Moving to Another Part of the Country Logistics

[Nish]

I know some of you have done this. My family is getting ready to make a big move (VT most likely to SC).

Any tips or suggestions, things you wish you knew before you did it, or lessons learned would be helpful.

[EvilDragonX]

I moved from SC to Oregon in 2018. It took me about 4 days to make the drive with a 16ft moving truck and a car carrier. The best advice I can give is making a move this big is a great time to downsize. Have a yard sale or get rid of anything you don't need before you move. I wouldn't hire a moving company unless you have a ridiculous amount of things to take with and do as much packing that you can on your own.

[Jonnydread]

Agreed, throw crap out. I think Grendel is an SC guy so he may be able to give you more insight on the New England transition. Coach yourself on being patient cause moving is stressful as all hell.

[punkncat]

Go visit the area you are planning to move to for a week or two before committing to 'blindly' moving there. We did that a couple of years back and opted NOT to move where we considered. If you have the time it's a good idea to consider doing in both seasonal extremes as well. Where we were looking was awesome in Winter and so awfully brutal in Summer that we would never have been outside in daylight.

Consider your banking options if you are with a small bank or credit union, etc. Same for your phone service.

If you are using a shipper I echo sentiment from above. Pack all that you can yourself. I highly suggest keeping certain items with you, rent a van, truck whatever to take those special or specific items. In particular most shippers will not take firearms (I think it's actually illegal) if they know about them and other valuables and personal items that you wish to keep an eye on. Expect damage. Get the insurance.

[Grendel]

Along these lines if your work is remote make sure the area you have has broadband internet. I have coworkers who try to make do with hot spots and it is annoying for everyone else. They randomly pop on and off calls can not do some of the work due to data volumes...etc. If you are working remote check your self and have your realtor prioritize true broadband for you new residence.

Prior to us moving to New England my wife and I spent 2 weeks (1 week two separate times) living in central mass to get a feel for the communities while we were looking at houses. We did the Air BNB thing so we were "living" in the communities.

[Siress]

Wow. Where was summer too brutal?

[Deltasteve]

[Seajay]

Depends on how much you need to move.

Hiring a moving service is expensive, however it can be the easiest option. Pack your valuables, but otherwise just you and your family, pay the bill. Everything else is done. Worry about the local logistics.

If you do have movers plan the next house out, anything from the old house that doesn't fit, get rid of.
If you can sell all your furniture, buy new stuff. New home new furniture - plays into the whole "New" thing.

If you move yourself - plan the next house out - get rid of everything that doesn't fit. (there is a theme here).

Moving is just hard even when it is easy. What makes it work out the best is not moving things just to move them.

Saying this from experience as I look in my garage at the 2 couches, table and chairs, and oddities that I moved and don't have a place for. Which now take up space in my garage

[Grendel]

Yup, getting ready right now to put the house on the market and move to South Carolina. 5 years ago I moved from South Carolina to New England for work now work is letting me move back!

• Get rid of shit, moving is expensive. You are better donating stuff then paying to move it.
• If you have a household especially with children hire professional movers. If you pick well they can help a lot with the stress and not absolutely break the bank
• Anything you do not need now or in the near future but you have deemed needs moving go ahead and get it packed for moving using quality packing and heavy duty boxes. The more you already have organized the cheaper the mover's quote will be.
• I am ex-military and have moved myself and a family multiple of times mostly self moves. I have moved once with professional movers I will never do a self move again.
• If you have not cared about or used in last 6 months get rid of it.
• Moving furniture is relatively expensive (large volume) if you can live without it or buy reasonably on the other end of the move sell/donate it.
• Movers will not move firearms, ammo, flamables...etc. So plan accordingly you will need to either dispose or move these types of items
• In my case we are Selling then looking for a new home in SC. We are watching the market but not making a move until we have a contract on our current house. If we have to we will rent in SC while looking for a house. Make sure you plan this into your budget.
• Houses are disappearing off the SC market on a weekly basis right now so that which you see today will not be there long but new ones are constantly popping up. Realtor.com and Zillow.com are our go to sites right now. We also have a long time realtor in SC who is all ready to help us out when we say go.

Howler if you want to discuss moving and if you need insight into SC I'll be happy to share my knowledge and experience.

[superman]

Glad to hear your moving back down.

[Grendel]

Yup, will be in the Lexington area but I'll pester you guys in the Low Country now and then

[sandfreestyle]

It's interesting this topic is coming up at this time. My fiancé and I are in process of "purging" the random crap we have in order to move to Charlotte, NC area from Los Angeles, CA. Everyone we talk to who have moved recently all say to simply condense what you have. Paying to move something that you end up getting rid of upon move-in is aggravating. If you have the opportunity to live in an area without buying first, (i.e. RV, trailer, rented room, etc.) you'll ready find the exact area you'd like to live and buy in. That's exactly our plans with the RV for about 6 months before purchasing a home. Housing is moving VERY fast everywhere, some as quick as a few hours for 40k more than asking, so be prepared to move very quickly if there is truly something you want.

