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Dos and Don’ts of Putting Things in Long-Term Storage Before Cross Country Move

There are plenty of reasons you might need to keep things in a storage unit for extended periods of time. Maybe you’re taking the trip of a lifetime, downsizing your house, moving across the country or just don’t want your living space cluttered with items you don’t use on a regular basis. Whatever your reasons for choosing long-term storage, there are some important guidelines you should follow to ensure that your things stay safe and undamaged until you retrieve them. Protect your stuff and your peace of mind by following this list of dos and don’ts for putting things in long-term storage.

Do…

  • Ensure you choose a storage facility that’s ventilated and temperature-controlled. Your things are more likely to get damaged if they’re kept in a small space with no air circulation and exposed to wide swings in temperature. It might cost a little more to rent a temperature-controlled storage unit, but don’t try to pinch pennies here – ruining your stuff isn’t worth saving a few dollars.
  • Box up your belongings securely. Invest in new boxes, since old boxes are more likely to fall apart. Fill your boxes all the way to the top, so they don’t get crushed if you set other things on top of them. Use packing tape to seal your boxes securely, so they won’t come open when you move them.
  • Label your boxes clearly. You might remember where you put everything now, but in six months, you might not. Save yourself some hassle by clearly labeling everything.
  • Pack up fragile items safely. If you have any breakables, use plenty of bubble wrap and newspaper when you box them up. Label the boxes as fragile and handle them carefully.
  • Make sure all your items are clean and dry. Don’t store damp or dirty items, especially clothes – bacteria or mildew quickly ruin them. Keep clothes and other fabric items dry and protected by storing them in suitcases or cloth bags, not boxes.

Don’t…

  • Store bulky items on top of lighter items. Heavy boxes might crush lighter items underneath. Stack your boxes and other items with the heaviest things on the bottom.
  • Prop couches up on one end. You might save space by storing a couch on one side, but that could weaken or break the couch. Leave it in its regular position with all four feet on the floor.
  • Store anything wet, dirty, or moldy. All items should be clean and dry when you pack them away. Otherwise, you’re just inviting bacteria to grow there.
  • Forget to disassemble furniture. If any of your furniture can be taken apart, Kip’s Movers says to do this before you move or store it. You’ll save a lot of space and protect your items from breakage.
  • Put important documents or other items in storage. Be careful not to accidentally leave your keys, wallet, or other necessary items in your storage unit. Don’t store any necessary paperwork, either, even if you don’t think you’ll need it – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Moving Tips for Brooklyn NY Residents from Our Expert Movers

Are you a Brooklyn, NY, resident who is planning to move soon? If so, you may be dreading the prospect. However, our expert movers from Cheap Movers Brooklyn (www.cheapmoversbrooklyn.net) have some tips to offer that can help your move go as smoothly as possible. Consider the following suggestions.

Tips for Moving in Brooklyn

Although moving in any location requires a fair amount of planning, here are some things to keep in mind that will especially be helpful to residents of Brooklyn.

1. Take advantage of opportunities to simplify.

Ask anyone who’s ever lived in Brooklyn, and you will learn that this borough is known for its sidewalks lined with discarded books, furniture, electronics, and so forth.

Although some people may consider such items to be a nuisance, many other people revel in scavenging through these finds and collecting things they can use. So don’t be afraid to get rid of anything you don’t need before packing and moving. Remember the old saying: “When in doubt, throw it out!”

Besides leaving items on the sidewalk, you may consider having a moving or stoop sale. These sales are very popular in Brooklyn, especially during the warmer months of the year. With so many people passing through the borough each day, you are sure to attract many patrons. Besides helping you get rid of unwanted items, these sales can put a few extra bucks in your pocket.

2. Remember to check alternate-side parking rules.

Alternate-side parking rules can be one of the best or worst parts about moving in Brooklyn, depending on the day and your point of view. Since alternate-side parking is in effect most days out of the year, you will want to be sure to check the posted signs before parking your car, SUV, or truck on the street in front of your home.

If a certain side of the street seems unusually empty, this may be due to alternate-side parking. The last thing you want is to add to the stress of moving by getting a parking ticket.

On the other hand, if you catch alternate-side parking at the right time, it can be much easier to find a good spot.

3. Hire an expert.

There are many experienced movers available, but the best experts have experience with the unique challenges of moving in Brooklyn. Whether it’s dealing with narrow streets, navigating the sometimes-confusing parking rules, or maneuvering furniture and boxes in and out of narrow brownstone entrances, the right movers can make this job go smoothly.

Take your time and select quality movers with the expertise needed to complete your move successfully.

Conclusion

While moving can be stressful for anyone, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. By taking the steps listed here, you can make the most of your move and retain your sanity in the process.

