How To Save Money If You’re Moving in the Summer

Publish Date: July 6, 2021

Last Modified Date: February 11, 2022

Category: Money Saving, Moving Checklists & Planning

Tags: Tags: best movers, cheap movers, hireahelper, local movers, long distance movers, movers near me, moving, moving containers, moving vans, summer, summer uhaul, uhaul

So, you’re one of the bold souls that’s moving during the summer, huh?

Don’t worry, you are nowhere near alone. The first thing to know is that you are one of literally millions of Americans who are also planning a summer move. The second thing is that this fact means demand for moving services skyrockets from late May to early September… right along with what it’ll cost you to move.

If you didn’t know summer is a crazy time to move, take heart. There are some key ways to save both your summer move and your sanity.

First, match your budget to the three main moving options

There are a bunch of different ways you can move in the summer (and in general). I like to classify them into three broad categories, based on the level of effort and budget people typically have:

DIY Move: This is for those who want to take the bull by the horns. You don’t need to hire a moving truck or movers to help load and load, but you might call family or friends to give you a hand. This is the cheapest way to move, since the expenses may be limited to some moving material and pizza.

Hybrid Move: Mix and match the services you actually need: packing, loading, unloading, and/or renting a truck.

How does it actually work? Let’s say you have all your packing covered, but you don’t want to risk your back by carrying heavy boxes to the moving truck you rented. But at the same time, you also don’t need some giant $4,000 operation. Your best option here is to hire a couple of movers for two hours to do all the heaviest lifting for you. This involves a little more planning, since you may have to get quotes from different places and keep everything on a tight schedule, but it’s still significantly cheaper than going the Full Service route.

(Protip: marketplaces can cross-check your local prices for you.)

Full-Service Move: This option is for those with little time but bigger budgets (or on someone else’s budget, such as corporate relocation). You can hire someone to take care of everything, from packing your stuff to unpacking in your new home. You pay more for your stuff, but then all you really have to do is sit comfortably and watch your moving team take care of everything.

If you’re moving long-distance using any three of these options, you should probably consider if moving containers might be cheaper, as well as if you want to do the long drive yourself. The nitty-gritty details of organizing a long-distance move are collected on Moving 101, which compares all the top moving companies. Check real-time pricing with exclusively verified reviews.

(Stop trusting those bogus moving company reviews off of random Google searches… trust me.)

Make your moving date flexible if you’re adding any kind of moving service

Give yourself as wide a window as possible to make your move. This is absolutely imperative if you want even a shot at saving money.

Some good news is that you don’t have to call around for hours by yourself. A reputable mover marketplace website can give you your pick of vetted movers that have open availability at any point throughout the busy moving season; book one of them for loading and/or unloading a truck or moving container. You can even hire local movers with their own truck they can drive without too much of a scheduling crunch, if it’s for a local move. (There may be hope for your last second long-distance move, too)

If you get movers, a Mover Marketplace eliminates a huge chunk of the typical money sinks

When it comes to moving labor, the highest risk for no-shows, broken trucks, falling behind schedule, or even outright scams occurs in the summer. (This knowledge comes with decades of experience.) If you want to minimize the risk of all that wasted time and money, booking through a well reviewed company like HireAHelper means:

You will have a Customer Service Representative overlooking your entire move, so you’ll personally have someone in your corner in case anything goes wrong
You are covered in the case of any accidents
You will know how much you will pay from the get-go, since a trusted marketplace doesn’t do the “hidden fees” or “additional markups” thing
You don’t need to release payment until the job is actually done

For the best possible quote, I recommend starting to organize your move at least 6 weeks in advance. To help you actually do such a scary thing, read this ultimate moving checklist. Every little thing, from when exactly to book your movers, to how to get settled in as little time as possible is all there, so you can be sure no tiny detail will slip through the cracks.

To save money on truck rentals…

Trucks require their own special logistics. If you decide to rent one, keep these things in mind to try and shave down your quote:

Do a night pickup

Instead of trying to go pick it up first thing in the morning along with the rest of the world, arrange to pick it up the night before you need it.

This lets you get started as early in the morning as you want, beating the possibility of lower (and thus more expensive) inventory, heat, and the traffic. If you do pick up your truck after dusk though, do bring a flashlight so you can check the truck for existing damage so they can’t nail you for the scratches and dents that were already there. Also check exactly what supplies, if any, are on the truck. You don’t want them to forget the hand truck you requested—and you certainly don’t want them to charge you for taking something that was never there in the first place!

See real-time moving truck prices on Moving101

Expand your rental store search parameters

Check locations that may be a bit outside of town. If the company is serving a smaller community than your own, they may be more likely to have a truck available on the day you need it. Also, make sure to check places besides U-Haul; Penske and Budget Truck are often highly competitive, if not cheaper altogether, depending on your circumstance.

Long-distance move? Ask if they need a specific drop off

If you are moving one-way (i.e., dropping your truck off at a location other than the place you picked it up), see if they could use you to drop it off at any particular location in the general area of your new home. Behind the scenes, these truck rental companies have to figure out how to make sure they have enough trucks at each location each day to cover all their reservations. If you can help them out, they’ve been known to sometimes give a nice discount.

Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck

See prices for movers by the hour—instantly.

Read real customer reviews.

Easily book your help online.

Ask people about their moves on social media

Every local area is honestly completely different. Luckily, people love giving recommendations almost as much as they love giving opinions. You can get both by reaching out on whichever social media platforms you use. Ask your connections what (and who) they know regarding movers, rental trucks, and portable storage companies. Look up reviews of local moving companies near you someplace you can confirm they are real.

Mover near me — HireAHelper.com/movers-near-me

Don’t stop there! Social media can also be a great way to sell, donate, or just give stuff away, which will lighten your load. Search for groups in addition to reaching out to your personal connections. When you do post stuff, always include something like “if you know anyone who could use a free dining room table and chairs” or “please feel free to tag/pass this along to someone you think might be interested or able to help”.

Protip: Garage/Yard Sales can be tremendously time-consuming and wildly unpredictable as far as actually getting rid of stuff. If you go for it, consider leaving prices off the less valuable stuff and let people give you whatever they think is fair. (There’s a level of psychology involved that we won’t get into.)

Stop going food shopping

Okay, maybe don’t stop shopping completely. But in most scenarios, there is no value in transporting canned vegetables and dry pasta to your new home. This is advice for any season, but crucial during the hot summer months.

Whether due to gas or a Full-Service quote, the ultimate cost of your move is based on how much your stuff weighs. You’d be better off just giving that extra food to your neighbors.

We have a few suggestions for getting rid of all the food in your kitchen, from planning weekly menus using exclusively what’s in your pantry, to throwing a “house cooling” party for your friends. Read how to professionally dwindle your pantry here.

Eliminate stress by reducing the things around you that get stressed

Get your kids and pets out of the way before they get in yours. You have no idea how much time (and thus, money) this saves.

It’s not like kids are known to make moves more efficient. And a pet is not used to seeing strangers coming in and out of their homes with large boxes, so there’s no way of knowing how they might react. It’s better to either keep them in a secured locked space, or take them over to a friend’s house while all the movers get everything loaded.

Here are some guides on how you can effectively get children and pets ready to start their new lives in a new place, making a stressful summer move as easy as possible.

Summer moves are no picnic, they do require an extra level of organization due to the high demand for moving services. If all else fails, just do a ten-second search to see what options are available to you right this very moment.

2021 Study: Do People Actually Regret Moving?

Author: Volodymyr Kupriyanov

Publish Date: June 3, 2021

Last Modified Date: July 11, 2023

Category: Moving Stories

Tags: Tags: 2021, 2021 study, buying a home, cheap movers, do people regret moving, good movers, hireahelper, movers, moving, moving data, moving numbers, moving statistics, moving stats, moving study, moving survey, new home, porch, real estate study, regrets, searching for home, shouldnt have move, study, survey

Key Findings

Despite some regrets, 82% of respondents admit that moving has changed their life for the better
30% of Americans that we surveyed regret at least something about their move
People who moved due to COVID are most likely to regret their move (31%)
Among those who regret their move, “moving away from their friends” (49%) and “leaving the area they used to live in” (40%) are the top regrets
A quarter (26%) of people regretting their move felt that way immediately after moving
Regretting their moves, 15% of respondents are considering moving back to where they used to live
Location (51%), size (41%), and layout (38%) of home are most appreciated aspects of new home

Do people actually regret moving? Whether moving for a new job or to retire, moving in with a significant other, or moving back in with your parents, there are many factors at play for making the big jump.

This is why it seems perfectly natural that no matter how hard we prepare for our move, we might regret something about it afterward.

And yet, most Americans who moved in the last year don’t regret their decision. In fact, most believe it made their life better, despite some reported complex feelings from those who did end up regretting their moves.

Read on as we break down our most recent survey of over 1,200 people who moved over the last year.

