opened map

When you’re moving, it doesn’t matter if your new home is 5 miles away or 500 — lots of variables are very much in play. Once you’ve signed a lease or closed on a home, you’ve undoubtedly taken into account its distance from your job, what school district it’s in, and other major factors that will heavily impact your life. But before you actually turn the key on your first day in a new home and start getting acclimated, consider the Moveline team’s recommendations for places to bookmark in your new neighborhood. Doing your homework now can save you time and irritation later; a few minutes’ worth of Googling in advance of the big day can definitely make life a little easier amid all those boxes.

Grocery Store & Pharmacy

If you’re lucky, there’s a grocer with a built-in pharmacy right around the corner from your new home, and you’ve already walked or driven past it. If not, though, it’s wise to know offhand exactly where to go if you need to make an emergency run for toilet paper, toothpaste, ibuprofen or — of course — bacon.

24-Hour Clinic

Speaking of emergencies: unpacking, rearranging furniture and generally being in a new environment can create a minefield of little disasters just waiting to happen. It’s certainly no fun dealing with an unfortunate box cutter incident, but it’s a hundred times less awful if you already where to get it taken care of, even at 3 in the morning.

Pizza Delivery

Barring all moving-related injuries, the process of unpacking can actually be sort of an adventure if you let it, but all adventures require fuel. It hardly feels like a first night in a new place without pizza, Chinese food or some other delicious delivery from your new neighborhood’s most reliable dial-up dinner joint. When you place your first order, let them know it’s your first night in the area. You just might get your first meal on the house. (The same goes for your first takeout cup of joe the following morning at your new coffee place.)

Gym

You’ll probably want to start working off those first few greasy meals as soon as possible, so there’s no better time than before your move to look up the nearest gyms and start making your decision early. For the fitness procrastinators among us, moving to a new home is the perfect time to begin healthy new habits, so it’s smart to strike while the iron’s hot, and for those who can’t go a day without their cardio — well, you’ve probably already signed up for a trial membership anyway.

Dry Cleaner or Laundromat

During a move, it’s amazing how laundry seems to pile up at a rate startlingly more rapid than usual. In order to keep from looking like a total schlub, have your local dry cleaner and/or laundromat (if you need one) already on your radar screen before you arrive. Your family members and co-workers will thank you.

If you haven’t yet finalized your move, let Moveline help. We demystify the inventory process and gather quotes from reputable moving companies on your behalf, giving you a fair and accurate deal with people you can trust. Don’t go it alone. Let us help — for free.

the sun

It kind of defies logic; although summer is the least convenient time of year for a move, a majority of consumers inexplicably choose those sweaty and sweltering months to relocate anyway.
So, the Moveline team has put together a helpful list of ways to minimize the stress and potential damage you could accrue by changing addresses during the hottest season of the year. And luckily, if you just can’t heed #1 — the smartest advice we can give — never fear; we’ve got nine more tips for backup.

1. Don’t move in the summer.

If it’s at all possible, don’t schedule a move for the summer. From May 1 to Labor Day (the moving industry’s definition of summer), things go crazy. That’s when parents with school-age kids move, and that’s when the military does their personnel moves.

“When I drove a moving truck, over 60 percent of our moves were military and were in the summertime, the same time that a lot of civilians want to make a move.” says Erik Christensen, a Moveline Move Captain. According to US Census data, almost 50 percent of all moves take place from June to September. If you include May, it jumps to 65 percent.

Moving in the summer is like trying to fly over Thanksgiving; because it’s the busiest time of year, the prices are higher, schedules are squeezed, and the industry just doesn’t have enough driver capacity to meet the consumer demand for moving services. This causes blackout dates, long delivery spreads, and overall, fewer choices for you as a customer. With a summer move, you may not get the best packers and drivers — companies have to hire on extra help in the busiest months, so you may not get the most experienced professionals. For a fall, winter or spring move, on the other hand, you may be able to negotiate a 10 to 15 percent price reduction with the moving company while enjoying the benefits of more seasoned service.

2. If a summer move is unavoidable, start planning as far ahead as possible.

Moving in July? Start your research early and begin planning in May. At the very least, book six weeks ahead of time. As Christensen explains, “When I was booking moves for a long distance moving company last summer, people would call me five weeks ahead to book a summer move, and my hands were tied — there was no way I could fit them in.“

3. Arrange to move on the least busy days of the week.

Try to move on a weekday in the middle of the month. Whatever you do, avoid Memorial Day weekend and the last weekend in July — they’re the 1st and 2nd busiest moving days of the year.

