Moving Home from Overseas

Posted by on April 4th, 2012 | No Comments

This guest post was provided by A1 Auto Transport, leading directory of auto transport companies.

Military professionals in particular often move frequently and sometimes from overseas locations back to the States. Moving home from an overseas location presents a unique set of challenges that must be overcome to ensure a successful move. One such challenge is what to do with your car; after all, you can’t drive it over the ocean, so you have to find a way to get it home somehow. This is in addition to the other numerous considerations you’ve got to keep in mind to ensure the smoothest possible move back to the United States.

To start, work with a good car shipping company that won’t charge you an arm and a leg to get your car back home for you. This company should be able to ship your vehicle from any number of places in the world and give you specific instructions on how your car will be transported back to the United States. Once you’ve got this nailed down, you can then focus on other aspects of your move.

For example, you may then need to turn your attention to where you will live, planning for security deposits and other expenses. If you work with an auto transport company like A1AutoTransport that won’t overcharge you to ship your vehicle, you will have money left over for those other important incidentals like putting down deposits for a new residence.

Additionally, you need to consider your own method of transport back home. If you are booking a flight, you need to plan that well in advance so that you don’t incur airline fees that are sky high. Again, this is where money saved on the auto transport process can result in money applied elsewhere to ease the expenses of a move back to the United States from an overseas location.

The more you plan in advance, the easier your move will be. There are additional expenses, from your flight and auto transport to fees and taxes that may be incurred when shipping items back home and coming back through customs; the more you plan ahead, do your research and expect those fees, the more prepared you will be to make your move back to the U.S. from overseas.

Select a Moving Company

Posted by on March 28th, 2012 | No Comments

The following article was provided as a guest post by SelfStorageFinders.com, online directory of storage units.

Selecting a moving company is not a decision to be taken lightly and is a practical choice when the time comes for you to leave your current residence. In order to make the best decision on whom to hire you need to be prepared and have a checklist of things to be done. Here are some tips.

The first thing to do when preparing to move is go through all of your belongings. You may find there are many items which you can either dispose of or donate to charity. Decide if you are going to pack your belongings yourself or if you are going to allow the movers to do so. If the movers pack your things, it will be an extra charge. It is probably best if you pack most of your things and let the movers load it into the truck. Do you have to stop at your local storage facility to grab your other belongings out of your storage unit? Be sure to do so before the moving truck arrives so you are fully prepared once the movers do arrive.

Next you will want to look for moving companies online. As with any other research you are doing, make sure to get at least 3 separate bids. Do not accept bids over the phone as the moving company should have a consultant survey your home in person and then write a bid in person. Be sure to determine how long the bid is good for. It is also important to ask the moving company for any references and about the training their employees receive. Will your belongings be on the same truck the whole move or will the movers switch trucks mid-way? You will also want to make sure you get insurance for your move. You can pick up insurance through your current insurance provider.

Be sure to get feedback on the moving companies by searching online and through the Better Business Bureau. Ask friends, family and neighbors who they used to move and how smooth their move was. Word of mouth is a powerful tool.

Once you completed these steps you should be ready to make a decision on your moving company. You may be left with several companies to choose from which is good. Remember, you are trusting these movers with all of your personal belongings so be sure to do your homework and minimize the risk on your end.

Self Storage Units & What You Must Know About it

Posted by on March 17th, 2012 | 1 Comment

Today’s guest author is Eddie Munoz, who writes for Onebyone Self Storage, a storage facility in San Diego, CA.

Most people automatically assume that a storage unit is just a big empty room for some old junk that they might want access to in the future. It’s obvious that people want to find the storage unit that best fits their needs and that they feel most comfortable with. When picking the storage unit, it is best to try to avoid certain things such as harming your belongings or anything in that matter. Luckily, if you know what to be searching for, you will most definitely avoid all unwanted obstacles. Pay careful attention to this advice, as it is going to come in nice and handy when you are shopping around.

When you are looking for a self storage unit, you absolutely want to avoid contracts with fine print. Hidden fees and unwelcomed surprises are one of the main things that you do not want to come across. You do not want to end up paying more money for something that you originally bought for a lower price. While scanning through the paper work, you want to remember some things. Month to month leases should be what you’re looking for because it’s not good to sign to any leases that you can’t commit to.

Do not sign up for a storage unit that will come with an extensive set of startup fees. Thirty dollars should be the maximum amount of money to get your storage unit up and running. You shouldn’t sign up with a facility that requires a security deposit. This is usually required for something such as an apartment but not for a storage unit.

