apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

So you found a place? Do tell

I'm moving on the 23rd. I can't afford a moving company, so I've always helped my friends move and now they'll be repaying the favor (I love you guys). I'm using boxes from work where we get a lot of shipments. I'm borrowing a hand truck and I have a dolly. I've stocked up on sharpies and tape. Music is completely necessary.

Things to remember: your new place will probably not have toilet paper or a shower curtain. You'll need both almost immediately. Put all chargers in one box. The box with the things that you don't want your friends to see (the contents of the drawer next to your bed, or the shoe box under the bed .. you know what I mean): make sure to mark this carefully so someone doesn't decide to open it for you.

Good luck! and wish me luck, I'm moving with 40 boxes of books.

Be good about labeling your boxes. I wasn't and it took me a month to find my stamps.

Pack a "move in" box with essentials like trash bags, toilet paper, easy food, something to cook said food in, and something to eat from. I would also recommend an overnight bag so you don't have to dig for your toothbrush after a long day of moving boxes.

Someone recommended to me that you pack a box for each bedroom of the bedclothes and clean sheets so you can sleep in a real bed as that will help you feel more at home.

A great way to donate is through www.freecycle.org - you get to pick who gets the stuff you don't need anymore.

i just recently moved as well, and used all recycled boxes found on craigslist. do a search under free for moving boxes, and i promise you'll find a bunch. not only did i not have to kill more trees, they were free! not that moving boxes are that expensive, but i hate buying something that i'm just going to use once and get rid of. such a waste. then when you're done, you can pass them on to someone else moving as well. it feels so good.

oh, and hiring movers is the way to go. i hired men to load and unload, then i drove the truck myself. it was a lot cheaper than hiring someone to drive the truck and do the loading/unloading.

good luck!

When packing, put like items together and label the boxes (on the top and at least 2 sides) by what rooms the items inside will need to go in. If you're really organized when moving, like I am, also number the boxes and have a master list of what is inside each one, that way when you're looking for something specific you know right where it is. Also, be sure to pack all of your necessities for the first couple of days separate (clothes, toilet paper, toiletries, a pot, pan, kitchen and eating utensils, a few dishes and cups, cell phone charger, pet food, etc.) and put that box or bag in the truck last or have it with you in your car if you're driving separately. I've moved 22 times in my life and trust me, these strategies will keep you sane in all the chaos of moving.

All of my boxes from my last move came from my local wine shop. They were beyond eager to get rid of boxes. Maybe start there?

And definitely make sure that you bring toilet paper, paper towels, some cleaning supplies and trash bags.

you're really smart to be starting early and editing a bit at a time.

create a "maybe" pile for all of those items you feel you may need in the future. come back to the pile later... you'll be shocked by how many items you really don't need!!!!!

the last time i moved, i ended up donating at least 75% items i brought with me.

as much as i love my books, i was able to part with them. even if you're going to read a book again, you can buy it for a few cents on amazon.

Clearing out junk early is key, so think about more than closets. look at kitchenware, your cd and book collection, random drawers. this is especially important if you want to recycle your stuff because you don't want to be making multiple trips to the electronics recycling drop off center and thrift store.

i have what "not to do" tip -put your close in a black trash bag as i did, emptying the last closet with everyday wear. those two bags went ...you guessed it...to the dumpster along with real trash. and i was the one who delivered them there, swimmy in the head from all the moving activities.

oh brother can I help you!

I've done 2 cross country moves, 3 up and down the eastern seaboard and countless local moves.


get your boxes here: http://usedcardboardboxes.com/

get a notebook, a sharpie and a pen: everytime you pack a box number it and in the notebook write down what is in box #1, #2, #3 as you pack, it will be endlessly helpful when you get to your new digs and have to sort boxes or need to find a coat or a pillow etc.

good for you in hiring movers, there is no better way to spend a small fortune then letting someone else break their back.

get more packing tape and material than you think you need.

pack a box just for your car, shower curtain, survivor plates and silverware, napkins, paper towels, emergency cleaning supplies and toiletries

good to hear you are cutting down on your belongings, be brutal it's one less thing you have to unpack

