If i'm relocating 1000 miles away from home, best way to move furniture/belongings?

[k3n]

Due to a lack of job opportunities in my metropolitan area, given my academic credentials (an IT associates agree with notable IT certifications for entry level individuals). I'm willing to relocate across the United States to obtain a livable wage job (12+/hour with benefits full time bare minimum).
The jobs around here (even the 14 dollar an hour ones) require 3-5 years work experience, and I'm not interested in doing unpaid/unlivable wage internships. A great percentage of the jobs are in the D.C. metro area, which will require me driving 2.5+ hours a day, after taking into account potential traffic jams.

If I wanted to move my furniture such as an office chair (without dismantling it), computer case and office desk, and even a mattress; what would be the most logical way to do so?
The places I'm looking at, are at least 1,000 miles away.
And of course I'm willing to drive my car cross country, after changing the timing belt/tensioner/oil/tires, lol.

I'm hoping to relocate within the next 2 years if all goes according to plan. My metropolitan areas have some of the worst traffic jams in the nation.

 

[nickbits]

Best option is to sell everything and buy new.

 

[Balt]

How much stuff are you moving, exactly? You only mention your desk, mattress, and chair. You could easily fit all of that into a small rental truck.

Mattresses (and most desks) are pretty hard to carry up 5 flights of stairs though, so you may need some help getting them out of/into the apartment.

 

[k3n]

Yeah, I'll probably dish the mattress since its 10 years old, lol, and sleep in a sleeping bag.

The bulkier heaviest thing I'd like to move are 2 cupboard with a volume of 26in x 22in x 15in, weighing 40 pounds each.

So yeah putting things in perspective, I'd say what I described above, multiplied by 5.

Of course I'll try to fit stuff in my car, but there's always the possibility of theft/grand theft auto, so I'll have to try hard to make sure the items are out of visible sight..

 

[deadlyapp]

Best option is to get a Uhaul or something. 1000 miles one-way would cost you probably 300-400 with one of the big vans or small box truck. You can do it in 2 days and padlock it. I wouldn't worry that much about theft if you stay in a reasonable area.

 

[Markbnj]

Best option is to get a Uhaul or something. 1000 miles one-way would cost you probably 300-400 with one of the big vans or small box truck. You can do it in 2 days and padlock it. I wouldn't worry that much about theft if you stay in a reasonable area.

This, unless you own a pickup and a large-ish tarp. It's too small a load to pay movers to ship, and too large to fit in a car.

 

[k3n]

So even from New-york to Los-angeles, a U-haul would be the best option?

I'd probably need to hire a driver then.

Worst case scenario, I may have to move to Alaska, given its wealth in petroleum.

 

[yottabit]

So even from New-york to Los-angeles, a U-haul would be the best option?

I'd probably need to hire a driver then.

Worst case scenario, I may have to move to Alaska, given its wealth in petroleum.

There are some relatively cheap PODs-alternatives that I would recommend checking out. UHaul has their U-Box or whatever it's called. I used a service called Door To Door for a cross-country move. It ended up being significantly cheaper than driving with a UHaul truck but that may also have been because I would've had to transport a car as well. A lot less stressful to drive your own car than moving truck with trailer, etc.

Compared to PODs though both UHaul Box and Door To Door are a little less secure, basically wood framed pallettes rather than an all metal container, but the pricing was much more appropriate IMO.

For 1000 miles its hard to say but definitely for the longer moves (2000 miles+) I think the container services start to become a better, especially if you need to take a car. UHaul forces you into renting a pretty big truck if you want to tow a car behind it, I think a 16 ft truck?. This is assuming you have enough stuff to fill the container (I think they are about 5x8 ft) I also had a decent amount of nice furniture and things that I would have had to take a pretty big loss on if I was going to sell and try to rebuy so that was another factor. Have to think in terms of replacement cost vs how much you'll pay in shipping.

Another downside to renting trucks is they force you into a minimum number of days based on distance. I made the trip cross country in 4 days to save money but I would've had to rent the truck for I think 7 days based on their minimum "safe" amount of driving time

Container based is also nice because you can conveniently store your things if you need to say stay at a friends place for a while. Then have container dropped off when you get your own place, etc. Downside is if you are moving in a straight shot and do need your things right away, it can be a scheduling hassle and you will probably beat your stuff to your destination.

 

[k3n]

Thanks yottabit, seems Door to Door is ideal

 

[EagleKeeper]

Depending on how little your vehicle is, put a $100 hitch on it and get a 4x6 trailer from UHaul. Any 6 cylinder vehicle can pull it. I would recommend taking the I40 or I80/I15 route in that case to avoid the climb through the Rockies.

 

[mikeford]

Progression is;

Stuff the car,
Trailer behind the car.
U drive truck towing your car.
Big truck, real driver, you drive your car.

If you have family near you now, leave the car and junk with them, fly out work the job at least a few months before you bring your stuff.

