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

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.

Is It Worth Paying for Movers While in College?

Author: Alexis Rhiannon

Publish Date: January 26, 2021

Last Modified Date: August 18, 2023

Category: College Moves

Tags: Tags: cheap move, college, college move, college movers, dorm move, hireahelper, long distance move, movers, moving for cheap, moving to dorm, pods

Adulthood comes at you fast during your late teens and early twenties, ushering in expenses you never see coming. One minute you’re in college, cramming for finals, and the next you’re juggling questions like, “What am I going to do with my life?” and “Where am I going to live?” and “Can I afford movers?”

The good news is, while I can’t help you with the first two, the answer to that final question trends more optimistic than you might think. No matter if graduation is in the rearview or still hovering in the distance, if you don’t know how you’re gonna get all your stuff to campus, there are plenty of options, including lower-cost college movers, that can be tailored to your individual budget.

What are my realistic moving options in college?

Let’s go back to class for a moment. Moving options are actually like a spectrum.

On one end of the spectrum is a bare-bones DIY move — think a bunch of your classmates pitching in to lug boxes to a borrowed car — and on the other is a full-service move, with a team of professional movers and a truck emblazoned with a company logo. You almost definitely won’t need the last one to move into a dorm room, but in between lies a mountain of untapped potential: everything from hybrid moves, student discounts, price-shopping, and even more tricks designed to save the savvy student some serious moolah.

The DIY Move

Just like many do-it-yourself projects, the DIY move is for those with limited funds, but time and motivation to spare: it’s the cheapest moving option for a reason.

What’s the best way to pull off a DIY move?

If you want to move for cheap, you have to start earlier. A few months before your move, start by laying out a new budget — the absolute most you want to spend on the entire process without hiring anyone. To get a realistic idea, you must include easily-overlooked items like:

Boxes and packing supplies
A potential dolly rental for heavy stuff
Rental vehicle (if you can’t borrow one or your parents can’t take you)
A tank of gas
Toilet paper
Cost of pizza and beer (to thank your exhausted friends)

If you’ve got that stuff, you’re good to go!

But if the total cost to get all of it is over, say, $200, pause for a second to consider your options, because depending on your circumstances, there’s a good chance you can afford to hire college movers. (Particularly if you are moving locally, already have access to a vehicle, and are moving just the equivalent of a studio or one-bedroom, which most college students are.) I just plugged in my own details here and got a quote for $163 for two movers and two hours. And that’s in a high-cost city like Los Angeles.

If we’re plunging full speed ahead with a complete DIY move, though, that budget you drew up earlier is about to become your best friend.

See prices for movers by the hour – instantly.

Read real customer reviews.

Easily book your help online.

How do I cut corners on spending?

First, grow your budget by selling anything and everything you can on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or wherever — even if it’s for only $5 or $10 — and keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to get things for free or trade. To score free boxes, for example, check to see if your school’s bookstore or any on-campus eateries have any to spare. Once people know you’re looking, they’re likely to set some aside for you.

Also, check in with your resident advisor or someone at Student Services to get a feel for the move-in and move-out rules. Ask if it’s possible to give yourself a few extra days on campus at the end of the semester, and use that time to scour the piles of discarded items that your fellow students aren’t interested in moving. Dorm moves notoriously leave an immense amount of good quality stuff behind, so enterprising folks like yourself can either score big-ticket items, or sell them for a tidy profit.

“To score free boxes…check to see if your school’s bookstore or any on-campus eateries have any to spare.”

Finally, remember that shelling out financially isn’t your only option. Consider what skills you might have available to trade for a few hours of work to any willing friends in your proximity; in the past, I’ve exchanged everything from babysitting hours to free editing to friends who have helped me out in times of need. If there’s a class you’re particularly skilled in, you could offer to form a study group to help your friends study for the final.

The Hybrid Move

Can I afford college movers?

I can’t express enough how much the answer to this question depends on where you’re located, the amount you’re moving, and how far you’re moving it. But if you’re a college student with a budget of up to $500 on the higher-end, a hybrid move might well be your best option.

In a hybrid move, you combine the budget of a DIY move with the ease of a full-service move by renting or borrowing your own truck or U-Haul, and then hiring a few vetted local movers to take over some of the back-breaking labor. If you only need help to get your stuff out when you get to campus, that’s cheaper than hiring for both ends of the move!

The less time you need them, the cheaper; instead of paying folks to stick around all day, you can tote the manageable boxes yourself, and hire a small team of superheroes to maneuver your fancy futon down the stairs without breaking the frame or your back.

What can bring down the cost of a Hybrid Move?

Flexibility is a huge money saver. College students are usually pretty locked in as far as moving dates, but if you happen to have the luxury of choosing your date, that’s a major win. You’ll want to avoid popular (read: expensive) days by steering clear of the first and 15th of the month, as well as weekends. If you’re unimaginably open, you can even try checking rates day-of to see if there are discounted slots caused by last-minute cancellations. Although in that case, it’s more important than ever to check ratings and reviews to make sure you aren’t falling for a scam.

In fact, always read reviews carefully, because there can be as many hidden benefits as there are pitfalls. A hybrid move is technically supposed to be labor-only, with no truck, but when I was scrolling through options on HireAHelper, I noted several offers from independent movers that do in fact include transportation options in their quoting, so keep your eyes out for bonuses like that.

“If you only need help to get your stuff out when you get to campus, that’s cheaper than hiring for both ends of the move!”

If your price-shopping has narrowed your search down to some options that are just out of your range, try offering up some labor-saving details that could lower your total. Factors like an elevator in your dorm, whether you’re moving into or out of a ground-floor location, having your stuff packed ahead of time, and providing a safe area for a vehicle to linger without risking a ticket all have the potential to shave some dollars off the bottom line.

Along the same lines, always look (and ask!) for student discounts. Many companies offer incentives to young people tackling their first solo move, so be ready to take advantage.

And of course, anytime you do hire movers, always remember to factor in the tip — 5 to 10% is pretty standard for efficient, courteous work.

The Full-Service Move

What if I have some more money?

Moving off-campus somewhere bigger than a dorm room?

If you have a budget of $500 or more, congratulations, because you can reasonably treat yourself to a (pared-down version of a) full-service move. Sites like HireAHelper can hire the essential pieces of your move for you. That means working with a well-rated national moving company, plus all the perks that come along with it: a full-size truck driven by someone who isn’t you, as well as a team of professionals to load and unload your items for you. (And potentially even put some back together when you reach your destination.)

What if I have to move long-distance with any budget?

If you have to move across state lines or even across the country, it’s highly likely to be a four-digit expenditure… but there are ways to make it cheaper. (Make sure to compare your quote with the cost of buying new stuff at your new location!) As always, your first stop should be hireahelper.com to see what options exist in your price range, but there are some specific things for which to be on the lookout.

Booking a shipping container is an alternative to a traditional van line, and a great way for students to save money without having to white-knuckle your way across the country at the wheel of a ginormous truck. (An even more unnerving prospect if you didn’t have a car on campus and haven’t driven regularly since high school.) If your items are hardy, you can also work with a freight moving company, although it’s, um…not the gentlest way to transport breakables and valuables.

But whether you go with one of those choices or ideas spelled out above, the biggest thing to bear in mind is that there are excellent options at every price point.

Start with your budget first, and work from there; even if you don’t immediately think you can afford movers, you’re probably closer to that goal than you realize. And if you aren’t, don’t despair! You’re still in that sweet spot where you can ask friends for help without any consequences other than having to return the favor when it’s their turn, so go forth with my blessing.