A Regret Shared: Almost One in Three Americans Who Moved Have at Least Some Regrets

While most of those who moved in the past year don’t look back, about a third (30%) have at least a few regrets about their move.

Millennials are the least pleased with their move, as 37% of them regret at least something about it—more than any other generation. Gen Z, on the other hand, is a lot more optimistic, as only 27% of them found something regrettable about their move.

Why people move might also have an effect on whether they regret it. Those who moved due to COVID, for example, are more likely to experience regret (31% versus 22%).

Similarly, those who moved in search of cheaper housing are somewhat predictably more likely to regret their move (33%) versus those who moved to a new and better home (19%).

Leaving Friends, Neighborhood, and Family: America’s Biggest Moving Regrets

People often claim they don’t like their living situation (e.g., rent cost, landlords). But what does the data say?

In truth, moving is more of a complex trade-off. Moving somewhere for work or study sometimes comes at the price of moving away from family; moving to a bigger, better home often means exchanging a bustling, vibrant city for quiet suburban living.

“While most of those who moved in the past year don’t look back, about a third (30%) have at least a few regrets about their move.”

So it’s no surprise that Americans reported these factors (over bad landlords!) as the most regrettable aspects about their overall move. According to respondents who reported having regrets about their most recent move, nearly half (49%) list moving further away from friends over all stated reasons.

Meanwhile, some 40% miss the area they used to live in, while 38% have regrets about moving further away from family, the latter likely exacerbated by the restrictions on family gatherings brought about by moving during the COVID pandemic.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of those who regret moving feel that way because it meant leaving their previous home. This sentiment is most common among those who moved to save money on housing costs.

But other moving regrets are less sentimental and more tangible. For 30% of people who claim to regret moving, it’s not where they chose, but how much they paid for the move that added to their disappointment. And for roughly 10%, it’s the choice of moving company they wish they could do over. (It literally pays to do your research.)

Instant Regret: A Quarter of Americans Who Regretted Their Move Knew It Immediately

When you know, you know, as the old saying goes. As many as 26% of Americans who have regrets about their move developed that feeling straight away. An additional 9% developed regrets after a week. Meanwhile, it took 26% one whole month to realize their newfound predicament.

That New Home Feeling: What Americans Like and Dislike About Their New Homes

Judging by our survey, if there’s one thing Americans make sure their new home delivers on, it’s location. Over 60% of those surveyed reported liking where their new place is, while only 9% aren’t happy with it.

“Millennials are the least pleased with their move, as 37% of them regret at least something about it—more than any other generation.”

Home size (41%) and layout (38%) are the second and third most appreciated aspects of a new residence, while roughly a third pointed out they’re happy about the amenities in their home (32%) and the local area (30%).

The most common dislike with regards to the new place was financial. Almost one in five (19%) Americans who moved in the past year aren’t happy with the cost of their new home. In fact, people who moved specifically to save on housing costs are most likely (69%) to be unhappy with what they’re paying in rent or mortgage for their new place. Knowing this, it’s vital to make sure you compare the moving services in your area for the best possible price.

The Right Move: Despite Regrets, Most Feel Their Move Changed Their Life for the Better

More than 8 in 10 (82%) Americans who moved in the last 12 months feel that the move changed their life for the better. Even 77% of those who have some regrets about their new home or how the move went seem to believe it was the right thing to do.

Much like with regrets, people who moved for certain reasons felt differently about the impact their move had on their life in general. For example, a reduced 69% of those whose move was forced by COVID felt the move affected them positively.

People whose primary reason for moving was a new or better job are also less likely to feel that way—only 68% of them felt their move had a positive impact on their life.

A small minority (5%) felt the opposite way, saying that moving made their life worse. Only about one in ten (13%) admitted moving didn’t really make a difference to them one way or the other.

Most people have difficulty with coping with and embracing change, even if change is for the better. This is probably why many Americans who moved in the last year have at least a few regrets about their decision, even though the data overwhelmingly suggests moving makes people’s lives better on the whole.

Sources and Methodology

All the figures referenced above are based on a multi-question survey of 1,253 Americans who booked and completed a verified move using HireAHelper.com within the last 12 months.

Illustrations by Nero Hamaoui

Can My Stimulus Check Cover All of My Moving Costs?

Author: Alan Lopez

Publish Date: March 12, 2021

Last Modified Date: September 21, 2021

Category: Money Saving, Movehacks

Tags: Tags: 1400, 2000, biden, cheap movers, movers, moving, stimulus check, uhaul, wheres my stimulus check

On March 10th, Congress passed a 1.9T Covid-19 bill, otherwise known as the “American Rescue Plan”. It’s designed to offer financial relief in the face of the pandemic to all Americans over a multitude of different fronts.

Some of the provisions include $350 billion to state, local and tribal governments, expansion on unemployment benefits extended through Sept. 6 at $300 a week, and more. Yet the most direct and talked about part of the bill involves another round of stimulus checks, this time for as much as $1,400 for single-file taxpayers.

Who is getting a stimulus check?

The majority of Americans will receive a check, but you may not fall within the sliding scale that previously determined eligibility for the most recent stimulus checks. Americans will receive:

$1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple, plus $1,400 per dependent
People making up to $75,000 will get the total amount, as will married couples with incomes up to $150,000
The check diminishes for those with slightly higher incomes, stopping at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.

Since the median household income was $68,703 in 2019 according to the US Census Bureau, most Americans will be getting the corresponding total amount. There are also updates to the current child tax credit.

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When am I getting my stimulus check?

Soon. The checks and direct deposits will start going out in March, some as early as the second weekend of the month. The government has announced a website for people to check on the status of their stimulus checks, which they say will begin tracking the location of your benefits, set to go into operation in mid-March.

I need to move! How much of this check should I put aside?

The timing of this bill is not a moment too soon for many of us seeking relief from the state of things. But for those of us with a change of residence on the horizon, you may be wondering how far the stimulus checks can realistically stretch towards all potential moving costs. Will you be able to save some of the money? Will it cover your whole move?

Well, the short answer is: It depends on a lot of factors, but the biggest one is the distance of the move.

According to HireAHelper’s move data, Americans that move entirely by themselves spend an average of $660 on a move.

$273 if it’s a local move
$576 if it’s a medium-distance move
$1,921 if it’s a long-distance move

Here’s the good news: the vast majority of moves are local. So no matter how you move in this scenario, you’re statistically more likely to spend less on moving costs.

But here’s the thing, even if you just have all your friends come jam your ’97 Impala with all your stuff, you’re still going to be spending at least some of that money on your move. Whether it’s through packing supplies, junk removal, gas, or even just feeding your friends, you’ll have to reserve at least a portion of any extra money you potentially get. No matter your moving option, $500 is a good ballpark.

How can I cut down costs of a local move?

There are a few key ways.

Quickly look for deals on rental trucks if you need one, and do it fast! Now may not be the best time to get a good deal on a rental, since your local U-Haul store is probably looking really attractive to all the month-to-month leasers out there with extra cash on hand. Still, some truck rental discounts come standard. Call ahead as soon as you can.

Read what moving companies are reporting about job cancellations during COVID-19.

SURVEY: How Has the Coronavirus Impacted Moving Companies?

If you need a hand with your heavy stuff, or you’re truly doing a last-minute move thanks to that extra cash, a reputable mover marketplace like Yelp or HireAHelper can get you professional labor by the hour, which is typically cheaper than the big semi-truck treatment. To save even more money on top of that, you can also only hire for the loading half, which is traditionally the harder part of the process.

If you can’t lock down a rental truck in your area at the moment, local movers often have their own vehicle for a little higher cost than the labor-only rates, but even going that route, you’re still likely to still save a decent amount of your check by the end.

But if you need the help, check up on your local movers fast, because all local movers are likely to get booked fast during a stimulus month, especially towards the end of the month when rent is up.

Will my stimulus check cover the cost of a long distance move?

Maybe. It’ll at least cover an appreciable portion of it.

Before you start collecting quotes from around the internet, you should create an overview of what you need to move, including how many rooms you’ll be transporting, and specifically how many large pieces of furniture (wardrobes, dining tables, or large appliances) you have.

Once you have a ballpark inventory in place, getting a decent quote will be a lot easier and more accurate.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your check, finding a long-distance moving service that gives you the option of doing your own packing while leaving all the loading, unloading and driving to the movers can save big chunks of money compared to traditional interstate movers.

The average cost of a long-distance move through HireAHelper is $3,200, which may come in lower than other moving service providers, depending on distance (you can calculate your own move here). It includes:

Loading and unloading
Transportation company + container
Customer service, moving insurance, and more

A single tax-payer check may not cover that, but if you’re a married couple with two kids, your stimulus checks would likely be around $5,600. If you’re keeping things at an average, then your stimulus will most likely cover for the costs of even a four-person family. However, if you need to rent things like moving containers, that price will most likely go up some, and you will have to put in more towards your move. Your best bet is definitely to go do some comparison shopping.

