Choosing Your Moving Method

Moving used to provide to present two major options: either you used professional movers and moving companies or you moved yourself.  However, times have changed.  Now there's a third, and increasingly popular moving option: moving with the use of portable moving and storage containers, sometimes known as pods. 

This article explains the pros and cons of all three options, and helps you decide which one best fits your needs.  Here is a guide on how to determine what solution is right for you:

 

The Basic Steps

1.  Identify your moving needs.

2.  Prioritize your moving needs.

3.  Identify your moving resources.

4.  Learn the pros and cons of each moving method.

5.  Evaluate each moving method.

6.  Choose the moving method that's right for you.

7.  Sign your moving contract.

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 1: Identify Your Moving Needs

At first it might seem silly to have to physically "write down" your moving needs.  I know that I like to believe I can keep track of everything in my head.  However, the physical act of writing down your objectives can help a lot.  Some sample needs would include:

* Prioritizing and organizing your move.

* Packing and/or unpacking

* Carrying heavy pieces of furniture.

* Transporting goods across long distances

 

Choosing Your Moving Method, Step 2: Prioritize your moving needs.

The next phase of choosing what you need is assigning a priority to each of the needs you outlined in Step 1.  There's no need for anything fancy here.  If you already know that everything you listed is critical, you can consider this step completed.  If not, write down a "C" next to the critical needs and an "S" next to the secondary ones.

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 3: Identify your moving resources.

Moving resources are the assets you have available to assist in your relocation.  The basic idea is to list things you can use to meet some of your moving needs from Step 1.  Examples might include:

* A relocation budget from your new employer.

* A large group of friends or relatives who might be willing to help.

* Access to a large truck.

You'll use these to identify which critical needs you still have that aren't being met.

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 4:  Learn the pros and cons of each moving method.

As I mentioned previously, there are 3 primary moving methods you could choose:

·         "Full service moving"

-      Description: This option uses moving professionals to handle all the loading, transportation, delivery and unloading for your move.

-      Pros: This option gives you the highest level of service up to and including packing and unpacking.

-      Cons: Service can be expensive.  A local move of a studio apartment starts around $800, while a 4 bedroom home moved cross country can easily top $25,000.

-      The right answer for: those who have financial means to cover the expense and needs for a full-service solution.

·         "You Pack Moving"

-      Description: Essentially, this form of moving provides you with a storage container at your present location, which you load with all your furniture and boxes.  Then depending on your contract, they will pick up the container and drive it to your new location, where you unload all your possessions.

-      Pros: You can save a fair amount on your move because you provide all the labor (although many firms can recommend where you can obtain additional help if you need it).  It also provides the convenience of arranging for the transportation for you.

-      Cons: This option still requires much of the labor of Do It Yourself Moving, and has many of the expenses of full-service moves.

-      The right answer for: those who have the ability to much of the packing, loading and uploading, but don't want to deal with the hassles of driving a moving rental truck to the new location.

·         "Do It Yourself Moving"

-      Description: The full DIY process requires you to rent a moving truck, pack and load the truck, drive to the new location, unload and unpack.

-      Pros: This is by far the cheapest option for local moves; however, it can quickly grow in expense when mileage charges are taken into account.  Be very careful to calculate what the final total will be for long distance moves.

-      Cons: Moving is a great deal of work, and this option puts all of the responsibility, as well as the labor, in your hands.  Many people underestimate how much work is involved, especially if they have accumulated a large number of possessions over time.

-      The right answer for: those who have a small number of light furniture pieces and only a limited number of boxes to move.  It also requires that those moving either be in good physical shape or have a large number of volunteers who are (smile here).

 

Choosing Your Moving Method Step 5:  Making the choice and moving forward.

Now is the time to pull it all together.  The first objective is to go back to your list of critical moving needs and figuring out which ones can't be met by your moving resources.  Those remaining needs should drive most of your decision.  To maximize your savings, use the moving method that meets the most of your critical needs at the lowest cost.

Once you've made your decision, it's time to select your provider, sign the contract, and set up your moving day.  Good luck on your move!

Please visit our home page for advice on moving, movers and relocation.

 

 

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How to Move: Once You're Set Up...

