I used to do long term consulting jobs and would frequently travel to another city for 4-18 month assignments with 2 week to several month long stints back at home. I did this for over six years. If I had an extended break I would hire movers and put everything in a small storage room. When I came back I'd just have movers bring my stuff to the next apartment.

Believe me, you do not want to drag your furniture cross country only to drag it back after a year. The wear and tear on you and your furniture, plus the hassle of driving a big truck cross country isn't worth it. How will you get your car to your new home if you're driving a UHaul?

I gave myself a strict budget to adhere to and proudly was able to furnish a one bedroom apartment for under $1200. This included a bed, two armchairs, dishes, shelving, dining table, two dining chairs, lighting, and all linens. I thrifted and bought bedding from IKEA and on sale at Target and made some things. I should have taken my bedding because now that I've re-incorporated my two living spaces I have a glut of towels and blankets.

Take your TV and stereo, towels, blankets, and a good set of small hand tools like your drill motor, saw, staple gun, glue gun, screwdrivers, etc. Anything you buy should be easily break-down-able or lightweight. I saved on my movers by being able to get most of my stuff to the storage room on my own.

Your biggest expenditure will be your bed so if you're sleeping on a queen try to downsize to a full size. You don't want to skimp on your mattress. I bought a good quality IKEA full size and had it delivered. Buy your mattress and put it on the floor while looking for a cheap, sturdy, support. Best bet is some dealers on Ebay for an easily disassembled frame. You can thrift all your dishes and silverware and other furniture as time allows. If you can't find cheap shelves, go to the local hardware store and buy cinder blocks and plain pine boards. Then visit a craft store or card store and buy wrapping paper in your chosen color scheme--cover the cinder blocks with the wrapping paper. I used two sturdy packing boxes for my nightstands, also covering with the wrapping paper. You can thrift some lighting and if the shades are funky there are lots of options for covering with fabric. IKEA makes those el cheapo table tops with the screw on legs. To dress up the surfaces I bought some fabric on sale, hemmed it (yes, I brought my sewing machine) and used as tablecloths. I bought some pillow forms on sale and made quickee pillow covers for the bed and armchairs.

You can make your new temporary home quite welcoming and non-temporary feeling. Have fun and good luck!

Having moved 10,000 miles from Boston to Sydney for only two years, I completely understand your dilemma!

I don't know if you've looked into moving solutions like PODS or Door-to-Door, but those can be a great way to move stuff without having to drive the truck yourself. PODS are bigger and cost more, Door to Doors are smaller and cost a little less.

When we moved to Sydney, we sold the big stuff (couches, tables, etc) and stored everything else with various relatives - a few boxes here and there. Then we bought used stuff in Sydney to furnish with, and sold it again at the end. Its a lot of effort, and can be a lot of money. We had a "startup" budget of $2000 when we got to Sydney, and we sold everything for about $1500, so it almost came out even in the end.

As for the "greenest" option, I'd say moving it in some sort of Door to Door unit would be best. You end up spending a lot of gas running around to buy used stuff from Craigslist. And of course buying cheap stuff from IKEA means you are buying something that was shipped overseas, will only last a few years, and then go to the dumpsters. If you use a moving unit, they put it on a truck with a couple other units to ship it, so its like a carpool for your stuff.

Hope this helped!

When I moved to New Zealand, it was supposed to be for a year, so I came with a backpack only. (I'd learned from my first OE to pack lightly!) Six years later, I shipped over all my furniture. I was perfectly happy without it (and all my "keepsakes") until then, so in my opinion, for 14 months, go without. You may change your mind about some things, and realise how much you appreciate others. Insured storage is the way to go.

Oh, and packing well makes unpacking soooo much better!

Being married into the military makes for a lot of long distance moves. We've done both, took everything with us and moved without and got new. Although, all of our moves have been for over 14 months. I like to research the area as much as possible before moving to help make the decision. If you find that a lot of the places for rent have rectangle shaped living rooms you may want to leave your stuff behind. If you can find a good craigslist, freecycle and thrift store following in the area you are moving to, I'd leave you stuff behind because you know you will be able to find stuff you love. If you find in your research that those 2 factors aren't/are problems, then it will probably be better to take everything, because it would take too much time/money to find and get the things you love!

We moved from Chicago to DC. We took just these: laptop, computer, clothes, important documents, books we love, kitchen stuff I couldn't part with because I love cooking. So take just the essentials and stuff you just can't part with. Cost us under a thousand to move everything via FEDEX as WELL as get us tickets to transport ourselves. And it was partly paid for by the furniture we sold on craigslist.

Since your move is temporary, I would definitely look into temporary corporate housing around that area. You would be comfortably accommodated and you wouldn't have to worry about buying new furniture because it would be provided.