Moving to the city from the suburbs can be really exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be a lot of work. Here are 6 basic things you'll need to get done before moving to the city.
1. Condense
Moving to the city almost always means down-sizing. You are going to need to sell, donate and throw away a lot of your stuff that just won't fit into an urban living space. For those not ready to depart with some of their belongings, self storage units are a great way to keep some of that extra stuff you own. Fortunately, self storage unit ares very common even in cities, so you can get a self storage unit close by if you need to.
2. Car or No Car?
Depending on the public transportation of the city, you may just decide to just get rid of car. It is also a great way to save money to help pay for the higher cost of living that runs rampant in most cities. And with companies like Zip Car that let you rent a car for a small amount of money, so you can access a car when you really need it.
3. Closet Space
The worst thing about moving to a smaller space is the lack of closet space. You don't realize how much you enjoy the extra closets in your home until they are gone. You may want to consider a trip to Ikea or ordering a wardrobe or clothing storage device of some sort to help deal with the loss of closet space.
4. Divide up Space in Apartment
If you are moving into a an apartment or smaller home with your partner and/or family, it is a good idea to set some boundaries before you move in. Setting up dividers to separate his or her office spaces can be one way to create the illusion of privacy. How you are going to manage living in such a small space together is definitely a topic that deserves a discussion among all members of the household. It will still be a bumpy adjustment for most at first, but a little communication will help smooth the transition along.
5. Pets
Don't forget to consider the feelings of your furry friends. Moving to the city is a huge adjustment for all critters. Planning on giving them space to play and run around is important. Also, considering practical things like where the litter box, kennel, food bowls, etc. will help your pet adjust to being a city critter.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Find Self Storage Rates Online
Are you curious about the price of self storage, but you don't have the time to call all the different self storage services in your area? Many people run into this problem when they are considering whether to invest in self storage or not. Unlike most goods, the average person just does not know the cost of self storage units.
Luckily, we have an easy solution for you that requires absolutely no tiresome phone calls. At this self storage website, you can browse through most of the self storage units available in your area. All you have to do is enter your city, state or zip code to see a ton of different self storage options. What is even better is that the self storage cost is listed on the website. Also, you can even reserve the self storage unit without having to make phone call! Although for the record, we do recommend seeing the unit in person before reserving it, but we understand that not everyone has the time to spend on such precautions- especially when you are in the midst of a move.
We preferred the above site, because many of the popular self storage websites similar to this one, like Public Storage, for example, promote their chain of self storage locations instead of offering viewers all the available options. This does not allow for you to see the local competition, so it prevents many people from shopping around for the best self storage unit for their particular budget. However, if you had a particular brand of self storage recommended to you by a friend, the chances are you can find out how much it costs by Googling that brand. Don't you just love Google?
Anyways, one of the easiest tips I can ever give you as far as finding cheap self storage goes, is just research the variety of self storage units that are available in your area. Spending just 15 minutes looking at the different options can save you a lot of money, especially if you plan on using the self storage unit for any significant amount of time.
Good luck finding cheap self storage that works for you!
Luckily, we have an easy solution for you that requires absolutely no tiresome phone calls. At this self storage website, you can browse through most of the self storage units available in your area. All you have to do is enter your city, state or zip code to see a ton of different self storage options. What is even better is that the self storage cost is listed on the website. Also, you can even reserve the self storage unit without having to make phone call! Although for the record, we do recommend seeing the unit in person before reserving it, but we understand that not everyone has the time to spend on such precautions- especially when you are in the midst of a move.
We preferred the above site, because many of the popular self storage websites similar to this one, like Public Storage, for example, promote their chain of self storage locations instead of offering viewers all the available options. This does not allow for you to see the local competition, so it prevents many people from shopping around for the best self storage unit for their particular budget. However, if you had a particular brand of self storage recommended to you by a friend, the chances are you can find out how much it costs by Googling that brand. Don't you just love Google?
Anyways, one of the easiest tips I can ever give you as far as finding cheap self storage goes, is just research the variety of self storage units that are available in your area. Spending just 15 minutes looking at the different options can save you a lot of money, especially if you plan on using the self storage unit for any significant amount of time.
Good luck finding cheap self storage that works for you!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
10 Things to Do When You Move Into Your New Home
I was inspired by a recent post from houzz.com that asked readers "what do you wish you knew when you moved into your first home?" Loving all the comments from the readers, I decided to create a post based on top things to do when you move into your first home, or third, fourth or fifth for that matter.