There are certain steps that everyone who's moving needs to follow just after getting set up for the process.  This article walks you through the details of the next phase, which forms the bulk of the move up through settling in.  Here are some of our best recommendations:

The Steps

1.  Start packing!

2.  File your change of address.

3.  Eliminate items from your move.

4.  Manage your moving day.

5.  Start settling in.

The Details

How to Move Step 1: Start packing!

Packing always seems to be most laborious and time-consuming part of a move.  We all seem to have many more possessions than we first estimate, and the time involved with packing them seems to constantly grow.  Here are some basic packing tips:

·         Start packing as soon as you can- it always seems to take longer than you'd  expect.

·         Eliminate as many items as you can by donating to charity and holding a moving sale- it will save you a lot of time in the long run.

·         Pack a suitcase for each family member as if you were going on a 3-day trip, and keep the suitcases with you instead of on the moving truck.

·         Create one or two "Open Me First" boxes for each room, containing the items you'll need immediately on arrival at your new home.  This will save you a lot of time and stress.

·         Label each box and all 4 sides and the top with an abbreviation for the room and a box number for that room.  You'll avoid lots of frustration constantly answering the question of, "Where do you want this box?"

·         Focus on just one room at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.

·         Hold a "packing party" with friends, family, and anyone else you can recruit.  Have lots of free food and music to entice the party-goers.

·         Keep all boxes to under 30 pounds where possible and always less than 50 pounds.  Having a bathroom scale by your side when packing makes this much easier.

These packing tips should get you off to a great start.

 

How to Move Step 2: File your change of address.

It's important to let everyone know when and where you're moving.  Follow these basic guidelines to ease the process:

·         Confirm you new address.

·         Create a contact list by collecting names and addresses of people you want to notify.

·         File your change of address with the post office.

·         Set up your phone number for your new place.

·         Decide if you want to block "junk mail" and telemarketers, and file with the correct agencies to protect your contact information.

·         Start notifying your contact list.

·         Notify anyone whose mail arrives at your new address with a yellow address correction sticker.

This should get your change of address process running quickly and smoothly.

 

How to Move Step 3: Eliminate items from your move.

We recommend that people moving eliminate as many items as possible from their move.  In fact, we recommend that you have eliminating 1/3 of your possessions as a goal. Have a charity donation truck (such as Disabled American Veterans, The Purple Heart or The Salvation Army) come and take away any items that you no longer need.

Better still, have the truck come pick up items immediately after you hold a moving sale.  A moving sale is a great way to eliminate unwanted items and pick up some spare cash in the process.  Here are some of the basic steps for holding a successful moving sale:

·         Pack separate boxes in each room for your "moving sale" items as you pack up everything else. 

·         Stuck on how to price things? Start by dividing the original price by 5 and then discounting for any damage. 

·         It's easier to make categories of items all the same price, such as "all clothing $4 each."  It also saves hours of time creating tiny price tags! 

·         Make arrangements in advance to have a charity donation truck arrive at the closing time of your moving sale to take away anything that wasn't sold.  The charity gets donations, and you clear out of any items that didn't sell by the end.

·         Price everything to be easily divisible by 2.  This allows you to hold a "1/2 price clearance" during the last hour of the sale, and clear out lots of remaining items and pocket cash you might have missed otherwise.

·         Have lots of spare change (bills and coins) on hand on your person (not in a box that can be stolen at the sale).

·         Start advertising at least 2 weeks prior to the sale. 

·         Recruit as much help as you can stand for the big day. You can use assistance for watching tables, helping customers move items and answering question.

Following these simple guidelines should help make your moving day a successful one!

 

How to Move Step 4: Manage moving day.

·         Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.  One thing you definitely don't want to be on your Moving Day is "unreachable." 

·         Start your day early. You'll want to make sure that one of the things you don't pack ahead of time is your alarm clock. 

·         Recruit as much help as you can stand.  

·         Use sitters- Kids and pets are your treasures, and they deserve to have full attention, but on moving day you'll have other priorities.

·         Food is your friend- Whether you have professional movers or friends and family, having coffee, orange juice, and bagels or donuts available will make it easier for everyone to get started on Moving Day. 

