We moved to the house next door. I thought it was a more difficult move than when we moved 400 miles away. Moving next door, we pretty much moved a piece at a time, which took a gazillion trips back and forth. If you have some reliable help to carry boxes, I would box as much as you can to eliminate a lot of trips. Heavy duty protection should not be necessary except for very fragile things.

I'd box up as much as you can. Have someone get boxes and carry them up the stairs for you now so you can pack at a more leisurely pace. Make sure you don't put too much in a box so it is light enough to carry.

Mark on the outside of the box what is in it and what room it will go in. Try to have the person helping you move place that box in that particilar room. So much easier to up pack.

Dont make your book boxes too heavy.
You could do it by room
Box things that go in one room and use a black marking pen to identify the contentw on the side
Move the big stuff first or depending on how much time you have move most of the little stuff by rooom - setting aside one corner of each new room for those boxes
get a hand cart and move two or three at a time after you get them downstairs.

You can lightly wrap the more fragile items in paper towels (and then reuse those for cleaning chores in the first few weeks). Mark those boxes as fragile so the movers know to be careful.

One thing I have done on other moves, and am doing as I pack for this move. I cut, then reinforce, hand holes/slots on the side of boxes. Makes it easier to handle and carry. Thanks for the hints, so far.

Borrow a table on wheels or a wheelchair and place the heavy boxes on it and simply wheel the boxes and heavy stuff to the elevator if you have one in your building.

I would box stuff by rooms and have the room clearly marked on the box n

Then, go to the new place. Label rooms with big pieces of paper. Within each room, label where big pieces go, then label where people should put boxes. Otherwise, you can end up having to move boxes to set up your bed.

spread your largest sheet on the bed, and put the clothes on their hangers on there. Fold the ends over.

Now, when you get to the new apartment all you need to do is unfold, and hang. :)

Use your laundry basket for the stuff from your kitchen drawers. Line with a pillow case, to keep little stuff from falling through the openings.

Use your clothes hamper to move all shoes. Just pile them in. :)

Moni

Dot, do you belong to a church with a youth group?

Ask if there would be a small group - 6 or so willing to help. (a couple strong young men would be helpful with furniture) Then give them a donation towards their next youth group outing...they always are looking for ways to raise some money.
You can then stay in the new house and direct traffic, assign someone else to oversee packing up. Not everything would need boxed up ahead of time. Get some tubs and boxes they can load and unload. Like pictures, knick-knacks, plastic dishes, shoes, etc
Pack up your valuables, fragile and personal things yourself ahead of time.
Dont forget to order pizza and sodas!

Get rid of stuff you really don't need as you pack - don't take it to the new place thinking you will get rid of it then.

Use this time to maybe change where you put things - maybe hang pictures in a different room than you had them before and pack them that way -

Use larger tupperware or plastic food storage containers to fill drawer stuff with, if you have to empty them at all. If you have help, you may not even need to empty dresser drawers - just take the drawers out and carry them seperately.

My family moved 13 miles once. My folks did about half the moving using their car and a cousin's pickup truck. Only the big furnuture required a moving van. But I remember it as a long process, maybe a month. Mom started by "collecting" cardboard boxes from liquor stores.

I've moved a lot and the very worst one was when the move was close. I didn't have enough boxes and didn't plan ahead enough, thinking it would be so easy. What a nightmare! Living with boxes stacked around is easier now than trying to to everything at the last minute.

So--pack up everything you possibly can now and as you empty cabinets, etc., and clean them so you don't have so much to go back and do after your move (I'm assuming there's a deposit involved). Like others said, mark the boxes by room and mark the bedrooms by number. I don't mark what's in the boxes, just "kitchen", etc. You may want to pack one box with necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, coffee pot, cups. That kind of stuff.

If you're having professional movers, you won't have to take things out of dressers or storage cabinets (unless they contain breakables). Those guys are the strongest things!!

Moving's a pain, but I'm always happy after it's done so I try to keep that in mind while the chaos is happening. Try to stay calm and have a happy new home!!!

Best boxes are from liquor stores. They are well glued & have the separation inserts. Try borrow a couple of rolling coolers for packing fridge/freezer. I also like the beer 6pack cartons for bottles of anything.
I love the youth group idea!
I used end rolls of newsprint from local newspaper. I had to purchase [but was cheap! and you didn't have to wash off newsprint] Cheap coffee filters can keep dishes apart, but you can wrap up bundles of 4 plates...