4. Be realistic about packing.

Do you really think you can pack yourself? If you’re certain, fine. Just remember that if, right before a summer move, you decide you can’t and need help from the moving company, they may not be able to provide it. No matter how much you’re willing to pay, the moving company you hire might not have the crew to spare. Most people want to save money by packing themselves — they figure they’ll do it slowly, collect boxes, pack a few a day… but often, that doesn’t happen. Work obligations or illness get in the way. Life intervenes.

5. Build in flex time when planning the move.

Even if you’re moving within the same city, allow yourself time for something to delay the move. The possibilities are endless. There can be truck breakdowns, unforeseen personal circumstances can arise, and movers can call in sick on your scheduled day. Above all else, plan to take an extra day off from work.

Most movers offer a guaranteed delivery date compensation plan if they miss the promised date, but the amount you will receive will not be enough to entirely pay for extra nights in a hotel/motel if you’re taking a road trip to your new home. A mini-vacation that you may have planned around your move may not be quite as “mini” as you thought, so pack accordingly. Have a Plan B and be mentally prepared to use it. Don’t lock yourself into a housewarming party for the day or two after your estimated arrival date. Warn the relatives that you may be staying a bit longer than anticipated. Make sure you can extend your car rental.

6. Be aware of what things should not be put into the moving van in the summertime.

Candles in a van driving through the desert in the summer will melt all over your other stuff; carry them with you instead. Leather upholstered furniture will “sweat” if wrapped in plastic; use a pad instead. CD’s, videos and cassette tapes can warp in a hot truck. Plan ahead to keep vulnerable items out of the heat if you want to keep them intact.

7. Be kind to the movers — they’re hot too.

Julie Steed is a military spouse who has relocated her family 10 times in the last 14 years, always during the summer (she blogs about relocation at juliesteed.com). Here’s what she advises: “Have cold water available for the packing crew. Respect their needs to take reasonable breaks, especially if it’s uncomfortably hot. My family always offers to give the crew lunch. If it’s financially feasible for you to do the same, it’s a gesture of goodwill that goes a long way.”

Christensen agrees: “Your moving guys have probably been working 14 days straight through in the summer — they really appreciate, water, lunch and bathroom breaks.”

8. Plan carefully for your kids on moving day.

Your children will need a safe, climate-controlled place to play, nap and stay out of the way of the moving crew. It’s probably best to find someone to babysit for them at both ends of the move.

Steed recommends that you hand carry transcripts, vaccination records and other documents you might need to register your child at a new school. Avoid having to search through packed boxes for documents you’ll need; call ahead to find out exactly what paperwork is required.

And to help the kids meet other kids their age in the new neighborhood before school starts, check out local camps, sports leagues and special kid-friendly events to ease their transition into their new community.

9. Think about air-conditioning at both ends of the move.

Steed reminds anyone moving in summer that “the doors to your home will be open for extended periods of time and the temperature inside will reflect the temperature outside. Prepare accordingly, remembering that you will literally pay the price if your air conditioners run for hours on end.”

And be sure that the electricity is turned on in the new home if it’s going to be hot there too.

10. Plan for your pets.

Make arrangements for your pets, particularly dogs and cats. Work out a way to keep them away from the movers.

“They’ll need unhindered access to your home and yard,” says Steed
“so it’s best to put your pets in a kennel or have a friend take care of them. The yard is not a good choice for animals on a summer moving day because of the heat. It’s also unreasonable to expect the moving crew to keep yard gates closed.”

For more detailed tips on keeping Fluffy and Fido safe, healthy and happy during a move, check out our post on how to move with a pet.

two keys

Here on the Moveline blog, we’ve already covered what to ask your future (or potential future)landlord before moving into a new place, but in today’s post we’re focusing on what to clear with your current landlord before you move out. Since an ounce of prevention is almost always worth a pound of cure, these questions are most definitely worth asking; they may save you an abundance of time and money.

What are the exact cleaning requirements and fees?

We’re not suggesting you leave an apartment in shambles by any means, but when it comes to cleaning and repair fees, sometimes it’s worth your time and money to leave things to the professionals. Find out exactly what’s expected of you when you move out, and what the corresponding fees are for services that may need to be rendered once you’re gone.

If the property manager charges a flat fee for professional carpet cleaning and it’s a) cheaper than hiring a company on your own and b) less of a hassle than renting a machine and trying to do it yourself, simply running a vacuum and paying the fee might be the best option.