·         Keep cell phone numbers ready and programmed into your phone. Be certain you have the cell phone number of the driver of the truck entered into your cell phone, and that the driver has yours.

·         Have correct payment ready and waiting. If you're using professional movers, on Moving Day keep in mind that almost all of them will expect and demand payment in full and in cash before they will unload a single box from the moving truck. 

·         Directions- You need to have directions and a map ready for anyone will be driving between your old place and your new place. 

·         Label the rooms at your new place.  

Following these steps should make your actual moving day easier to manage.

 

How to Move Step 5: Start settling in.

Once you've completed your move it's time to begin the settling in process.  One of the best ways to feel more settled is knowing where key locations in your new neighborhood are.  Here's a list of 12 key places to locate near your new home:

·         Shopping center/ mall

·         Hospital/ emergency care center

·         School

·         Day care center

·         Library

·         Post office

·         Grocery store

·         Pharmacy

·         Convenience store

·         Hardware store

·         Dry cleaner

·         Car repair center

Once you know where each of these locations is, you'll start to feel much more settled and less "up in the air" after landing at your new place.

And there you have the 5 basic steps for how to move after you get set up.

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How to Move: Getting Set Up

Moving just seems to come naturally for certain people.  They seem to have every detail perfectly planned, memorize the exact contents of every box with ease, and have all their belongings unpacked within hours.  This article isn't really for those people. :-)

Instead, this article is designed to offer the basic steps of moving to those who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the moving process.

This first article focuses on the important steps for getting set up for your move so you're prepared for the hard work ahead!

The Steps

1.  Plan your move using a moving checklist.

2.  Decide whether you will be moving yourself or hiring professional movers.

3.  Select your moving day.

4.  Reserve your moving truck or moving company.

5.  Get your packing materials.

 

The Details

How to Move Step 1: Plan your move using a moving checklist.

Moving is an exercise in managing a large number of details in a short period of time.  You need a powerful tool to help you in that process.  Fortunately there are several free moving checklists available to fill that role.  Be sure to download one and use it to manage those details effectively.

How to Move Step 2: Decide whether you will be moving yourself or hiring professional movers.

Professional movers offer an enormous amount of convenience.  However, they are often fairly expensive.  Here are some factors to consider:

·         If money isn't a consideration, reputable, professional movers are the way to go. 

·         If you have a smaller place currently, such as a studio apartment, you're much less likely to need professional movers.

·         Many heavy pieces of furniture should point you toward using a moving company.

·         Having lots of friends and family willing to help limits your need for professional movers.

·         If you've lived in your current location for more than 3 years, you're more likely to have accumulated more boxes that might require movers.

·         If you have a medical condition such as a bad back or heart condition, moving is NOT the time to test your recovery- let the professionals handle it.

How to Move Step 3: Select your moving day.

Your moving day will influence many of your other decisions.  Here are some guidelines:

• Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekends are the hardest and most expensive times to rent. You typically need to book these months in advance.
• Weekends are more difficult to book than weekdays.
• Weekdays are often better options in case you need to reach other businesses (during their business hours
• The middle weeks of the month are easier to reserve than the first and last weeks.

How to Move Step 4: Reserve your moving truck or moving company.

The best moving companies and moving truck rentals fill up quickly, so you'll want to make sure reserve yours early. 

If you're going to hire professional movers, you'll want to follow these steps for finding great movers:

• Get referrals from local real estate agents and friends who have moved recently.
• Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured.
• Investigate your potential movers through the U.S Department of Transportation, MovingScam.com and the Better Business Bureau.
• Evaluate a minimum of 3 movers based on in-home estimates of goods to be moved.
• Price isn't the only factor- extremely low bids indicate a desperate mover.
• Ask for written "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimates.
• Avoid "rogue movers"- if you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts!

If you're going to rent a moving truck, here are the basic steps:

• Determine days you can move.
• Identify how large a truck you want.
• Select your rental agency from nationally recognized chains.
• Confirm your reservation and put down a deposit, if required.

How to Move Step 5: Get your packing materials.