 

[k3n]

Depending on how little your vehicle is, put a $100 hitch on it and get a 4x6 trailer from UHaul. Any 6 cylinder vehicle can pull it. I would recommend taking the I40 or I80/I15 route in that case to avoid the climb through the Rockies.

I have a class C licence and drive an integra.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Due to a lack of job opportunities in my metropolitan area, given my academic credentials (an IT associates agree with notable IT certifications for entry level individuals). I'm willing to relocate across the United States to obtain a livable wage job (12+/hour with benefits full time bare minimum).
The jobs around here (even the 14 dollar an hour ones) require 3-5 years work experience, and I'm not interested in doing unpaid/unlivable wage internships. A great percentage of the jobs are in the D.C. metro area, which will require me driving 2.5+ hours a day, after taking into account potential traffic jams.

If I wanted to move my furniture such as an office chair (without dismantling it), computer case and office desk, and even a mattress; what would be the most logical way to do so?
The places I'm looking at, are at least 1,000 miles away.
And of course I'm willing to drive my car cross country, after changing the timing belt/tensioner/oil/tires, lol.

I'm hoping to relocate within the next 2 years if all goes according to plan. My metropolitan areas have some of the worst traffic jams in the nation.

Rent a U-Haul trailer. Get a local garage to put a ball hitch on your car if you need one.

 

[deadlyapp]

So even from New-york to Los-angeles, a U-haul would be the best option?

I'd probably need to hire a driver then.

Worst case scenario, I may have to move to Alaska, given its wealth in petroleum.

1000 miles is not NY to LA. I've done several 1000 mile moves from Washington to LA without issue. My preferred method is to do a one way trip via U-haul, fly or take a train back, and then drive my car separately.

 

[BoomerD]

The Class C license is all you need for either a Uhaul truck or a trailer behind your car.

I'm not sure if your Integra will handle a trailer though. Check with either the dealership or even Uhaul to find out.

As someone who has moved long distances many, many times, evaluate what you have that you REALLY want to keep. Often times, it makes much more sense to get rid of the non-essentials and replace it (if you need it) after you get settled in your new place.

When we moved out of California last year, we had 5 massive yard sales...and I could still barely get the door closed on a 26 foot Uhaul truck...even after selling MOST of our large furniture. I'm still paying storage rent for about 1/3 of what we moved up here...but that will go away once I convert my carport into a garage. (next spring)

 

[Spineshank]

What area are you in currently? Given you talking about DC being 2.5 hours, youre either near me, or middle of nowhere Virginia.

 

[olds]

If the Integra will pull a trailer, you might be able to rent a hitch (and trailer) from uhaul. That's what I did years ago when I moved from OK to CA.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Best option is to get a Uhaul or something. 1000 miles one-way would cost you probably 300-400 with one of the big vans or small box truck. You can do it in 2 days and padlock it. I wouldn't worry that much about theft if you stay in a reasonable area.

I bet it would be more expensive than that. Heck, it would probably cost $300-400 merely for the gasoline/diesel to move the loaded truck 1000 miles. If he's moving from an economically depresses region (fewer Uhaul trucks coming in, more coming out) then the truck rental itself might be more expensive.

15 years ago back when gas was $1/gallon a UHaul rental was feasable for such a move and I did several, but now-a-days you really have to consider selling everything at a big garage sale and taking what you can fit in your one or two cars. (Obviously, the most valuable and personal stuff--your best kitchen ware/small appliances, computers, etc.)

So, OP, where are you moving from and where are you thinking of going to? Here's a link to a discussion forum that's very helpful for people looking to relocate:

http://www.city-data.com/forums

 

[Hugo Drax]

What is your furniture worth used today? Most likely, it is not worth moving it, and cheaper to sell what you have and buy the equivalent furniture used where you are going.

 

[db]

Yep.

 

[Drako]

LOL, a moving truck. Duh.

 

[jagec]

Hmm, too far for a trebuchet, too short for an ICBM...

 

[BoomerD]

I bet it would be more expensive than that. Heck, it would probably cost $300-400 merely for the gasoline/diesel to move the loaded truck 1000 miles. If he's moving from an economically depresses region (fewer Uhaul trucks coming in, more coming out) then the truck rental itself might be more expensive.

15 years ago back when gas was $1/gallon a UHaul rental was feasable for such a move and I did several, but now-a-days you really have to consider selling everything at a big garage sale and taking what you can fit in your one or two cars. (Obviously, the most valuable and personal stuff--your best kitchen ware/small appliances, computers, etc.)

So, OP, where are you moving from and where are you thinking of going to? Here's a link to a discussion forum that's very helpful for people looking to relocate:

http://www.city-data.com/forums

When we moved out of California, the older (85,000 miles) 26 foot Uhaul truck got between 7 and 11 mpg. (mountains really sucked the gas) Cost about $300 for the gas to go 900 miles. Truck rental was about $750.

 

[KlokWyze]

1st world problems

 

[Puppies04]

1. Buy second hand covered trailer
2. Attach it to car/truck
3. Drive 1000 miles
4. Unload stuff
5. Sell covered trailer for roughly what you bought it for
6. ????
7. Profit