1. Consider hiring move in cleaners. These miracle workers will come in and clean your house before you move everything in it. This is especially a good idea if you are buying a used home that may have had a messy owner. It will save you a lot of time and trouble, so that you can focus on moving instead of cleaning right off the bat.
2. Invest in Window Coverings. Before you even move into your new home, purchase or create the window covering you need for your home. Even being prepared to hang up just a sheet over a window for privacy is better than scrounging around for whatever you can find to cover that window.
3. Know Your New Terrain. It is a lot easier now with Google maps available, but it can be helpful to know where all the basic stores and restaurants are in your new area. Do a little research before moving day via Google maps, or even drive around the area yourself if at all possible.
4. Create an Emergency List. The address and phone number of the hospital, police, emergency service, pizza delivery, whatever may be needed, you never know. Create a contact list online or offline to make sure you can easily access these numbers in your new area.
5. Re-Do Things. If you plan on redoing the floors, painting or any of that jazz, it is a lot easier to do it before you've moved all your stuff in the house. You can even consider temporarily moving most of your stuff into self storage while these projects are underway.
6. Set Aside Emergency Funds. You never know when an emergency is going to pop up, so if at all possible it is imperative to set aside at least a little money. This can be really hard to do after a down payment, but try to tighten the belt to make it happen.
7. Be Prepared for Buyer's Remorse. It is not uncommon to move into a place and regret the decision. It is a little too late now to back out of your decision, so don't spend time dwelling on all the negatives of your home. Instead start making plans on all the cool things you are going to fix and renovate in your home to make it really nice.
8. Groceries. Get some basic groceries that do not need much preparation. It can be tempting to just eat out the first couple weeks of unpacking and organizing, but this bill will quickly add up. Keeping around simple food supplies will supply you with meals and snacks that won't cost too much.
9. Set up somewhere to sleep. Have sheets, blankets, pillows, bedding all easily available. You are going to need a good nights rest after moving day.
10. Celebrate. Moving into a new home allows a new beginning. Make sure to celebrate your new home with wine, pizza or whatever it is that makes you happy. Moving is a big pain in the butt, so you definitely deserve a treat after all that hard work.
1. Consider hiring move in cleaners. These miracle workers will come in and clean your house before you move everything in it. This is especially a good idea if you are buying a used home that may have had a messy owner. It will save you a lot of time and trouble, so that you can focus on moving instead of cleaning right off the bat.
2. Invest in Window Coverings. Before you even move into your new home, purchase or create the window covering you need for your home. Even being prepared to hang up just a sheet over a window for privacy is better than scrounging around for whatever you can find to cover that window.
3. Know Your New Terrain. It is a lot easier now with Google maps available, but it can be helpful to know where all the basic stores and restaurants are in your new area. Do a little research before moving day via Google maps, or even drive around the area yourself if at all possible.
4. Create an Emergency List. The address and phone number of the hospital, police, emergency service, pizza delivery, whatever may be needed, you never know. Create a contact list online or offline to make sure you can easily access these numbers in your new area.
5. Re-Do Things. If you plan on redoing the floors, painting or any of that jazz, it is a lot easier to do it before you've moved all your stuff in the house. You can even consider temporarily moving most of your stuff into self storage while these projects are underway.
6. Set Aside Emergency Funds. You never know when an emergency is going to pop up, so if at all possible it is imperative to set aside at least a little money. This can be really hard to do after a down payment, but try to tighten the belt to make it happen.
7. Be Prepared for Buyer's Remorse. It is not uncommon to move into a place and regret the decision. It is a little too late now to back out of your decision, so don't spend time dwelling on all the negatives of your home. Instead start making plans on all the cool things you are going to fix and renovate in your home to make it really nice.
8. Groceries. Get some basic groceries that do not need much preparation. It can be tempting to just eat out the first couple weeks of unpacking and organizing, but this bill will quickly add up. Keeping around simple food supplies will supply you with meals and snacks that won't cost too much.
9. Set up somewhere to sleep. Have sheets, blankets, pillows, bedding all easily available. You are going to need a good nights rest after moving day.
10. Celebrate. Moving into a new home allows a new beginning. Make sure to celebrate your new home with wine, pizza or whatever it is that makes you happy. Moving is a big pain in the butt, so you definitely deserve a treat after all that hard work.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Is it Worth It to Relocate for a New Job?