How to Use a Moving Container for a Long Distance Move

Author: Casey Bond

Publish Date: January 22, 2021

Last Modified Date: August 18, 2023

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice, Moving Containers

Tags: Tags: 1-800-PACK-RAT, 1800packrat, hireahelper, interstate move, long distance, long distance move, long haul move, movers, moving containers, packrat, pods, shipping containers, u box, u-haul, u-pack, ubox, uhaul, upack

The first time I visited Hawaii, I fell in love. After a couple of days of snorkeling, hiking, and eating some of the best food I’ve ever had, I began fantasizing about packing up my home in Los Angeles and moving long-distance to the island of Oahu to live my dream life.

For now, that’s still just a fantasy. But for thousands of people every year, moving long-distance is very much a reality. If you’re considering a long-distance move, you may be wondering how to get all your belongings to your new destination for the least amount of money and headache. That’s where a moving container company may be able to help.

How Do Moving Containers Work?

Moving containers (sometimes called “shipping containers”) are large, portable storage units that can be used to store and move belongings, including over long-distances. They act as a portable storage unit while you get settled in. They are made out of either metal or wood and are weather-proofed to protect your items from the elements.

Typically, after you book, a truck will drop off the container(s) at your home. After you’re done loading (or in some cases, within an allotted amount of days), a driver comes and picks it all up, then drives it all to your new destination. Once you’ve unpacked the container(s), a truck will come to haul everything away.

The smallest sizes hold the equivalent of a studio apartment, while the largest containers can hold three to four bedrooms worth of furniture. Depending on how much stuff you plan to move, you may need more than one container.

The cost of using a moving container is based on several factors:

The distance of the move
Size and number of containers
Length of time you have the containers
The season

One thing you should know, however, is that moving long-distance is generally more expensive than moving locally. More on that below.

What Is Considered “Long Distance,” Anyway?

Usually, any relocation over 100 miles is considered “a long-distance move”.

Here’s some lingo to know: if you’re moving within your own state, it’s known as an “intrastate move”. Moving across state lines is an “interstate move”. And if you’re relocating somewhere several states away, it’s often known as a “long-haul” or “cross country move”.

Knowing the difference between these types of moves will help you research moving companies and get an accurate quote.

Are Shipping Containers Better than Moving Trucks?

You might be wondering how using a shipping container is different from renting a moving truck. There are a few similarities, but also a few key differences.

Shipping containers allow you to take more time packing, unpacking and even storing your belongings. In fact, it’s possible to rent a moving container for several months! For that reason, moving containers usually cost a lot more than trucks, so you should really take advantage of it if you go with one.

You also put the driving in someone else’s hands. If you don’t want to drive a big truck, this is a huge perk. Once your belongings are packed and on their way to the new destination, you can’t access them.

A moving truck, on the other hand, means you are in control of every part of the move. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your goals. You are responsible for transporting your items from your old place to the new destination, but you can also access your stuff at any point if need be. Though renting a moving truck is cheaper, you also don’t have the added benefit of extra time or storage.

Pros and Cons of Using A Moving Container For Your Long-Distance Move

If you’re weighing the decision to use a moving container for your long-distance move versus going with a truck or full-service movers instead, here’s a look at the major pros and cons.

Long Distance Moving Container Pros

Cheaper than hiring full-service movers: One of the biggest benefits of using a shipping container is the savings. It can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $5,000 on average, or more, to hire movers for a long-distance move, according to Consumer Affairs. However, that cost can greatly increase if you have several rooms worth of furniture to move, many miles to travel, extra stops to make, specialty items, added materials, storage and more. Shipping containers, on the other hand, on average cost around $2,000 to $3,000, with storage included.

Storage at your new destination: Speaking of storage, it’s one of the biggest benefits to using a shipping container for your long-distance move. Not only can you pack up at your own pace, you can keep your items in storage while you get your new place in order. Renting a truck or movers, on the other hand, means you have to stick to a tighter schedule and have everything unloaded right away. No need to have to perfectly coordinate movers to the minute!

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Long Distance Moving Container Cons

You have to do the heavy lifting: Getting an entire house packed up and ready to move long-distance can be time consuming and exhausting. Not to mention, it takes strength and a few helping hands to get everything from Point A to Point B. If you want to focus on other aspects of your move and leave the major work to professionals, hiring labor from a moving company to load and unload your container may be the better choice, and might still cost less overall than full-service van lines.

They take up space: Neighbors won’t appreciate having their parking spaces or driveways blocked by the container. That means you’ll need a driveway or other large space where the moving container can sit as you pack up your home, as well as unload furniture at your new destination. Or if you’re moving to a busy city, you’ll need a permit ahead of time to place one for any amount of time. Plus, even though moving containers lock up, it’s a good idea to have yours in a secure area.

What Are The Best Moving Container Companies For a Long Distance Move?

Keep in mind that not all moving container companies will do long-distance moves. Below are some of the top companies that do!

PODS

Short for “Portable On-Demand Self-Storage,” PODS is one of the more expensive companies on the list. However, they’re known for durable containers and have the most locations by far.

Container material: Steel
Container sizes: 16′, 12′, and 7’
Average long-distance move cost: $3,352

1-800-PACK-RAT

This company is similar to PODS in the cost, sizes available and number of locations. However, 1-800-PACK-RAT is more spread out geographically, meaning there’s likely a facility near you to speed up pick up and delivery.

Container material: Steel
Container sizes: 16′, 12′, and 8’
Average long-distance move cost: $3,551

U-Pack

U-Pack only offers one size of moving containers through its Relocubes long-distance moving service. You also have only three days on either end of your move to pack and unload. The plus side is that this makes it much more cost-effective to move long-distance.

Container material: Metal
Container sizes: (one size) 6’3” x 7′ x 8’4”
Average long-distance move cost: $2,393

U-Box/U-Haul

You may know U-Haul for its orange moving trucks. For long-distance moves, the company offers its U-Box service, which only offers one size of container that’s not quite as durable as some metal options. However, it also provides flexible billing and live container tracking.

Container material: Plywood with weatherproof cover
Container sizes: (one size) 95″ x 56″ x 83.5″
Average long-distance move cost: $2,850

For more information on moving containers prices and money-saving tips, check out Moving101’s moving container page.

2021 Long Distance Moving Review: Should I Move With Allied?

Author: Francesca Di Meglio

Publish Date: November 5, 2020

Last Modified Date: September 21, 2021

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: Allied, atlus, long distance move, movers, moving, professional movers, serva

Allied Van Lines is a Full Service, long distance moving company, which means you hire them to do everything: pack and unpack boxes, disassemble and reassemble furniture, and load and unload trucks, all while you sit back and relax.

PROS

Has been in the moving business since 1928
Attention paid to delicate items
Available nationwide
Gives you at least the possibility to lower the cost of your move

CONS

You’ll break the bank if you go for the whole shebang
You have to jump through hoops to get a base estimate
Your experience will depend on your location

Does Allied Operate During COVID?

Indeed Allied does operate during COVID. (I worked with reps at the company’s nearest location to plan my move.) However, unlike its competitors, Allied makes no mention of the pandemic on its homepage. In addition, the representatives with whom I spoke didn’t really refer to any changed policies and never mentioned anything about mask policies during the move, which was a little surprising. Still, I was able to conduct a virtual home survey, which is a safer option than their traditional in-person survey.

Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of hiring Allied Van Lines and whether hiring them makes sense for you.

What Types of Moves Does Allied Do?

Interstate/Long Distance Moves
Household
Corporate
Some Local Moves

Quotes will vary and depend on the size of your home and the distance to your next residence. But their basic full-package quote will include:

Loading and unloading
Furniture disassembly and reassembly
Transportation and shipment tracking
Basic liability coverage
Personal Relocation Consultant

Add-ons that could increase your cost include services such as:

Appliance disconnection, reconnection, including hot tubs and pools
Storage
Additional insurance

You can bring down the cost if you are flexible about the time of year you are moving. Also, you can take on some of the packing duties instead of hiring Allied to do it to stay within budget. And just like with most van lines, you can bring down the expected total of your estimate by selling or giving away some of your stuff, because your cost goes up the more your stuff weighs.