Likewise, some equations are true no-brainers. If there’s a $75 fee for repainting the walls once you’ve left, but repainting them yourself will cost more than that in paint supplies alone, the more efficient option is — again — to let the professionals handle it. On the other end of the spectrum, dusting and wiping down every surface and cleaning the bathroom might save you a decent amount of cash, making it completely worth the elbow grease and the $5 you dropped on a bottle of all-purpose cleaner. If leaving the walls full of tiny nail holes carries a hefty fee, a five-minute spin around the old apartment with a $4 tube of Liquid Nails from the local hardware store is probably worth your investment. When push comes to shove, let your inner economist figure out what’s best for you.

What time should you turn in your keys?

Sure, you know your move-out date, but when it comes to kissing the place goodbye and relinquishing the keys, do you have until midnight, or only until the management office closes? It may seem overly simplistic, but making sure you can meet the deadline in the midst of a move may save you a pro-rated day of rent, and from the standpoint of common courtesy, it may give your old landlord more time to prep the apartment for new tenants in the event of a quick turnaround.

Ideally, you may even want to schedule the move itself a day or two (or even more) in advance of your last day of occupancy to give yourself some wiggle room and reduce your stress overall.

Can you make life a little easier on the day of a move?

It may be possible to reserve and elevator, cordon off a loading zone and otherwise make for an easy getaway with a little advance planning. All you have to do is ask.

How soon can you expect your refunded deposit?

It’s not unreasonable to politely ask when you might anticipate receipt of your refunded deposit — or whatever portion of it will be due once any deductions have been made. Make sure your property management office has your forwarding address on file so there’s no confusion or delay.

Can you have a letter of reference?

Depending on where you move in the future, it may be helpful to have reference letters on hand from the managers of your former places of residence. With high turnover, your former landlords and property managers may no longer be reachable when you need them, so it may be wise to ask for something in writing now — provided, of course, that you’re leaving on good terms.

Regardless of what you’re leaving behind and where you’re planning to land (in the United States, at least), Moveline can simplify your move. We’ll help you find the best deal, take the mystery out of the inventory process, and oversee your move with a professional, reputable moving company from start to finish. Don’t go it alone. Let us help. It’s why we’re here.

floor layout

Although moving is rarely simple, a bit of intelligent planning (and working with the right tools, like Moveline) can prevent all sorts of headaches in the long run. That’s why we’ve put together a helpful list of things to confirm with a new landlord or property manager before you sign a lease (or mortgage, for that matter) and move into a new place.

Can you have pets?

Few of us with pets would ever be willing to let them go simply because a new apartment won’t allow them. When it comes to pets, the policies run the gamut from animal-loving to quite tough. Some landlords and property managers may allow pets of all kinds (or under a certain weight limit) with just a refundable pet deposit, while others may have breed restrictions and charge not only a deposit that may or may not be refundable, but also a monthly pet fee (sometimes referred to as “pet rent.”) Particularly since the very act of moving with a pet carries with it a lot of extra responsibility, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you jump headfirst into signing that lease or pursuing that co-op.

Who’s responsible for what services?

Before you can get a clear picture of what your monthly expenses will look like, it’s important to know what you’re responsible for and what you’re not. Are you obligated to pay for electric/gas, water/sewer and garbage collection, or are portions of those utilities taken care of by the management? What about pest control? If there’s a lawn (in the case of a townhouse, duplex or rental home), are you responsible for maintaining it, or is a service provided at no cost to you? Your monthly budget can be affected by hundreds of dollars depending on what’s expected to come out of your pocket versus what’s already taken care of, so be sure to ask specific questions about every possible expense.

Will everything fit?

Look, we love IKEA, but let’s face it: that modular wardrobe system you put together with your own bare hands in your current apartment probably isn’t going to be broken down into perfect modular pieces and put back together again in perfect shape at the new place — that’s just not how particle board works. So, for those larger items of furniture, find out if the hallways, stairwells and/or elevators will accommodate them during the move, or if you’re fighting a losing battle. Likewise, be sure to take proper, wall-by-wall measurements of the entire home; simply knowing the overall square footage and eyeballing the dimensions won’t help you when moving day comes and your headboard is three inches too long for your bedroom.

One more pro tip on layout: make a note of where all the cable and electrical outlets are; that knowledge, coupled with accurate dimensions, will help you plan out what goes where in the new space, helping you sidestep a lot of undue stress while saving the movers a good deal of time.

