Community Chat

[Lindsays Grandma]

I am surprised the unit doesn't have window coverings. This is the first time I have heard of renting an apartment where the tenant has to provide the window coverings which is a major expense. As I said in a previous post I'm happy you found a great place to live, just sorry you have to put out the money for the windows and the stress of getting them up before you move in. When it all comes together it will be beautiful and all the work that goes into moving will be well worth it. ((((hugs))))

[kdgn]

Here's how my move from one house to another an hour away went. Take what's useful:

We didn't have to check with different movers. A friend of a friend had the local franchise of a national company...otherwise I would have been getting estimates and checking out references. Making sure the estimate closely matches what they want at the end of the move is very important. Independent, small companies have a habit of charging more at the end and holding your things hostage until you agree to pay. I haven't heard that said of national companies. When this same company moved my mom there was a flat rate paid because they charged for a minimum of 4 hours for very local moves like hers was. She didn't have a lot to move.....

When the estimator arrived he also brought a boatload of boxes with him for my use. No charge because they had been returned. Check with the moving company and see if they will provide boxes for free if you return them after the move. They were flat and had to be retaped but that wasn't a problem. When I needed more boxes I went to a local U-Haul store in town. They sell very sturdy boxes in all sizes; what you don't use can be returned for your money back. I also bought white newsprint there. Newspaper print rubs off on stuff. I used boxes on the smaller side exclusively. I wanted to be able to pick one up or shove it with my body without killing myself.

At Staples I was able to purchase pre-cut bubble wrap to place between plates. They were large enough to wrap figurines and such in too. I bought heavy duty strapping tape and the tape dispenser too. Saved my fingers a lot of work.

I labeled every box very carefully. Bedroom linens, bathroom towels, kitchen utensils...We labeled cords with masking tape-and then used rubber bands or yarn to bundle them together. VCR cords were labeled in/out and then tied together; same with the computer. Saved having to find the directions. Speaking of directions: I kept a separate smaller box for all manuals that I came across when packing. TV, vcrs, washing machine, etc.

Since the move was only an hour away and I had packed myself, our items were picked up in the morning and delivered to the new house right after lunch. They arrived at 8 and we waved goodbye at 2. They would not take food items from the fridge so I went back a day or so later and cleaned out the fridge and freezers. I used paper sacks for all of that. Tote bags would have been so much easier. If they are packing you, they'll do that on day 1 and move you on day 2. We led the procession in the two cars, van behind us.....

Oh, bless their hearts: they moved the dressers with clothing in them!! They said as long as the clothing didn't weigh a ton it was doable.....

[Marienkaefer2]

On 2/4/2015 Ford1224 said:

On 2/4/2015 Marienkaefer2 said: Adding to my post #141: is the apt empty now? maybe you don't have to wait until you move in. Could you make arrangements to have it measured for window coverings any time now BEFORE you move in? And have them installed before? This sure would save you stress around moving time and afterwards.

That's exactly what we are going to do, Marien. We will be renting from March 15 and not moving in until the end of March, so that's the timeframe, which is why I'm looking now. I have to get the windows covered before we move in. The only thing bad about that is paying for the half month of March while still paying full month's rent here, and then a security deposit and April's rent right on top of that. I'm surprised they are only asking for one month's security, but it still comes to a lot even for the two of us.

I understand. It's always $$$ to move. I cringe when I think of those expenses! What helps me get through it is that I know that once we get in,(hopefully) expenses will start to settle down.

Just take everything one step at a time. It will all fall into place. You were meant to find this apt, so it will work out!

[kdgn]

I just had it sink in that you have the apartment starting March 15 but don't move in until the end of the month. Boy, does that give you many opportunities! You should have the keys March 15 so that you can get in there and get measurements. You can also start moving some things over, with help from someone, early.

When I moved from a rental house into the house I had built, I started moving things in early. I measured for window blinds and ordered them. I lined the shelves and the drawers. Because there were no window coverings I was very careful about what I did bring over-boxes were placed in closets and the doors were shut. Once the blinds arrived, a friend and I installed them ourselves. That's when I learned the beauty of electric tools....