I have had great luck getting free moving boxes on craigslist. Our last move to this house the majority of my boxes were from one source, a couple on craigslist that had just moved also and used a moving company and had all the boxes already flat and stacked in their garage. It was like I struck gold. They even helped load them into my vehicle.

After we were done unpacking and I had the pile of flat boxes I wanted to pay it forward, we happened to be in Costco and saw a cute couple buying the packing box's packs, so I asked them if they were moving, they said yes, I said well we just moved and I have tons of flat boxes if you would like them. They both hugged me in the store LOL
He came by the next day and got all he could fit in his truck.

I have never moved a short move but I would only worry about breakables. When I moved for my heavy stuff like pots and pans I used those big hard plastic totes with the lids, much easier to carry and then you have a good tote to use for storage. I also got a lot of those bags that flatten out with vacuum suction, man that saves a ton of room and makes them much easier to move and store. Especially bulky things like comforters and coats. I picked mine up at Big Lots.

I also put stuff inside my tupperware and plastic containers, they are going so might as well put smaller things inside of those. I took my silverware divider out of my drawers and just wrapped them up in that shrink wrap and moved them fully loaded. That shrink wrap is awesome you can wrap up so many things with that and move them just as they are.

Will you want more space for storage?

Can you visualize where you might be able to find some that you aren't using now, e.g. under some beds? Chesterfields? Easy chairs?

Buy some of those plastic storage/tote boxes with lids, of the right sizes to fit under there and, among them, make most efficient use of the space.

Consider what you may want to store in them when they are located and load them with that stuff before the move.

Some people have a set of shelves over the toilet tank, and if you don't have one now and expect to have one there, you could buy it when you have access to the new place or just at the time of the beginning of the move and place it before the really hectic time gets going, then it's there and in place when you are ready, in the midst of the clutter, to empty the boxes consigned to the bathroom.

In a message a while ago about good uses of coffee filters, they said that they make good separaters of dishes or other fragile stuff. So do shirts, towels, underwear, etc.

Hope that the move goes well.

ole joyful

I think I'm going to sound negative here . . .

Remember that a Bull can distroy china in a short distance as easily as a long distance. Breakable things need to be wrapped well.

I know from experience that "the youth group teenagers" often don't realize that when you set a box down on top of a dresser and then push it over to the other end -- It scratches! They don't always realize the value of things.

When we moved, I found it very helpful, for the month prior to moving, to have one box in each room. In this box was the things that we needed to keep handy until the move. In a sense, we were living out of those boxes for the last couple weeks. Everything else could be packed.

Also have one box labeled "OPEN FIRST." In this box put a few basic tools, tape, paper, pencil, pen, flashlight, nightlight, a couple rags and paper towels, sissor and/or carton opener. I'm sure you can think of other supplies. Put that box on the kitchen counter, where it can be easily found during moving and unpacking time.

On moving day, if it is done all at one time, have all the big furniture moved first and put in the correct places. Then bring the drawers to put back in all the furniture. Then the boxes can be placed in the rooms marker on the boxes. I marker all our boxes with colored stickers (WalMart-near pens and paper) Everything that goes in the kitchen had yellow stickers, living room had blue stickers, etc. On the front door was a copy of the floor plan and the rooms marked with the colored stickers also.

Dottie, have you dicided yet on 1 or 2 bedrooms? I hope 2!

On long moves, I always put on the truck as the last item (and therefore the first to come off the truck) the things I would need for the first night and morning. So often our movers have just finished with us about midnight, so this box is in case of an emergency like that. It has soap, towels, toilet paper, sheets and a blanket, a coffee pot for the morning with cups, coffee grounds, etc. Then I figure we can make it the rest of the day just fine.

I agree with cate...wine boxes from the liquor store are great,particularly for everyday glasses. Just put a glass in the slot wrapped in paper towel then dump another wrapped one on top. Save the paper towels for clean up later. Use small boxes when packing books so that they're not too heavy. If you're packing things from the living room, only pack things from that room in the box and label box livingroom. If it's something really valuable, pick up some bubble wrap at Hertz rent a truck or at Staples. If you have a few days, just carry lamps, etc. from one apartment to the other. Good luck.