Can the movers be accommodated?

Speaking of movers, it’s important to know what obstacles they might face on moving day, as well as what resources they’ll have at their disposal. Find out from your potential landlord if there’s a loading dock or zone the movers can use to park the truck and do the unloading; also, ask if the elevator(s) can be reserved, and if so, what the restrictions might be on days and times. Generally speaking, buildings that allow new tenants to reserve elevators for move-in only do so on the weekend and during off-peak weekday hours, but figure out exactly what you’re dealing with before moving day arrives so the process can be as seamless as possible. If you’re moving into a building in a densely populated area, this is a critical step. If the truck can’t park and unload at your new home, the moving crew you hire may have to shuttle your move, which adds time and extra costs to the move, especially if it’s not planned for in advance.

Can you paint?

Particularly if you’re a stickler for decor, find out if you’re allowed to paint the walls (if you sense an opportunity to bend the rules, explain that you’ll paint them back to their original color before you leave — occasionally, that bargaining chip works wonders), as well as whether or not other modifications (wall hangings, full window treatments) are permissible. Even if they’re not, there are plenty of inventive and attractive workarounds, but it’s best to know up front for obvious reasons.

Are there any dealbreakers?

Just as one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, one person’s dream home can be another’s nightmare scenario. Case in point: while the charm of that pre-war apartment may leave quite an impression, the water pressure in the shower might not. The same can be said for the hustle and bustle of living in the city; while some may love the buzz of metropolitan life, the nightly wail of sirens may be too much for others to take. Living near a cemetery means peace and quiet for some, but spooks others away. On a serious note, parents in particular may wish to check the state or national sex offender database to see if any predators reside in the same building or on the same street.

Your needs (and dealbreakers) may be completely unique, but listen to your gut when making a decision about where to live, and then see what can be changed and what can’t. In the end, home sweet home is only as sweet as you perceive it to be. It’s worth taking the time to make sure your next one is one you can truly live in. The only thing more painful than moving, is having to do it twice.

calculator and take out menu

April 15 has long struck fear in the hearts of procrastinators everywhere — in the United States, anyway. Whether you owe or are owed, the process of filing one’s taxes isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but the Moveline team has a bit of good news for you: if you’ve moved in the past tax year due to a new job or job location, there’s a good chance you can deduct those expenses from last year’s federal taxes.

Even better news: the form you’ll need to fill out is likely one of the shortest and most straightforward documents the IRS offers. If you’re filing your 2012 taxes before the April 15, 2013 deadline, you’ll need Form 3903 for 2012 , entitled “Moving Expenses.” It only has five lines to fill out, and in them, you’ll report whether your move was paid for with your own out-of-pocket funds, your employer’s funds, or some combination of both. If you were left holding the bag on any amount of your moving costs after your employer’s limit was reached (or if you were paying for the process on your own to begin with), you can likely deduct that amount from the income you report.

How to deduct taxes related to your move:

-To qualify for a deduction, first and foremost your move must have taken place in the tax year for which you’re providing information to the IRS, and it must have taken place for either a job or a job location (i.e., you either relocated for work or your place of business moved far away, forcing you to move your residence to be closer to it.)

-You cannot deduct money that was actually spent by your employer; it’s not yours to claim. Any deductions you request must be as a result of your own out-of-pocket expenses.

-Per the IRS: “Under the ‘distance test,’ your new workplace must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job location was from your old home. If you had no previous workplace, your new job location must be at least 50 miles from your old home.”

-There’s also a “time test” which states that, according to the IRS, “If you are an employee, you must work full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months immediately following your arrival in the general area of your new job location.” Different parameters apply for taxpayers who are self-employed.

-It’s important to review all the exceptions and nuances to these rules; check the Moving Expenses page of IRS.gov for specific details.

This is just a basic primer to help you determine whether or not you might potentially qualify for a moving expenses deduction. When in doubt, always ask the IRS or a reputable tax accountant.

If you’ve moved since January or are planning a move for the upcoming year, be sure to keep all relevant documents accessible for the next tax season. And while you’re at it, letMoveline help you plan all the logistics and save money in the process. That’s why we’re here in the first place.

tips and advice for moving in with your significant other, fiance, partner

At Moveline, we’ve seen more than our fair share of moves — after all, it’s what we do. Time and again, we’ve helped couples move in together under all sorts of circumstances. In one particularly noteworthy instance, a long-distance couple, Tim and Alaina, braved Hurricane Sandy with us on their moving day to start their new life together under the same roof. In another, we moved a couple not once, but twice, in one month after they realized their first place together could never work (it was right above a bar). And the stories go on and on as cupid strikes all sorts of victims, making them go silly enough to overlook each other’s weird and wake up together every day.