How Much Does Allied Van Lines Cost?

Like other full-service van lines, Allied can get super expensive. Interstate or cross-country moves tend to cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per move, according to HomeAdvisor.com. Allied shares the following on its website:

“The average cost of an interstate move is $3,500. This is based on an average weight of 7,000 lbs. (7 rooms) and a traveling distance of 1,000 miles (roughly the distance from Chicago, Illinois to Dallas, Texas).”

Just hearing the price can cause a panic attack to set in! Take a deep breath, the good news is that more flexibility than ever is built into their moving packages. In light of strong competition from other less robust moving service companies, Allied and other full-service moving companies have begun to offer customization, which means you can pick and choose services without having to agree to the most expensive full-service package..unless you want to and can afford it.

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.

Compare our long distance moving company options.

How Do I Get an Allied Quote?

You will have to either fill out the form on the Allied website or call to speak with a representative. Either way, you will be connected to someone from an Allied location near the start of your move. He or she will ask you a few basic questions about your planned move. Then, they’ll schedule either an in-home or virtual survey to provide you with an estimate. This is the only way to get an idea of what the cost will be. Allied won’t even give you a price range without doing this.

Here’s what is taken into consideration when you are given an estimate:

Where you are going – The mileage to and from your destinations is one of the two most important factors in your estimate
Weight of your load – The amount of stuff and how heavy it is is the other most important factor in your estimate
Move date – Both the season and the day of the week can play into the price you pay. Flexible dates can help you bring down the cost
Insurance coverage – If you buy into the additional coverage, you will increase the total of your estimate

“For an interstate move of a 3-bedroom home on the east coast, my cost would be a little over $11,000, which is to be expected for a full-scale van line move of a large home.”

Allied’s base pricing for a full-service move includes:

Transportation of your belongings
Weight of your stuff
When you’re moving
Basic liability coverage
Personal Relocation Consultant

Your estimate may be higher if you purchase add-ons, including insurance.

What Insurance Does Allied Offer?

For protection of your stuff, Allied offers just two levels of coverage:

Basic liability coverage, which is included in any estimate
Extra Care Protection (ECP)

The Extra Care Package can add a hefty price-up to your quote, as they say on their website. However, ECP is, you know, actual insurance, whereas basic liability only gives you back $0.60 per pound. Have fun replacing a broken TV on that kind of return.

Your “Personal Relocation Consultant” will work with you to help you determine what deal might best meet your needs.

How My Allied Estimate Went

I had the option to get an estimate online or in person. I opted for the virtual survey because it’s more convenient, plus it minimizes the risk of spreading coronavirus!

But there are limits to the accuracy of the virtual survey, according to the representative. She said it can be hard to tell exactly how heavy items will be over Facetime, but she could give me an idea of what the cost would be. The virtual home tour and estimate process took about an hour. In-home surveys usually take longer, but might be more precise. Still, I was able to get an idea…and a bit of sticker shock.

For an interstate move of a 3-bedroom home on the east coast, my cost would be a little over $11,000, which is to be expected for a full-scale van line move of a large home.

Undoubtedly the second most recognizable orange moving trucks – wlos.com

Ultimately, I brought down my cost by agreeing to move in November before Thanksgiving instead of October, as well as by selling and giving away some of my stuff. I immediately started putting price tags on my husband’s shot glass collection to get ready for a yard sale.

To save even more money, I could do all the packing myself, and Allied would load and unload the truck and transport everything. That’s where the customization of your package comes in, and this can help you better control your budget.

Pros of Moving with Allied Van Lines

This isn’t Allied’s first rodeo.

The moving industry has a bad reputation for fly-by-night companies that take advantage of consumers. Allied, in stark contrast, has been in business since 1928. In the last 15 years alone, the company has conducted 750,000 moves in the United States. While you have to find out specifics regarding the service provided by your local Allied affiliate, you can be sure that the mothership is reliable and enduring.

Reps were exceptionally focused on my delicate items.

Throughout my home tour, the representative working with me zoomed in on fragile items, such as electronics, champagne flutes, and serving platters. She noticed my grandmother’s china and described how carefully Allied staff pack and transport those items. Newsweek recently called Allied one of America’s best customer service providers from any industry, and I saw firsthand why!

You don’t have to look far to find an Allied affiliate near you.

The company is national and has affiliates from coast to coast. As a result, you can probably count on being able to at least consider Allied for your move. Of course, you’ll have to read reviews about the nearest Allied organization to learn more about that specific store, but it will likely be there as an option.

The company works with your budget.

Van lines are great when you don’t want to drive long distance – Allied.com

Whenever I spoke with an Allied representative whether at the national or local level, she provided tips for bringing down the cost of my move. Picking and choosing services – rather than going all in on the full-service package – was the most popular suggestion. I also always spoke to women throughout the process, and they all had lots of advice on saving money, which made me feel as though they cared about their customers.

Cons of Moving with Allied Van Lines

Van lines are just super expensive.

Yes, you’ll be sitting pretty on the couch while Allied staff whisk away everything you own, but you’ll have to also pay a pretty penny for the service. While you could go broke if you buy into a full-service package, utilize the option to pick and choose services to bring down costs.

You can’t easily get a price range that easily.

The only way to get an idea of what a full-service move will cost you with Allied is by going through the laborious process of an in-home estimate, online or in person. And frankly, the lengthier in-person process is your best bet for getting a precise estimate. Without having any idea of the price, you can end up wasting time on services that are way out of your budget. It’s inconvenient and frustrating, especially if you’re on a tight schedule for your move.

Reviews vary by Allied location.

You have to do your homework about the Allied affiliate in your area. According to online reviews, each location is different and experiences vary from one to another. Sure, there is some sense of reliability because of Allied’s national reputation. But the level of service and efficiency and even pricing could seriously depend on who is working that day.

Should You Choose Allied to Move?

A full-service move with Allied is a great option for anyone who can afford it – and optimally – is at least one month out from their move.

Of course, if you’re flexible and want to pick and choose the services you need, consider Allied if other van lines in your area are stricter. You’ll have to do the due diligence to learn more about your local affiliate, but in general, Allied is great for those who have fragile items that need to be packed and shipped. And of course, this is a great option if you don’t want to do any of the driving, especially for a long-distance move.

Be prepared for some sticker shock, but realize Allied is willing to work with you to help you stay within some sort of a budget.

For more info on long distance moving, check out our Moving101 reviews and our guide to long distance moving.

2021 Long Distance Movers Review: Should I Move With Mayflower?

Author: Francesca Di Meglio

Publish Date: October 13, 2020

Last Modified Date: September 17, 2021

Category: Freight Trailer Moving

Tags: Tags: full service, full service movers, full service moving, hireahelper, long distance move, long distance moving, mayflower, movers, moving, uhaul

Mayflower Transit is among the big long distance moving companies, which means it does everything from packing and unpacking your stuff, to transporting it to and from your destinations. If you hire Mayflower, you serve as a manager of the process without having to do any of the back-breaking work.

But should you go with Mayflower? Here’s my review.

Does Mayflower Operate During COVID?

This company views itself as an essential service, so it is operating during the coronavirus crisis with a new set of safety precautions derived by government and public health agency guidelines. Among the measures being taken are using a virtual survey tool rather than conducting in-home estimates, disinfecting moving equipment and your stuff, wearing gloves and masks, and making sure those involved are free of COVID-19 symptoms. This is not a guarantee they would have a negative test, but it reduces risk to some extent.

What Does Mayflower Offer?