There you have it! In most cases, the stimulus is likely to cover the entirety of your move, and in all cases, you can still stretch it pretty far… especially if you look online where movers are competing to list the best prices and offerings.

The Comprehensive Guide to Moving With a Child

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: March 4, 2021

Last Modified Date: September 13, 2021

Category: Kids & Pets

Tags: Tags: budget, budget truck, cheap movers, child, child psychology, children, first grade, infants, kevin the mover, kids, kindergarden, middle school, move day, movers, moving, moving truck, moving with kids, newborn, parents, penske, professional movers, second grade, uhaul

Moving With Small Children is a Big Challenge. Here’s How to Succeed.

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How to Orchestrate a New York to Los Angeles Move in 28 Days Flat

Author: Alexis Rhiannon

Publish Date: February 5, 2021

Last Modified Date: September 23, 2021

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: apartment hunting, california, cheap movers, coast to coast, cross-country move, hireahelper, la, la apartment, long distance move, long distance movers, los angeles, los angeles apartment, movers, moving coasts, moving truck, new york, new york apartment, new york city, nyc

In February 2019 I’d been living in New York for a decade. I had vague, hazy plans to consider a move to the west coast in the next three to five years, but had done zero planning about how to make that happen.

Then, on the first of the month, my boyfriend was offered his dream job in Los Angeles, with a proposed start date of March 1st. That gave us just four weeks to break our lease, pack up our entire lives, make the cross-country move, and find an apartment in an unfamiliar city. Yikes.

Where do I even start with my whirlwind NYC to LA move?

It was an intimidating proposition, made even more so by the fact that I couldn’t find any published resources to help guide the way. Luckily, my partner and I are both writers and performers, so there were a lot of people in our community who’d made that same move. (It’s super common for creatives on one coast to get cast or staffed on a show on the other, and have just weeks or even days to show up on site.)

Through a combination of their recommendations and my own frantic research, I was able to cobble together a plan for how to do the long distance move from NYC to LA that went off without a hitch… and then I wrote it all down.

Month 1: Leaving New York

Day 1: Book your movers ASAP (they get booked fast)

Your very first call should be to a moving company, because long-distance mover slots book up lightning fast. Come in with as wide a range of possible moving dates as you can—shoot for three to five days—that flexibility will make it more likely that you’ll be able to snag your first choice.

Our first choice was a business called Oz Moving & Storage, a company offering residential, commercial, and long-distance moves in three states: New York, New Jersey, and California. (But of course, you can check a mover marketplace like HireAHelper.com to find a company that works for you.) Not only did Oz come highly recommended by friends who’d used them, but the company offered a service that seemed tailor-made for our situation: the ability to book without an existing address on the LA end, plus 30 days of free storage.

Oz quoted me a price of $1954.59 to move our one-bedroom just under 3,000 miles (this is not a bad deal for a coast to coast move), and I put down my $50 deposit to reserve an appointment. Then I moved on to the next item on my list, ready to build out the rest of my schedule around that tentpole.

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Day 1-5: Get your plane ticket

Now that your stuff has a way to get to LA, you should probably find a way to get your body there as well.

We’d toyed with the idea of driving for our cross-country move, but ultimately opted to fly so we’d have more time to apartment hunt on the other end. Also, like most New Yorkers, we didn’t have a car, which both complicated and eased our travel arrangements.

Once we’d booked a flight—scheduling it for well into the afternoon, since our movers were set to arrive in the morning—we looked for a short term Airbnb in LA. We booked an affordable spot for five days up front, and confirmed with our host that she’d be open to us extending our stay if we didn’t find an apartment during that time.

Day 1-5: (Gently) break your lease

Ideally, your lease is ending organically, or you’re in a month-to-month situation, but if you’re not and don’t want to pay a penalty, your best bet is to drop the news on your landlord as soon as possible. The sooner the unit is filled after your departure, the less likely it is that you’ll have to pay any kind of penalty for bailing out early. In our case, avoiding getting dinged came down to flexibility… and a tremendous amount of luck.

“Your very first call should be to a moving company, because long-distance mover slots book up lightning fast.”

Moments after we spoke to our landlord, he ran into our downstairs neighbor, who happened to have a friend looking for a spot. She shot some video of our space, and he asked if he could come by to view the place before a scheduled trip took him out of town. He committed to taking the place on the spot.

With a move-in date of March 1st, the apartment wouldn’t sit empty for a single day, so we didn’t have to pay a penalty, and got back every dollar of our deposit. Phew!

Day 5-infinity: Spend as much time as you want apartment-browsing online, but don’t sign anything

You’ll notice that I haven’t said anything about trying to lock down an apartment in advance, and the reason for that is —I didn’t do it, and I don’t want you to either.

Here’s why: for those of us who have lived in New York City for any length of time, the rental market has broken our brains. This is a fact. But the Los Angeles market isn’t nearly as competitive, so signing an LA lease sight unseen is setting yourself up for a scam or a disappointment.

For example, one of my friends lined up a gorgeous one-bedroom in advance, only to discover a cockroach infestation that necessitated a quick move-out. I was also shown quite a few listings that were priced higher online than the number I was quoted in person. It seems many agencies are well aware that out-of-towners are eager to get everything nailed down in advance, and some take advantage by increasing the rent on online listings to see what they can get away with!

Also, final note: the LA apartment we ended up renting was one I’d seen a listing for in advance and hadn’t even bothered saving. But I had a totally different reaction when I saw it in person, so please don’t stress too hard if you’re not seeing anything that grabs you.

Day 10: Sell any big-ticket items you’re not in love with

The price of a long-distance move has everything to do with the amount of boxes and larger furniture pieces you’re bringing, so make your choices wisely. Anything that doesn’t fall into the must-have category can go up on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where the profits from its sale can go toward your moving costs.

Neither of us was completely enamored with our couch, so we sold it in New York — for almost as much as it had cost in the first place. And since we had a connection to the guy who was moving into our place, I took photos and wrote detailed descriptions of all the furniture we weren’t bringing with us, in hopes he might want to buy some of it. It was a time-consuming process, but the new tenant wound up wanting almost all of it! He Venmoed us $1,100 for the pieces he was interested in, which made it well worth the effort.

Day 14: Start packing up your New York apartment

My personal feeling is it’s never too early to start packing, but I’d say make sure you’ve begun in earnest by the time your move date is two weeks out. Don’t seal up the boxes until Day 25 or so, but you can start filling them now with items you don’t use on a regular basis, making sure to label the boxes carefully and avoid overloading them.

Day 28: Bring your freaking sheets with you

Since we’d have to go without the majority of our stuff for weeks as we waited for the rest of our stuff to arrive, I made sure to leave space for daily items in our checked luggage. For us, that list included a few kitchen supplies, toiletries, our electronics, and was missing one big item: bed linens.

We’d always planned to purchase an air mattress before our first night in our new apartment, but for some reason, we hadn’t considered what we’d sleep under. We spent a few embarrassing, shivery nights swaddled in coats and towels before a lovely friend took pity on us and brought over some sheets, pillows, and a comforter.

Month 2: Okay, You’re in LA. Now What?

Congratulations! Your feet are on the ground in Los Angeles, and the settling in has begun. (This is the easy part, I promise.)

Day 1-5: Stretch your apartment-hunting legs (literally)

The advice we heard over and over again was simple: walk the streets looking for “FOR RENT” signs. Once you find one, call the number listed and cross your fingers you get to talk to a real person, who will either schedule an appointment or come show you the place right then.

“To get a moving permit, Los Angeles City residents can call (213) 485-2298 with at least five days’ notice—be prepared to pay around $50.”

We got started in West Hollywood, because it was walkable to my boyfriend’s new job, and set our sights on a one-bedroom for $2,000 or less. I’d learned from my research that that would be a tough ask, and one agent actually laughed in our faces as she showed us a unit, but I figured we could afford to be a little picky since this was our first day looking. That mindset paid off when just down the block from that giggly agent, we found the perfect spot on our very first day looking: an adorable one-bedroom for just $1,750.

We applied on the spot and were approved, our new building manager eyeing us nervously as we sweatily raced through the application, desperate to protect this apartment from the hordes of prospective renters we were certain were on our tail. (We saw no one all day, our brains are very sick.)

Day 5: Give your address to your moving company

Once you have keys in hand, it’s time to inform the moving company (or whoever you’re storing your stuff with) of your new address, which in our case also triggered the next phase of our move. Oz would be moving our boxes from New York storage and onto the truck any day now, which opened a 14-day window during which we could expect to receive our items.

Day 15: Get a moving permit, ideally for the correct city

As the time got closer, we heard from Oz again, with informative emails narrowing down the delivery window to a certain day, and noting that we’d likely need a moving permit.