When all of these things are taken care of, you need to have an estimate of how many things you are going to be storing inside your storage unit. You shouldn’t be calling around for quotes if you don’t know what you are going to be putting in the storage unit. You won’t be getting the correct quote by the facility manager if he doesn’t know what you’re storing. Even if you think that you are going to be able to run with a few approximate quotes, you are still going to want to be sure that you are able to give your property manager a brief description of your items. With them knowing what to expect, you will be getting the right storage unit customized for your needs.

How To Keep Your Pet Happy During A Long Distance Move

Posted by on March 2nd, 2012 | No Comments

Todays guest blog post comes to us from FindGoodMovers.com, an online directory of long distance moving companies.

No matter if you are using moving companies or not it is never easy to travel across country with a pet. Sometimes the most docile pet can suffer from long periods of confinement to a small space, and may feel anxious about all of the unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells on the road. If at all possible, take your pet with you in the vehicle, so you can reassure her with your voice and touch. Even when the pet owner takes care to keep a favorite toy, treats and other discomforts in their pet carrier, animals can still feel tense and confused and might howl or screech for hours, refuse to eat or react in any number of ways that will be distressing for both your pets and you.

Before moving across country, get all of your pet’s immunizations taken care of, and remember to check to see if the state you are moving to has additional required shots. Don’t forget to keep copies of your pet’s health records with you. Be sure to fit your dog or cat with a collar that has a name tag attached, with your telephone number and new address. When the animal is allowed out of the cage, always attach a leash to the collar. Stop as often as possible and let your pet out of the car for breaks and exercise. Check the water and food levels frequently in your pet’s containers.

Moving vans do not take pets in their trucks, so if you cannot take your pet in your car, you might want to look into using a pet shipping company, which transport animals in comfortable, climate-controlled vehicles.

If you are spending the night on the road, find a pet-friendly hotel in advance, so you know that your pet will be allowed indoors and can stay in your room. Never leave a pet alone in a car for long periods of time. You can find pet-friendly accommodations online or in a printed directory.

It is not advisable to send your pet by air. Cages might be put in the cargo hold, which can expose your pet to a lot of stress, including extreme temperatures, insufficient fresh air, loud noises and rough handling. Talk with your vet about ways to minimize the trauma of air travel for your pet if you do not have any other choice.

Different Moving Options

Posted by on January 23rd, 2012 | No Comments

This is a guest blog post from Self Storage Finders, directory of self storage facilities.

The moving/relocation and self storage industries are designed to cater to the needs of you and your family and typically go hand in hand. There are several different moving options you can choose when you are moving so you should first determine what kind of assistance you need from the moving companies. Some moving companies will do all the work for you while others will perform more specific tasks of the move.

Full Service Movers
Full service movers are the most inclusive relocation option available. These movers handle each aspect of your move from packing and loading your belongings to driving and unloading your belongings. These companies are professional, licensed and offer the option of insuring your possessions just in case. The cost you pay for these movers is made up for in the time, effort and stress you and your family are spared.

Self Service Movers
Self service movers are a hybrid moving option which requires you to do the packing and unpacking of your belongings while the moving company handles the driving from your old home to your new home. These movers are great for small and medium interstate moves and offer a convenient and less expensive alternative to full service movers. You and your family have greater control over packing/unpacking while also receiving some of the most professional drivers to assist your move.

Do It Yourself Moving
This relocation option requires you to hire no one and do everything yourself. You will plan your move, pack, load, rent and drive a truck, plan your route and load and unload the truck once you arrive. The money you save in not hiring movers is made up in the time, stress and effort it will require for you to do all of the work. Having friends, family and neighbors helping you is a great way to reduce your stress and efforts all while keeping expenses down.

Self Storage
If you need Chicago self storage or a San Diego self storage unit after you arrive at your new home there are sure to be plenty of options. A quick internet search should reveal hundreds of storage facilities nearby. Be sure to prepare a checklist of your needs and compare each facility as each one will offer differing amenities, security, sizes and prices. Is a gated facility a high priority? Do you need security cameras or a climate controlled unit? How far are you willing to drive to get the cheapest price on self storage?

Depending upon your budget, you have several different options to choose when moving and storing your belongings. Decide which is right for you and make the move as stress free as possible.

Cross Country Move

Posted by on January 4th, 2012 | 1 Comment

This latest guest post comes from Self Storage Finders, an online self storage directory.

For many people moving is one of the biggest and most stressful things they can do. Moving around the corner can be a hassle so think about how intense moving across the country can be. There are extra complications when moving long distances. Long distance movers will charge you more for gas and time, you have to arrange for your items to be transported, you have to move yourself, your family, pets and cars and may even have to hop a flight or train if the distance is far enough.

It’s not every day you move across the country and the stress may be overwhelming so we created some tips on what to do in order to prepare you for your move.