Types of Moves

Local
Long-Distance
International
Military
Corporate
Small Moves

Quotes will vary and depend on the size of your home and the distance to your next residence. But all full-package quotes include:

Your personal move coordinator
Full Value Protection (unless waived)
Standard transport of appliances (service/disconnect/connect not included)
Qualified drivers and equipment
Load, transport, and unload of household belongings
Disassembly and reassembly of bed frames
Standard furniture placement

Add-ons that will increase your quote and ultimate payment include:

Storage
Debris Removal

You don’t need to get this extra stuff, though. You can bring down the cost of the full-service move by customizing your packing and unpacking options. Some people hire local movers for partial packing or unpacking for cheaper, instead of having the company staff do it all.

Service Packages

For the add-ons and protection of your stuff, Mayflower has three basic full-service packages, known as:

Essentials ($195)
Plus 1 ($395), and
Plus 2 ($595)

Their “Plus 1” and “Plus 2” offer any one or two of the following:

Services Offered

Customized full-service options
Packing and unpacking
In-transit and permanent storage
Debris removal
PC and network disassembly and setup
Home theater stand mount setup
Home theater wall mount disassembly
Move-out cleaning service
Specialty items moving
Electronics installation
Car shipping
Crating

Now, please recognize that you’re not going to be paying a mere $195 for your move if you choose the Essentials package. This price is on top of the “base price” – your quote, essentially – which includes all the basic services of the full-package move, and is based on the size and distance of your move.

“…my estimate was about $10,000.”

Essentials is the most affordable and serves as the base package. It includes additional valuation protection, gold standard protection, claim assistance, and identity theft protection. The Plus 1 and Plus 2 packages offer all those services and one convenience service, such as PC network setup, or two convenience services, such as PC network setup and destination debris pickup respectively.

How much does Mayflower Moving cost?

Full-service moves are notoriously break-the-bank expensive, and Mayflower Transit is no exception. The average long-distance move costs $5,000, according to ConsumerAffairs.com. All packages include claim assistance, loading and unloading, full-value protection, and an assigned moving coordinator. You can also pay more to get other services added (more below).

How do I know how much my Mayflower quote will be?

To get a quote, you must get a visual estimate, which means someone representing Mayflower or one of its local affiliates will walk through your home (either in real life or virtually) to see and measure what will be moved. While this provides a more accurate price, it makes the process inconvenient when you want to quickly compare options.

Here’s what is taken into consideration when Mayflower gives you a price:

Date of your move – The day of the week and time of year can change the price
Seasonality – Summer tends to be more expensive because that is when many people decide to move. Winter is cheaper
Distance of your move – How far will the driver have to travel to get your stuff from point A to point B
Size of your home – This is a good indication of how much stuff you’ll have to have transported
Weight/volume of your belongings – The size and heft of your stuff plays a big role in determining the price of a full-service move

How My Estimate Went

Before the pandemic (and maybe in the future), a representative would walk you through your home to survey the items that you wanted to move. For example, I had some things I planned on selling at a yard sale, a few things that belonged to family members, and stuff I was going to toss (hello, baby toys for my 8-year-old son). Lately though, you’ll be using your smartphone to conduct the home survey that will result in the estimate of the weight of your personal belongings.

The estimate includes:

Your personal move coordinator
Load, transport, and unload of household belongings
Full Value Protection (unless waived)
Disassembly and reassembly of standard bed frames
Standard transport of appliances (service/disconnect/connect not included)
Standard furniture placement
Qualified drivers and equipment

Once the rep had a clear picture of what Mayflower would have to move, he used a formula to determine the weight of my goods. Then, he considered services, add-ons, and the distance (I was moving a 3-bedroom home from Fort Lee, New Jersey to Kissimmee, Florida) to determine my estimate was about $10,000. The average cost of a move is $5,000 and long-distance moves of bigger homes obviously can cost even more.

The one thing to keep in mind is that you cannot get a ballpark figure to compare prices with other companies. But even in the chat, the representative was adamant that estimates are only given after getting a visual of the stuff you’ll be moving.

“…customization allows you some control over the final price, but it all depends on the weight of your stuff and the distance you’re moving.”

Pros of Moving with Mayflower Transit

Mayflower Transit is an industry veteran.

This company is an elder of the moving industry. As a result, it has garnered years of experience transporting people’s stuff – all sorts of stuff – from state to state and even country to country. They also have a massive infrastructure that local moving companies could never compete with. Mayflower’s history gives customers confidence. After all, in an industry rife with fly-by-night organizations, Mayflower is a standout for its nearly century long endurance.

You can take advantage of add-ons.

As is the case with any full-service moving company, Mayflower will take care of every detail of your move while you serve as a supervisor. But they will go above and beyond if you want to pay extra. You can get debris removal or storage, for instance. You can even have Mayflower set up your internet at the new place. You truly won’t have to lift a finger if you’re willing to pay.

No matter where you live, you’re likely to find Mayflower near you.

Customers can receive service from one of more than 500 locations. As a result, you can get help from Mayflower from almost anywhere. In addition, Mayflower even conducts international moves, so its reach is clearly far and wide.

Mayflower now offers “Snapmoves”

In the last few years, Mayflower has built in more flexibility for its customers. The company offers Snapmoves, an option for when you might need Mayflower to move a few items or make a small move. You can mix and match services and only pay for what you need. Even if you’re making a big move, you can work with the company to ensure your move entails the services you need and nothing else. This customization is a pro because it helps you get exactly what you need and it can influence the cost of your move.

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

HireAHelper.com can save you up to 40%, compared to traditional interstate van lines.

Compare our long distance moving company options.

Cons of Moving with Mayflower Transit

You will (probably) bust your budget.

Full-service moves are notoriously expensive and Mayflower Transit is no different. The cost may be worth it to you if you cannot physically participate in your move or if you just don’t want to do the work and can afford it. More power to you if that’s the case. Most people, however, will find it hard to justify the costs when there are other options. That was my experience with Mayflower.

Getting an estimate is an inconvenient process.

To get an estimate, you must have some sort of walkthrough either with a live representative or virtually. It’s rather inconvenient because most people would much rather get an idea of the price before calling for an estimate. After all, you can easily rule out other options as you determine they are way out of your price range. But customization allows you some control over the final price, but it all depends on the weight of your stuff and the distance you’re moving. So, the only way to know for sure is to go through the entire estimate process. Ugh!

Reviews of regional agents vary from place to place.

Truly, you cannot make generalizations about Mayflower agents. The good news is that Mayflower has such a wide reach that you’re likely to find an agent nearby. The bad news is that you could have a different experience depending on where you are. The quality of service and some of the details of your move could change from place to place. This means you’ll have to research reviews and learn about the differences among local Mayflower agents.

Long distance move alternatives to Mayflower

There are a number of companies specializing in long distance moves, most with similar pricing, operations, services and follow-up processes. Our sister company Moving Place can also adapt to your move, either if you want to drive or want to hire someone to do the long distance drive for you, at a reasonable price.

Want to learn more about Mayflower? Check out Mayflower’s review on Moving101.

2019 Survey on Dating and Distance: How Far Are People Willing to Look for Love?

Author: Elyssa Kirkham

Publish Date: June 26, 2019

Last Modified Date: September 21, 2021

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice, Moving Stories

Tags: Tags: long distance girlfriend, long distance move, long distance moving, movers, moving for love, moving truck

Online dating fundamentally changed how we connect with others, and even how we date and fall in love. From Tinder to Bumble, Hinge, and even FarmersOnly.com, it’s easier than ever to find a match almost anywhere in the world.

Yet, while you can connect with someone on the other side of the globe, most people say they are still looking for romance close to home. In our recent survey, HireAHelper uncovers exactly what distances people are (or aren’t) willing to go to find love.