No matter how diverse people might be, some common themes run strong when two people who love each other decide to make a go of it together. So, we’ve put together a handy, comprehensive guide for those about to plunge into domestic bliss with one another — and we’ve got more than a few tips to share in an effort to keep that bliss from turning blustery.

What we cover in Moveline’s Guide for Couples Moving in Together

Here’s an overview:

  1. There are plenty of perks to cohabitating with your partner, from the financial to the emotional. While it’s important to set parameters and respect each other’s space, the benefits to living together (when it’s a healthy relationship, anyway) are innumerable.
  2. Looking before you leap is critical: Are you moving to a new place together or simply giving up one of your apartments to move into the other one? What stuff stays and what stuff goes? We’ve got some great tips for resolving those kinds of questions, and there’s even an infographic to help you decide what to keep and what to toss if you reach an impasse.
  3. Like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two couples are exactly alike. As such, “The Money Talk” means something different to everybody. The good news: there are a handful of intelligent guidelines that can make a conversation that’s delicate by definition an awful lot more bearable, with the sort of outcomes that even the most hard-headed firecrackers can get on board with.
  4. Depending on where you move together and how, you might need more documentation than you planned for. Never fear; we’ve got a checklist of things to gather before you start chasing after that lease (or even that rental application).
  5. So many questions: Should you hire movers or do it yourself? What about a storage unit or pod for all that extra stuff? Answers to all that and more are just one click away… and they’re free.

Our Ultimate Guide for Couples Moving In Together is available online at no cost. Enjoy, and good luck, lovebirds. May the force be with you.

Moveline simplifies the moving process by demystifying the inventory process, gathering quotes on customers’ behalf, and overseeing every aspect of each customer’s move. Don’t go it alone. Let us make it easier. It’s why we’re here — to help you #movebetter.

how to move with a pet

It’s true what John Donne wrote: No man is an island. Although we’re pretty sure he was actually waxing poetic about the ways in which we each make up the overall fabric of society, we like to attribute a more basic meaning to his words, and man’s best friend is a perfect example of what we’re talking about. Dogs, cats, birds and other domesticated creatures just seem to take the edge off, even when they’re driving us nuts with their incessant barking/meowing/squawking and undying need for attention. No matter how insane they may drive us, we love them unconditionally, and for good reason: they just make life better.

So, when we’re moving from an old familiar home to a new place, our furballs, feathered friends and other beloved pets could probably use a little extra consideration to make their transition as smooth as possible. Here, we’ve rounded up some tips to keep our four-legged (and winged, and gilled) friends as happy as possible during a relocation.

Before moving day, microchip and spay/neuter your pet

It’s a fact of nature that cats and dogs in particular are curious creatures, and it’s not uncommon for them to feel the need to wander when placed in a new environment. Spaying and neutering not only reduces the pet population to a more controllable (i.e., humane) level, but also reduces the little critters’ inclination to run wild and chase down every pheromone in the new neighborhood by a staggering 90 percent. But in the unfortunate event that Fido or Fluffy does scamper off, microchipping them in advance increases their chances of making it back home by more than 200 percent. That math, to anyone who loves his or her pet, is inarguable. And even better: some animal clinics and shelters offer microchipping for free, while adding your pet to the national microchip registry is less than $20. Money well spent indeed.

Keep pet essentials on hand

While it’s tempting to pack everything — and we mean everything — into boxes while prepping for a move, it’s important to keep your pets’ most familiar elements in use. The familiar sights and scents of food bowls, beds, crates and toys are comforting while traveling and adapting to a new environment. It might feel natural to buy new stuff for your pet to go with the new house or apartment, but actually, it’s wiser to wait until they’ve adapted to their new surroundings before you go switching up their daily essentials and potentially freaking them out.

And speaking of essentials: throughout the move, it’s smart to have an envelope in your bag or dashboard containing up-to-date shot records and veterinary information. Particularly if you’re moving to a new city and taking the furbabies along for the ride, having that info on hand in case of emergency could literally be a life-saver. While the internet is a beautiful tool, it never hurts to have backup on hand, especially in a moment of crisis.

