The more I find out about Tennessee, the more I find out. There are countless things to do here in Tennessee and many reasons to move here! I've posted many but will be posting many more (there's so much!)
MAKING THE MOVE-CONSIDERATIONS
OK! You are ready to move to Tennessee!!
Here is some advice to make that move more manageable. You have to find the place you're moving to first, of course... (need a realtor? www.buyrealestateintennessee.com (another shameless plug).
IS THERE A BETTER TIME OF THE YEAR TO CONSIDER A MOVE?
The best times are when it's a cooler season, such as fall or winter, but if you don't have much control, it's probably better to do your best to avoid the hot summer months from June to August. Gasoline prices will reflect decisions heavily these days as well.
WHO TO USE?
You may be thinking of U-Haul, PODS, a commercial mover, renting a truck, a few friends (an excellent way to lose a friend), a commercial contractor (like u- ship-it), then loading up boxes, or letting someone else do it. I often say if we knew "it all" in advance, we probably wouldn't have done it; afterward, you wonder how you did it all but are satisfied you made your dream come true. Life is always that way. God shows mercy by not telling us the work required in advance!
Depending on the distance, the number of goods, your budget, other limitations, and desires, you can narrow down those choices effectively.
CONSIDERATIONS
There are systematic steps to complete initially, and a long head start gives you plenty of time and hopefully less stress. Less stress is good!
A starting place may be making a list of items you will be moving and (to-do's). Distance is an obvious consideration and the manpower you will require. Other considerations such as children, schools, pets, time frames, medical facilities, and other limitations such as perhaps your new house closing or the house you're moving into closing (or if a rental).
Once that critical step is complete, you can start packing (if your mover is not doing that for you).
Commercial movers will pack, move, and unpack you or a combination of the above. Make sure you get a reputable mover! Get referrals! I recommend calling those referrals. There are a lot of scammer movers out there today. Trust me, there is little you can do about it. It is a highly unregulated industry. I recommend not just reading the reviews but asking for satisfied clients' phone numbers.
We had a great company that moved us from Idaho to Tennessee. Over the top in every way.
However, when we moved from Hawaii, it took 3 months to get our goods, not an apology and a million excuses. Then it was delivered literally at midnight on a Sunday (without two hours' notice). They wanted the balance in CASH right then, or they said they would turn around with our stuff. Who has thousands of dollars of cash sitting around on a Sunday night? When we appealed to them to get our inventory a month into the wait and explained to them that we were living out of boxes trying to work without our computers, printers, etc., they honestly said," go to Costco and buy what you need, and return it when you get your goods." No kidding!
Nightmare!
As you continue packing, use this time to schedule disconnect and connect dates for services and utilities, collect medical records, service your car, and update addresses, ID, and bank information. If you are buying a home, hopefully, your realtor has helped you with the connection side in Tennessee. If you have a loan on your car, you may have to talk to your lender before moving the vehicle out of state. Make sure your coverage covers your move of the vehicle if being transported.
CHILDREN, PETS, OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Moving pets is also an important consideration.
We had a Great Dane (he was not very mobile at 155 lbs), three feral cats, two pet cats, and a huge McCaw (with a baditude). We drove two cars, and we pulled a boat. That was a 3200-mile trek. Plan ahead for hotels (if you are driving with pets) that allow pets. "Most" Holiday Inns do, but you will almost be guaranteed to have to pay extra for each pet. There will be a fine if they catch you and you don't tell them, so don't recommend that.
We were not planning on hauling a boat or driving two cars as an independent hauler was scheduled to move those items, but again, be careful! He did not communicate well (not even up to the last week), and we were afraid he would bail and then we'd be stuck, so we just decided not to take that chance. Our mover themselves (household items) was awesome!
We felt like a mobile Noahs arc driving for 6 days.
Secure your digital files, donate food you can't move and other items, start cleaning the home, and finish packing.
THE LAST FINAL THINGS (THERE ARE ALWAYS TOO MANY!)
Clean the refrigerator (I'd do this a day or two earlier and eat out a few nights, who needs to deal with food when you're packed up?), make sure the home is clean, and have your suitcases of clothes packed. Get your pets ready. Any medications they may need to be calm, or other considerations for your children or pets (again, all on the "the list"). If you are moving with pets and children in the summer months, plan on needing lots of stops and clean cold water and hydration. If in the winter, we had propane heaters in the back of the truck (canopy) for those pets riding in the back..(feral cats).
Check and double-check with your movers to ensure the ball hasn't been dropped along the way and that you are still on the schedule. Be aware of your "movers guarantees." There are a lot of loopholes in those moving contracts. No one likes a thousand of dollar difference in charges-AFTER your goods are loaded. Ask, ask, ask and ask more and get every detail in writing.
Then finalize the details with your mover and get a good night's sleep (right!).
STAGE YOUR BOXES AND ITEMS
Have the movers load the truck so that the last items correspond to the new home's furthest areas; that way, they can unload into those areas first while pathways are clear. Then do a final walk-through with the landlord or relator and meet the crew at the new home, where you'll do a precheck and start the move-in process.
As a note, I used black Costo rubber containers. I had over 200 of them. Costly, not really, when considering the price of a cardboard box (small were $4-$6, large $12). They also loaded very nicely in the truck, which probably made our move less expensive in the long "haul." I just stacked them in order of the room they went into in the new property and labeled them. It was super easy to locate and load, unload, and unpack them. Then you can stack them easily and reuse and reuse and reuse. I even used some for planters outside.
Upon arrival and the job is complete, if you used a mover, they would do an inventory with you to make sure nothing is missing or you don't have other people's items (they usually load two or more people's households in one 50' truck). Thank your movers and tip them, especially if they are your friends (were your friends)!
Is it Worth Moving to Tennessee?
We've said it before, and we will repeat it: Tennessee is a great state and undoubtedly worth calling home. If you are interested in making a jump here, don't hesitate to give us a call to find your perfect forever home.
It's still affordable, it's beautiful, and you will probably never meet such easy-going, kind, considerate people.
Call us pick our brain! We're delighted to help you make the right move for you
I don't think you'll regret it! I can almost guarantee that!
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