You'll need to have some basic packing supplies before you begin packing.  These include:

·         Moving boxes

·         Packing tape

·         Bubble wrap

·         Biodegradable packing "peanuts"

·         Packing paper (like newspapers, but without the damaging inks)

And there you have the 5 basic steps for getting set up for your move.  For more FREE moving tips, articles and advice, please visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.  Two of the most popular articles there are:

·         Moving checklist: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

·         Moving tips: 101 Best Moving Tips

Good luck on your move!

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Self Storage: What NOT To Store

Self Storage: The Rules of What NOT to Store

 

Remember that the owner of a self storage unit has ownership rights over every storage unit on the premises, including the one that you may be renting.  That means that most of the rights, as well as the responsibilities, of ownership still belong to that owner.  When you rent a self storage unit, you are agreeing to abide by all the rules of that self storage company.  Every storage location is different, so be certain to check the regulations at your individual storage facility.  Here are some of the basic items your storage unit company is likely to prohibit:

 

·         Animals (including pets):  While this would seem to be pretty obvious, you'd be shocked at what some people try to store.  Despite being outright cruel and irresponsible, keeping animals in storage units is very likely to kill them, and at minimum the animals are likely to severely damage the units.

·         Firearms and ammunition:  There are a few problems with storing firearms or ammunition in a storage unit.  The first problem is that in the event of a fire these items can be explosive, endangering the lives of rescue workers and others.  The second problem is that these items invite potential theft.  The third issue is that many state and local laws expressly prohibit these items from storage units.

·         Flammable liquids:  Again, fire is the main concern here, and therefore all kinds of flammable liquids (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, motor oil, turpentine, oil paints, etc.) are prohibited, and usually by law as well as your rental contract.

·         Perishable items:  Food is the most obvious culprit in the perishable items category, but it also includes beverages and plants.

·         Hazardous items or waste:  While I am a bit puzzled as to why someone would risk storing hazardous waste in a self storage unit, it does bear to keep in mind that anything that might be hazardous is likely to be prohibited from being stored.  A general rule of thumb is that if an item can cause harm if someone is exposed to it, it isn't allowed to be stored in a storage unit. 

·         Illegal items:  While I would think that this would be obvious to everyone, I include this for the sake of completeness.  Illegal items such as drugs, drugs paraphernalia, stolen items, or any other property that is illegal to own may not be stored in a storage unit.  You'll want to check with the manager of your specific storage unit for a complete list; however, if you're in doubt, you should assume that you shouldn't be putting it in your self storage unit.

·         Objectionable items:  The objectionable items category is a broad one, and includes anything that they produce undesired odors or sounds, especially if those odors or sounds can be detected outside of the storage unit.  The storage unit owner may expand this category to include other items.

·         Items prohibited in your contract:  As you have probably gathered by now, self storage unit owners have a wide berth in terms of determining what can't be stored.  That's why it's a good idea to read the contract in detail, even though most of us just race to sign on the dotted line.  Not knowing what's prohibited could end up causing your items to be left on the street- so please be careful!

 

And there you have it- the items to avoid storing in your self storage unit.  For more, FREE moving tips and articles, please visit our blogroll of top moving blogs:

 

·         How to Move HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Movers-Edge Blog on WordPress

·         Move To Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving HQ Blog on Wordpress

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving To HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocating HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocation HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips Blog on Multiply

·         Movers-Edge Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Move To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         How To Move Blog on Blogger

·         Moving HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocating HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocation HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips on Posterous

·         Moving Tips Blog on LiveJournal

Good luck on your move!  :-)

 

 

 

 

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Self Storage in 5 Easy Steps

Moving is always a time of transition.  This is especially true when that transition involves moving to a place with less storage space.  It might be a place with fewer bedrooms, the loss of a basement or attic, or more people living without more room.  Whatever the cause, you might be faced with self storage requirements.

Save yourself time, stress and money on your self storage/ mini storage needs with the tips in this article.

Self Storage: The Basic Steps

1.  Identify the size of the self storage unit you'll need and how long you'll need it.

2.  Make a "Self Storage Feature List" of the features you'll need (climate control, security, location, 24 hour access)

3.  Develop a list of potential self storage locations. Check your list against _______.

4.  Visit top self storage locations and compare them against

5.  Make your final choice and sign the contract.

 

Self Storage Step 1: Identify the size of the self storage unit you'll need and how long you'll need it.