Take the edge off

Some pets just don’t deal well with change, plain and simple. For those nervous nellies in particular, vets are often willing to prescribe a light sedative for car or plane trips to get Bowser, Cupcake or Rocky to the new home safely and securely. Frankly, in this case, “better living through science” can be just the thing to get you through a move with minimal trauma for all involved. If previous experience indicates that it’s going to be a bumpy ride, at least call for a phone consult; the worst the vet can do is say no.

And whatever you do, don’t switch your pet’s food mid-move because you ran out and had to grab something new in a pinch. Stressful moments like these are the ones in which cats and dogs are more likely to have stomach issues, so keep the gravy train steady and give them the foods they’re used to, at the usual times and in the usual bowls.

Baby steps

If it’s at all possible, give your furry (or feathery) friend a chance to get used to the new place in advance. Moving in with a significant other? Bring the little monster over for a weekend or two several weeks in advance of the move. Let them get used to the smells, the sounds and the overall layout well before they’re calling the place ‘home’ and you’ll increase the likelihood of purrs and wagging tails shortly after the moving truck pulls away. And if that’s not possible, make sure those familiar items mentioned above are some of the first things you set up in the new place so that, when your pet bounds into its new surroundings for the first time, there’s already an element of home waiting there to provide comfort.

Stick to your pet’s schedule

With a new home come new habits, new daily regimens and new ways of approaching old tasks. Don’t let your pet’s needs get lost in the shuffle; that six-month vet appointment card you used to keep on the fridge may get swept up in the move, so keep a reminder on your digital calendar of choice. Those heartworm meds might have a way of sneaking down to the bottom of a storage box if you don’t pack them intelligently, so keep an eye on where they go when you’re packing. If your pup’s used to taking a walk every morning at 7:15, do everything in your power to keep up the habit in your new neighborhood. Stability and routine aren’t only a great way to make your pets feel at home i n the new place; they’re also critical to keeping them healthy.

Before you make the leap to a new home, let Moveline take the stress out of the process. We offer a free series of services to help you get a fair quote and simplify your move by assigning you a Move Captain to help you every step of the way. We can even connect you with pet moving specialists to make the transition for you and your furry family a simple and healthy one.

There’s no reason to go it alone. Let us help. It’s what we do.

5 people

Ah, moving. Once the boxes have been unpacked, the furniture’s been arranged and the first few nights have proven blessedly uneventful (no water leaks, no window-rattling trains, no thumping bass from the upstairs neighbors), the real challenge begins: that of developing a social network in a new town.

Even though we’re largely social creatures, the prospect of leaving an established group of friends and neighbors behind and starting over in a new place can be intimidating at the very least. The upside, though, is the limitless amount of possibilities that lie ahead, particularly if you’re moving to a cool city that feels tailor-made for you. Luckily enough, a fresh start can be just the kick in the pants we need to challenge ourselves to greater heights, and it’s always nice to get by with a little help from our friends. So here, we’ve put together a quick list of tips for making new friends in a new place. (Hint: it’s easier — and a lot more fun — than you might think.)

Meet Up with Meetup

The numbers don’t lie: since its launch, Meetup.com has expanded to 196 countries around the world, hosting more than 13 million members at no fewer than 125,000 meetup events over the last decade. Co-founder Scott Heiferman explains that in the wake of 9/11, he drew inspiration for the site from the way New Yorkers came together to help one another in the aftermath of the disaster. He began to see ways in which the Internet could play a role in bringing people together toward common goals, and as a result, Meetup came into being the following year. Today, that translates into an endless wealth of opportunities for a new kid in town to meet up, quite literally, with like-minded individuals from the same community.

And it doesn’t really matter what you’re into, either; it seems nothing’s too far-fetched for (at least some of) the network’s members. Naked yoga? There’s a meetup group for that. Foraging and bushcraft? Yep, that too. Or maybe you’d like to start with something simple, like a writing workgroup in San Francisco, a boozy book club in Brooklyn, a new urbanism and sustainability event in Chicago, or a running group in Austin that pairs you with a shelter dog to give both of you some exercise. Regardless of how you like to spend your spare time, there’s likely a group of folks right there in your new neighborhood just waiting to shake your hand and welcome you to the crew.