To get a moving permit, Los Angeles City residents can call (213) 485-2298 with at least five days’ notice—be prepared to pay around $50. (For West Hollywood residents, the number is (323) 848-6392, and charges start at $10 and go up to $35 depending on the specifics of your move.)

Just for fun, try knowing what city you live in before you get a permit. I called LA instead of WeHo, and they got all the way out to our block before realizing that we were outside the LA City limits. They refunded my money, but I had to start over with WeHo with not enough time before the deadline, which was nice and stressful. (Thankfully, everything ultimately worked out.)

Day 15: Ask your landlord whether your new building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI)

This was a new concept to me. Oz noted in an email that if our building required one, they’d be happy to provide it, but that didn’t turn out to be necessary at our location.

apartment fridge — I wish my fridge looked this cool.

Day 15: Be aware that for some bizarre reason, your apartment might not come with a fridge

I know. This is a very weird one. Our apartment did come with a fridge. And we were warned that plenty don’t. If yours doesn’t, don’t worry—there’s apparently a thriving market for secondhand fridges in and around LA. If you need one, consider planning its arrival for the day the rest of your stuff arrives, so you don’t have to lug it into your apartment solo. (Remembering to check with your movers to make sure that’s an okay task to add, of course.)

Day 366: Note that your lease will likely transition to month-to-month after a year

Apparently, this is the case in other cities as well, but since I’d been in a rent-stabilized unit for most of my time in New York, I wasn’t aware. After your first year in many LA apartments, your lease will switch over to a month-to-month situation.

And that’s a wrap on that—you’re officially an Angeleno! Who knows if the time will ever come when I need to attempt this long distance move in reverse, but if it does, I feel much more prepared now than I did the first time around.

Moving to New York City instead? Check out our guide.

Factors to Consider When Moving to a New City

Author: Andrea Lozoya

Publish Date: January 22, 2021

Last Modified Date: June 14, 2023

Category: Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: cheap movers, city guide, Everybody's How-To's, get organized, hireahelper, how to move, movers, moving, moving tips, new city, new school

Saying sayonara to your humble abode in search of new opportunities and a change of scenery? You’re not alone—the average American moves eleven times in their lifetime. Finding a new city to live in comes with inherent challenges, but it doesn’t have to be a triathlon of how much stress you can endure. This easy-to-chew guide breaks down the factors you’ll want to consider when choosing and moving to a new city so that finding a new home will feel more like a treasure hunt than an obstacle course.

Moving: A Family Affair First

Moving away means saying tough goodbyes to the friends and relatives you’re leaving behind—something that’s hard for anyone, but especially for children. Open up a discussion with your family about moving. Allow them to ask questions, offer input about where to move, and air any grievances they have about moving. Having a conversation lessens tensions and will make everyone more comfortable with the move.

These are the factors families find most important to consider when choosing where to move.

Schools

How do you choose the right school for your child? Many parents choose a city based on its reputation for good schools. A good education sets your kids on a path toward lifelong learning and gives them better career opportunities later in life. Before you pick a city, check out its schools, using these tips to help guide your choices.

Type of school. What kind of school do you want your kids to go to? Public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and schools with focus programs are all options to think about.

Consider your child’s personality. How does your child learn best? What are their social needs? Take these things into account when looking into prospective schools.

Extracurriculars. Make sure the school provides any extracurriculars your child has an interest in, be it theatre, archery, or student government.

Look at test scores. Don’t judge a school based solely on its test scores, but do take them into consideration. You want to make sure the school is performing well academically.

Talk to the principal. Have a chat with the principal, and ask questions to get a better idea of what the school is like.

Look at ratings. Great Schools is an organization that rates the quality of schools based on tests, academic progress, and equity to help you pick the right school.

Consider higher education. If your kids are older, or you’re interested in pursuing a degree, look at nearby colleges and universities as well.

Safety

America is becoming a safer country to live in—overall crime rates are about half of what they were in 1991. Still, every city has crime, although some cities are safer than others. To avoid ending up in a city or neighborhood that has a high crime rate, vet the safety of a city with these tips:

Research the crime rate. Check out the crime rates and statistics for any cities you’re considering to see how safe they are.

Ask the locals. There’s no better resource for information on a potential city than the people who already live there. Hop on the city’s social media pages to find out more about which areas to seek out and which to avoid.

Download an app. Once you’ve moved, use an app to keep you safe while you get used to your new surroundings. Safety apps allow you to send an alert to selected contacts if you feel like you’re in danger. Some even let you track your loved ones to ensure they’re safe on their way home from work or school.

Healthcare

Moving to a city with quality healthcare facilities provides peace of mind should you need medical attention. Living near a good hospital is especially important if you have a pre-existing condition or need a specialist. When researching which city you want to move to, look for places that have highly rated hospitals and healthcare providers that cater to your specific needs.

Affordability and Opportunity

Moving to a city or a neighborhood you can’t afford to live in will spell disaster for your finances and your quality of life. Here’s what to consider when deciding whether it’s cost-effective to move to a particular city.

Cost of living

Cost of living is the amount of money it takes to cover expenses like housing, food, healthcare, and taxes. Cost of living varies between states, cities, and neighborhoods so it’s important to take your budget into consideration when moving to a new city. Use a cost of living calculator to estimate the difference between how much you currently make and how much you’ll need to make in a new city to maintain the same quality of life.

Taxes

Tax rates vary widely from state to state. Some states—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon—don’t have sales tax for retail purchases. Others—Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming—don’t collect income tax, leaving residents with more of their paycheck each month. Consider property taxes as well, which also vary widely. Having extra cash in your wallet can improve your quality of life, so keep taxes in mind when relocating.

Job market

Unless you’re moving for work, you’ll need to make sure you’re able to find a job once you get to your new city. If you’re moving without a job lined up, we have a few suggestions to help you find a job in your industry.

Economic trends. Is your profession in demand in the city you want to move to, or will you need to look elsewhere? Research projected growth and unemployment rates for your industry.

Income disparities. The same job might pay more in one state than it does in another. If you’re used to making a certain amount where you currently live, make sure the city you’re moving to pays the same or more so you’re not left in the lurch.

Create a safety net. No matter how great job opportunities look in your new city, it’s always a good idea to have a little cushion when relocating. Set aside enough money to pay bills and buy food for three to five months while you get your feet on the ground.

Transportation

Commute times are on the rise, with more than 14 million Americans spending an hour or more commuting to work every day. If you’re moving to a large city or you’ll be commuting from a suburb into the city for work, consider how much time you’ll be spending getting to and fro. Are cars a necessity where you’re going, like in Los Angeles? Or will you be moving somewhere like New York City, where using public transportation is easier and less expensive than driving a car?

Personal Preferences: What’s Important to You?

Moving to a new city is an opportunity to start over. That’s why it’s important to pick a place you love, somewhere you can see yourself thriving. Consider these questions when making your initial list of potential new homes.

Big city, small town, or something in between?

Do you prefer that small-town feel or the hustle and bustle of a major city? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Small towns are cheaper than big cities in almost every aspect, from housing and food to entertainment and gas. But bigger cities have more opportunities for dining, entertainment, and jobs—not to mention public transportation, which can save you a bundle and even make it possible to ditch your car.

What’s your ideal climate?

Climate has a huge impact on your quality of life. If you detest the cold, head to the south. Find humidity unbearable? Go north. A city’s climate can influence your mood, so if you’re prone to seasonal depression, cross cloudy, wet climates like those of the Pacific Northwest off your list. If you’re an outdoorsy type, research cities in states like Colorado and California that have an ideal climate and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Georgia, Hawaii, and Texas have some of the most temperate climates in the US, ideal for heat-seekers who want sunny skies all year round.

What’s there to do?

If art, music, dining, sports, culture, and entertainment are your thing, look at large metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, Denver, and San Francisco, which will have the most such opportunities. If you prefer smaller cities, choose one that’s big on culture, like Austin, TX, Savannah, GA, and Madison, WI. If you’re thinking of going rural, choose a small town close to a larger metro so that you can easily head into the city for a night out.

How to Find a Home in Your New City

Now that you know where you want to move, it’s time to find a place to live. Finding new digs before you move means you won’t have to stay in a hotel or crash on friends’ or relatives’ couches indefinitely. Here’s the best way to find a new home from afar.

Find a realtor. Research and interview realtors to help you find your new home. Realtors know the ins and outs of the city and can give you advice on where to look for homes. Make sure your realtor is tech-savvy—you’re going to be buying a home from a distance, and you’ll want someone on your side who’s easy to get ahold of.

Visit before the move. There’s no better way to get to know your new city and choose a new neighborhood than by visiting it. Do the preliminary research online, but once you’ve narrowed your choices down, an in-person visit will give you the opportunity to meet your realtor or leasing agent and view potential houses and apartments in person.