I made a rookie mistake in my recent move. I got a quote for a moving company, but failed to ask how many workers would be on the job when they quoted they hourly rate. I was moving from a small place to a small place a block away, but with only two guys on the job, it took a bit longer (and was more expensive) than I expected.

we're about to move again on feb 18 (the second time in 5 months...long story) and i think i've learned something.

my favorite trick, by far, is coming up with a mock layout. i grab the floorplan from the complex's website, or make my own, and then decide beforehand what furniture will go where. then, as you move things in, they don't all collect in the entry way. you can move things around on your layout mock-up before you even lift a single piece of furniture.

and yes--definitely try to downsize BEFORE you move. we've discovered that each time, we've become more organized because of this!

good luck!

Sell it...or give it away....don't move it.

I'm not sure if its been mentioned above but I color-coded my boxes so that each box ended up in the correct room. My boyfriend dealt with the movers while I was at work so it was the only way things ended up where they should. I spent about $7 on different colored rolls of electrical tape and stuck big chunks on the sides, bottom, and top of each box. It worked great.

We also got all our boxes from my mother's job (she works at a nursing home so we had a ton of adult diapers boxes! that made me laugh a lot) and the groccery store. Both places were more than happy to get rid of some empty boxes and we had no trouble with them breaking or being weak. Buy more packing tape than you think you'll need. Take it easy when you unpack. When we first moved in I wanted everything away NOW and it just made me a little crazy. Everything found its place over the course of the three-day weekend but it would have been a lot less stressful if I had just taken a chill pill.

Good luck!

here's a great checklist from our hydro company:

Moving Checklist

Moving can be a hectic time, but this list can help you stay organized.


One month before your move [Date_________ ]

__ Clean out your closets, basement and garage. Donate unused items to your favorite charity or have a garage sale to help pay for some of your move. (Can't decide whether to sell it or move it? Consider how much you could sell it for versus what it will cost to ship it.)
__ Get packing supplies; tape, boxes, tissue paper, bubble wrap, markers.
__ If this is a big move, start packing items of no use prior to your move. Pack up things like photo albums, books, and seasonal decorations.
__ If you're packing items that will go in storage, make itemized lists of each box and its contents.
__ Start a log of moving expenses and keep all your move-related receipts. Some items may be tax deductible.
__ Find a reputable mover. If you’re hiring professional movers get written estimates from at least two moving companies; include their written commitment of pickup and delivery dates. Ask for and check references. Check the limits of insurance they offer and whether or not it covers replacement costs. Purchase additional insurance if you need it.
__ Arrange to transfer your household insurance to your new home.
__ Advise regular tradespeople (gardener, housecleaner, pool service) if you're moving out of their service area. Look into services for new home.
Two weeks before your move [Date_________ ]

__ Arrange for disconnection or transfer of your BC Hydro service.
__ Arrange for disconnection or transfer of other utilities (gas, cable, phone, ISP, security company). Get new phone number.
__ Contact the post office to have your mail forwarded.
__ Arrange to close or transfer your bank accounts. Order cheques with your new address & phone number.
__ Stop or transfer newspaper and other home deliveries.
__ Advise friends, family and professionals of your new address and phone number. (Don’t forget your doctor, dentist and other medical professionals, schools, library, accountant, financial advisor, credit card companies, Canada Customs & Revenue (Revenue Canada), Motor Vehicle Branch, frequent flyer plans, your employer, medical plan, magazine and other subscriptions.)
One week before your move [Date_________ ]

__ Clean your home or arrange for a cleaning service.
__ Confirm delivery address, phone number and delivery date with the movers.
__ Clean out and defrost the freezer.
__ If you’re moving to another city, pick up dry cleaning, prescriptions, photos or anything else left outside your home.
__ Clean out school or gym lockers.
__ Return library books.
A few days before your move [Date_________ ]

