I am finally giving up on life in New York and am heading back to California. I’m not very excited about the idea, so I am having a hard time getting motivated to pack.
What’s the best service to use to move? Cost is a big factor, since my unemployed self is paying. Everything I own could fit into a walk-in closet, and I’m not taking any furniture.
When I moved out here from California, I boxed everything up and drove in a friend’s truck to the UPS center and shipped them. Here, I don’t know anyone with a car, so I’ll have to hire movers to pick up the boxes. I already know how to find cheap movers in NYC, but I have no idea whether there are better ways to go than UPS.
I’m also thinking that a lot of what I own isn’t worth shipping. Should I sell my TV and by a new one when I get out there? I might be better off buying new pots and pans and dishes too. A lot of my crap I don’t really want to keep anyway, so I guess I need to try a stoop sale or Ebay.
Any advice is appreciated. I’m feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
When you mention “cost is a big factor”, “everything I own could fit in a walk-in closet and I’m not taking any furniture”, and “unemployed self”, the first thing that comes to mind is : U-haul (as in YOU haul/drive). In case you’re not familiar, there are companies like U-haul and Ryder that will rent you a truck, for a one-way (or whatever) trip as in moving yourself.
If you’re unemployed, then time may not be a factor (okay to do a cross-country drive - just get about 20 books-on-tape ;-). Depending on the vehicle, and how long you can drive each day, I would estimate about a 5 to 7 day trip. Given no time constraints, a nice way to see the country.
If everything you own could fit in a walk-in closet, and you’re not taking any furniture, you could probably get by with a van or at least the smallest truck.
And though I don’t know how the cost compares (gas & rental vs. moving service), at a minimum you wouldn’t need to buy that one-way airline ticket.
I guess one wrinkle is whether you own a car or not. If you do, that would complicate things (as you were probably planning to drive back anyway - just in your own car).
Obviously the best way would be to first land a job here in CA, and then have the company pay for your moving expenses. But perhaps you are not sure where you want to end up, or what you want to be doing ?
I like the idea of driving cross-country but not in the middle of winter. I’ve never driven in snow before and don’t think it would be a good idea to learn while in a rental truck. I wonder if a southern route would be feasible…
I’m looking for work in the non-profit sector, so unfortunately no one is going to pay any moving expenses. I really have to be there to talk to people in order to find a job.
If you’re going NY to CA in winter, Rt. 80 is probably your best bet. Depending on where in CA. I did it in December '00 in about 3 days. Left the afternoon of 12/29, got there the morning of 1/1. I had someone (anyone still remember oldscratch, or am I dating myself here…) to split the driving with though, which was obviously a huge help.
Except for when he got pulled over, without a license, in Utah, for doing 110 mph. The cop let us go. Thank you, Officer Red. And curse you, parts of Wyoming, for having no speed limit and hypnotizing us.
I packed only what I could fit in the back of my VW Golf, and when I moved back to RI from CA a year later, I shipped what I couldn’t fit via … I think Ryder or something. It was about $300, and I probably shipped 10-15 boxes.
Buy chains for your tires if you drive. While you probably won’t need them, there are some parts of Rt. 80 where if there’s a weather advisory, you’re not allowed to proceed without them.
Holy hells is it boring driving Rt. 80 cross country though. Forget what they tell you about Alaska being the largest state. I have it on good authority that Nebraska is indeed the largest state IN THE WORLD, having driven through it the long way.
If you are flying, it’s probably cheaper to get a round-trip ticket. By the outgoing leg for whenever you want to leave, book the return ticket for some later date (whatever gives you the cheapest rate). Don’t ask me why, but I’ve found on several occasions that a roundtrip ticket is cheaper then a one-way. Yes, airlines are stupid sometimes.
Did a quick check on www.ups.com, 3 packages at 75lbs apiece from NYC to LA would cost you about $360 at the cheapest rate. Assuming you can get airfare for around $350 (possible if you do it right), that’s $710 in moving expenses right there. If you’ve got the time, you can probably rent a car.
According to the Hertz, a Ford Focus rental for a week, one-way, from NY to LA would cost you $442. Thrown in a few nights of hotels and food, plus the cost of a few tanks of gas, and it’s probably a wash money-wise. If everything you own could fit into a walk-in closet, you can probably fit it into a Ford Focus if you pack carefully.
Next week, I’m renting a car from National Rent a Car and packing my stuff in there and driving to Dallas from Ohio. I found National had the best rates for a larger car (about $80 per day). It will be something like a Chevy Malibu. I decided to get rid of almost everything except books, clothes, and things from my past. Thankfully, my bf’s place is completely furnished when I get there.
You might also look and see if the car rental rates would be cheaper in New Jersey (if you’re in Manhatten or close). NYC car rentals are insanely expensive.