Budget. Estimate the cost of living for your new city, and budget accordingly for buying a home or renting an apartment. Your realtor will be able to help you find good neighborhoods that are in your price range. Before committing to buying a home in a city you’ve never lived in before, consider renting an apartment for the first year. That way, you can really get a feel for the city’s neighborhoods and decide where you want to live before you lay down deep roots.

Prepare For the Move: The Nuts and Bolts

You’ve settled on a city, you know where you’re going to live, and now it’s time to make it happen. Hauling yourself and all of your worldly possessions across state lines is a mighty undertaking, and there are many preparations you’ll need to attend to before you move.

Use a dedicated notebook to keep all of your notes and lists having to do with the move. Keep a master checklist of the major tasks you need to accomplish and cross them off as you go. Staying organized will ensure everything goes smoothly and you don’t forget anything major in the months, weeks, and days leading up to your big move. These are a few of the things you’ll need to attend to:

Find a new doctor. Research your new city’s general physicians and any specialists or mental health professionals you or family members will need to see. Ask your current doctor(s) for recommendations. Once you’ve chosen your new doctors, have copies of medical records sent to them so they’re ready to see you any time after you arrive.

Register at a new school. Most schools have online registration forms, and you can usually upload documents like birth certificate, immunization records, and transcripts.

Change your mailing address. Submit a change of address form at the post office, but don’t stop there. Banks, credit card companies, and any websites you regularly shop from will need to be updated with your new address.

Find a vet. Don’t leave your furry friends hanging. Research and choose a veterinary clinic in your new city, and request your pet’s medical records from your current vet. Check on licensing requirements for new residents.

Transfer professional licenses. If you’re a doctor, nurse, lawyer, aesthetician, massage therapist, or in any other profession that requires a license, contact your professional organization to find out your new state’s requirements for licensing, and start the process early.

Start downsizing and packing. It’s tempting to wait until the last minute to start packing so you don’t feel like you’re in limbo, but if you start early, you can take your time sorting through and culling your belongings, packing them properly, and staying organized during the process. An early start saves you a lot of stress later on.

Getting There: How to Move Your Things From A to B

If you don’t have much stuff, renting a moving truck and doing it all yourself is one option for getting your belongings to your new home, but it may or may not be the most economical or practical. Depending on a range of factors, including where you’re moving from and to, renting a moving truck may be more costly than hiring a moving company, so it’s a good idea to call around and get estimates for both options before committing to being your own mover.

If you decide that you’d rather let a moving company take over the loading, driving, and unloading duties, you’ll want to do your due diligence and find a reputable company with whom you can trust all of your worldly possessions. Here are a few tips for ensuring you’re hiring the right guys.

Get referrals. Ask around to see if anyone you know has a referral for a good moving company. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they might have some suggestions for reputable movers. Go down your list, and read testimonials and online reviews by previous customers.

Make sure it’s a legit business. Only use companies that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau or that have a good rating on TrustPilot. Watch out for companies that ask for cash up front—this isn’t a common practice among reputable moving companies and can indicate a scam that will leave you high and dry on moving day. Licensed interstate movers will have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Request this number from the moving company you choose. If anything goes amiss during the move, you’ll need it to file a claim.

More money doesn’t always mean better service. Call at least three long-distance moving companies and compare prices, policies, and time frames before you make a decision. Comparison shopping ensures you’ll get the services you need at the best price point.

Considerations for Moving Internationally

The world is your oyster—live in it! Whether you’re a retiree looking to start again or a recent graduate interested in getting a taste of the world around you, living overseas is a life-changing experience that opens up a world of opportunities—literally. But living across the ocean from your friends and family is a pretty big deal, and one you should take into deep consideration before leaving the US behind. Moving internationally means missing out on the small stuff like Sunday dinner at grandma’s and meeting your friends on the whim for a drink—and possibly big things, like holidays and family weddings. But once you’ve decided to take the plunge and relocate to an exotic, foreign land, here’s how to make it happen.

Research, research, research

Anyone can move abroad—you just have to do some research first to find the right country for you. Make a list of countries you’d like to live in, then read blogs, watch online videos, and link up on social media with expats living in those countries. Talk to your friends—maybe someone has a BFF or relative living overseas they can put you in contact with who wouldn’t mind answering your questions.

Find a job

If your job isn’t relocating you overseas and you find yourself wondering how you’ll make money in a new country, fear not — you’ve got options. Use networking sites or social media to find available jobs overseas. Working holiday visas are available in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Singapore for those who are 18 to 30 or who have a graduate or post-secondary degree. Teaching English in countries like China, Taiwan, and South Korea is a great way to make money overseas if you’ve got a bachelor’s degree.

Plan your move

International moving can get quite pricey, so unless you’re willing to drop the cash on moving everything you own, the first step to moving overseas is downsizing. Pare your belongings down to just the essentials, then decide how you want to transport your stuff. Shipping via sea freight is less expensive than using air freight, but it takes longer. If you have any questions about your new country’s laws regarding the transportation of certain items, such as vehicles or appliances, an experienced moving company can help you answer them.

Mind the finer details

There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re moving to a new country. You’ll need to file for a visa, find a healthcare provider, and make sure you’ve got cell phone service where you’re headed. Notify your bank that you’ll be living and spending internationally, or move your money to a bank in the country you’ll be staying in. Research how to move your pets internationally. Find out whether you’ll need a new driver’s license—there are driver’s license exchange programs for certain countries and international driver’s licenses available for those countries that don’t allow an exchange.

5 Easy-living U.S. Cities to Call Home

There are 19,495 cities in the United States. How do you choose which one you want to relocate to when there are so many choices? To get your mind whirling, here are five cool cities to move to in the U.S.

Austin, Texas

Austin has it all: Ample access to outdoor activities such as hiking, bike trails, and parks, amazing food, and a thriving live music scene. Austin is the fastest growing city in both Texas and the United States.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is 44.4% cheaper to live in than New York City while keeping all the perks—a bustling nightlife, museums and entertainment, and of course all that delicious Southern food—with better weather, to boot.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The gorgeous mountain city of Colorado Springs has beautiful weather, affordable living, and it ranks #3 for the best cities to live in Colorado. It’s a short drive from Denver, which draws all kinds of major sporting and entertainment events and hosts a major international airport.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

An oasis in the Ozark mountains, Fayetteville is a fitting home for those who love the outdoors. It has tons of state parks, walking trails, and playgrounds—plus, it offers stellar live music and nightlife.

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is a small town located on Hawaii’s Big Island, known for delicious food, pure water, and clean air. If a year-round warm climate, lush forests, and the prospect of beach life are major draws for you, you can live the tropical life in Hilo while remaining in the US.

Moving to a new city offers a fresh start and exciting opportunities for personal growth and change. Everyone has their own reasons for making the jump to a new area code, and getting there doesn’t have to be a complicated affair—with some diligent research and a touch of wanderlust, you can move to any city that’s calling your name.

How to Prepare for a Long-Distance Move

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: May 18, 2020

Last Modified Date: June 7, 2023

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice, Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: 2 men and a truck, budget, cheap movers, cheaper moves, far away move, free moving boxes, good movers, hireahelper, local movers, long distance, long distance mover, long distance moving, long move, movers near me, movers with a truck, moving container, packing help, penske, pods, uhaul

What’s the difference between preparing for a local move and a long-distance move? If you guessed “time”, that’s only part of the equation.

You have lots of options to prepare for, and unlike a local move, there are more steps you need to take for better results. After moving people for, give or take, a couple decades, here’s what I’ve learned when it comes to preparing for a long-distance move.

How Am I Gonna Get Me and My Stuff Where I’m Going?

You have a number of options when planning a long distance move. Your options will all depend on these three things:

How much stuff you’re hauling
Your budget
Personal preference

What if I’m driving?

Some people decide to drive across the country, especially if they are bringing a vehicle or two. Beforehand, however, you should consider:

Car’s age and how many miles it has clocked
How many people and things it needs to hold
If it can handle a long trip without breaking down

If you need to get repairs ahead of time, then trust us, do that first. If that seems like it could be an issue or you just don’t wanna add hundreds of miles to your car, consider getting your car shipped.

Your other options are hitching it (to a truck for towing) or just ditching it. You can always try selling it or trading it in if you decide this is the end of the road for the car.

Are you driving with small children? Transporting pets? Using an RV? All of those have special considerations, so click those links to learn everything you should know first.

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

MovingPlace can save up to 40% compared to traditional interstate moving companies. Click here to learn how.

What transportation should you get to move your stuff long-distance?

Unless you’re selling everything you own and driving into the sunset, you’re gonna need something safe and reliable to get all your stuff to your new place.

What you need depends on your unique move. Don’t worry, you’ve got choices. Here are your best transportation options for a long-distance move.