Six Things You Should Donate or Sell Before Moving Out-of-State

Moving into a new home is a big step; you have to make many important decisions along the way. You have to think carefully about what you will take with you. This is an essential question for anyone, and it is especially important if you are moving across the country to a new state. Are there things that can be safely donated or sold – if so, what? Here’s a list of six things Cheap Denver Movers (website) suggests that you donate to the thrift store or even send to the trash.

1. Old Clothes

Moving is a great time to get rid of clothing that no longer fits your size or style. Keep essentials like winter coats, but get rid of old t-shirts that you haven’t worn in years. Shoes tend to accumulate in the back of closets. Clear these out, select a few pairs that you know you wear on a regular basis and get rid of all the others.

2. Unused Cups and Dishes

Not only are these hard to pack and heavy to carry, but they’re also inexpensive to replace should you need to. You have a selection of dishes that you use on a daily basis, so stick with those and get rid of the rest. Coffee mugs are some of the worst offenders. If you are like most people, you have two or maybe three that you use on a rotating basis. Pack these old standbys and get rid of the others.

3. Posters and Bland Art

Art bought from department stores tends to all look the same. It’s not bad, exactly; it’s just not very good. All those posters and prints probably came with the apartment, so leave them behind for the next person to enjoy. Bring with you only the artwork you actually enjoy – the items you actually spent money on. Cheap posters don’t count; those never survive the move anyway.

4. Promotional Items From Work

Are you still hanging on to that water bottle from two jobs ago? You can get rid of it. Branded promotional items won in drawings or given away for free clutter up your home and are more hassle than they’re worth. You don’t need that stress ball or notepad. You’re sure to find more of those items once you arrive in your new home.

5. Stuffed Toys

Some people are very attached to stuffed toys; they might have been given as a gift from a partner or parent. Hang on to one or two special toys but give the rest to a thrift shop to brighten the day of a needy child.

6. Soaps and Bath Products

These tend to leak everywhere, even if they’re carefully packed. They’re heavy and awkward, too. Some moving companies won’t accept certain personal care products at all.

A New Start in a New Home

Your new home gives you an opportunity to start fresh. Get rid of the junk before making the move.

San Francisco CA – City Relocation Guide for People Moving

Thinking about moving to San Francisco? This quick guide covers the fundamentals, including housing, weather, job market, and more.

COST OF LIVING

San Francisco is the most expensive city in the United States. According to Curbed San Francisco, the median rent in fall 2017 was $3,400, the highest of any city in the country. On average, about 40 percent of a person’s salary goes to housing in San Francisco, which is also greater than that of any other city in the country.

GETTING AROUND

The San Francisco Bay Area has an extensive transportation network of streetcars, subways, buses, bike lanes, and freeways. It isn’t necessary to own a car here thanks to the City’s compact geography. There are two primary public transportation systems:

  • MUNI – includes cable cars, buses, trolleys, and trains servicing the city of San Francisco
  • BART – includes commuter rail trains servicing numerous cities around the Bay Area

WHERE TO LIVE

San Francisco has something for everyone. Different neighborhoods cater to different crowds depending on taste, as the City accommodates an array of diverse lifestyles. Here are a few areas with different vibes:

  • SoMa (South of Market): popular with newcomers, young professionals, good access to transit
  • Nob Hill: diverse, centrally located, lots of historic architecture
  • Richmond/Sunset: great for families, more laid-back, less expensive

THINGS TO DO

San Francisco has plenty of things to do not just for tourists, but locals as well.

If you’re interested in the outdoors, take advantage of the many nature parks and hiking trails around the Twin Peaks area. If bar-hopping is your thing, you can sample the after-hours nightlife in the North Beach and Union Square districts. Finally, there’s much to explore in the Bay Area’s other cities Oakland and Berkeley, where you can experience counterculture West Coast style.

CLIMATE

The San Francisco Bay Area experiences mild weather year-round, although temperatures in summer can feel cold to those unaccustomed to the area. October is the warmest month with an average high of 73 degrees at the San Francisco International Airport, and January is the coldest with an average low of 41 degrees.

Because of the Bay’s geography, micro-climates with vastly different conditions can exist in the span of a few miles. Areas farther inland like Downtown can be much warmer than those closer to the ocean, like Sunset. Fog is also frequent in low-lying areas of the western part of the city closer to the ocean.

JOB MARKET

San Francisco has no shortage of smart, talented people. The unemployment rate was 3.0% as of October 2017 for the greater San Francisco area, among the lowest in the country. Some of the major industries in the Bay Area include tourism, technology, business, and logistics. Nearby Silicon Valley, in particular, is home to numerous Fortune 500 tech companies, including Apple and Google.

LEARN MORE

For more information about everything San Francisco has to offer, go to sftravel.com. As you plan for your move, be sure to call AZ Rise! With services from New York to San Francisco, we are the #1 cheap Bay Area movers. Request a free quote when you call today!

