Best, Safest, Easiest Way to Make This Move

[redduck]

My adult daughter and my adult ex-wife are returning to California after living the last 10 years in and around Madison, Wisconsin. The daughter and ex-wife do not live together.

The question is: What’s the best, easiest, safest way for them to do the move? Expense is not really a major issue.

Both have cars. (The daughter has a Toyota Tundra with bags of sand and salt in the truck bed –this being a topic of a previous thread).

They both have some furniture, kitchen ware and clothing to move.
Daughter has two small dogs (about 8-10 pounds each). The dogs are coming to California (end of discussion).

One option is the ex-wife flying back and having her car, furniture, clothes all shipped. (That’s the option she finds most appealing). We don't think the daughter can use this same option because of the two dogs. There is also some discussion about selling the Tundra in Wisconsin and then the daughter drive the ex-wife’s car drive back. We would help buy the daughter a car when daughter gets to Calif.

Anyhow, there are all kinds of options here, and once again, money is not much of an issue, so any ideas about a good way to do the logistics would be appreciated.

 

[Big_Hitter]

. There is also some discussion about selling the Tundra in Wisconsin and then the daughter drive the ex-wife’s car drive back. We would help buy the daughter a car when daughter gets to Calif.

.

I like that option

 

[cathy63]

It sounds like the dogs are small enough to go in carriers under airplane seats, so both women could fly, each carrying on one dog. Have professional movers ship everything else, including whichever car(s) they keep. That should be easiest and safest, but they have to carefully research and follow the airline policy for traveling with pets.

 

[SteveNU]

You should fly out to Wisconsin and rent a U-Haul truck, load up all their stuff and the three of you have a little road trip back to California. It would be an easy three or four day drive.

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[RobbieB]

Hire movers. The dogs can fly. The car can be shipped for under a grand.

Do they have a place to stay picked out? If not the movers can store the stuff.

 

[Big_Hitter]

Hire movers. The dogs can fly. The car can be shipped for under a grand.

Do they have a place to stay picked out? If not the movers can store the stuff.

We ended up buying a ford e250 van for our animals, supplies (air mattresses etc.) to keep us alive until the movers arrived and driving 3 days. We had allied pack and move us. The subarus were shipped.

I didn't trust the movers with my firearms and metals. Plus we had 3 cats we were able to cage in the van. Not sure if the OPs folks have guns and metal to worry about.

Good thing we didn't fly, the movers were over two weeks late. -1 for allied. Thankfully one of the items that made it into the van were my golf clubs.


They give you a delivery window. If they miss it, you really have no recourse. OP keep that in mind.

 

[Marc]

I am still trying to figure out why you used the adjective "adult" to describe your ex-wife?

I agree with SteveNU; just fly out to Madison and rent a u-haul.

Marc

 

[Big_Hitter]

I am still trying to figure out why you used the adjective "adult" to describe your ex-wife?

I agree with SteveNU; just fly out to Madison and rent a u-haul.

Marc

he said money was no object. why cut corners?

 

[Big_Hitter]

You should fly out to Wisconsin and rent a U-Haul truck, load up all their stuff and the three of you have a little road trip back to California. It would be an easy three or four day drive.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

If you don't mind doing 60 mph the whole way. Plus those things aren't that easy to turn and park.

 

[Ronstar]

You should fly out to Wisconsin and rent a U-Haul truck, load up all their stuff and the three of you have a little road trip back to California. It would be an easy three or four day drive.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

If you are on good terms with your adult ex-wife, this would be my suggestion


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[LOL!]

Sell everything and leave the rest in Wisconsin. Surely, somebody in Wisconsin can use those bags of salt and sand that won't be needed in yonder California.

Then start Life over.

We moved a few times. The best results were when the Movers lost EVERYTHING we had.

 

[folivier]

They could load the car on a rental trailer and pull that with the truck.

 

[38Chevy454]

Best, safest, easiest? Hire professional moving co and let them do the work. Unless daughter is really tied to the Tundra, sell it and then drive ex-wife's car with dogs back. Alternatively let movers handle car and then fly with dogs in carriers. Assumes the dogs are reasonably good and will travel OK on plane.