Legend: $ out of “$$$$”

Get a Rental Truck

The three major rental truck companies you’re likely to have access to are U-Haul, Budget and Penske. (There might be alternatives near you for you to check for better prices.)

It’s true that you will get a better mileage rate for doing a “one way” drive (taking a rental vehicle from one store to another store), but your invoice will still likely be considerably higher by the end. If you’re willing to drive, though, this could save you plenty of money over other options.

Pros: Most affordable long-distance move option.

Cons: Much fewer customer service options, way more time investment, no labor estimate, very difficult without movers.

Price: $$

Long-Distance Movers with a Truck

What if you don’t want to figure out where to get the truck or you don’t want to drive it? Well, movers who do the transportation (and aren’t van lines—there’s a difference!) are a cheaper solution, if you know how to go about booking it.

For long-distance moves, user reviews overwhelmingly recommend companies like MovingPlace, which connects the dots and pieces together the best long-distance moving experience for you so you don’t have to spend eternity calling a million businesses, or spend an arm and a leg by going with an old-fashioned interstate mover.

Check out the rates here. If you’ve already budgeted for a Full-Service move, you may be pleasantly surprised how much it can save you.

Pros: Your move is figured out for you, the best-reviewed moving service online.

Cons: More expensive the more stuff you have, less affordable than a DIY move.

Price: $$ or $$$ (Depending on your move)

Renting Space on a Truck

This is the service a lot of the big-rig companies offer; you’ve probably seen their trucks on the road: ABF/UPack, Old Dominion, and more.

This is how it works: a semi-truck trailer is dropped off at your home, you load your stuff (or have someone load it for you), and you partition it off to keep it separate from other customers’ belongings.

A driver will come to take the trailer away and drive it to your new home. Sharing space on a trailer with other people who are moving is a cost-effective way to get your belongings across the country because you only pay for the space on the trailer you take up. That said, because this moving option involves multiple individuals’ prize possessions packed inside in shared moving trucks, we highly recommend protecting your stuff with smart loading.

Pros: You pay only for the space you use, transportation all taken care of.

Cons: More expensive the more stuff you have, some companies offer less flexibility with loading and unloading dates. Can have a high claims rate, unless you book with a well-reviewed “you load, we drive” moving service, like our partners at MovingPlace.

Price: $$$

Get a Portable Moving Container

Moving containers are ultra-convenient for long-distance moves for a few important reasons.

The biggest plus for moving containers is being able to load your belongings at your own pace. Companies like PODS bill you monthly (while others are at least give you a few days). Like a freight trailer but a lot smaller (another bonus for people who don’t have their own private driveway), your portable container is dropped off empty and picked up when full, then kept in storage untouched until you request delivery at your new home.

But be aware: unlike more traditional self-storage, access to your portable container is only easy if you keep it in your front yard; an appointment is generally necessary and will cost you extra, so plan ahead.

Pros: The most flexibility of any long-distance moving option, transportation is taken care of.

Cons: Costlier the more items you own, can add complexity if you send your stuff into their storage units.

Price: $$$

Get a Quote from a Full-Service Moving Company

If money and time is no object, call a Full-Service moving company. They can assess your home and schedule a crew of movers to come with the packing supplies to pack, load, drive, and unload your stuff within the month of your choosing.

Pros: Your move done for you, minus the coordination.

Cons: Almost always the costliest option, lengthy to coordinate and requires more time (sometimes a month ahead of time, or more).

Cost: $$$$

Wondering which option is best for your move? Go ahead and ask the pros.

How Much Do Long-Distance Moves Cost?

Interstate and long distance moving companies charge based on weight, distance, and any extra equipment or insurance options you opt into.

The average cost of an interstate move is $4,300 for an average distance of 1,225 miles and a shipment weight of 7,400 pounds, according to the American Moving and Storage Association and as reported by numerous outlets. Sound high? See if we can help lower the cost.

Ultimately, as we’ve explained above, the price will depend on:

Your exact starting and ending points
How much you need to move
Modes of transportation
Who, if anyone, you decide to hire

One more big factor to consider is if you have any specialty items to move, such as a baby grand piano or gun safe.

Are there any ways to reduce the price?

Here are some money protips you should know as you collect estimates:

Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates: This is important to know if you’re pursuing a Full Service move. A binding estimate means you will pay the final price of the estimate regardless of whether your stuff ends up weighing less or more than expected. A non-binding estimate means you could end up with a different final tally, either less or more, depending on the weight
You can bring the price down by being flexible with travel dates; weekdays, especially in the offseason (not summer) are often cheaper
Ask moving companies for discounts. For example, members of the military and veterans often get cheaper rates for rental trucks and containers
If you have time before you have to move, you should try to start a moving fund
Be sure to keep track of spending and make a written out or digital budget
Those who are moving for work should see if the company reimburses for any or all of the move

How long does it take to pack for a long-distance move?

Here is, generally speaking, the time-required estimates for packing a home:

Studio/1BR Apt – 1 Day*
2BR Apt – 1-2 Days
3BR Apt – 2-3 Days
2BR House – 2-3 Days
3BR House – 3-4 Days
4BR House – 4-5 Days

* “One day” is about eight hours of one-person packing.

Knowing this, the single best strategy for packing is to start well in advance of when you think you should start, no matter which transportation option you choose. (In all my experience, I never heard someone say that packing took less time than they expected.)

Tips for Fast Packing

Try this: pick a closet or a room, or even just part of one room, and time how long it takes to pack.

This may give you an idea of how long it will really take you to pack up your entire home – and it will probably start looking like it will take much longer than you originally thought—so fair warning.

Make a checklist of the kinds of things you don’t need for a while. This can help minimize time spent deciding what to pack once you get started and are faced with that mountain of accumulation in the closet or the spare room.

The Most Trusted Moving Checklist on the Web

The Moving Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Move

Things you don’t need for a while often include:

Out-of-season clothes
Holiday items
Books
Sentimental items
Decorations
Seasonal bedding

Even if you are undecided about what to do with some of your belongings, other groups of items are a no-brainer. Get them packed and out of your way.

Shelve the sentimental. You will undoubtedly come across stuff you think you might want to get rid of but aren’t quite sure. Expect it, and set all that stuff aside for later. The monstrous task of packing tends to make people see with much more clarity what they really need and what they can let go of.

Label boxes as you go! You will forget what is in all those boxes. Trust me.

DO NOT pack important paperwork, forms, documents. Shred those you don’t need. Things to to not pack away include:

Cash, credit cards, checkbooks
Bank and other financial statements
Insurance documents
Jewelry, high-dollar jackets/coats
Laptops/tablets w/cords, data backups
Medical/dental records, prescriptions/medicine
Personal documents, professional files/papers
Cell phones, chargers
Car/House keys
Family photos/irreplaceables
Identifying documents – birth certificates, social security cards, drivers licenses, passports

And get used to the idea of having boxes around.

Could I ship my stuff through the mail?

You could theoretically choose to ship some of your things via UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Yes, it’s cheapest to send through USPS, but after packages get to only two pounds, pricing typically levels out. (That said, check out media shipping rates if you want to ship out a parcel or three that each weigh around 20 pounds.)

Where can I get packing materials for a long-distance move?

The easiest way to get clean, sturdy boxes and packing paper are from your moving service provider, who often sell these things. Many self-storage facilities also carry these things, along with tape. Though from a price perspective, you might be better off getting it from a home improvement store.

If you are looking to shave some dollars off your move, check out where you can find some free moving boxes here.

Protip: Bubble wrap is an attractive option for particularly expensive/hard-to-replace breakables, but it is bulky and becomes expensive quickly. Packing paper is more than adequate for packing most things. It is also easier to handle. Make sure you use the right kind of tape, too.

For some extra padding and protection for your most important and fragile items, consider using clothing/towels to wrap those items and/or line your boxes.

How do I load my vehicle for a long-distance move on my own?

Deciding to go it alone? Make sure to do this:

Load your belongings in what movers often call tiers. This means building walls, i.e., vertical layers of furniture, boxes, and assorted loose items. Furniture pads are crucial for this.

For example: set down your dresser and a desk (padded of course), some not too heavy boxes set on top of them, and top them off with outdoor equipment, pillows in plastic bags, etc. This all makes up one-tier.

Do You Really Need Moving Blankets? Why Furniture Pads Save Moves and Where to Get Them

Build one tier at a time, mixing furniture, boxes, and miscellaneous stuff. Cluster your items together like this to keep your stuff safer in the long run. Naturally, not all your tiers will be uniform. It is critical to pack tightly to avoid having everything shift and bounce around in transit.

To learn how pro movers move heavy furniture, check out this detailed post.

What if I’m flying?

If you’re taking a plane to the final destination, you should obviously consider bringing some things with you in luggage or handbags to save money on however you’re moving the rest of your stuff. Pack clothes and personal items that won’t break in the luggage, and bring fragile stuff, such as laptops and digital devices, in your carry-on bag. Paying for extra luggage on a flight is sometimes cheaper than shipping it via snail mail! Pile up your stuff, do the calculations and see what works best with your budget.