The 6 Best Moving Hacks Recommended by Our Mover Crews

For most people, moving house is an exhausting and financially draining undertaking. This is because of the amount of time, money and effort it takes to plan and execute a successful move. Even with proper planning, there is still a chance that something will go wrong during the move. Right from the time you decide to relocate, you will have numerous activities and tasks to do. The sheer number of these tasks may leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The good news is that you can use these simple hacks from our team of moving experts to make the process more bearable.

1. Do all the packing and labeling before the moving day

One of the best ways to reduce anxiety when looking to relocate is to start the process at least eight weeks before the actual moving day. Rather than waiting until the last minute to start packing, you should divide the task into weeks. Start with the items that are not used frequently in the home, making sure that you label all the boxes. This will help you to save both time and space.

2. Hire a babysitter and a pet sitter

Children and pets can add to the pressure you feel on the day of the move. Since you may still have a few things to pack, you should consider keeping them busy. Getting a friend to help or hiring a babysitter and a pet sitter will help to keep them busy. In this way, you will be able to focus on getting the job done.

3. Be creative

Creativity will go a long way in ensuring that the moving process is seamless. When packing, you should not only place some of your stuff in the drawers but also use your suitcases to transport heavy items. If you were traveling over a long distance, it would be important to bring some snacks along with you.

4. Keep the important items with you

Keeping valuables such as expensive jewelry and important documents with you will ensure that they are safe. You will not have to worry about the valuables ending up in the wrong hands and getting lost. It would also be convenient to keep anything you will need on the first day within easy reach.

5. Get help

Making the process less stressful could mean asking friends and neighbors to lend a hand. Whether they will help with packing or the actual moving, you should plan out specific jobs. This will make it easy for you to check whether everything has been done properly.

6. Hire a professional moving company

While this may appear to be a no-brainer, some people avoid hiring a moving company in an attempt to save money. However, it is clear that working with a professional company will be convenient, ensure that everyone is safe and minimize the possibility of your property getting damaged. Check here for inexpensive long distance movers prices.

In case you have young kids, you should come up with effective ways of making a move as stress-free as possible for them. Make sure that they get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet throughout this period.

Moving to Phoenix AZ? Here Are Our Top 7 Apartment Moving Tips

You’re all set for your upcoming move to Phoenix: the lease has been signed, the moving van rented, the new job all lined up. But have you worked out the logistics of settling into your new apartment? There are some factors to consider — some generic, some specific to the Arizona climate and lifestyle. Here are seven tips on making the transition a smooth and enjoyable one.

1. Hire a moving company

The Arizona heat can be unbearable, particularly in the city. Hiring professionals to aid with the lifting and grunt work is well worth the investment. Some highly-rated area options include Frontier Apt. Movers, Einstein Moving, Cheap Movers Phoenix, Atlantic Relocation, and of course, AZ Rise. All of these websites will provide free online quotes, so you’ll have a good head start on working the expense of your moving budget.

2. Familiarize yourself with the layout

One of the biggest and most common moving blunders occurs when prospective tenants fail to take the dimensions of their new space into account. If you have a giant sectional sofa, for example, be sure that it will fit into the living room area before loading it into the moving van. It’s far easier to dispose of impractical pieces before the move than after your arrival.

3. Understand the rules of the building

Do you have pets? Are you a smoker? A night owl, perhaps? Make sure you won’t run into problems with the landlord once you’re settled. Apartment searching can be an arduous routine; it’s tempting to fudge the facts when filling out an application. Resist the urge to do this.

4. Consider the commute

Have you considered whether you’ll be bringing or buying a vehicle? If your building offers decent parking opportunities, it’s not a bad idea: The Phoenix Business Journal ranks the city as 43rd in traffic congestion among major US metropolitan areas. Phoenix is also easily traversable by foot or bicycle if you choose not to take on the hassle of driving.

5. Make sure the air conditioner works

This is a life-or-death priority in Arizona. If there’s one already installed, test it repeatedly before moving in. If it isn’t in decent working order, lean on the landlord until the matter is resolved.

6. Brush up on the legalities

If there’s ever a dispute, you don’t want to be caught on the ignorant side of the argument. Before you relocate, visit Nolo.com to read up on Arizona required landlord disclosures, the security deposit limits and guidelines, and the state landlord-tenant laws.

7. Give yourself time to acclimate

This might seem like an obvious point, but particularly if you’re moving from a less-stultifying climate, you’ll want to give yourself a few days to adjust to the heat. If it’s possible, plan to move a solid week before starting a new job or undertaking any strenuous exploration. Your body will thank you.

Best of luck on your upcoming move, and enjoy all the excitement that Phoenix has to offer!