Survey highlights

When dating, most people’s limits for finding a partner are their state borders. Two-thirds (68%) say they’d look for a partner within their state borders or closer; this includes a third (35%) who wouldn’t look for love outside their neighborhood or city.
When dating through apps or online, the limit on love is 30 miles or less. Two-thirds of people say they’d set a dating app or site’s location radius for matches at 30 miles or closer.
More people are against getting into a long-distance relationship (41%) than are open to it (27%). Should they find a long-distance partner, however, many would consider moving to be with them — 44% would be open to the idea, compared to 26% who would be against it.
A long-distance relationship should last at least six months or more before considering a move to be together. 68% say they’d need to be dating for a period longer than six months.
Among those who have moved to be with a partner, 30% met their significant other online through a dating app or site.

Two-thirds of people set a dating app location radius of 30 miles or less

After picking out your sharpest selfies, it turns out the biggest decision you make when setting up a dating profile might be setting your location radius for matches. Most dating sites and apps require that you set a location radius that tells the platform how close or far you’re willing to look for love.

Overall, 30 miles or less seems to be the magic number — about two-thirds (62%) say they would set a distance radius at or under that amount if they were to use a dating app.

“Overall, 30 miles or less seems to be the magic number.”

On dating apps, what location radius would you set as the max distance for matches?

Millennials are generally more likely to set a smaller radius, with about half (49%) open to matches within 20 miles or less. This could reflect the stage of life they are at. With more open to casual dating and also with a larger pool of peers also looking for partners, they might feel they don’t need to look very far for matches.

Men are also more likely to set a smaller radius on dating apps, with 48% setting a dating radius of 20 miles or less — compared to 42% of women.

Dating and distance: 2 in 3 wouldn’t date outside their state

When it comes to looking for a new partner, most people are unwilling to search too far from home.

We asked people to name the furthest distance they’d be willing to go to find a partner if they were to start their search today.

About a third (35%) are willing to look for potential partners only as far as either their city or neighborhood.
Another 29% would be willing to look within their state or closer for a partner.
In all, two-thirds (68%) of people had distance limits within their state lines or closer.

State lines are the boundaries or potential love for most — but not all. Some people said they were willing to go the distance for true romance: 13% would be open to dating matches across state lines or further. Another 9% say they wouldn’t consider distance when dating.

Here’s a look at how dating distance preferences differed among specific demographics:

Relationship status: Single people who are actively dating or seeking a partner are less likely to say they aren’t willing to look for partners beyond their city limits (48% compared to 39% among general respondents).
Gender: Men are more likely to say they would only look as far as their neighborhood or city (43%) compared to women (37%).
Orientation: People who identified as homosexual or bisexual are more likely to be willing to look for love across state lines (16%) or to not consider distance (12%).

2 in 5 are against a long-distance relationship

If you were seeking a romantic partner, how open would you be to a long-distance relationship?

In line with the trend of people saying they’d look for love closer to home, more people say they’d be against entering long-distance relationships (41%) than would be open to it. That includes 17% who would be “very against” a long-distance relationship, as well as 24% who’d be just “somewhat against” it.

“After picking out your sharpest selfies, it turns out the biggest decision you make when setting up a dating profile might be setting your location radius for matches.”

That’s far more than the 27% of people who are open to a long distance relationship, of which just 7% say they’d be “very open” to such an arrangement.

Additionally, 6% say that distance wouldn’t matter to them, and another 27% are neutral on the topic.

Going by generations, millennials are the most open to long-distance dating. Just 39% would be against it, and 30% are open to it.

People aren’t looking for long-distance love — but if they find it, they’ll chase it

It’s not a shock that most people prefer to date closer to home and would prefer not to be in a long-distance relationship. The miles between them can make it trickier for couples to connect with each other, strengthen their bond, and develop and grow as partners.

But while a long-distance relationship isn’t what most people would look for, if it happens, they say they’d move to pursue it.

“Millennials are the most open to long-distance dating.”

When asked how willing they would be to relocate for a long-distance partner, 44% say they’d be either very or somewhat open to the idea. By comparison, just 26% say they’d flat out be against (again, either very or somewhat) the idea of moving for a significant other.

But among people willing to move for love, nearly half (49%) say they’d be open to relocating across state borders or further. That includes 17% who would move as far as across the country, and 7.4% who’d consider moving out of the country for love.

To warrant a move, 2 in 3 think a relationship should be 6 months or older

The length of a long-distance relationship is also a major factor that plays into deciding whether to move for love, our survey finds. Two-thirds (68%) say they’d consider moving for a romantic partner only after being together for six months or longer.

So who would be willing to move for a partner they’ve dated for less than 6 months? Twenty percent of respondents say they’d consider moving for a partner at or before 6 months of dating.

Women are more likely to say they wouldn’t move for a romantic partner (13% women vs. 11% of men) and are more likely to expect to be together for more than a year (41% vs. 35% for men).

Men are more likely to expect to be together for a shorter time before relocating, with almost a quarter (24%) expecting to be together for 6 months or less compared to just 18% of women.

Most long-distance couples meet on dating apps and sites

Looking for love and are open to long-distance relationships? You’re best off trying your luck on dating apps and dating websites. Three in 10 people who moved for love say they met their romantic partner through a dating app or website.

But don’t be afraid to try old-fashioned matchmaking methods, either, such as getting set up or introduced by family members or friends. Twenty-two percent say they met the partner they moved for thanks to their social circle. Another 15% met their significant other in a social setting, and 14% met through work.

While most people won’t be looking for long-distance love, if it happens, moving can be a smart move. Our survey also showed that moving for love works out more than it doesn’t. Of people who have moved for love, 73% say they’re glad they took this step.

Methodology

The results for this survey were conducted on the online platform Pollfish, collecting 1,000 responses on April 23, 2019. When discussing generational trends, we matched the survey’s demographics to the age ranges that most closely matches the current ages of these groups: millennials include respondents ages 25 to 34, Generation Xers includ ages 35 to 44, and Baby Boomers include respondents ages 65 and older.

Illustrations by Deborah Lee

2019 Survey: Moving for Love Is Likely to Pay Off

Author: Elyssa Kirkham

Publish Date: May 22, 2019

Last Modified Date: September 23, 2021

Category: Moving Stories

Tags: Tags: 2019 survey, long distance move, long distance relationship, millennials, relationship advice, relationships

Most people make a move hoping for a positive outcome, maybe a shorter commute, more living space— or in the case of people moving for love, establishing a successful romance.

About one in four adults have moved for love at some point in their lives, finds our latest survey. But weighing whether one should move to be closer to a significant other can be tricky, compared to deciding to relocate for plenty of other reasons.

After all, does moving for love ever work out?

Because unlike people who just want a shorter commute or a bigger apartment, the success of moving for love can’t be measured in minutes or square footage. And with these matters of the heart, there are few guarantees.

Well, good news. A new HireAHelper survey about moving for love finds that relocating for a romantic relationship actually pays off. Here’s what we found:

Key Findings

One in four (24.1%) people say they have moved to pursue a romantic relationship before
Three-quarters (73%) of people who moved for a romantic partner are either still together or were together for more than a year. This includes 38% who moved for the romantic partner they’re still with
Two-thirds (65%) of people who moved for a significant other are glad they made this decision
Even among couples who are together for six months or less after a move, 51% still say they’re glad about their decision to move for a partner
The hardest part of moving for love? Most commonly, it’s making the decision of whether to relocate in the first place with a third (32%) selecting this option. But about a quarter of respondents (27%) also cite the moving process as a major pain point

1 in 4 people have moved for love

About one in four people (24%) have relocated for a romantic partner, finds our survey. (Men are slightly more likely to have relocated than women, with 27% having done so compared to 23% of women.)

There are some generational differences when it comes to moving for love, as well. Baby boomers (ages 54 and up) are half as likely to have moved for love (12%) compared to overall responses. Millennials, however, are more likely to have moved for a romantic relationship (31%).

In total, a quarter of all respondents moved for love at some point in their lives, but does moving for love work?

Our survey suggests that relocating for a romantic relationship pays off more often than it doesn’t.