New employment opportunities uproot countless people to new homes all of the time, but do you ever wonder what exactly makes it worth it to do so? The New York Times recently chimed in on the topic of how to decide whether to relocate or not, and we thought they came up with some interesting points in their article. This blog is a summary of the main points in the article, plus a couple additional ones that'll help you deliberate on whether to make the move for that new job or not.
Salary
In order for a job to be worth the move financially, it should preferably offer more pay or more future opportunities. Ideally, it will offer enough compensation to pay to enhance your style of life and the mental and financial stresses of a move. Calculating how hard and how much it costs to move can be a bit tricky. This isn't the same as moving out of your dorm room into a new apartment, it is moving your adult self and perhaps a family to a new location. If you haven't moved recently, it may be a good idea to get a bid on how much it will cost to hire a mover. If you plan to do a move yourself, you will need to consider the cost of a moving van, storage, time, etc. will add up. Moving is a complicated and expensive process that should not be taken lightly.
Cost of Living at the New Location
You may find your dream job with a great salary! Fantastic! What you may not know is that most of your new income may end up just being an adjustment for the expensive cost of living in that location. When you are considering a relocation, you are going to need to research the cost of living of the new area. How much is rent? How much are groceries and utilities? Will you need to consider sending your kids to private schools? Will there be a commute? How much will you spend visiting friends and relatives? All these considerations will help you decide if this new opportunity will actually bring you financial prosperity, because (financially speaking) there is no point in just moving if you do not gain anything out of it.
Contract for New Job
Find out if your new employer would be willing to compensate for your move. If it hasn't been message, adding moving costs is a good thing to throw in at the negotiating table. Certain employers will pay a certain amount for people to move. If this is the case, it is important to find out actually how much the moving package includes, because sometimes companies will give you not nearly enough compensation to actually be able to afford to move. Instead you end up paying the excess yourself, or doing a large part of the move yourself to stay on the limited budget.
Employment for Spouse/Partner
If your partner or spouse cannot find a job in the new location, this can prove to be a huge financial loss for many couples. Every couple has a different financial and personal situation, but this is an issue that must be considered and discussed thoroughly before jumping ship to a new job. Without actually looking it is hard to scope out job opportunities in a new area, so do some research with job listings in the new area. Find out the general employment rate. The transition is sometimes a lot more difficult than one partner than the other, so be prepared for the fact they may be job hunting for a significant amount of time.
Intangible Considerations
Not everything of course is about money. You will need to consider the pros and cons of moving that go beyond the pocket book. Have you also dreamed of moving to this location perhaps? What will it be like to be away from friends and family? How will this effect your children? There are lots of different factors that you can only consider for yourself. Taking the time to contemplate these and be honest with yourself will help you decide if it is time to move on or not. Many people avoid these topics until it is too late, and they end up regretting the big move. On the other hand, some people begin to think of their new home as the place they always belonged. Everyone is different. Just make sure you give yourself time to think about making such a huge change.
Salary
In order for a job to be worth the move financially, it should preferably offer more pay or more future opportunities. Ideally, it will offer enough compensation to pay to enhance your style of life and the mental and financial stresses of a move. Calculating how hard and how much it costs to move can be a bit tricky. This isn't the same as moving out of your dorm room into a new apartment, it is moving your adult self and perhaps a family to a new location. If you haven't moved recently, it may be a good idea to get a bid on how much it will cost to hire a mover. If you plan to do a move yourself, you will need to consider the cost of a moving van, storage, time, etc. will add up. Moving is a complicated and expensive process that should not be taken lightly.
Cost of Living at the New Location
You may find your dream job with a great salary! Fantastic! What you may not know is that most of your new income may end up just being an adjustment for the expensive cost of living in that location. When you are considering a relocation, you are going to need to research the cost of living of the new area. How much is rent? How much are groceries and utilities? Will you need to consider sending your kids to private schools? Will there be a commute? How much will you spend visiting friends and relatives? All these considerations will help you decide if this new opportunity will actually bring you financial prosperity, because (financially speaking) there is no point in just moving if you do not gain anything out of it.
Contract for New Job
Find out if your new employer would be willing to compensate for your move. If it hasn't been message, adding moving costs is a good thing to throw in at the negotiating table. Certain employers will pay a certain amount for people to move. If this is the case, it is important to find out actually how much the moving package includes, because sometimes companies will give you not nearly enough compensation to actually be able to afford to move. Instead you end up paying the excess yourself, or doing a large part of the move yourself to stay on the limited budget.
