late Saturday instead of late Sunday (I'm flying in Thursday PM). Most complexes are closed Sun & I can change the airfare with minimal cost. I would save $$ in hotel, car rental and food costs. I was already tossing around this idea before she told me about the storage.

3) Keep my trip as is and fly home late Sunday night.

The only kink I can find in #1 is finding a place where my awesome couch will fit and knowing if I need to take my washer and dryer or buy new ones (does it come with a set, are they gas or electric?). I really want to rent a townhouse vs living in a complex but if that’s all I can find during my visit that’s what I planned to take. If I look for a place after I move I may be able to rent a townhouse or at the very least I'll end up with an apartment in a complex.

Objective thoughts?

[ParadoxLost]

@theredhead77

I'll add some thoughts. 

The housing market is a nightmare for buyers right now.  Not enough inventory and houses are selling really fast.  Not sure that the rental availability is much better especially if you are looking for a townhouse vs. a complex.  I know a couple people that had to give up the search for a house in the area you were thinking about and ended up renting and that took longer than I would have expected.  Like not something they managed to accomplish over a long weekend and they already know the area.  But their realtor was also an idiot and they were renting a house not a townhome or in a complex.

So I guess my concern with number 2 and 3 would be that unless you are super prepared you may end up having to settle for a place you aren't really thrilled with or go back with no place and do number 1 anyway (and this may be raising a false alarm so don't panic).  Also depending how fast rentals are getting snapped up (and I really don't know the answer to that) can you actually come prepared or will a lot of the townhouses be gone when you arrive? 

Are you going to use an agent or rent something on your own?  I'd think the 2/3 would be harder to do without help than 1.

Seems like if option 1 gives you more time, you might have more options (including someplace for the couch) and be happier in the long run. 

Perhaps make a few calls to try to feel out the situation:

- Call a few complexes and see what their availability of rentals is.

- Ask your relocation friend if there is anyone they know of you could call about the townhome rental options (real estate agent or management company) or cold call somebody to see if they think renting over a weekend is doable vs over a little more time from corporate housing. 

- Also if the washer dryer becomes a issue, there is supposedly a realtor network of appliances for sale on the cheap from all the people that ended up with multiples of appliances.  I didn't need anything when I was buying my house so I don't remember any other details.  Maybe your friend has access if you decide to leave them behind.

I guess whatever you decide, I'd say that since you know you have more time in corporate housing with free storage if you make a trip then know what you need in a place to live to be happy before you come.  Write it down.  That way you might be less likely to settle because you don't want to waste a trip.  Better to waste a trip than get stuck someplace you don't like enough to move a second time.

I'm really pushing in one direction aren't I.  Feel free to ignore me.

[Bastet]

It's ridiculous the company's relocation package doesn't cover a home-scouting trip between accepting the job and starting it, but the fact is it doesn't, and you've thus already budgeted for covering that on your own.  I'd go ahead and spend that money as planned to take the trip and look for a place; so many other things will be new at the time you move and start the job, I'd take my best chance at crossing "scrambling for a place to live" off that list.  The corporate housing is a back-up should you not find something, but I'd want to do everything possible to minimize that interim, move to one place then move to the real place time - for me, and the cats.

Now, if Sunday would be a largely wasted day because few places are actually available to look at, and the fee you'd pay the airline to change your return flight to late Saturday is offset by the money you'd save in hotel, car rental, and food costs, I'd make that change, yes.  I just wouldn't skip the scouting trip altogether.

[ParadoxLost]

@Bastet makes some good points.

I think it comes down to what will make you the least stressed out through the process.  That's largely a personal matter.

I would likely go but not put pressure on myself to find a place even if I end up wasting money.  But that isn't for everyone.  If you are leaning one way or another, its probably the right thing for you.

[theredhead77]

@ParadoxLost you have some good points and it actually spawned an idea: call the complexes I'm interested in over the next few days and seeing what is coming up for September and October (they require 60 days notice).

@Bastet I agree. It sounds like they don't typically provide relocation for this level and my house-finding trip is supposed to come out of the funds they are providing me. I haven't really budgeted for it, it's all going on a card.

Edit to reply to your most recent post a minute ago - in the end whatever I do will be right for me but the discussion and differentiating views helps see things I may not see.