Research: Be sure to research the area you are moving to. What is the climate like? How is the culture, shopping, restaurants, sports teams, schools and neighborhoods? Will you and your family have enough things to do or will you be stranded in your house for 9 months of the year? Is there a hospital nearby? These all seem like basic questions but moving without thinking ahead can cause major issues once you think you’re settled.

Plan for the Worst: When it comes to moving, expect the worst. If nothing major happens you will be surprised and delighted when you arrive at your new home and nothing has gone wrong. Consider using Triple A for your car and getting extra insurance. Take all of your hotel reservations with you and have backup plans in case of emergency.

Temper your Excitement: Moving to a new city and culture will be overwhelming. Embrace it the best you can. A new city, culture, people, food and roads which are unfamiliar, a different home and neighborhood can all add up. Add the excitement you have of starting a new chapter of your life and the long distance drive and you have a recipe for starting high and fast and becoming exhausted later on. If you know you have a 12 hour trip ahead of you, plan for 15 and temper your excitement until you arrive. All of the people who helped you move and sent you away won’t be on the doorstep of your new home helping you unpack. Driving all day and night to get the trip over with may seem like a good move until you arrive by yourself and are completely exhausted. Relax and take your time.

Be Prepared Beforehand: Register your car, change your insurance, fill out your new drivers license, switch your mailing address and get your bills in order. Are you going to need a Chicago self storage unit or Los Angeles storage facility when you arrive with all of your stuff? Call the self storage facility and make sure everything is in order and ready for when you arrive. Make sure all of your tedious paperwork is completed because the last thing you want to do after moving across the country is stand in a line at the DMV or not have the electricity in your home ready to be turned on. Make the first couple of weeks the least complicated as possible.

Plan for your Arrival: After a cross country move with countless hours in the car, staying in hotels and exhausted upon arrival is not the time you want to begin unpacking all of your things looking for fresh clothes, soap and a toothbrush. Be sure to either keep a box of clean clothes and toiletries with you or pack it last on the truck so you can remove it first once you arrive. This way you don’t have to dig through all of your other stuff to get the one box you want most.

Stay in Touch with Movers: It’s a good idea to arrive at your new home before the movers do but things don’t always go to plan. Be sure the movers have your cell phone number and you have theirs in case something unexpected happens. Have your cell phone charger handy as well because what good is a cell phone if you can’t make a call on it?

Remember to let the little stuff go and be over-prepared for your move. Hopefully these tips will have you less stressed on your move.

Important information about moving overseas

Posted by on November 16th, 2011 | No Comments

No matter where you move, whether it is across town or across the globe, be sure to follow these steps so you do all you can to ensure a hassle-free move.

Find a reputable moving company that has years of international moving experience and will come to your home to see and give you an estimate for the total cost to move. This estimate will depend on the weight of your furniture and boxes, as well as the amount of space they take up, and whether your things are being transported by air, water or land. Before hiring a mover, check to see that they are a member of the FIDI, an international movers’ network. There is nothing wrong with wanting to find a cheap moving company but, be sure to make sure they are licensed and insured.

Moving overseas differs from domestic moves in several respects: recent laws require that professional movers pack your things; in fact, people can no longer pack their own household goods. It is not an option. The packers wrap and arrange the contents of all boxes, etc., in your home and place them in large containers. Another difference is the added expenses of customs, duties, tariffs and other possible charges when your boxes leave the U.S. and also when they arrive at the final destination.

Free moving estimates allow you to compare movers so you can save money on your move.

If you do not arrange for your things to be taken to your home within a specified amount of time, usually 30 days at the most, then fees for storage will need to be paid in order for your shipment to be released. Know the laws and regulations before you go. You might decide on an alternate form of shipping, or choose not to pack some of your items if there will be a delay between sending your boxes and your arrival time. There can be a lot of stress involved in any move, much less a move to a country where you might not be fluent in the language and there can be any number of delays, glitches and other unforeseen problems to deal with.

Be sure that you have every document that you could possibly need—not just birth certificates and passports, work permits, and residence permits, but also medical records, marriage certificates, international driver’s licenses and school transcripts.

This article was provided as a guest post by our friends at LowCostMovers.Org

Things to do Before Relocating

Posted by on October 19th, 2011 | No Comments

When you decide to relocate for any reason there are some things that you should do before you relocate. If the reason you are relocating is not because of a job then one of the first things that you want to do is make sure that you have a job before you make the move. If you like the company where you are working and know that they have a branch where you are going to be moving ask if there is any way that you could transfer to that branch. If they have an opening and you accept the transfer you should then check to see if there are any expenses associated with moving that the company covers.

Some of them things might include supplying the moving truck, helping with housing, etc. You should also find out about the salary that you would be making. If there are not branches or job openings with your company, then you should make sure that you have some type of job secured before you move.

