Organized move

Namasteak · July 2011

Any tips on staying organized during a move? Any suggestions on the best way to pack? We got 16 large rubbermaid totes for free via craigslist & I think those will be great because they stack well. I would love to get more but they are kind of pricey. I

curlylocks3 · July 2011

I loved using the Rubbermaid totes. We have three of them and they were a lot easier for me to carry than a regular box. Fortunately, we were able to move over the course of about 2 weeks and our new condo was between our old apartment and my job, so I would load up the totes before work and make a stop at the condo and unload them. I had a schedule of what was getting moved/cleaned on each day so I could easily mark stuff off and see what still needed to be done.
I taped postits to the boxes to list what was inside each box and then labeled it with a number and letter. All boxes labeled "A" were in the first load, "B" boxes on the second load, etc. Because I'm obsessed with lists I also had a typed up list that said what was in each numbered box and what was in the A/B/C loads.

onceuponadisaster · July 2011

I used colored post-it notes to label each box with what room it belonged in. I had college teammates help us move everything in, so I went to the house before we got the moving truck and put matching stickies in each room. It made it nice to just walk in the door, look at the wall, and realize "oh, the pink stickies go here, blue stickies in the next room"

Namasteak · July 2011

curlylocks3:
I loved using the Rubbermaid totes. We have three of them and they were a lot easier for me to carry than a regular box. Fortunately, we were able to move over the course of about 2 weeks and our new condo was between our old apartment and my job, so I would load up the totes before work and make a stop at the condo and unload them. I had a schedule of what was getting moved/cleaned on each day so I could easily mark stuff off and see what still needed to be done.
I taped postits to the boxes to list what was inside each box and then labeled it with a number and letter. All boxes labeled "A" were in the first load, "B" boxes on the second load, etc. Because I'm obsessed with lists I also had a typed up list that said what was in each numbered box and what was in the A/B/C loads.

I wish i could move over the course of a few weeks! We are moving from LA - Dallas though. I am going to keep searching for rubbermaid totes on Craigslist and hope I get lucky. They are easier to carry and are about the same size as the boxes we would order.

I love the idea of labeling boxes & having a corresponding list so I know what is in each box.

Namasteak · July 2011

stargazertechie:
I used colored post-it notes to label each box with what room it belonged in. I had college teammates help us move everything in, so I went to the house before we got the moving truck and put matching stickies in each room. It made it nice to just walk in the door, look at the wall, and realize "oh, the pink stickies go here, blue stickies in the next room"

If we were moving locally that would be a great idea!

jen5-03 · July 2011

First get rid of everything you don't love or absolutely need. Moving clutter is wasted effort.

Pack a suitcase for the first week with clothes and toiletries. Pack an "Open First" box with paper plates, utensils, paper towels, dish soap, body soap, toilet paper and towels.

If you already have the place lined up, pack the boxes according to the new place, not the old place. So if your old place had a study, but the new place doesn't, where will those books and office supplies go - the guest room or the living room or what? And if you have more rooms in the new place, try to decide how you'll divide your stuff up.

Rubbermaid totes might be too big for heavy stuff like books. Hit the liquor stores and get some smaller boxes for heavy stuff. Or try to score free boxes on CL.

matt-brandy · July 2011

I've moved several times - and this is what works for me. (but I have never moved as far as you are)

I purge as much as possible (think old bills/paperwork, old make up, old socks, half used bottles of anything,candles,clothes and shoes down to the bare min.) - Actually I kinda take this part to the extreme sometimes, for example if i think I want new lamps, I get rid of the ones I have - and in the end it's been worth it.

I quit shopping and try to get by and make myself use up as much as possible.

I pack according to where stuff is in my current house (up stairs closet) not where it may go in the new house - only because If I "need" something I know where it was in the old house - and not where I may have wanted to put it in the new place when I packed ( I've tried it both ways - this is what worked for me)

Make a packing schedule. This is something I could not do without. Gets me done on time, keeps me focused and helps me get my current house ship shape...meaning that everything gets put where it belongs before that room gets packed.

I also set out and mark the boxes for things that are wait to pack items - like the bed sheets on the bed and towels - so there is no last min panic the morning of the move.

Moving as far as you are though - I'd be weighing the cost vs. the value of your stuff (if you are paying for the move) lots of times moves like yours go by weight of the freight (a couch worth $100 cost as much to move as a brand new one)

best of luck to you.

beccaeggleston · August 2011

I go to my local grocery store and ask if I can take any milk boxes or banana boxes off their hands. They typically take you to the back of the store and you get what you can. However many loads you can make. Milk boxes are very sturdy since they carry milk and banana boxes have the best handles EVER! That's what I've always done and I've moved quite a bit.

Best of Luck!!! And welcome to TX!!!

Organized move

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