__ Complete packing of all household goods for the move. Make sure boxes are clearly marked with the room they will go in, as well as "Fragile" if necessary.
__ Place important documents in a safe box that you will carry. Include home purchase/sale papers, will, financial records, passports, birth certificates. Mark "Do Not Move" on the box; move this box yourself.
__ Prepare an "open first" box with towels, bedding, basic kitchen and bathroom supplies, toys or games for your children, tools (hammer, screwdriver) to set up furniture.
__ Label all keys for new occupants
__ Place all appliance manuals & warrantees, etc in one place for the new occupants.
Move day! [Date_________ ]

__ Keep phone connected or have a cell phone in case you need to contact your movers, etc.
__ Carefully supervise the move. Make sure your instructions are understood, and that boxes are delivered to the right rooms.
__ Check all the rooms and closets to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
__ Turn down the thermostat.
__ Lock up and leave labeled keys with the landlord, new owners or real estate agent.
__ Arrive at your new home before the movers. Show the movers where to put boxes and furniture.
__ Check that you've been given keys to every lock in your new home.
__ Carefully review the movers’ bill of lading before signing. Check for damaged items.
__ At your new home, make sure the utilities are on and working properly.
__ Unpack your "open first" box. Set up your bed; unpack the kitchen and bathroom to help you feel at home.
__ Relax, order in dinner, and take a long hot bath.

After your move

__ Unpack, then donate or flatten and recycle boxes.
__ Change the address on your driver’s license and car insurance.
__ Plan your housewarming party!
Last Modified: November 25, 2005

I moved in November and needed it to be quick and easy. I couldn't afford movers either, but I went on Craigslist and there was a guy who posted that he can load and unload. I was apprehensive about it (horrorific imaginative thoughts popped in my head) but it was a great experience and took 2 hours! Cost me far less than a professional company and I helped out a few guys who obviously needed the work.

Excellent suggestions! Knowing ahead of time where to have the movers put the furniture is a BIG help ... so is color-coding boxes. If there's anything you DON'T want the movers to pack (because you want to keep it with you) ... don't just set it aside, but put it something clearly labeled "Movers: DON'T pack"! (My brand-new checks and stamps spent a month in storage while I was between apartments because I failed to do this, and the movers packed everything in sight!)

We will be moving within the next month; our mantra is:

If you don't think you'll enjoy unpacking it, don't pack it.

Amazing how much stuff is going away!

Ugh. I'm moving in April and still haven't been able to find an apt., but these tips are still helpful for when the big day comes. I haven't done it in 3yrs and don't relish the experience.

This doesn't help with packing but does with unpacking.

Make sure to plan a small party within the first 2 weeks. Nothing overwhelming but enough to force you to unpack. It is amazing how easy it is to get comfortable with unpacked boxes sitting around after a move.

Get used boxes from a local store if you can - cheap (well, free) and eco-friendly. I got all mine from Erewhon on Beverly when I lived a block away from there, but I'm sure there's somewhere in Venice that you could try.

If you want to save $$ on the movers, do all of the lite stuff yourself, load up the car as much as possible. I just used the movers to do the furniture, large & heavy stuff, and moved the rest myself.

the last time my family and i made a big move we used those huge blue ikea bags instead of boxes. they were cheap to buy and easy to move. storing them was easy since they fold flat. we're moving again soon, so all we have to do is bust those babies out again and we're set.

Just moved last week myself. At least here in Philly, UHaul has a take a box/leave a box bin- I picked up a couple there and plan to return them as soon as we are unpacked. Or, anyone moving around here...you're welcome to all the boxes we have, and while I'm at it, our movers (Mambo) were beyond fabulous.

Ditto on color coding the boxes with colored packing tape. It makes life easy for the movers and you. I also jotted down what was in the box, e.g., if yellow tape was the kitchen color, I wrote "utensils."

And I think it was mentioned already, but just a repeat. Do not pack anything just to avoid throwing it away, donating, burning it....

Happy move!

I agree with the floorplan idea as a good tip. Last time I moved I created one with the demo version of this:
www.icovia.com
you can't save it but I took a digital pic of my comp screen (ghetto-fab I know). Then when the movers were unloading I had them put the furniture where I wanted it so as soon as they left I had a semi set-up place already.