You should also make sure that you have some type of housing before you relocate. It can be an apartment and then once you get there you can start to look for a house. It would be easier to look for a house if you are already living in the city that you have chosen to relocate to.

Now that you have a job and a place to live it is time to take an inventory of what you have in your home or apartment and get rid of things that you no longer need or use because it there is no sense in moving things that you do not have to. With the stuff you are not taking you can have a yard sale to earn some extra spending money or you can donate them to charity. Once you have gotten all this done it is time to decide if you are going to rent a truck to move your stuff or hire a moving company. Once thing that you should factor in this decision is your car and what you are going to do if you rent a truck and drive it yourself.

If you decide to move yourself, you are going to have someone either drive your car or drive the truck. If it is an old beat up car that is over ten or twenty years old, you might consider selling the car and getting you another one where are relocating to.

Moving from Nevada to Arizona

Posted by on October 15th, 2011 | No Comments

Moving from Nevada to Arizona may well be considered a lateral move if only for the fact that both states are known for its tropical-type climate during the year and large deserts as well. However if you are looking for a state where the cost of living expenses is low and not to mention a great place to raise a family, then you would love relocating to Arizona. It is not a really far move, but it is still a good idea to hire professional movers to handle the task for you.

Most people who move from Nevada to Arizona are those that are seeking night-time entertainment that offers more than just a trip to the casino. There are lakes here that are suitable for camping as well as museums and restaurants and bars as well.

Another reason why people move from Nevada to Arizona is because they also want a better life in terms of education and jobs.

With that said, Arizona offers a brimful of scenic locations and attractions including the famous Grand Canyon where one can visit either to hike, go camping or simply enjoy the fantastic view. The state also provides a good transportation system making it easier for most to commute who are without a personal vehicle. If you are relocating to Arizona for a job, you would realize that you would have more success finding jobs there than other states. With the real estate industry gaining momentum, it makes way for several construction job openings that one can take advantage of.

Through this industry, there is also a need for workers of a skilled trade; they are always in search for tile setters, masons, mechanics and steel workers. There are also jobs in the mental health and social services industry and if you have knowledge of technology, then there are many job vacancies in the Mesa, Arizona area. For those who want to further their education, the Phoenix area has many educational institutions to choose from.
When it comes to living in Arizona, the possibilities are endless where real estate is concerned. The price for houses there are relatively cheaper than other states and it helps that you also get more bang for your buck in terms of the space.

Most homes in Arizona are tastefully constructed with opened-air spaces and pool and not to mention fantastic views of the mountainous area or even a golf course. There are also high-rise and condo apartments that one can either rent or purchase as well.

Real estate experts would tell you that two of the more popular cities for settling down with family in Arizona are Phoenix and Scottsdale. Living in Phoenix you are never too far away from an array of activities which include sports, shopping, culture and art. The homes available in Phoenix are usually modern-designed and luxurious lofts.
However if you envision your new home being well-appointed on sprawling land with lots of space for the kids to run around or for hosting barbeque events, then there are many communities in Scottsdale that are available.

This blogpost is provided by Matt Hammerton who is the creator of FindGoodMovers.com, a website that provides leads for local and long distance movers.

Getting ready for a move

Posted by on August 13th, 2011 | No Comments

When you are relocating there are so many details that you need to tend to that it is advisable to make lists and use them. Have a list of the things that you need to do before the move such as getting school documents transferred to the new school, making sure that you fill out change of address forms, make sure that all books are returned to the library, make sure that you have gotten in touch with the utility companies where you live and where you are moving too so they know when to turn off and turn on the utilities. You should also make a list of the things that you can do yourself and the things that you need to hire people to do. You should also decide if you are going to pack yourself or let the moving company do it.

At least a month before you know you are moving make sure that you line up a moving company and make your reservations. This will ensure that you will get the moving company that you want to use and not have to rush around trying to find a moving company.

Start to go through all your stuff and get rid of things that you no longer use or need. This is a good time to have a yard sale so you can make extra money for your trip. Start packing as soon as you know you are going to relocate. There are many things that you can pack that you do not use such as extra blankets, pictures on the walls, figurines, your fancy dishes and glass wares, etc. In addition, start getting the boxes and packing material that you are going to need to pack the rest of your stuff. If you do just these couple of things it will help you to not have to run around at the last minute doing everything.

Try to finish everything that you need to do at least a few days before you move so you will have a few days to relax and de-stress before you start the long drive to your new home. On the day of the actual move, have someone watch your small children so they do not get in the way and get hurt. If you have pets, have a friend or family member watch them the day of the move so they will not become over anxious.

To make sure that you are not leaving anything behind, before the moving van leaves, make a final check of the house, including all closets and cabinets, to make sure that you have everything

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