Employment for Spouse/Partner
If your partner or spouse cannot find a job in the new location, this can prove to be a huge financial loss for many couples. Every couple has a different financial and personal situation, but this is an issue that must be considered and discussed thoroughly before jumping ship to a new job. Without actually looking it is hard to scope out job opportunities in a new area, so do some research with job listings in the new area. Find out the general employment rate. The transition is sometimes a lot more difficult than one partner than the other, so be prepared for the fact they may be job hunting for a significant amount of time.
Intangible Considerations
Not everything of course is about money. You will need to consider the pros and cons of moving that go beyond the pocket book. Have you also dreamed of moving to this location perhaps? What will it be like to be away from friends and family? How will this effect your children? There are lots of different factors that you can only consider for yourself. Taking the time to contemplate these and be honest with yourself will help you decide if it is time to move on or not. Many people avoid these topics until it is too late, and they end up regretting the big move. On the other hand, some people begin to think of their new home as the place they always belonged. Everyone is different. Just make sure you give yourself time to think about making such a huge change.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
9 Tips for Moving Into an Apartment
Downsizing? Getting your first place? Either way, moving
into an apartment has its unique logistical challenge. These tips will help you
ensure that the challenge of moving into an apartment doesn't turn into a
nightmare by offering guidance, warnings and advice on how to move your
belongings into your new home.
1. Prepare
to Downsize
Fitting everything you own into such a small place can prove
to be quite difficult. It is even impossible for some people. Most people
will need to consider donating, tossing or selling a lot of their beloved
items. If you can't part with your stuff, you can always consider the
option of a self storage
unit.
2. Renting
self storage
If you are going to rent a self storage unit, make sure you
do so in advanced. This gives you the time to shop around for different
self storage units that have the price and quality that agrees with your
needs. It also ensures that you don't end up moving items all the way up
to your apartment only to have to move them to self storage later.
3. Measure
What will Fit
If you have a bunch of large furniture, you should measure
the furniture to make sure you know that it will actually be able to fit
into the elevator and through your apartment door. That huge couch from
your old house may fit in your apartment, but that doesn't mean you'll be
able to get it up the elevator.
4. Measure
Floor Space of the Apartment
It is important to measure out the floor
space of an apartment, so you can see around how much can fit. Sketch out
where you put things. This way you don't end up moving furniture and other
items up to your apartment that just won't fit.
5. Put
Everything in Moving Boxes
This is more of a safety tip that you can
disregard, but many apartments get high traffic of mixed strangers. Do you
want to be showing off all your fancy electronics, expensive paintings,
etc. when you are moving in to whoever just happens to be walking by? By
boxing as many items as possible you give yourself extra privacy, and you
can perhaps prevent attracting random theft. You can find a variety of
boxes and their prices here.
6. Label
Moving Boxes Clearly
Even in a small moving space, labeling the boxes
will save you time. After moving who wants to spend time shuffling random
boxes all over the place. Also, in an apartment there is less room to
sprawl everything out, so you can figure out things like exactly where do
you put that stupid spatula anyways!
7. Reserve
the Elevator
In order to ensure you aren't waiting for the elevator every
time you make a trip up to your apartment, it is important to talk with
the front desk or manager about renting the elevator for the time and day
you plan on moving into your apartment. This will also ensure you aren't
competing with another tenet who just happens to moving in at the same
time and day.
8. Tell
Your Movers about the Elevator Time
If you are hiring
movers, make sure they know when you reserved the elevator. Or even
ask them when the best time to rent the elevator would be on moving day.
This will help things go over smoothly on moving day, but as usual, there
still is always the chance movers will get stuck in traffic or be late.
9. Be
Prepared to End Up with Too Much Stuff
If you feel at the end of putting everything in its place that there is still a lot of stuff room for in your apartment, get rid of the extra stuff. Clutter in a small space such as apartment will get in your way every time you walk past it, and with apartments you spend a lot of time noticing extra clutter.
If you feel at the end of putting everything in its place that there is still a lot of stuff room for in your apartment, get rid of the extra stuff. Clutter in a small space such as apartment will get in your way every time you walk past it, and with apartments you spend a lot of time noticing extra clutter.
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