[superman]

Where in South Carolina specifically?
I am in the charleston area and may be able to give some advice as to where you should and should not live.

The housing market is absolutely nuts right now. My wife and i are trying to move in the same town to a larger house with more garage space for the toys. Houses are showing with in hours of being listed. Some are going under contract with in 1 open house, less than a week after listing. People are offering above asking price for houses. It is wild.

[Nish]

We are looking outside of Greenville.

[punkncat]

An aspect of this comes back to what would be considered a pigeon hole. When a house lists, "people" (who are actually representative of corporations) will drop a contract on it sight unseen. At least here in GA that buys you 30 days with little or no movement of money to decide if you actually want to go through. On the up and up this is so you can have it inspected and other such, but these groups do it to simply tie it up while they decide if it will be suitable for another rental after a small time in that "individuals" hands.

[DocsMachine]

I wholeheartedly agree with the "purging" suggestions. I'll be happy to accept any and all paintball gear- do you need my mailing address?

Doc.

[Grendel]

You might actually be in luck, I have some not so mystery boxes I'm putting together for the cost of the shipping Hope to start listing stuff this weekend.

[Number six]

Keep anything that costs more to replace than to transport.

First on the truck = Last off the truck. Beds, sufficient clothes, paintball stuff, tools, kitchen stuff, and toiletry things should be the last things loaded, you'll need them first.

Don't label every box "Misc."

[Flounder]

Don't label ANY box "Misc"

[Number six]

You're right Flounder, but it invariably happens, so I only suggest keeping it to a minimum.

[Siress]

Not even once. Add some other identifier. e.g. "Misc. Basement", "Misc. Toys", "Misc. Lube"

[Flounder]

Look into what deposits you will need for utilities at the new place. They can add up quick.

Like has been said above, if you do not need it, do not pack it. Sell it, donate it, anything just do not pay to move it and then try to get rid of it at the new place.

Meet your new neighbors before you buy if at all possible.

[EvilDragonX]

Greenville is a nice area, but as with most things will get more expensive if you move closer to down town. Another area you could look at is Easley. It's just north of Greenville but a short drive. There's also Powdersville, liberty, central , and Duncan (which if I remember correctly might still have a paintball field)

[superman]

Greenville is nice and he is right about the closer to downtown the more expensive it will be. Other areas not listed worth mentioning Mauldin and Simpsonville also.

The duncan field you are referring to is the Paintball Central Field. Not to be confused with the store location which is in greenville. It is still there, but more speedball friendly and not as popular as it once was.

[Grendel]

Wife and I would love to move to the Pickens area or further west, beautiful! Sadly we need to stick with the midlands to support some family with issues.

[Nish]

Thanks for all the info guys!

I appreciate the help.

We aren't looking at being downtown ANYWHERE, I'm worried enough I'm going to feel cramped in the areas outside these cities, I can't do downtowns, not a big city guy.

So #1 choice is the areas AROUND Greenville (within 20-25 miles I think is what my wife said), and choice #2 is the Lexington area, again with no interest in being in downtown Columbia.

We are already starting to de clutter and think about what needs to come with us and what doesn't. Getting ready to talk to realtors and the like.

[superman]

Columbia and the surrounding areas are nice too. Also much closer to fields with events.

Paintball Charleston about hour and half or so away. My home field, we regularly hold pump days monthly, mech events/days a few times a year.
Boss Paintball 2 hours away 1.3 hours
Carolina Paintball Park (CPP) 1hour
Black Ops Paintball Myrtle Beach 3hours
Black Ops Fayettville, NC 3 hours
Hoppers Paintball, Ga 3 hours
Wildfire Paintball, Ga 2.5 hours

[Nish]

That its good to know! I can't tell you guys how comforting it is to find out that there are member in these areas.

[DPrekel]

what they said.

Also, don't know if anyone stated this cause I didn't read everything, you can write off moving expenses on your taxes. talk to an accountant of course. may not be all, but some is better than none.

[Nish]

OH! That is good to know! Toni's current job is permanently, fully remote so we are keeping home office stuff in mind as well.

[DPrekel]

home office is a tough write off. stuff for your home office is easier, but still a tough one. the laws are changing, and will change again due to a lot of people now working from home. a good accountant can help.

[Nish]

Duely noted.

We just dropped the stuff off for this past year. Looks like we are going to be able to get at least some back for it because of all the TKD classes I had to teach online from my livingroom.

[Deltasteve]

It will be very inconvenient. Stuff will go wrong and stuff is going to get broken. It's frustrating as all heck even with the best laid plans. That being said I am super glad I did it 3 years ago from Delaware to AZ and am moving again next month from AZ to UT so it wasn't THAT bad. Others points have been very good. If you don't need it, get rid of it. You have accrued so much crap that you will get to the new place and toss.

My one piece of novel advice instead of echoing what others have said is that when you are going through your stuff, if you forgot you owned it, trash it/donate/sell it. It was already gone in your mind before it reappeared, so you didn't need it.