Do Some Good with VolunteerMatch

There’s probably no better way to feel at home in a new place than to indulge in a little Johnny Appleseed-style cheeseball moment of pure happiness brought on by good karma. Want to make a positive impact on your new town right from the start? Volunteer. Websites likeVolunteerMatch.org are excellent for pairing you with the kind of work you’d like to do, the kind of cause you’d like to support, and the place where you can easily do it. Or maybe instead of a long-term commitment, you’d rather practice one-off acts of good samaritanism just to see what it feels like. Look no further than good ol’ Craigslist, in its volunteers section under the community tab.. No, seriously — have you ever seen the documentary Craigslist Joe? Check it out. It’ll restore your faith in humanity and inspire you to pay it forward too.

Find Your “Third Place”

When Starbucks first began expanding across the nation and onto what now feels like every street corner, its goal was to provide a “third place” between work and home for folks to gather over a cup of coffee and just hang. Now that the coffee giant has become a money-making behemoth, that business model has changed, but the brand was onto something: in modern society, we really do crave a third place to shake off professional and personal stresses. Whether it’s griping about work woes with like-minded folks in your field at a professional association’s events, practicing your faith of choice at a place of worship, enjoying your favorite brew at a neighborhood pub or sweating your way to endorphin-induced nirvana at a spin or yoga class, finding your punching bag/wailing wall/place where you can let it all hang out might be little more than a quick Google search away. (Case in point: the co-founders of Movelinemoved from Blacksburg, Virginia to New York and made unbreakable bonds (immortalized in the illustration above!) with the folks in their startup accelerator.) Don’t procrastinate on this one, either. The sooner you can dig a foothold in a local haunt that makes you happy, the more like home your new place will feel.

Before you make the jump to a new city, let Moveline simplify the process for you. Our services are free, and not only will we help you get fair, accurate quotes from the best moving companies, but we’ll also assign you a “move captain” to oversee every step of the process. We’re here to take the stress out of the moving process so you can spend your time, money and energy on more important things in your new environment… like that running-with-shelter dogs Meetup group or the young tech happy hour at your new favorite bar. Life is short, so enjoy it… and don’t go it alone.

Let us help. It’s why we’re here!

You can also check out more post move tips from Moveline, a radically easier way to move.

piles of stuff

You’re getting ready for a move. You look around your house or apartment and have a mini (or even maxi) freak out about how much stuff you have — how much will have to be packed up and transported. How far you’re going has little to do with the problem; whether you’re moving down the street, to a neighboring city or state, across country or across the world, it’s all pretty much the same. You’re stuck with deciding what to keep and then, just as tricky, what to do with all the stuff you don’t want.

Two versions of a 3-step plan

Linda Gatri, CEO of eMarket Boost, moved six times in three years. She’s lived in New Jersey, Florida, Boston, New York City and four cities in Pennsylvania. She’s getting ready for another move, but she hasn’t decided where yet.

When it’s time to go, she sorts everything into three categories:

1.To keep: “Things I can’t live without, even if they have to go into storage (files, books, photos a favorite pan).”

  1. To sell: “ I start by offering things to friends and family, telling everyone I know what’s available. When they’ve made their choices, I advertise furniture, electronics, good jewelry and designer anything online or in a local paper; I consign furniture, art, and antiques to a local shop; and finally I have a take-no-prisoners yard sale — I call it an ‘estate sale,’ which gets more attention from dealers.”
  2. To donate: “Whatever doesn’t go at the yard sale gets packed and taken directly to my favorite charities that same day.”

Julie Steed, who writes a relocation blog at juliesteed.com, is a military wife who has moved her family 10 times in the last 14 years and is getting ready for move number 11 this summer. She has her own version of a three-step plan, and it’s strikingly similar:

  1. Sell furniture or appliances. “I use Craigslist or a similar local outlet. I price each item reasonably and include lots of pictures with my ad. I move what I’m selling to the garage so that buyers can look it over without having to come into my home and it’s easier for them to load things quickly and easily without damaging my floors or walls.”
  2. Have a garage sale. “Saying it’s a moving sale spurs interest. Price items slightly above the minimum you’re willing to accept so that you have bargaining room. Put a price on everything.”
  3. Donate. “I give whatever is left to a charity.”

The Queen of Divestiture

If Betsy Talbot isn’t the queen of getting rid of stuff, then she is definitely a member of the royal family. Betsy and her husband (authors of the blog marriedwithluggage.com and The Step by Step Guide to Getting Rid of It) downsized three years ago to one backpack each for a trip around the world.

Two of her strategies that would work for an even slightly less dramatic divestiture are an “indoor yard sale” and a “reverse birthday party.”