Just to point out the obvious, you'll save money and time by putting fewer, smaller items into self storage.  That means you're better off doing one or more of the following with excess items:

·         Sell them at a moving sale.

·         Donate them to charities such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army or The Purple Heart.

·         Give them away to people who can use them now and value them.

·         Store them with family or friends IF it's for a very brief time and they're willing.

Once you've eliminated what you can, it's time to figure out how much space you'll need.  Self storage units vary from one location to another, but here are some basic sizes and guidelines, adapted from "The Storage Place Inc" website:

·         5' x 5': holds a small number of boxes or small bedroom furniture.

·         5' x 10': holds a few pieces of furniture, including a couch.

·         10' x 10': holds the contents of a small, one-bedroom apartment.

·         10' x 15': holds the contents of a small, two-bedroom apartment.

·         10' x 20': holds the contents of a small, two-bedroom house or a small car.

·         10' x 25': holds the contents of a larger, two-bedroom house or a larger car.

·         10' x 30': holds the contents of a three-bedroom house, or the contents of a 36-foot moving van.

·         10' x 40': holds the contents of a four-bedroom house.

Use this list to narrow down the size of space you'll use.

 

Self Storage Step 2: Make a "Self Storage Feature List."

After deciding on the size of self storage unit you'll need, to identify what features you want to go with it.  Think of it as a "shopping list" for comparing self storage units. 

It's a good idea to break down the features into 3 categories based on how important they are to you:

* A - Absolute musts.  If a self-storage unit does not have this feature, you won't consider it.

* B - Better to have than not.  These are features that would be plusses, but not required.

* C - Couldn't care less.  As the name would imply, these features may exist, but don't really matter to your decision.  

Here is our list to help you get started:

·         convenient location

·         climate control

·         24-hour direct access

·         monitored security cameras

·         security guards on premise

·         sprinkler system

·         alarm system

·         insurance available

·         payment methods accepted

 

Self Storage Step 3: Develop a list of potential self storage facilities.

Now that you know what you’re loking for, it’s time to begin the search process.  You can kick off the process by investigating five of the most popular self storage companies:

·         Public Storage

·         U-Haul (yes, the same company that offers truck rentals)

·         ExtraSpace Storage

·         United Stor-All

·         U-Store-It

Check your self storage candidates against the Self Storage Feature List that you created earlier.  Any facilities that are missing “A – Absolute must” features should be crossed off.

 

Self Storage Step 4: Visit top self storage locations and compare them against one another.

Yes, I realize that actually taking the time to visit each of your top choices isn't convenient.  However, there are things you will discover by visiting that you wouldn't otherwise.  How does the location look?  Does the neighborhood seem stable?  Is the facility as easy to reach as you imagined?  What's the condition of the existing storage units?  Does the place seem well-maintained?

Take notes at each facility and clearly mark which property you're visiting.  Eliminate from your list any of the locations that seem sketchy.

 

Self Storage Step 5: Make your final choice and sign the contract.

If you've followed all the previous steps in this article, this final step should be relatively easy.  Try to order each of your final candidates by how well they did in each category.  If you're finding it difficult to choose your top pick, try eliminating your least favorite option first, then repeat the process until you have your final pick.

Please note that the price of the monthly rate is a very important factor, but it isn't the only factor.  There's something to be said about paying for peace of mind- if you lay awake at night worrying about the safety of your belongings, you've made the wrong choice.

Speaking of rental rates, be sure to ask your self storage facility manager if they provide any of the following discounts, programs or bonuses that might apply to you:

·         First or last month free

·         Rental discounts for seniors, students, or military personnel

·         Discounts on related items or services such as moving boxes and supplies, rental trucks or moving companies

When signing the final contract, you may be offered insurance coverage.  Make sure that you aren't already covered by your homeowner's insurance, and be very clear about exactly what is covered, whether damaged or stolen items are reimbursed at replacement cost levels, and what any deductibles may be.  Ideally you wouldn't be storing anything of value in an unattended storage unit, but if you are, you want to make certain you aren't paying for insurance coverage that doesn't fully protect you.