Looking to maximize your flying budget? In “The 10 Best (and Worst) Airfare Search Sites,” Frommer’s shares some of the best places for you to seek hot deals for air travel. When researching prices for flights, consider the following online travel agents and booking sites, but recognize that being better known does not necessarily mean being the best.

Momondo
Skyscanner
Kayak
Google.com/flights
The Usuals (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline)

Is there anything extra I have to do if I’m moving across state lines?

Doing your homework on what is required of you for your specific interstate move is the first step.

Interstate moves are particularly complicated due to state laws. You still legally have to know what you are responsible for when you cross into another state.

Hiring movers? Some moving companies can’t even provide service for interstate moves because they lack the proper license. Check in with your mover ahead of time. (Of course, typing in your ZIP Code into HireAHelper filters all that stuff automatically.)

In addition, you have to know both state and local laws and ordinances that may be relevant to you. Both your departure and arrival towns likely have parking rules, which will be a consideration as you’re loading and unloading, especially if you’re leaving a PODS container somewhere for a week or more. (You think you can just park a big truck on a busy New York City road any time you want?)

Also, some states have certain laws restricting what you can bring in. For instance, there are a number of items that are illegal to bring into California, including certain firearms and fruits. Yes, your pet ferret, among other things, can’t join you if you’re headed for the Golden State.

What do people put off longest when they move interstate?

What do you need to do if you’re moving to a new state? This is what your to-do list should look like:

Forward your mail. Regardless of distance or state, do this first. This requires filling out a change of address form with the United States Postal Service (USPS)
Get a new driver’s license and plates. Typically, states require you to get your new license within 30 days, so make this a priority. Unfortunately, this will probably require standing in line at the DMV. One thing we can guarantee is it will be as annoying as nails on a chalkboard no matter what state you’re in
Establish domicile for tax purposes. In other words, that means becoming a resident (No matter where you go, they’ll have taxes!)
Transfer your utilities
Get a license for your pets if you have any (as long as they aren’t ferrets in California!)

Want to be reminded about even more easy to forget things? Check out these 21 easy-to-forget steps when moving to a new state.

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

MovingPlace can save up to 40% compared to traditional interstate moving companies. Click here to learn how.

Should I get rid of my stuff?

Take a look over the vast empire you’ve established. You must recognize that the less stuff you have to move, the better off you’ll be. After all, professional moving companies generally charge you based on the weight of the stuff you need to be transported. In other words, both literally and figuratively, you will have lifted a weight off your shoulders if you downsize.

“You’ll almost certainly want to bring some of your stuff, but the vast majority of what you own is replaceable,” writes Scott Meslow in GQ. “And the cost of moving most of what you own across the country is comparable to the cost of just buying something similar—or better!—once you actually arrive.”

The good news? Purging can be cathartic. Discover some ways you can unload your stuff before moving day:

Sell stuff online through Craigslist, eBay, or Etsy
Have a traditional garage sale
Give away things to your friends and family
Donate items through charities or religious organizations
Recycle old, worn-out clothes at a local recycling center

Experts suggest taking photographs, especially for anything of great value. You may want proof of exactly what condition the chosen ones – items with which you simply can’t part – were in before they get on the moving truck (or whatever mode of transportation you choose).

How do I move long-distance with a pet?

Moving long distance with a pet, obviously, depends on the pet. For a typical dog (or cat), some rules of thumb include:

Minimize anxiety with a toy
Ask for help watching your pet
Build a safe space during load/unload
Keep them tagged
Keep medication unpacked, if necessary
Feed them lightly

If you want to learn all the little details of how to move with a pet, check out this guide.

Got more questions?

We’ve got plenty of info in the form of reviews from customers of Penske, Budget and U-Haul on Moving101, as well as some alternative companies to look into for comparison shopping.

What to Do If You Need to Move Right Now, for Cheap

Author: Francesca Di Meglio

Publish Date: April 26, 2019

Last Modified Date: September 16, 2021

Category: Money Saving

Tags: Tags: cheap movers, cheap moving, cheap rental trucks, how to move, how to move last second, last second move, last second movers, moving today

Do you need help moving, like, right now? Moving is chaotic under normal circumstances, and it can be a hurricane if you have to move in a rush.

Okay, so here’s the good news: if you don’t have a boatload of friends who can help you at a moment’s notice, finding move help only takes a few clicks nowadays, thanks to the invention of several websites.

Perhaps your hurricane move can be downgraded to a tropical storm. You just need to know your options for the best deals.

Do: Get yourself a moving truck ASAP

How do you find safe, last second help and save money? It involves getting to your nearest moving truck location first.

“Moving truck”? Didn’t you just say you needed help? Well, a lot of people don’t know that you can drastically chop down moving bills if you:

Get your own moving truck or transportation
Hire moving labor separately.

Some people call this the “Hybrid Move” because it steals the best parts of doing everything yourself versus calling a moving company and having them do everything for you. In other words, if you pay for the transportation, the actual lifting part gets way cheaper to hire. (And sure, forgo this if you A) own a decent sized pickup truck and B) don’t have a lot of stuff.)

What if they’re sold out?

If you’re in a big city, you might have a hard time finding a moving truck to rent overnight, because those things get snatched up quickly.

To help, the website Moving 101 is a really useful resource that lists virtually every company under the sun (with years of their reviews and up to minute prices), so you can compare and contrast rental truck companies you might not have thought to call.

Protip: If you have a tiny bit more time, don’t rule out other moving options either, like pairing moving containers with professional movers to load or unload your stuff.

Don’t: Call a moving company cold turkey and ask for last-second help.

You got the truck, now you need the help. But don’t necessarily just Google “mover near me”, unless you want to probably spend more money going through a company directly.

That’s because movers who own their own trucks with their own businesses – the kinds you think of when you hear “moving company” – primarily offer Full Service moving services. And that can often be super expensive if you don’t know the difference and get up-charged.

Even if you’re aren’t moving a 2+bedroom home, most moving companies usually dole out moving quotes that easily clear a few thousand dollars.

And even if you have the dough, last second moves are also tough to coordinate, given movers are usually booked well ahead of time – especially during the busy summer months. There’s a site to check out which movers are available right now.

Don’t: Try Craigslist. Trust us.

Okay, so forget moving companies. What about Craigslist?

This is an option a lot of people check out, if only out of morbid curiosity. But it’s not recommendable. Anyone can just call themselves a “mover” these days, and the results can be shockingly bad.

I’m not only talking about no uniforms or breaking stuff without recourse: fly-by-night moving “companies” swindle good people out of their money and goods creating, basically, hostage situations.

How does it happen? They show up with their truck, load your stuff, then demand way more than they initially told you in order to get back your stuff. How do so many people get away with it? It’s a state-by-state issue, and the law just hasn’t caught up with them, especially when they go over state lines.

You’re way better off finding a service that vets the movers for you with reviews and access to reputable professionals, which is super easy to do on sites like HireAHelper.com.

DO: Check labor marketplaces for the best deal on movers.

Movers near me — Search HireAHelper.com in your city

So now you know you can avoid big moving quotes in favor of hourly help to save money. But who has time to call up 100 different companies to find the best rate? Not you – you need to move now!

How do you pick who will save you the most money?

Front page of Google is a scattered mess, at best, but you can still find local movers that way to call for labor-only (don’t forget!). The people at the rental truck place might try and sell you people, but you still have to double check their prices manually since they will often try and upcharge you.

What about Yelp? They have a handy mover search guide, but you’re still on your own figuring out what you really need, including what you need to know the most:

Side-by-side price ranking
Actual years in business
Service radius
Tools they will provide
# of no-shows
Confirmed reviews

Yes, confirmed reviews matter because literally anyone can leave a review on Yelp, no matter the circumstances – including if they’ve even hired them or not.

See prices for movers by the hour – instantly.

Read real customer reviews.

Easily book your help online.

HireAHelper is a useful tool not just because you can compare far less expensive options for a last-second move, but because you can even call and talk to a friendly move coordinator for free! With only a ZIP Code and a date, they go through their database of hundreds of local movers and immediately tell you which ones are the cheapest movers, plus hook you up with the best movers that are available right this second.

Try getting Yelp to do that. Yeah right.

The bonus here is that if anything goes wrong on moving day, not only did you secure cheap and fast help, but HireAHelper will take care of any problems if anything goes wrong, including last second replacements. (Plus, your friends will still be your friends after the move. Nice.)

Do: Get to packing and start putting stuff in boxes right now.

While you should be attentive to protecting fragile items, such as flat-screen TVs and fine china, you should not get hung up on keeping like items in the same box.

You’re in a hurry. What’s most important is getting stuff done. That might mean putting things from the den in the box for the bedroom. No big deal.