The indoor yard sale: “This is a great thing to do when you know you’re leaving but not quite yet, and you need to know that your things will have a good home before you go.” Betsy has sold, among other things, her “tempur-pedic mattress, box spring and sleigh bed, our couch, a tree and 2 plants, baking pans and more.” Here’s how to do what she did:

“This method is perfect if you are too lazy to have a yard sale, have a hard time parting with your stuff, and have a lot of good friends. You don’t have to price anything, set anything up, or advertise beyond e-mails to friends and a Facebook post. You do, however, need to have a reasonably clean and organized space. If possible, offer some light refreshments. People will stay longer and buy more.”

What’s left goes on Craigslist: “I’m a big fan and we’ve made thousands of dollars downsizing this way.”

The Reverse Birthday Party: “When my birthday came around I decided to get a little creative and host a reverse birthday party for myself. Instead of guests bringing gifts, they take your stuff home with them. “

“Each item had a tag telling the story of how I had gotten it and a memory associated with it. Guests were then free to walk around the living room to ‘shop’ and write their names on the back of the tags of the items they wanted. …If more than one name was on a tag we had a ‘style off’ where each person had to model the items in a distinctive way that would earn them the most votes from the crowd.”

“Have finger food that’s not too messy (buffalo wings would be a mistake). Set up a start and stop time for the party — mine was 4-7 pm.” If you don’t want to price items, you can ask for donations. “I set up a small box that looked like a piece of luggage where people could drop their donations.” Take what’s left over to a consignment shop.

Giving your things to charity

As an alternative to selling items, giving them away or handing them over to a consignment shop, you can always find a charity that could use them. Some charities will pick up your donations, while others want you to drop them off. If you need help schlepping them somewhere and don’t have the time, consider Taskrabbit.com, a site that will match you up with someone who is willing to do it for you.

There are lots of places that can use what you don’t need. First, you will want to consider the charities that you or a friend may volunteer for —a domestic violence shelter, a refugee center, a church, even a local theater group looking for furniture for sets and costumes. On-line you’ll find a number of good options: Furniturebanks.org has a list by state or places that accept furniture and Freecycle.com, DonationTown.org and Oprah.com/home/where-to-get-rid-of -your-stuff are others. Your local United Way should also be able to steer you to some local groups who would be happy to have your things.

If you plan to claim a deduction for the things you donate, David Bakke,moneycrashers.com, suggests checking first with the IRS database of qualified charitable organizations. And, for help figuring out how much the items you are donating are worth, check Goodwill’s valuation guide.

What do you do with leftover food?

And what about your leftover food? Whatever you do, says Steed, don’t throw it away. “Give unopened items to friends or neighbors. Host a moving party and prepare food from the hodgepodge of items you can’t take with you. Challenge family members to create recipes and meals using the strange items you have left in your fridge and pantry.”

Or, if you’re not in the random-recipe frame of mind, you can go to moveforhunger.org and find a list of relocation companies in 46 states that will pick up and deliver left over non-perishable food to a local food bank.

Haven’t decided what’s going and what’s staying? Here’s some more tips from Moveline on deciding what to keep and not to keep.

clipboard

The act of moving is, appropriately enough, a symphony of moving parts. The inventory process (which we streamline), the packing, the disruption of daily habits, the new neighborhood, city, or sometimes even state, country or continent… all in all, there’s a lot to deal with. For the unindoctrinated, it may seem like a simple online change of address form filed with the post office is enough to get your mail forwarded, but alas, it’s not. So, we’ve put together a helpful checklist of places you should notify when you change addresses to keep those paper bills, checks, magazines and birthday cards coming like clockwork.

Here’s the list:

Although these are less important in the grand scheme of things, you may wish to change the ZIP code or city you’ve programmed into web-based services you subscribe to, like weather reports, local news reports, coupon services like Groupon and Living Social, city-themed lifestyle hubs like Daily Candy and so on. Because who doesn’t love a little local customization in their lives?

Particularly for friends and family, a quick Facebook message or email blast can let those close to you know you’ve arrived in your new place and are ready to receive mail there. For the traditional at heart, a postcard or notecard with your new return address can make the announcement for you in a charming, old-fashioned way, but let’s be real: even a quick digital message is more than most people take the time for anymore. A moment of thoughtfulness now can save others time (and money for extra postage!) later on down the road.

And if you just don’t have time for all of this, try an online service like Updater, which does pretty much all of the above for you (and even eliminates your junk mail!) for a small fee.

Oh Internet, how we love thee.

Check out more post-move tips and moving checklists from Moveline, a radically easier way to move.