I also think it's a great idea to move early in the morning. I had my movers come at 7am last time (I lived on Canal St., I had to in order to beat foot traffic) and it was so nice to be done with the moving process and in my new place by noon. I actually unpacked quite a bit the day I moved in.

we've just completed a moving marathon that comprised four moves, three countries, two continents and two babies under 1 and a half years old! best advice - be ruthless and get rid of as much stuff as you can bear. even more than that. you'll feel lighter, it'll save time with packing and unpacking and you'll have more space in your new home for a few things that fit in the future.

oh, and try not to use u-haul. don't know if you're aware, i "reservation" with them doesn't mean anything, it's conditional on a van or truck being available on the day, and it often isn't as we found out on our moving day. total hell..

my never-fail moving tips:

- bat your eyelashes at your guy friends and promise them all the pizza and beer they want

- measure your furniture and tape outlines of it in your new space using painters/gaffers tape (this way any movers/helpers will know where to put things and you'll know if everything will fit before you move it!)

- start as early as humanly possible. i am SO not a morning person, but it was worth it to get things started at 7am and not still be moving things in the dark

- i used paper Trader Joe's bags to move a lot of my stuff (books, accessories, drawer contents, bathroom goods)-- i could line up at least 10 of 'em in my backseat and they were instantly unpacked when i got to the new place.

- donate your non-perishables and get rid of as much food as possible. you dont need to take a 1/3 of a jar of mayo to your new place...

- if you have a pet, get a friend to watch your dog/cat at their house for a day or two...it's so worth it not to have t o worry about the cat getting out, or the dog getting in the way...

congrats on finding a place, Laure! i can't wait to see photos! :)

I'm getting ready to embark on a cross-country CA Bay to Chicago move in June and I think the only thing keeping me sane currently is the staying organized and getting rid of everything that I dont absolutly love.

Whats driving me crazy is the way the moving companies keep calling even though I have told them we are still looking at quotes. Did anyone work with a company they reccomend?

definitely downsize before the move! you will feel so much better in your new place when you're not wading through boxes of things you never even realized you had.

OMG, just finished moving, and i did a lot of research -- here are the most important things i've learned:

BOXES: search craigslist every few days (only takes 3 minutes) for free boxes, especially at the beginning and end of each month. You'll get lots of boxes of different sizes, and often people give away wardrobe boxes which are AWESOME. Also check with wine shops and grocery stores for free boxes you can re-use. U-haul also has a box recycling program, which is essentially their version of craigslist for used boxes. Lots of free stuff at your fingertips and you're being environmentally friendly by reusing

MOVING COMPANY: use one. I did for the first time and it was awesome (expensive, but awesome). I used FlatRate which came recommended by several people, and its reassuring to know that you will pay the amount you were quoted, not a per hour fee that can vary dramatically. Also, the per hour guys tend to take a LONG time getting between your old place and your new place. Like an hour and a half to go 10 block long. When they're not getting paid by the hour they tend to move a lot faster, which is good for your sanity.

PACKING: clearly label each box with a number on each side and on the top. When you're packing, keep and excel or word document of everyhting that goes in each box and the box number. This makes it tons easier to find you're stuff when you're ready to unpack, since you can just run a search for the item you're looking for and head straight to the box its located it. Putting the box number on all sides means you'll able to identify which box it is no matter which way its facing. And finally, keep track of the number of boxes you packed -- as the movers bring the boxes in your new apartment, check off each number. If anything is missing you'll know right away, as in "Hey guy, box #18 is not in the apartment yet. My notes say it was a medium sized Uhaul box, and it had my kitchen stuff in it -- dishes, utensils, spices". Sounds crazy when i put it down on paper, but if one of your boxes DOES go missing its good to know early, and to know exactly what you've lost so you can file a complaint with the moving company then and there.

DONATIONS: definitely definitely definitely get rid of stuff. It'll save you time packing and unpacking, it'll save you money you pay the movers, and it can save you money if you donate to a charity (i spent 6 months before my move constatly going through things and dropping them off at goodwill, and when i filed my tax return this year i got a $500 tax break!). Try not to throw things away -- even if you think that 1982 walkman is useless, someone else may want it, so its worth giving it to a charity and keeping it out of a landfill.

Good luck!

Pay extra to have them UNPACK for you. Trust me. It's SO worth it.