Edited July 14, 2017 by theredhead77

[ennui]

On 7/13/2017 at 7:45 PM, theredhead77 said:

Most complexes are closed Sun

Why? They don't have any available units to rent? 

Around here, there are application fees and credit and background checks. Finding a rental is not easy and not fast. 

I would go and even if you don't look for a place on Sunday, you can still explore the city.

ETA Also around here, there are lots and lots of rentals that are NOT on line. 

Edited July 19, 2017 by ennui

[theredhead77]

52 minutes ago, ennui said:

Why? They don't have any available units to rent? - because it's GA? I have no idea

Around here, there are application fees and credit and background checks. Finding a rental is not easy and not fast. - same here; but it's typically a day or two turn around

I would go and even if you don't look for a place on Sunday, you can still explore the city. - I am going, because I found out it will cost nearly $3500 to stay in a furnished apartment for a month.

ETA Also around here, there are lots and lots of rentals that are NOT on line. - same in my area but there I'll have no idea where to drive around so I'll have to rely on what is online

See my replies in bold :)

[ennui]

9 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

finding a rental is not easy and not fast. - same here; but it's typically a day or two turn around

Here, it's more like a week or two, because it's competitive and landlords can pick and choose the best candidates.

[theredhead77]

1 minute ago, ennui said:

Here, it's more like a week or two, because it's competitive and landlords can pick and choose the best candidates.

It's also competitive here, especially in the neighborhood where I live but it's the law that the landlords accept the first qualified candidate.

[ParadoxLost]

3 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

Why? They don't have any available units to rent? - because it's GA? I have no idea

Probably because most only have one person working and they need a day off.  Georgia doesn't use the logic that most people work so maybe be open on weekends and close on a weekday.  We can at least buy booze on Sunday now.

Quote

I would go and even if you don't look for a place on Sunday, you can still explore the city. - I am going, because I found out it will cost nearly $3500 to stay in a furnished apartment for a month.

Ouch.  If you decide to stay Sunday, townhome rentals are something you could look at on Sunday since real estate agents are active that day but you'd probably have to make an appointments ahead time.

Quote

ETA Also around here, there are lots and lots of rentals that are NOT on line. - same in my area but there I'll have no idea where to drive around so I'll have to rely on what is online

Suggestion for preparing for the trip if you haven't found a better way.  Go to the yellow pages and look for apartment complexes in the city / zip you are interested in.  You'll get a comprehensive list with websites that give pictures, map, availability, etc.  Seems like that would be easier than individual listings on Zillow or realtor.com, etc.

[theredhead77]

Maybe it's been luck of the draw but the complexes I'm looking at all all corporately owned with multiple people in the leasing office. Not many complexes around here have leasing offices open on Sunday either. Maintenance or emergencies, sure but leasing offices are typically open Mon - Sat with very limited hours on Sun, if any.

Surprisingly Google Maps has been phenomenal for finding complexes. I also use Apartmentlist and apartments.com. The big complexes also advertise on Truila and Zillow. I wasn't planning on using a real estate agent to find a rental but I have been looking up property management companies and checking out their listings.

I checked out several when I was out there a few months ago and have a few more to look at on Friday and Saturday. I do plan to make appointments to see private properties and have started calling on some that are up now but aren't available until September.

[BookWoman56]

The last couple of times I've looked for an apartment I have used apartment-finding agencies (they're not regular real estate offices and not property mgmt offices), and have had good luck with them. I don't know what it's like in GA, but in this part of TX, it saved me a huge amount of hassle after several "oops, so sorry, we just rented that and have no other vacancies like it" experiences. I looked online for a few of them, checked out their reviews, and then went with one that was located in the part of the city I wanted to be. I was able to go in, tell them what I was looking for, my price range, etc., and a day later they had a list of apartment complexes that fit my preferences.  I went and saw a few that seemed like the best bets, and made my decision on the spot because I found one that had essentially everything I wanted.  There's no fee to use the apartment-finding agency; they get paid by the apartment complexes, and the only thing you have to do is list the specific agent on your rental application as the person who referred you. I obviously can't speak for the reputation or quality of similar agencies in other places, but if you are having problems finding something, it's an option to consider. 