Yes, try your absolute best to pack things in a way where they are less likely to break. Above are some videos on how to pack weird stuff.

Also, leave clothes on hangers to help you unpack as quickly as you packed

This simple tip can be a big help when you arrive at your destination. You’ll just have to hang the clothes in your closet.

Do: Put aside essentials and keep them on you

Before you start throwing stuff in boxes in a hurry, grab a duffle bag or small luggage. Set aside:

Chargers
Important papers
Essential toiletries
Medication
Toilet paper
A few outfits

You want access to the necessities when everything else in your world is in sealed boxes in a flurry.

What if I don’t know where I’m going yet?

Perhaps you know you have to leave the old place, but you’re not quite sure where you’re going yet. Or maybe you actually have time to kill between leaving and moving into the new place.

Don’t sweat it. In those instances, a moving container or two can be helpful.

If you have at least a little bit of cash, you can keep your stuff in mobile storage in the meantime, meaning your stuff can be driven to you whenever you figure out where the heck you’re going. The good news is that container companies charge monthly for storage, not daily or even weekly.

Do: Maximize your use of trash bags, which are more affordable and easier to obtain in bulk than boxes.

They’re not just for throwing stuff away. Items that can’t break – bath towels, sheets, etc. – can get thrown in trash bags, which are easy to carry and affordable. Buy them in bulk, quick.

Do: Get rid of stuff. The more you get rid of, the cheaper the move.

Whether it’s due to space on a truck, time needed to carry it out of your house, or overall weight costing you more gas, quickly assess the items in your home and throw away or donate what you don’t need.

Get rid of food and half-used items (such as bottles of liquor). You can give them away to friends, neighbors, and family if you don’t want to be wasteful. What you don’t want to do is hang onto stuff you don’t need.

Protip: Are you leaving a place where you put down a deposit? Prioritize all the time you have cleaning to get it back. Every penny will matter.

Don’t: Freak out.

Camping out with your friend, your car, or at your makeshift home might be your reality, at least initially. Asking for help is not shameful. And if you have a hundred bucks or two to spare instead of thousands, getting movers just by the hour might totally save your life, no matter how crazy your scenario.

When you’re finally inside four walls again, you’ll probably have to lay a mattress or two on the ground until you get everything sorted. If you want to know the most efficient way to unpack your stuff, here is a professional guide.

Protip: You might also want to pick up some takeout menus for your new town until you can locate your wooden spoons and pots and pans.

Breathe deeply and often.

Everything is going to be all right. You – and your stuff – will make it to the new destination. Eventually, you will open up all those boxes and make a home of your latest abode. You just need to ask for help and get to it.

Now, move!

Meet the World’s Most Expensive Movers

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: November 1, 2017

Last Modified Date: September 1, 2021

Category: Mover Spotlight

Tags: Tags: budget, cheap movers, expensive movers, mover, moves, moving truck, penske, professional movers, uhaul

Tired of hearing about how expensive it is to move? “Why is there a charge for shrink wrap?” “I shouldn’t have to buy more boxes, you guys should fit everything in the ones out in the garage!” “What do you mean furniture pads aren’t free?!”

Well, believe it or not, there is a cure for these experiences. Their names are Stephanie, Sara and Cassio, and apparently, they are more than happy to pay all kinds of extra charges for what they are being told is a “white-glove move”.

Courtesy of the New York Times, here are some examples of what this white glove mover service in New York City is willing to help you out with.

$150 extra per move for a special “low-noise” box tape: For people who “don’t like the screeching sound of regular packing tape.” (Bonus guarantee: If the low-noise tape runs out, someone will hold their white-gloved hands over your poor delicate ears for you.)
$180 per hour (!) to figure out your move: That means they’ll do “…everything from taking an inventory of your home, to creating a budget and interviewing moving companies.” (Just don’t expect them to lift anything heavier than a pair of white gloves.)
$200 for a ride to your new home: Because, my god, have you ever seen how dirty a cabbies hands can get?
$500 per day to call the cable and gas companies to inform them of your new address: Yup, someone out there will pay you 500 clams to be put on hold for you.

To prove that people are willing to toss their money around like this, the Times also offers a few quotes, including a couple beauties from private citizen Stephanie:

“As with many of us,” says Stephanie, “my moves have often been hideous experiences.” (My god! They’re not even wearing white gloves!)

This type of service is “extremely helpful,” she continues. “Not like having boxes in a dark basement that are stuffed with 50 dining room dishes and a lampshade.”

Pamela Muller, co-owner of NouvelleView, the company in question that specializes in suckering customers into thinking they can’t handle an address change, says her firm will “oversee every aspect, from the initial strategic plan to seeing that every box is unpacked.” (Especially the ones in that dark, scary basement.)

“I always say to clients that we are the most expensive in the business,” says Michael Jaque, a director at the shipping company Gander & White. At least they know what’s coming.

The funniest part about all this? NouvelleView says many of their clientele, with their delicate ears and their taxi cab allergies, still hire a traditional moving company to handle the bulk of the items!

And this is where you come in. Charge Stephanie, Sara and Cassio whatever you want for that shrink wrap, those boxes and the furniture pads you’re getting back anyway.

Just make sure you pick up some white gloves at Wal-Mart on your way over.

First, match your budget to the three main moving options

Make your moving date flexible if you’re adding any kind of moving service

If you get movers, a Mover Marketplace eliminates a huge chunk of the typical money sinks

To save money on truck rentals…

Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck

Ask people about their moves on social media

Eliminate stress by reducing the things around you that get stressed

Key Findings

A Regret Shared: Almost One in Three Americans Who Moved Have at Least Some Regrets

Leaving Friends, Neighborhood, and Family: America’s Biggest Moving Regrets

“While most of those who moved in the past year don’t look back, about a third (30%) have at least a few regrets about their move.”

Instant Regret: A Quarter of Americans Who Regretted Their Move Knew It Immediately

That New Home Feeling: What Americans Like and Dislike About Their New Homes

“Millennials are the least pleased with their move, as 37% of them regret at least something about it—more than any other generation.”

The Right Move: Despite Regrets, Most Feel Their Move Changed Their Life for the Better

Sources and Methodology

All the figures referenced above are based on a multi-question survey of 1,253 Americans who booked and completed a verified move using HireAHelper.com within the last 12 months.

Illustrations by Nero Hamaoui

Who is getting a stimulus check?

When am I getting my stimulus check?

I need to move! How much of this check should I put aside?

How can I cut down costs of a local move?

Read what moving companies are reporting about job cancellations during COVID-19.

Will my stimulus check cover the cost of a long distance move?

In February 2019 I’d been living in New York for a decade. I had vague, hazy plans to consider a move to the west coast in the next three to five years, but had done zero planning about how to make that happen.

Where do I even start with my whirlwind NYC to LA move?

Month 1: Leaving New York

Day 1: Book your movers ASAP (they get booked fast)

Day 1-5: Get your plane ticket

Day 1-5: (Gently) break your lease

“Your very first call should be to a moving company, because long-distance mover slots book up lightning fast.”

Day 5-infinity: Spend as much time as you want apartment-browsing online, but don’t sign anything

Day 10: Sell any big-ticket items you’re not in love with

Day 28: Bring your freaking sheets with you

Month 2: Okay, You’re in LA. Now What?

Day 1-5: Stretch your apartment-hunting legs (literally)

“To get a moving permit, Los Angeles City residents can call (213) 485-2298 with at least five days’ notice—be prepared to pay around $50.”

Day 5: Give your address to your moving company

Day 15: Get a moving permit, ideally for the correct city

Day 15: Ask your landlord whether your new building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI)

Day 15: Be aware that for some bizarre reason, your apartment might not come with a fridge

Day 366: Note that your lease will likely transition to month-to-month after a year

Moving to New York City instead? Check out our guide.

Moving: A Family Affair First

Schools

Safety

Healthcare

Affordability and Opportunity

Cost of living

Taxes

Job market

Transportation

Personal Preferences: What’s Important to You?

Big city, small town, or something in between?

What’s your ideal climate?

What’s there to do?

How to Find a Home in Your New City

Prepare For the Move: The Nuts and Bolts

Getting There: How to Move Your Things From A to B

Considerations for Moving Internationally

Research, research, research

Find a job

Plan your move

Mind the finer details

5 Easy-living U.S. Cities to Call Home

How Am I Gonna Get Me and My Stuff Where I’m Going?

What if I’m driving?

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

What transportation should you get to move your stuff long-distance?

Get a Rental Truck

Long-Distance Movers with a Truck

Renting Space on a Truck

Get a Portable Moving Container

Get a Quote from a Full-Service Moving Company

How Much Do Long-Distance Moves Cost?

Are there any ways to reduce the price?

How long does it take to pack for a long-distance move?

Tips for Fast Packing

The Most Trusted Moving Checklist on the Web