After 48 years, I am moving to another state!

congrats on your well planned move. Attitude is everything and you seem pretty pumped up about this.
 
audreyh1 said:
I want to know where you were birdwatching in Mexico!f
Click to expand...

Oaxaca State. From the western slopes of the mountains to the isthmus and then the Pacific. Great birds in that place - and we got ALL the target birds. My first trip to Mexico. I got the gray silky-flycatcher, which was the last of that small family for me. It wasn't the rarest bird we saw, not at all, but that was my target bird.
 
Thanks for the good wishes, all! Now I can start searching for good ER threads on moving!
 
Pellice said:
Thanks for the good wishes, all! Now I can start searching for good ER threads on moving!
Click to expand...
Heh, heh, keep it simple. The less stuff you move, the better. I mentioned above that we moved 5000 miles in two suitcases each. It's very liberating to go to the Hotel Furniture outlet and outfit your new Condo in one trip! With delivery, we spent $3K for 3BR town house (including wall art). Hotel furniture never wears out.
 
Glad to hear the pieces are all falling into place for you. We made a similar move after 26 years in Chicagoland and we’re thrilled after with our new home/state after 6 years. Moving is a lot of work and $ but it’s well worth it when all is said and done. Best of luck!
 
Last edited:
Here are some things I have learned during 20+ moves I have made over the years.

Before Moving Day:
  • Go through all of your stuff well in advance of the move and get rid of the things you don’t want in the new place. Why move it if you will just get rid of it at the other end?
  • Decide what you will move yourself. What vehicles and space are available? Estimate the space required to fit the items in the vehicles. Plan to leave about 25% of the available space empty to allow for extra things you will remember at the last minute.
  • Suggested things NOT to send with the movers:
    • Important papers, checkbooks, jewelry
    • Medical records, medicines
    • Other valuables
    • Anything you think is very important, and can squeeze into your vehicles
    • Cleaning supplies, vacuum, broom, etc. You will want to clean the new place before the movers arrive.
    • Tools. Some can be sent with movers, but you will likely need at least a few basic tools with you as you move and unpack.
    • Paint supplies if you will paint before the movers deliver your stuff
    • A small number of pots, plates, flatware, glasses, etc., so you will be able to cook and eat simple meals until you unpack the kitchen stuff. Or, use paper/plastic items. You won’t want to eat every meal in a restaurant.
On Moving Day:
  • Put everything the movers won’t be packing into a separate closet or room. Hang a sign on the closet to remind the movers (and you!) not to pack the contents.
  • Put items together in one location if you want them packed together.
  • The movers will give you an inventory list, but it is often less than helpful when you need to find something, or when you want to know what was in the box that got lost. When you are unpacking, you will at times be looking for specific items, and you need to be able to find them. This will allow you to unpack in an organized manner, and greatly reduce the stress. Plus save the time you would waste searching for things.
  • Create your own inventory list as follows:
    • Find out in advance how many packers will be boxing your stuff.
    • Have one adult follow each packer. Get a friend to help if necessary.
    • As the packers load each box, keep a detailed inventory of the contents. This is critical to finding things at the other end!!!! The more detail, the better. Don’t just write things like “desk drawer items.” You won’t know in advance everything you will want to find, so plan ahead!
    • As each box is sealed, put a serial number on the box with a permanent marker. Write the number in 3 places: top, and 2 opposite sides. Then you won’t ever have to turn the box more than 90 degrees to find the number.
    • Also put the same serial number on the inventory list next to the contents of the box. Now, you know exactly what is in each box.
    • For key items, list them right on the outside of the box so you can find them easier.
    • DO NOT list valuable items on the outside of the box. That’s an invitation to be stolen. It is not usually a problem unless the boxes go into storage before they are delivered at the new place.
    • If you know which room the box will go to at the new place, write that on the box as well.
    • When the movers put their inventory stickers on the boxes, add that number to your inventory list. You will be checking each box off on the movers’ list as they come off the truck. This cross reference will help you find things in the ocean of cardboard.
    • Each person keeping an inventory should use serial numbers starting with a different digit. For example: Wife uses numbers in the 100’s, husband in the 200’s, etc. This will help ID which room it came from as well as prevent duplicates.
  • Suggested items to be sure get put on the inventory are:
    • Pots, plates, glasses, flatware, etc.
    • Bedding, towels
    • Lamps and bulbs
    • Any cleaning supplies that get packed
    • Toilet paper, paper towels, rags
    • Extension cords and phone cords
    • Anything you think you will need in the first few days after the movers deliver your stuff.
    • Clothes by type (underwear, socks, pants, etc. Identify the owner hers/his, which kid)
    • Toiletry items
    • Hardware such as picture hangers, nails, screws
    • Any tools that you send with the movers
    • Records, CDs, TV’s and stereo equipment. You will want tunes while you unpack!
    • Computer stuff.
    • Don’t let the packers put containers and lids made of glass, ceramic, or other fragile material together without separating them with packing material. The direct contact will allow rubbing, which will probably cause breakage.
    • The movers will usually only place a piece of furniture once. Plan ahead where you want each item to go.
    • There are several things you know you will want right away when you start unpacking at the new home. Consider having these things packed in a separate box. Write something like 'Unpack This First" on the outside of each box, on the top and on two opposite sides.
    • A good idea that we have not yet tried: Buy a multi-pack of different colors of packing tape. Assign each room a unique color. Put a large piece of tape on each box, and a large piece of tape on the door to each room. Helps the movers to know where to put the boxes in the new place.
A little planning ahead will make the move go much smoother, at the old place and the new place. It will always be a pain, but being organized helps a lot. Good luck!
 