After a move, 73% of couples last more than a year

In all, three in four people who moved for a romantic relationship are still with their significant other, or were with their partner for more than a year after moving.

Of people who say they’ve relocated for a romantic partner, 38% are still with that person, while another 35% moved for a relationship that lasted for a year or longer. This is a solid success rate for long-distance couples or courters who are considering if a move will lead to a good match.

Of course, not every couple stays together after one partner relocates. Just over a quarter (27%) of people who moved for love said that this relationship lasted less than a year—of those, a third (10%) lasted less than three months.

2 in 3 are glad they moved for love

There are more good signs for couples who are considering relocating long distance for a relationship. The majority of people who made a move for a significant other view this choice positively.

In fact, two-thirds (65%) of people who moved for love say they’re glad they did so. (This includes 47% who say they are “very glad” they moved, and 19% who are “somewhat glad” about this decision.)

Another 19% have neutral feelings on this past decision to move for love. And of all the people who have relocated for romance, just 15% regret it.

How this decision is viewed is, of course, correlates to the outcome of the relationship. People who are still together tend to be the happiest with their decision to move (74% say they’re “very glad about it”).

But somewhat surprisingly, even when the relationships didn’t last, however, many still feel their move was a good decision. Just over half (51%) of people who were together 6 months or less after relocating for a partner say they’re glad they made that move.

For 27%, moving was the worst part of relocating for love

From finding movers to getting settled in a new home, moving involves major investments of time, money, and energy.

We asked people who have moved for love which parts of the moving process they found most difficult (allowing them to select more than one option). A third (32%) of say that making up their mind to move for a romantic relationship was one of the hardest parts of the process.

The moving process itself makes an appearance, of course, with 27% citing this as one of their biggest difficulties in relocating for love.

Homesickness might be another major issue to contend with after moving for a partner. The next-most common complaints about moving for love are difficulties adjusting to life in a new area (31%) and leaving their old lives behind (30%).

Other major pain points include being in a long-distance relationship before the move (28%) and finding a job in the new area (24%).

There are also some differences in how men and women were affected by moving for love.

Men had a harder time making up their mind to move (38% compared to 28% of women) and managing changes to the relationship after the move (13% to 11%).

Women more often found it difficult to work through disagreements about moving (13% compared to 9% of men) and finding housing in their new location (13% versus 7%).

People will move for a partner after dating for 6 months or more

Lastly, we asked some questions about respondents’ willingness and expectations to move for love.

About 44% of people say that if they had a long-distance partner, they’d be open to relocating to be together. Just 26%, by contrast, say they would be against moving for a long-distance relationship.

How far will people move for love? It’s split. 46% say they would only be willing to move within their own city or state to be closer to a romantic partner, but about the same number of people, 44%, say they’d be open to moving across state lines or further. (This includes 15% willing to relocate across the country and another 7% who would move out of the country for love.)

Another question long-distance couples wrestle with: how long should they be a couple before it makes sense to consider moving to be closer? The magic length appears to be at least 6 months, with two-thirds (68%) of people saying they’d expect to be with a partner for half a year or longer to discuss a relocation.

However, one in five (20%) say they’d be willing to consider moving for a partner they’d been with for less than 6 months. Another 12% said they wouldn’t move for a romantic partner.

The results are in: moving for love is likely to pay off

Overall, Americans are fairly open to the idea of moving for love, and a quarter of adults have actually done so. And most people who relocate to pursue a romantic relationship have positive feelings about the outcome.

The results of our survey show that deciding whether to move for love can be a tough choice—the hardest part of the process, in fact. But for people who decide to do so, resettling nearer to a romantic partner has a solid chance of succeeding, sustaining, and paying off even when you don’t stay together.

Methodology

The results for this survey were conducted on the online platform Pollfish, collecting over 1,000 responses on April 23, 2019. When discussing generational trends, we matched up the survey’s demographics to the age ranges that most closely matches the current ages of these groups: millennials includes respondents ages 25 to 34, generation X-ers includes ages 35 to 44, and baby boomers refers to respondents ages 65 and older.

Illustrations by Deborah Lee

How I Moved Across the Country Completely by Myself

Author: Real People

Publish Date: March 19, 2019

Last Modified Date: January 10, 2022

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: interstate move, interstate moving, long distance move, moving by myself, moving help, moving story, moving truck, state to state

Here’s the way things started: I had an opportunity, a big one, but I needed to move across the country to take it. And I had to take some of my stuff with me.

But the biggest issue? The move needed to happen in April, and I would be traveling across the northern part of the country from Idaho to Pennsylvania, plowing through late winter snows and other potential issues.

Oh, and I’d be doing it alone.

I started off with a plan, some goals, and some ideas of how things would go. And as is typical of these kinds of adventures, not everything went smoothly. Here is what I learned on my long distance solo journey.

I Went With a Rental Truck

One of the first moving related decisions you have to make is what how to move, including if you should go with a rental truck.

You ultimately need enough room, but you don’t want to pay too much. If you opt for a rental truck, you need one that is reliable the whole way across, and that gets as good of fuel economy as you hope for from a large vehicle. (You will save a lot of money driving your own truck versus a Full Service option, but it’s still roughly a $1,000 rental after expenses, on average.)

Which rental truck do you go with?

I chose to rent from Penske. According to Moving101 user reviews, it was the brand that was both the most reliable and comfortable. I had a sense this was true, thanks to my package delivery days when we had to rent delivery vehicles whenever our own trucks were in for repairs.

**I got a discount right on HireAHelper’s page for booking my rental truck**

How do you tell how much room you need?

There are some handy charts online made by truck companies like Budget and Penske where you can estimate based on the number and type of things you need to bring with you.

In my case, the most important things were in my office, like a desk, books, computers, other supplies, and books. About 1-2 rooms worth of stuff. This meant a small truck was fine for me, which would also get better mileage not being weighed down. Huge, since I’m the one paying for the gas!

Do you need movers?

Lastly, since I was by myself at one end, and then only had my cousin to help me unload at the other, I hired pros for the heavy lifting part for just a couple hundred bucks. This was a way more affordable way to move across the country, as opposed to hiring a van line for several thousands of dollars, which I didn’t have time to wait around for anyway. If you need more hands-on help (like with transportation, for instance), there are even long distance moving companies that are still pretty affordable compared to Full service movers.

The movers I got packed my truck way better than I could do by myself, which ensured that nothing would slide around or get damaged. And the person I got on the phone at HireAHelper was invaluable from start to finish, finding me the most affordable and highest rated movers for both ends of my journey in maybe 15 minutes.

I Dealt With Weather

Sometimes when you gotta move, you just gotta move.

Early spring is often the time for late winter in the northern United States, and snow was a real possibility—one that turned into a reality in Utah, Wyoming, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In Utah, the snow was almost blinding for over 150 miles!

What this ultimately meant to my move was a slower drive and a later arrival. Another unusual factor you don’t really read about while moving in those flyover states: wind. And with a moving truck that wasn’t loaded with overly heavy things, it was a larger factor than I at first imagined.

Adding to the adventure was the need to pass large semi-trucks carrying heavy loads, something that often involved those rumble strips on the side of the freeway and white knuckles on the steering wheel.

Finding Alternate Routes Actually Helped Me

Besides snow and wind, early spring is often the time when states start their annual road construction projects on freeways and highways. For the most part, I let Google pick the fastest route across the country, like most people. The good thing about that is that Google Maps knows how to bypass rush hour in cities I was not familiar with. The downside? Google did generally point out road construction … but it didn’t know what kind of vehicle I was driving.

Orange cones, narrow lanes, and slow speed zones were all things I encountered along the way. Having alternate routes mapped out was seriously a lifesaver for me a couple of times on my trip.

(I’m looking at you, eastern Wyoming.)