These steps should allow you to have a successful self storage rental experience.

For more, FREE moving tips and advice, please visit our BlogRoll of moving blogs:

·         How to Move HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Movers-Edge Blog on WordPress

·         Move To Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving HQ Blog on Wordpress

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving To HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocating HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Relocation HQ Blog on WordPress

·         Moving Tips Blog on Multiply

·         Movers-Edge Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Advice HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Checklist HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Move To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         How To Move Blog on Blogger

·         Moving HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tip of the Day Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving To HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocating HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Relocation HQ Blog on Blogger

·         Moving Tips on Posterous

·         Moving Tips Blog on LiveJournal

Good luck on your move!

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Moving: 12 Places to Find Near Your New Home

When settling into a new place after a move, there are several local shops, services and facilities you might want to locate.  Here are a dozen of those locations for you to put on your post-move checklist:

 

 

·         Shopping center/ mall.  This one is fairly obvious.  You'll want to find a place that allows you to combine several errands at once, saving time, money, stress and energy consumption. 

 

·         Hospital/ emergency care center:  This is one that most of us would prefer not to think about.  However, it’s also one that you don’t want to scramble for in a crisis.  Note that in recent years a number of emergency care centers have opened.  These centers aren't usually part of a hospital, but can handle many emergency situations and send you to a hospital if the situation requires that.

 

·         School:  If you have school-age children and aren't home schooling, make sure you know where the school is, where the closest bus stop is, and what type of safe routes exist between your new place and the school.  Try to arrange a tour for your kids.

 

·         Day care center:  If your kids will be in day care, now is a good time to investigate local centers.  Be sure to find out what the hours and late policies are, and determine what driving times will be like from both your home and work.

 

·         Library:  Take advantage of both central libraries and branches close by.  Not only can you save on the cost of books and magazines, you may also be able to borrow movies and music, get free internet access, make photocopies, pick up local postings, find community groups to join and more.

 

·         Post office:  If you haven't filed your change of address with the post office, now would be a good time for that.  You may also want to choose to have a post office box for certain categories of mail.  Check out their hours as well as finding your closest mailbox and its pick-up times.

 

·         Grocery store:  Unless you're in a rural area, you may find you have several options for purchasing your local groceries.  As you visit a few, sign up for any discount card programs they have.  Also make a note of their prices, coupon policies (double coupons, for example), selection, specialties that may interest you (bakery, pharmacy, flower shop, coffee bar, etc.), how busy they are, and their days and hours of operation.

 

·         Pharmacy: Finding your closest pharmacy is obviously important, but you may also want to check into factors such as where the closest 24 hour pharmacy (especially important if you have small   children or chronic medical conditions), cheap programs for generics (such as the WalMart $4 promotion), and pharmacies as part of other stores where you'll be shopping regularly (like the grocery).

 

·         Convenience store:  For most people, the selection of a convenience store will be based on location alone.  Whenever you run out of a staple, like milk, it's good to know what's nearby until you can make it until the grocery store next.

 

·         Hardware store:  Whether you're moving into a studio apartment or a mansion on the hill, there always seems to be a need for a hardware store.  Lowes and Home Depot are the two most common "big box" retailers of hardware (check online for coupons or stop by the customer service desk and ask for one), but you might want to check for neighborhood retailers.  If that doesn't work, keep in mind that many large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Sears carry most of the basics.

 

·         Dry cleaner:  You may or may not have regular dry cleaning needs; however, many local dry cleaners offer other valuable services such as alterations, shoe repair, and cleaning and storage of bulky items like comforters.  Finding out what's available is usually worth the trip.

 

·         Car repair center:   One thing you want to avoid at your new place is being stranded without a car if that's your primary means of transportation.  You'll probably want to have locations for two different kinds of repair shops: one dealership for your make of vehicle to take care of the complex repairs, and a general repair shop for the day-to-day tasks.  This combination should take care of the most likely car issues.

 

And there you have it: one dozen places to locate near your new home.  For more, free moving tips and advice, please check out the following resources:

 

·         Moving checklist: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

·         Tips for moving: 101 Best Moving Tips

 

Good luck on your upcoming move!

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