Pellice said:
Thanks for the good wishes, all! Now I can start searching for good ER threads on moving!
Click to expand...

Ask and ye shall receive.

I love that about this forum!

Lewis Clark said:
Here are some things I have learned during 20+ moves I have made over the years.

Before Moving Day:
  • Go through all of your stuff well in advance of the move and get rid of the things you don’t want in the new place. Why move it if you will just get rid of it at the other end?
  • Decide what you will move yourself. What vehicles and space are available? Estimate the space required to fit the items in the vehicles. Plan to leave about 25% of the available space empty to allow for extra things you will remember at the last minute.
  • Suggested things NOT to send with the movers:
    • Important papers, checkbooks, jewelry
    • Medical records, medicines
    • Other valuables
    • Anything you think is very important, and can squeeze into your vehicles
    • Cleaning supplies, vacuum, broom, etc. You will want to clean the new place before the movers arrive.
    • Tools. Some can be sent with movers, but you will likely need at least a few basic tools with you as you move and unpack.
    • Paint supplies if you will paint before the movers deliver your stuff
    • A small number of pots, plates, flatware, glasses, etc., so you will be able to cook and eat simple meals until you unpack the kitchen stuff. Or, use paper/plastic items. You won’t want to eat every meal in a restaurant.
On Moving Day:
  • Put everything the movers won’t be packing into a separate closet or room. Hang a sign on the closet to remind the movers (and you!) not to pack the contents.
  • Put items together in one location if you want them packed together.
  • The movers will give you an inventory list, but it is often less than helpful when you need to find something, or when you want to know what was in the box that got lost. When you are unpacking, you will at times be looking for specific items, and you need to be able to find them. This will allow you to unpack in an organized manner, and greatly reduce the stress. Plus save the time you would waste searching for things.
  • Create your own inventory list as follows:
    • Find out in advance how many packers will be boxing your stuff.
    • Have one adult follow each packer. Get a friend to help if necessary.
    • As the packers load each box, keep a detailed inventory of the contents. This is critical to finding things at the other end!!!! The more detail, the better. Don’t just write things like “desk drawer items.” You won’t know in advance everything you will want to find, so plan ahead!
    • As each box is sealed, put a serial number on the box with a permanent marker. Write the number in 3 places: top, and 2 opposite sides. Then you won’t ever have to turn the box more than 90 degrees to find the number.
    • Also put the same serial number on the inventory list next to the contents of the box. Now, you know exactly what is in each box.
    • For key items, list them right on the outside of the box so you can find them easier.
    • DO NOT list valuable items on the outside of the box. That’s an invitation to be stolen. It is not usually a problem unless the boxes go into storage before they are delivered at the new place.
    • If you know which room the box will go to at the new place, write that on the box as well.
    • When the movers put their inventory stickers on the boxes, add that number to your inventory list. You will be checking each box off on the movers’ list as they come off the truck. This cross reference will help you find things in the ocean of cardboard.
    • Each person keeping an inventory should use serial numbers starting with a different digit. For example: Wife uses numbers in the 100’s, husband in the 200’s, etc. This will help ID which room it came from as well as prevent duplicates.
  • Suggested items to be sure get put on the inventory are:
    • Pots, plates, glasses, flatware, etc.