Since you are hiring movers, this doesn't really apply, but a good tip is to not take your clothes off their hangers. I tie several of the hangers together and then cover with a temporary garment bad made out of a garbage bag. This way, when you move in, just hang your clothes up, tear off the bags, and you're set.

Delancey Street gets rave reviews from pretty much everyone who uses them.

We lived four different places over two years and learned that getting rid of stuff is best moving trick. Saves hassle packing, saves money moving, saves time unpacking, gets you lots of compliments on being uncluttered once you arrive, makes it easy to clean. It amazes me that after each move there was another pile of things we realized we didn't need, and after a year in one place (finally) we are still getting rid of stuff as we realize it's unnecessary. This is solely for our own peace of mind, by the way: by the last move, our actual weight was below the moving company's minimum weight charge.

Moving is also really hard on furniture. If it's not sturdy and I don't love it, we've realized we're better off selling it or giving it away. For example, we no longer have any furniture involving glass.

WOW THIS CAME AT A GOOD TIME I AM MOVING MARCH 31 08 FROM A 489SQFT TO 714 SQFT YAHOOOOOOOOOOO THIS MY 30TH MOVE SINCE I WAS 25 SO WE ARE LOOKING AT 40 YEARS OF MOVING.. BUT HEY THE LIST AND HELP YOU HAVE GIVEN IS GREAT I PRINTED IT OUT AND AM READY ..(WELL ALMOST) I AM HAVING MOVERS, BUT FRIEND ARE HELPING ME PACK I DONT KNWOWHAT I WILL DO WITH 300 MORE SFT ... OHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...MAJERAL

AHH I AMOST FORGORT THE FIRST TIME I USED A MOVEING COMPANY WAS MY MOVE FROM S.F. TO AUSTIN TEXAS.. TERRIBLE EXPERCINES PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT ON BBB, I HAD TO FIGHT FOR OVER A MONTH TO GET MY MONEY BACK ( GOOD THING IWAS NOTWORKING) THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ON MOVING COMPANYS 5 YEARS A GO ON HOW THEY CHEAT PEOPLE.. I HAD NO LARGE PIECE AND THEY SAID I HAD 5,000 POUNDS NO WAY I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRUCK TO DRIVE 30 MILE AND WEIGHT IT LOADED THEN COME BACK AND OFF LOAD AND THEN GO BACK AND WIEGHT IT AGAIN I WAS RIGHT 2,200 POUNDS ..CHECK THEM OUT I WOULD GO WITH A NATIONAL COMPANY...MAJ

Thanks Everyone, I'm in the final countdown phase! Oh lord why do I have so much stuff? Gonna clean out more stuff tonight, calling the movers tomorrow morning and hopefully moving out on saturday!

@laure:
I'm collapsed on the couch looking at my two matching enormous piles of empty and full boxes. I need a second or third wind.

Good luck on Saturday.

A tamper-proof tip for national moves!!!!!!!!!

Buy VERY unique tape to seal your boxes. VERY unique. I'm actually referring to the novelty stuff (make sure it's strong enough for the job). If anything is stolen from you during the move, it's easer to fight it because you've got proof the box was tampered with. Oh, and of course, keep a log of what is in each box.

I've found the odds of having something stolen out of a box during a national move is higher than the odds of them losing a box (Mayflower! I'm pointing at you!).

Use unique tape and you can instantly check each box by sight for tampering as you count off numbers from the moving company lot check-sheet.

some really good tips here! i'm moving for the third time this january. i love the comment about batting your lashes at your guy friends. i cannot afford to hire movers, but i can afford to pay them in baked goods cause my cupboards are always stocked for that!

the only problem for me with downsizing is i'm moving in with two people who probably don't have anything kitchen/bathrrom/living room furniture wise, so i have to take A LOT of my stuff. we are going to need it, we don't really have a choice there.

but i am in the process of editing as much of my personal stuff as i can, eg. art supplies, books, clothes.

does anyone have any tips for moving the large stuff on your own? or up flights of stairs? i'm currently 3 floors up and i'm thinking that couch might go to whoever inherits my current place....