I'd move these items myself:
1. Collectables.
2. Art
3. Wall decorations such as studio prints.
4. Good china, dishes
5. Silverware (The stuff that's truly silver. Ordinary flatware, let the movers handle.)
6. Computer and computer gear. Movers can handle the heavy boxes of paper, etc.
7. Antique clocks.
8. Jewelry.
9. A weeks worth of clothing. Pack in suitcasesa nd travel bags the same as if you were going on a week trip. Include toiletries. If the move takes more than one day, you all set to motel it for a couple of days.

In other words, move the expensive and irrepalceable stuff yourself. Eliminates pilferage and if something precious gets broken, its you that did it thereby eliminating arugments.

When I last moved I learned one thing from the previous move: Box everything! There's that little pile here that you think doesn't need a box, and then there's a little pile there, and another and another and... No matter how little - put it in a box.

Get some colored tape. A roll of bright green electrical tape and a roll of yellow, wider if possible. The boxes you will need immediately get a band of green (or whatever color you have for your code) tape around it so it's visible from all sides. Yellow is for boxes you'll need soon, but not necessarily immediately. Then you can relax a bit on unpacking. Get a roll of red for FRAGILE.

Pack your clothes in the suitcases. They both need to be moved and everything should have something in it, including laundry baskets, wastebaskets, etc.

Have one box or tote that's your "briefcase" - a briefcase if you have one, for your medications, eyeglasses, aspirin and things like that. Put important papers (including vet records, car keys and things in there too. And *you* are in charge of that one and don't let it out of your sight. Also some Band-Aids, ointment, aspirin and the like, just in case of a cut or a bump.

Could Buster stay with a friend while you're moving? It's better than putting him in a carrier or something. That way you don't have to worry about doors being open, him biting or scratching someone accidently, tripping someone or whatever else.

Church groups and scouts are great to hire for grunt work. Have trusted people handling delicate and valuable items and some of those kids can be very trustworthy. There's places like "2 Men and a Truck" who are great to hire. Not super cheap but they'll have 2 wheelers and can move you quite rapidly. You just need to be packed and organized.

Pack ahead of time. Get people to come and help you pack. It's much more fun and easier on you. DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF DOTTIE!! Make use of friends - cash in on some favors. Hire people if you must. Someone who can't lift and move things can still keep the coffee pot full, answer the phone and things like that.

2-wheelers, 2-wheelers and more 2-wheelers! One for each person is the ideal. A 4-wheeler for moving furniture. Teach people how to use them and how to load them and you're going to speed things up, save everyone's back and make everyone, including yourself, very very happy! When you have to grunt stuff all day, that makes for grouchy people and that can cause damage to possessions and to people.

BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER! Repeat: BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER!

Remember to contact the utilities, and everyone else that you're moving. Read the meters yourself if you can so you don't get cheated. I have a list of people to contact if you want me to send it to you.

It's best to move the biggest and heaviest stuff first, while people are fresh. Once they get tired it's much harder on the person.

Don't unload dresser drawers. Pull them out of the dresser and stack them on the 2-wheeler, hidden part of the drawer against the bars of the 2-wheeler. Move the frame then bring the drawers and put them right back into the drawer - no unloading, packing, unpacking and reloading.

If you have a lot of stuff, and can get into the new place early, a pre-move can be nice. Move a lot of stuff then. Things you don't use much, extra lamps, etc.

Keep a cooler of soft drinks, a pot of coffee and some sandwiches or hot dogs, chips and some bar cookies around with paper plates, plastic cutlery and lots of paper towels. Sloppy joes work well.

Expect something to be broken, scratched or something. It happens. Life goes on. Valuables need special treatment so as I said, have someone trusted handling those things and maybe save until last, when everyone is gone.

If you have jewelery, cash, and/or other valuables around, well, don't. Or at least keep it in your "briefcase", with you at all times. The doors will be open at both places and anyone in the building can walk in and grab something.

Fortunately, you don't have to worry about tracking mud and things.

You have limited time to gather boxes and stuff since you're moving so soon. You might just check with U-Haul or something about buying used boxes that they'll buy back from you. Or if you can have friends check Freecycle or Craigslist for moving boxes and materials but they have to get it to you so it might be cheaper or a wash to just buy some.