 

[MRG]

Does DD want the Tundra? Is it worth $950 to move it? If so just go all in with the movers. To eliminate the issues of delayed shipping check out direct movers.

 

[redduck]

It sounds like the dogs are small enough to go in carriers under airplane seats, so both women could fly, each carrying on one dog. Have professional movers ship everything else, including whichever car(s) they keep. That should be easiest and safest, but they have to carefully research and follow the airline policy for traveling with pets.

The dogs might be small enough for the plane, but apparently they are high-strung, so it now sounds like this part of the potential plan isn't going to work. But, I'm still all for the professional movers moving everything that can be moved.

 

[redduck]

You should fly out to Wisconsin and rent a U-Haul truck, load up all their stuff and the three of you have a little road trip back to California. It would be an easy three or four day drive.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

[

They could load the car on a rental trailer and pull that with the truck.

Believe me, there is no chance of renting a U-Haul truck or trailer. It just makes it all more complicated and less freeing--more things to think and be concerned about.

he said money was no object. why cut corners?

Yep. Sticking to that story--money is no object, so why cut corners?

 

[redduck]

My adult daughter and my adult ex-wife are returning to California...

I am still trying to figure out why you used the adjective "adult" to describe your ex-wife?
Marc

I just liked the way it sounded.

 

[CaliKid]

They are adults. I'd let them figure it out. Especially your daughter. It's hard to grow up if mom/dad do everything for you. Just my two cents.

 

[MRG]

The dogs might be small enough for the plane, but apparently they are high-strung, so it now sounds like this part of the potential plan isn't going to work. But, I'm still all for the professional movers moving everything that can be moved.

The vet can give a prescription for doggy downers. We had one guy that intermittently would have issues when traveling, he generally loved traveling but sometimes... He'd just sleep and wake up a little groggy but didn't seem to mind.

 

[redduck]

They are adults. I'd let them figure it out. Especially your daughter. It's hard to grow up if mom/dad do everything for you. Just my two cents.

Oh, yeah, they will figure it out. But, there's a number of variables and I think it's an interesting situation. Sharing ideas doesn't stop people from growing up, does it?

 

[easysurfer]

Since money is not an issue, I'd say do which is most convenient for DD and ex-W and safe for the doggies.

 

[redduck]

Since money is not an issue, I'd say do which is most convenient for DD and ex-W and safe for the doggies.

Agreed. I have a feeling that this will all fall into place. But, it seems important to look at this from various angles (and it's kind of fun).
The suggestions have been helpful.

 

[HFWR]

You should fly out to Wisconsin and rent a U-Haul truck, load up all their stuff and the three of you have a little road trip back to California. It would be an easy three or four day drive.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

Ride three days in a u-haul with my ex?

Not no, but HELL no!

 

[Sunset]

...
I didn't trust the movers with my firearms and metals. Plus we had 3 cats we were able to cage in the van. Not sure if the OPs folks have guns and metal to worry about......

Good reminder, that Daughter and ex should take things that are important which would cause issues if movers lose it.
in addition to the things mentioned above: computers, $$$, insurance policies, last yr tax return, passports, jewerly.

Already I can see somebody will have to drive or have a carry-on.

 

[athena53]

Good reminder, that Daughter and ex should take things that are important which would cause issues if movers lose it.
in addition to the things mentioned above: computers, $$$, insurance policies, last yr tax return, passports, jewerly.

Already I can see somebody will have to drive or have a carry-on.

Movers will not take house plants or liquids. Your Ex and daughter may not care about the bottle of Windex but do they have supplies of liquor? I agree with professional movers plus driving, which will allow them to take all their valuables with them. The Ex and daughter also need to be there when the movers finish. Movers will "forget" to empty a drawer here, a closet there. DH and I used a firm with a good reputation last year and we had to keep pointing out what they'd left behind. It was the same with our move from NJ to KS in 2003; we had to remind them to pack the tools in our garden shed.