I Didn’t Reserve Places to Sleep Ahead of Time

I decided to go with the reservation-less trip, and risk not being able to find a place to stop for the night. Since I was traveling alone, I figured at worst, I could sleep in the cab of the truck for a few hours.

As you might have predicted, this actually turned into an issue.

As I passed the Chicago area, there suddenly were no vacant motels for a long time. I finally spotted a Motel 6 sign and pulled off the exit to find a large concrete structure I was convinced had once been a bunker or a hospital. A couple of weary looking truck drivers followed me off the exit, and we all seemed to be ready for a bed, any bed.

The rug-free floors and bare walls, the old television, and the lack of other amenities did not matter as I fell onto the aging mattress.

The rest of the trip I was able to find reasonable lodging wherever I went, but I was close to cab-resting a couple of times. Next time, if there is one, I might plan things a little differently.

I Kept Eating and Drinking Alarms on my Phone

I had to eat, drink, and stay alert as I drove. Driving by yourself for a long time makes that tough to do. Here are some things I found helpful to do after my alarms went off every five hours:

Grocery shop: All that road food is not great, so I grabbed some healthy snacks at a grocery store each morning along the way and kept a small cooler in the passenger seat to put them in.
Drink wisely: I needed to stay hydrated, but didn’t want to have to stop too often to empty my bladder. On the other hand, bathroom stops offered a chance to stretch and walk around, so I eventually found the right balance of drinking only every few hours and not being afraid of semi-frequent pit stops.
Know your caffeine tolerance: Caffeine helps keeps me awake. But it’s is also a diuretic, and too much tears up my stomach. Caffeine is not a super great long-term plan.

See prices for movers by the hour – instantly.

Read real customer reviews.

Easily book your help online.

Staying alert also involves listening to the right things

Silence is not good, and neither is soothing music. I rolled down the windows when possible, listened to talk radio or audio books; these were all things that kept my brain engaged. I also had to pre-download listening materials, knowing there were big sections of land with no radio reception.

Finally, I had a hands-free way to talk on the phone in order to stay in touch with people along the way. In some states, hands-free phones are the law, but in all of them it’s a good idea.

You Will Be a Magnet to Law Enforcement

As I traveled across Illinois, I was pulled over by a state trooper. Then it happened again.

Not because I was doing anything wrong, but because I was driving a moving truck, plus it was windy … so I wandered over the fog line a couple of times. Okay, okay, want to know the real reason they pulled me over? Apparently, it is quite common for drug runners to use moving trucks filled with junk to disguise their shipments.

Understand that even the most minor traffic violation in a moving truck might get you pulled over. Since it quickly became clear to officers I was not a drug smuggler (the second state trooper bought one of my books from me!), they let me go. But it was still a delay.

Simply know that the police will be watching, be sure you have all of your rental paperwork in order, and don’t carry anything illegal across state lines—even if it is legal in the state you’re going to. (We’re looking at you, marijuana). You will get in trouble, the kind that can really stick with you.

Moving across the country by yourself is a challenge, and one not all people are up to. If you feel like taking an easier route, you can check out Moving Place, a long distance moving company that can take care of everything that is transportation related: booking a truck, drivers, gas, etc. You pack and they’ll get your stuff safely to you new home at a fraction of the price of traditional moving companies.

Once I arrived at my destination (during a gentle snowfall, actually) everything was fine. The best news: I got to my unloading movers on the right day! The move was more about the journey than the destination. I am now back in Idaho, but I learned a lot along the way:

Choose your truck, your timing, and your route carefully. Have goals, but be flexible. And keep things legal. It will turn your trip into something you will never forget.

Troy is a freelance writer and author who lives, works, and plays in Idaho. When not found behind the screen toying with the alphabet, he can be found cycling, hiking, skiing, and walking his very talented dog in the great outdoors.

Car Shipping: How to Ship Your Car (Safely) If You’re Moving Long Distance

Author: Real People

Publish Date: August 16, 2018

Last Modified Date: January 10, 2022

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: auto, auto transport, auto transport quote, brokers, budget, car carrier, car transportation, carriers, cars, long distance, long distance move, movers, moving, moving quote, moving truck, penske, uhaul

Every year, a large number of people moving to a new state ship their cars for the first time. Shipping a car isn’t hard, but a few common mistakes can cost you a lot of time and money, especially when trying to juggle the logistics of moving long distance too. Companies like Moving Place can help you plan your whole long distance move. They care care of booking a truck, a driver and getting your stuff safely to you new home, but what about your vehicle?

I’m using my decade of expertise to help. Here’s how to (safely) do an auto transport using a step-by-step process.

How to Find an Auto-Transport Company

If you reside in a big city, these days it’s as simple as typing “my city auto transport” into Google. The “my city” being either the city you are shipping to or from.

Literally hiring a company online to move your car is usually the easiest part of the entire auto transport process. It’s cheaper than hiring a professional driver, keeps miles off your tires, and it’s helpful if you aren’t able to drive the car to your new place yourself.

Does the company have to be located where I’m going or where I am now?

No. Finding a company based in either your origin or destination city isn’t crucial. You can absolutely hire a company from anywhere in the country to ship your car. But companies based on where you are or are going are ideal because of the flexibility they might offer with scheduling. The shippers will be in your city of origin or destination for a few days, as opposed to passing through, which usually leads to more flexibility.

What if there is no auto-transport company near me?

Unfortunately, finding an auto transport company specific to your city isn’t always possible, especially if you live in a rural area.

If you live where there are few options near you, your first step is to search for a company based in the opposite place that you are shipping your car either to or from. Every state typically has at least a few auto transport companies that can help.

If you still can’t find one (or you don’t like any of the ones that you do find), move on to just a general search for auto transport companies elsewhere in the country. Yes, you can still receive fine service from a company not based in your state, it’s just an advantage to have someone familiar with your route to work for you.

I always recommend calling them, as opposed to emailing, because you get a much better feel for what working with that company will be like.

Also, call more than a few of the (reputable) companies that show up in your search. (More on finding reputable companies below.)

How much does it cost to transport my car?

This will vary significantly based on lots of factors, but transportreviews.com reports that the average cost is $983, based on the average distance of 1,662 miles. Obviously, this price will fluctuate lower or higher, depending on where you’re transporting your car, as well as how big your vehicle is.

How do I get a quote?

Be prepared to tell the company this basic information:

Where is the car is coming from?
Where are you going?
When do you want to have it shipped?

Knowing the basics is all it takes to get a quote. Want to be really sure what your best option is? It’s standard to get as many as four different quotes to get a good idea of what a fair price is. (Or at least tell them you’re collecting quotes.)

How to Hire a Good Company

How do you know who a bad company is? Knowing this begins with understanding what is happening behind the scenes. There are two types of car shipping services, and first-time shippers usually have no clue which they are (or how good they may be) until well after they ship their first car.

What’s a “Broker” and what’s a “Carrier”? And why does it matter?

Brokers are companies that don’t actually own the truck that ships your car.

Almost all of the companies that you find online are brokers and don’t actually own the transportation. Their purpose is to find the carrier who will actually ship the car. This can sometimes be a necessary step because finding a carrier without the connections that brokers have can be extremely difficult.

You generally want to avoid brokers who are not upfront that they themselves are not shipping your car!

Brokers charge a set fee for their service and make an educated guess on what the rest of the transport will cost when they give you a quote. Whether or not they tell you they are a broker upfront depends on what kind of company you find.

Carriers are the companies that own trucks and employ drivers. This is the company that will do the actual relocating of your vehicle. The reason brokers are necessary is due to most of these shipping companies being extremely small.

It’s not uncommon for the owner of the company to be the driver and sole employee. These small companies don’t have websites and don’t do any marketing because they rely on brokers for their freight. If you are not already inside the industry, finding a company on your route and on your schedule would require hours of work.