The more consistent sized box, the better. Try not to have a bunch of odd sizes or too many different sized boxes. They don't stack well on the 2-wheelers unless people *really* know how to use them. Unfortunately not a lot of people really know.

When I moved I printed off a *bunch* of sheets and put room names on them:

Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2 Bathroom
Living Rm Dining Rm Kitchen
(etc)

Print some sheets saying FRAGILE and use the red tape circling the box.

Then I packed the box, circled the room and taped it to the box - no writing on each box required.

Get some good box-sealing (aka packing) tape and a dispenser. Some boxes should be sealed from prying eyes...

Make a checklist. You did start one already, right??? :) A spiral notebook to keep everything together is great. Notes on things to do, people to contact, trip to the bank or grocery store, etc. Check them off. Make a timeline. 5 days before, day before, etc

Trash anything you can trash now. Or donate, give away, sell or whatever. Again, it depends how much you have. Somehow, I don't see you as a packrat!
If you have the original boxes for things like TVs, computer, printer, etc, use them. But I wouldn't expect you to have a lot of room for storing them.

Don't worry if you need to have an unpacking party. That can be fine. Use paper plates a few days or eat out or with neighbors.

If you have to take something apart, have some Ziplock bags (heavy-freezer type) to put the small parts in and tape it to the item.

Remote controls for everything should be in your briefcase BTW.

If you pack even 2 boxes a day, in 3 weeks you'll have over 40 boxes packed. You won't be overly tired that way either.

Ask for favors to help clean up your apartment you're leaving or even hire if you must. Don't kill yourself moving. Enjoy yourself and make it a pleasurable day. Maybe make the first night special with a nice meal (crockpot?) some flowers, soft music and a glass of wine? Or pizza and beer if that's your thing! A lasagna can be put together the day before, or a pot roast, or whatever.

If you know your postal person, tell them you're moving so you get your mail.

When you move the furniture, try to have someone set up and make your bed for you so you can lie down and take a nap when you want. And it'll be familiar when you go to bed that night.

Have some basic tools handy or available from a neighbor? Know where your phone is at all times. Put out some extra waste receptacles for pop cans, cups, paper plates, etc. Even a box with a trash bag works fine. Less mess.

Do you have renters' insurance? Double check liability with your agent if someone slips or trips.

Settling in? Unpack a box or two a day. Put it away where you want it. Don't rush. Spend quality time with Buster. It'll be a bit stressful for him.

Well, there's a couple ideas for you! :)

Forgot the most important tip: Get a good night's sleep the day before. I can't stress how important that one is. Eat well and take care of yourself so you're at your peak on that day. And plan to rest a lot after. It takes a lot out of you.

I work organising people when they move.

Almost everyone says "I have too much stuff". They all seem to make the mistake of sorting out their "stuff" after they move. In essence they pack, or I pack, a lot of the possessions that they later, when they have moved in, discard to charity. Doing this is really silly.

So I would say to you, declutter BEFORE you move.

Moving is always overwhelming, it is surprising how many boxes you end up with, when you are under the misconception that you don't have much stuff.

I would make sure you label boxes really well this helps when you come to unpack and people don't keep asking you where the boxes are going.

On night one, make sure your bed is made up and you can locate some kitchen items.

Make sure you have keys, remote controls, handy.

Pack books in small boxes, they are really heavy.

It is very handy putting bits and pieces, that usually accumulate in kitchen draws and bathroom drawers, into plastic containers with lids.

Hope this helps.

All the best with your move.

Hi dotmom,

Hope you're not getting indigestion ...

... from the emotional turmoil over the moving ...

... or from all of the good advice that you've received, here.

ole joyful

Wow what a lot of nice and so very helpful KT friends I have!! I'm actually doing some of what you have suggested. I am boxing and securing/wrapping fragile items. Doing stuff I rarely use, (but still want). Washing shelves as I go. We will hire people to do the grunt work, as soon as we have a moving date. I have always cleaned my way out of a place when we moved, but like the last move, and this one, I'll hire a gal to come in when the place is empty, to vacuum, clean kitchen and bathroom fixtures and floors. Last weekend I went through the store room and brutally tossed stuff, or gave it away. I have decided to pack/clean an area almost everyday. That way I won't be overwhelmed with getting all of our belongings ready to move, all at once. Again, thanks friends for the hints. Oh, and Cynic, what do you mean...back up my computer? And does it beep when I back it up? LOL