By the time friends moved the furniture over I had already put the kitchen and pantry together. Clothes were hanging in the closet. Boxes were neatly stacked in 3 other closets, waiting for me to unpack them. They guys moved the furniture, put it where I wanted it, assembled the bed/frame, got the tv hooked for me and I was done! It was also only me being moved that time.

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 kdgn said:

I just had it sink in that you have the apartment starting March 15 but don't move in until the end of the month. Boy, does that give you many opportunities! You should have the keys March 15 so that you can get in there and get measurements. You can also start moving some things over, with help from someone, early.

When I moved from a rental house into the house I had built, I started moving things in early. I measured for window blinds and ordered them. I lined the shelves and the drawers. Because there were no window coverings I was very careful about what I did bring over-boxes were placed in closets and the doors were shut. Once the blinds arrived, a friend and I installed them ourselves. That's when I learned the beauty of electric tools....

By the time friends moved the furniture over I had already put the kitchen and pantry together. Clothes were hanging in the closet. Boxes were neatly stacked in 3 other closets, waiting for me to unpack them. They guys moved the furniture, put it where I wanted it, assembled the bed/frame, got the tv hooked for me and I was done! It was also only me being moved that time.

Well, we won't have it that good, but we will be bringing things over in the cars, etc. I am physically unable to do most of the things you said you did, but I used to be able to do that stuff and I did move that way once before. Yes, it's a godsend.

I do intend to get the window treatments done and will do everything in advance so that I can and get them installed on March 15 or very soon after.

And the girls' friends always used to move us, but they are all in their fifties now, so no more of that!

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 Marienkaefer2 said:

On 2/4/2015 Ford1224 said:

On 2/4/2015 Marienkaefer2 said: Adding to my post #141: is the apt empty now? maybe you don't have to wait until you move in. Could you make arrangements to have it measured for window coverings any time now BEFORE you move in? And have them installed before? This sure would save you stress around moving time and afterwards.

That's exactly what we are going to do, Marien. We will be renting from March 15 and not moving in until the end of March, so that's the timeframe, which is why I'm looking now. I have to get the windows covered before we move in. The only thing bad about that is paying for the half month of March while still paying full month's rent here, and then a security deposit and April's rent right on top of that. I'm surprised they are only asking for one month's security, but it still comes to a lot even for the two of us.

I understand. It's always $$$ to move. I cringe when I think of those expenses! What helps me get through it is that I know that once we get in,(hopefully) expenses will start to settle down.

Just take everything one step at a time. It will all fall into place. You were meant to find this apt, so it will work out!

Yep! You called it Marien!!

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 Lindsays Grandma said:

I am surprised the unit doesn't have window coverings. This is the first time I have heard of renting an apartment where the tenant has to provide the window coverings which is a major expense. As I said in a previous post I'm happy you found a great place to live, just sorry you have to put out the money for the windows and the stress of getting them up before you move in. When it all comes together it will be beautiful and all the work that goes into moving will be well worth it. ((((hugs))))

I was surprised too, and I have made many, many moves in my lifetime. If I told you how many, you wouldn't believe me!

[sophiamarie]

On 2/4/2015 Ford1224 said:

And the girls' friends always used to move us, but they are all in their fifties now, so no more of that!

LOL - you say "fifties" like they're ready for a nursing home.

[LilacTree]

I just finished my daughter's taxes (use TurboTax) so her son can file for government grants (I don't know if they still call it a Pell Grant). We started around 3 PM and just finished about 15 minutes ago (8:45 PM EST) because she had nothing organized!! OMG, I love her so much, but she is so bad about this stuff . . . my head is splitting and my back is screaming, so . . . good night all.

And thanks so much again for all of your very helpful suggestions.

[LilacTree]

On 2/4/2015 sophiamarie said:

On 2/4/2015 Ford1224 said:

And the girls' friends always used to move us, but they are all in their fifties now, so no more of that!

LOL - you say "fifties" like they're ready for a nursing home.

Not really, I don't mean age necessarily, I mean "willingness." Heck, I'm 77, I consider folks in their 50s babes!! The thing is, my girls are all divorced and still attractive and many of their friends' wives wouldn't be happy about them helping their old girl friends move!! The get-togethers have stopped for quite a few years now, LOL.