With the magic of the internet, it’s easier than ever to check who is and who isn’t legit. Before you request a quote from a company, check their reviews. Car shipping companies have many different sales tactics to trick you once they get your information.

What’s the most common tactic to trick customers?

After ten years of experience, I know it’s simply to promise impossibly low prices in order to get you to book right away.

Do not simply request quotes from as many companies as you can. By giving away your info, you will run into very persistent sales people that will never stop calling you. Furthermore, there are some companies that look like transport companies but are actually what are known as “lead generators”. This means the information you put on their site is going to be sold to 10 or 15 different companies. Your phone will not stop ringing for days!

You want to get as many quotes as you can, but you need to make sure the company is a legitimate broker or carrier before you inquire. How? Check for and read verified reviews before requesting quotes. This will help you avoid bad websites. Did you get an extremely low quote? That’s a red flag.

Get a Written Contract (Then Read It)

If you found a good broker, getting an easy to understand contract should be a breeze. But you still have to be careful (just like you should with every contract you sign!).

What should I watch out for?

Read through the contract very carefully. If your contract says anything – and it will be small – about the price “not being guaranteed”, this is a major red flag.

I have heard plenty of stories from customers about how they signed a contract with a broker, only to be told at the last minute that the price is a $100 to $500 more “than expected”.

Just imagine the moving truck has all of your things, then the broker calls and says they have a carrier but it is going to cost $150 more. You won’t really have a choice by that point.

Correctly Prepare The Inside and Outside of Your Car to Be Shipped

It is standard practice to get your car inspected by the shipping company, but first, you need to clean the car so that an accurate inspection can be done.

If the car is dirty, the driver might miss something when they do the inspection on pick up, or you might miss something when the inspection is done on delivery. An accurate inspection is vital in case there is a problem.

Do auto-shippers charge by weight?

Yes. Lighten your car as much as possible. Auto shippers will charge you by the weight of your car, and bigger vehicles will cost more to ship.

Most drivers allow 100 pounds or less for free. (Remember: the personal items you put in the car cannot be insured.) If you exceed 100 pounds, you could be charged extra for the added weight. For a totally packed small car, the driver will ask for around $200-$300. A totally packed large SUV or truck could be from $300-$500 extra, or the driver might even refuse the shipment. If you need to put things in the car, let your broker know ahead of time when you are booking so that they can arrange it with the carrier.

Drivers also prefer you leave the car with a quarter tank of gas. That’s enough so that they don’t have to worry about it running out when moving it, but not so much that they haul additional weight for no reason.

Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck

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Arrange to Get Your Car Exactly Where You Can Get It

Now that you’ve found a good company, you’ve signed the contract, and you’ve readied your car, you need to tell the company the best place to have the car picked up.

When will my car be available for pick up?

If you are flying, think about which end you need the car more. Is it the city the car is being picked up in, or the city it is being dropped off at? Trust me, in my experience, you will definitely beat the trucker to your destination. Remember that all delivery dates are estimated.

Moving trucks have one pick up and one drop off, so you can imagine that a moving truck estimate is much more accurate than auto transport trucks, who routinely have to deal with around 10 different pickups and drop-offs a day! Because of this fact, make sure that you have a backup plan on the day of pick up and drop off.

If the car isn’t delivered when and where you need it, ask a friend that can hold onto the car for you, or maybe a neighbor. It’s not even unheard of for a hotel manager or car dealership to offer this as a service.

What to Do When Your Car Shows Up

When the truck comes to pick up the car, make sure the driver does an accurate inspection and that you get a copy of the inspection report on pick up. This ensures the state of your vehicle cannot be altered. The inspection report is the only thing that can support your claim if any damage occurs.

The delivery driver does the inspection on pick up, you do the inspection on the delivery. Remember that if you sign the inspection report, you are releasing the driver and the company from all liability. That means if you notice something later, there is nothing you can do!

In my experience, damage doesn’t happen often and the process for getting reimbursed is not difficult if you do everything right. Almost all damage during transport is extremely minor. Small scratches or a dent is the most common of these things.

Most companies will prefer to handle the matter directly rather than have you go through their insurance company. The most important thing is that you do not sign the inspection report until you have received your reimbursement. Again, damage almost never happens in the first place, but you need to make sure you handle the paperwork properly if it does.

Do I have to do anything else after the car is delivered?

Hopefully, everything is done correctly and the process will be seamless. But if not, leave a review.

If you were happy with the service it’s always nice to leave a review saying so. The best place online to do this is on transportreviews.com, which in my experience is the biggest and most sincere community for car transportation reviews online. By leaving an honest review, companies know what they are doing right and you’ll help the next person transporting their vehicle make a more informed decision.

Similarly, if you weren’t happy with the service, let your broker know. Some things are out of the control of the broker and the driver, so be understanding if your car was a day late. Like I mentioned earlier, dates are always estimates in the auto transport industry.

If however, you feel that your experience was poor, then it’s especially important to leave a review. This helps future customers and the companies that are doing good work out there.

Max is the owner of MiG Auto Transport. He has been in the auto transport industry for over seven years. Originally from New York, he now lives in (sometimes) sunny Jacksonville, FL. He loves his wife, dog, cars and (sometimes) the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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.

What are my realistic moving options in college?

The DIY Move

What’s the best way to pull off a DIY move?

How do I cut corners on spending?

“To score free boxes…check to see if your school’s bookstore or any on-campus eateries have any to spare.”

The Hybrid Move

Can I afford college movers?

What can bring down the cost of a Hybrid Move?

“If you only need help to get your stuff out when you get to campus, that’s cheaper than hiring for both ends of the move!”

The Full-Service Move

What if I have some more money?

What if I have to move long-distance with any budget?

How Do Moving Containers Work?

What Is Considered “Long Distance,” Anyway?

Are Shipping Containers Better than Moving Trucks?

Pros and Cons of Using A Moving Container For Your Long-Distance Move

Long Distance Moving Container Pros

Love Your Long Distance Move

Long Distance Moving Container Cons

What Are The Best Moving Container Companies For a Long Distance Move?

For more information on moving containers prices and money-saving tips, check out Moving101’s moving container page.

What Types of Moves Does Allied Do?

How Much Does Allied Van Lines Cost?

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

How Do I Get an Allied Quote?

“For an interstate move of a 3-bedroom home on the east coast, my cost would be a little over $11,000, which is to be expected for a full-scale van line move of a large home.”

What Insurance Does Allied Offer?

How My Allied Estimate Went

Pros of Moving with Allied Van Lines

This isn’t Allied’s first rodeo.

Reps were exceptionally focused on my delicate items.

You don’t have to look far to find an Allied affiliate near you.

The company works with your budget.

Cons of Moving with Allied Van Lines

Should You Choose Allied to Move?

For more info on long distance moving, check out our Moving101 reviews and our guide to long distance moving.

What Does Mayflower Offer?

Service Packages

Services Offered

“…my estimate was about $10,000.”

How much does Mayflower Moving cost?

How do I know how much my Mayflower quote will be?

How My Estimate Went

“…customization allows you some control over the final price, but it all depends on the weight of your stuff and the distance you’re moving.”

Pros of Moving with Mayflower Transit

Moving far away?

Do it cheaper.

Cons of Moving with Mayflower Transit

Long distance move alternatives to Mayflower

Want to learn more about Mayflower? Check out Mayflower’s review on Moving101.

Survey highlights

Two-thirds of people set a dating app location radius of 30 miles or less

On dating apps, what location radius would you set as the max distance for matches?

Dating and distance: 2 in 3 wouldn’t date outside their state

2 in 5 are against a long-distance relationship

People aren’t looking for long-distance love — but if they find it, they’ll chase it

To warrant a move, 2 in 3 think a relationship should be 6 months or older

Most long-distance couples meet on dating apps and sites

Methodology

Illustrations by Deborah Lee