    • Bedding, towels
    • Lamps and bulbs
    • Any cleaning supplies that get packed
    • Toilet paper, paper towels, rags
    • Extension cords and phone cords
    • Anything you think you will need in the first few days after the movers deliver your stuff.
    • Clothes by type (underwear, socks, pants, etc. Identify the owner hers/his, which kid)
    • Toiletry items
    • Hardware such as picture hangers, nails, screws
    • Any tools that you send with the movers
    • Records, CDs, TV’s and stereo equipment. You will want tunes while you unpack!
    • Computer stuff.
    • Don’t let the packers put containers and lids made of glass, ceramic, or other fragile material together without separating them with packing material. The direct contact will allow rubbing, which will probably cause breakage.
    • The movers will usually only place a piece of furniture once. Plan ahead where you want each item to go.
    • There are several things you know you will want right away when you start unpacking at the new home. Consider having these things packed in a separate box. Write something like 'Unpack This First" on the outside of each box, on the top and on two opposite sides.
    • A good idea that we have not yet tried: Buy a multi-pack of different colors of packing tape. Assign each room a unique color. Put a large piece of tape on each box, and a large piece of tape on the door to each room. Helps the movers to know where to put the boxes in the new place.
A little planning ahead will make the move go much smoother, at the old place and the new place. It will always be a pain, but being organized helps a lot. Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
I want to know where you were birdwatching in Mexico!
Pellice said:
Oaxaca State. From the western slopes of the mountains to the isthmus and then the Pacific. Great birds in that place - and we got ALL the target birds. My first trip to Mexico. I got the gray silky-flycatcher, which was the last of that small family for me. It wasn't the rarest bird we saw, not at all, but that was my target bird.
Click to expand...
We birded there long ago. It was fabulous!
 
Congratulations on scoring a completed and upgraded place in your desired destination!

Lewis Clark gave very thorough packing info. I’d add a few tech updates:
- Take a photo of box contents before sealing them up and tag it with the box serial number
- Put a tracker (AirTag, Tile) in boxes with the most important contents, whether they are being transported by others or yourself
- There are also collar trackers for pets

It’s a lot of work! Best wishes for a successful move.
 
sounds like a great outcome. Enjoy your new place.
 
latexman said:
In the last 48 years, DW and I moved 13 times! You are very lucky! 🍀
Click to expand...
I can't even imagine. We ended up moving 4 times in an 11 year stretch. Just about killed us (just about cost us a marriage - well, probably not, but it felt like it at the time).
 
We have moved only 2 times in 15 years, so fairly lucky there. Can be expensive for us, as neither of us likes to pack up kitchen stuff and the like.
 
I moved 32 times in my first 33 years. I have not moved at all in my second 33 years, and if I have my way, I won't move in my third 33 years.
 
Re: day one of move in. We’ve relocated a lot over the years and one thing I always do is be sure the essentials are ready to put in place by hour one, hour two, ect. For example first up is TP, soap and a roll of paper towels in each bathroom. Movers will need these, too. Towels and soap at kitchen sink. Trash collectors of some sort at hand. Pet essentials in place. Bed made up to sleep in first night, coffee maker and water filter ready to go. Paper plates, coffee cups, plastic utensils for first days. A way/place to sit until furniture is delivered.

I number first few boxes with essentials to be unpacked first so the new digs are functional in the first hour or so of arrival.

Good luck.
 
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