[BookWoman56]

I'm in the middle of a major housing transition right now. Several years ago I had ended up moving back in with my parents while my father was recovering from a major illness and my mother was having trouble dealing with all the logistics and stress of the situation.  I jettisoned my house, furniture, etc., because I wasn't sure how long I was going to be there, but knew it wasn't going to be just a couple of months, and in fact I was there for a couple of years. When my daughter and I relocated back to our previous city, so I could get back into paid employment, the housing situation was not good; prices were unstable and frankly after two years of virtually no income, my resources were pretty minimal as well. So we ended up in an apartment, and then three years ago moved to a larger apartment closer to work. Since that move, I've started telecommuting full-time and so the only current commuting is my daughter driving to and from her college classes. For a variety of circumstances, though, which I've vented about in the family thread, I realized we needed a lot more space. So, yesterday I closed on a house and this weekend we're moving into it. 

This will be a big change for me, but I'm hoping most of the change will be positive. The house is brand new, so there should be minimal calls about air conditioning that doesn't work well, leaking sinks, etc. It's in a pretty quiet neighborhood, which will be a big relief from being in a high traffic area (very close to a hub of hospitals and so forth) and also the increasingly noisy apartment neighbors. One major selling point for me is that the house has a downstairs office that is an actual office as opposed to a bedroom being used as an office. OTOH, for a while now I haven't had to worry about keeping the grass cut, other landscaping issues, and so forth. 

[NutMeg]

Here's to a smooth move, @BookWoman56, and a peaceful settling in.

I'm in the process of sorting what I take or not for my upcoming move, in 3 weeks. It's insane what we can accumulate in 11 years when there is a lot of storage space. It's starting to feel like I live in a flea market, with piles of books to donate (or sell if I'm lucky), boxes of books that I'm keeping, bags of toys and clothes that thankfully my part time cleaner is happy to take when she comes and to redistribute, and items too big to throw out that are starting to pile up.

I feel like that I'll NEVER want to move again after this :) 

[ennui]

17 hours ago, BookWoman56 said:

yesterday I closed on a house and this weekend we're moving into it. 

Congratulations!  How exciting!

[theredhead77]

Cheers to a smooth move and new home @BookWoman56!

For anyone who is US based, Zappos partnered with Soles for Souls to accept donations of clothing, books, shoes and school supplies via UPS (prepaid label)

I fly out Thursday, will hopefully find an apartment this weekend that will be move-in ready the first or second week of Sept. I am going to Uber to the airport and my friend will pick me up at whatever airport I end up with if I come home early. There are 3 airports within a 25 mile radius of where I live now.

I decided on a moving company and auto transport company. They were both recommended by my friend in relocation and the moving company is one that handles relocation for my company (for those who rank coordinated assistance). It looks like they're hooking me up with a nice discount too and both say it will take 4-14 days to transport my goods and have delivery. I think it will be closer to the 14.

[MargeGunderson]

I wish I could help all of you pack/unpack for your moves. Organization is my primary talent and I haven't done a move in 10 years. I've had to console myself with repeatedly organizing my closets and cabinets.

[rcc]

50 minutes ago, MargeGunderson said:

I wish I could help all of you pack/unpack for your moves. Organization is my primary talent and I haven't done a move in 10 years. I've had to console myself with repeatedly organizing my closets and cabinets.

I'm an organizer too. The last time I moved it took me 3 weeks to organize everything. It took my sister 2 years to get organized and to me it still isn't. lol She has a pantry with shelves and instead of adding more shelves (or having what is on the shelves neat and tidy) she puts cans, jars, boxes, etc. on the floor. Her laundry room the same thing. She tells me I'm anal. I say I'm organized.

[Quof]

Several years ago, I downsized my mother from the family house she had lived in for almost 40 years. I swear she had never thrown anything away.  I was brutal - had to be to facilitate the move from a huge old house to a 2 bedroom apartment.   "What are you keeping that for ? What do you need this for? When was the last time you used this? Why do you need enough mismatched, cracked Christmas ornaments to decorate the entire White House?"   She insisted on having a yard sale. I told her I would have nothing to do with it, but to knock herself out.  I took hours of work, she made about $50 and at the end of the day she started to drag unsold items back in the house.  

If she had been the one doing all of the packing, moving and unpacking, I would have said "Have at it", but she wasn't.