Chris The Rock Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 Most of us on this board are working adults, and some of us (I'd imagine) have changed jobs at one point or another and have moved from one state to another (or province, for my friends from the north). Seeing as how I've never done it before (but I'm about to), I come to ask for advice that any of you who have moved across country might have. I'm not really looking for advice per se, but rather anecdotes that ended up being a learning experience. Maybe something that I could look out for. Sadly, in my situation, I'm completely footing the bill for the move, which is OK, I've known that this would be the case all along. See, I work with a large company and I've been applying for jobs in our Boulder, Colorado office for 2 years now. (I presently live in the Tampa, FL area.) After 35 applications and only 2 interviews, I'd begun to give up hope that I'd be able to find a job with my current employer, and that if my wife and I were going to move, I'd have to get a job outside the company. Then it happened. Through what I'll call a Series of Fortunate Events, my name was given to someone with an open position on his team, and he interviewed me and offered me a position on his new team. I accepted the new position yesterday. The cool thing is that even though my boss is located in Minnesota, I'll be given a place to work in the Boulder office, just like I wanted. :rock Anyhow, I'm wrapping up the final preparations on my house to get it ready to sell - and my wife and I are reviewing our choices for which apartments we will move into when we move. Since I've never sold a house before, or had all my earthly posessions loaded onto a truck and driven across the country - I'm a little nervous. I'm also nervous that I'm going to spend at least twice as much on a new house as I will be selling my current place for. (Thank goodness my current house has doubled in value during the time I've owned it. Hmph. I'm in the friggin wrong business, I tell ya.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 Congrats, Chris! A move like this can be a real eye opener in a lot of ways, opening you up to new people, new experiences etc. Sounds like a cliche but it's true. I moved around 3500 miles to Texas & it was the best move I made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlucci Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 I have no experience for you, but when you said all your earthly possessions would be in a truck, I remembered something I read before. Be very careful about the moving company you use, and the fees they charge. Apparently, if the media stories are to be believed, there are problems with movers holding your possessions hostage until you pay an exhorbitant fee. Since they got you by the balls and the laws are vague in some cases, there were some really terrible horror stories of people getting screwed over. Be sure you read up and go over the contract very well, to avoid such surprises. Best of luck to you in you move. Congratulations! I hope it works out just like you want it to. Carlos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChoiceStriker Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 Anyhow, I'm wrapping up the final preparations on my house to get it ready to sell - and my wife and I are reviewing our choices for which apartments we will move into when we move. I'm also nervous that I'm going to spend at least twice as much on a new house as I will be selling my current place for. I was going to ask you about this - I remember years ago reading an article about how land costs in Boulder were astronomical. Is this still the case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris The Rock Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 I was going to ask you about this - I remember years ago reading an article about how land costs in Boulder were astronomical. Is this still the case? In a word, yes. In the city of Boulder, building is restricted - hardly anything new is being built. Homes are off-the-charts expensive in most of Boulder county. I saw a realtor out there and began talking about homes in the low-to mid-200's, and he almost laughed out loud. They do exist, of course, but We'll not be living in the city of Boulder, but there are a lot of nearby cities with up-and-coming neighborhoods for younger families. We'll have a lot of areas to choose from. Be very careful about the moving company you use, and the fees they charge. Apparently, if the media stories are to be believed, there are problems with movers holding your possessions hostage until you pay an exhorbitant fee. Since they got you by the balls and the laws are vague in some cases, there were some really terrible horror stories of people getting screwed over. I have read these things also, and it will be a big factor in our decision. I haven't ruled out moving our stuff myself (renting a truck, or course), but I don't know if I'll be able to handle the 2,000 mile drive at 55 miles an hour in a huge truck. It's more likely I'll hire a moving company. And I'd be happy to get any recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Zot Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 I don't have any moving anecdotes, but I do live near Boulder so I can give a little advice there. Yes, forgot about living in Boulder for very long (at least if you want to buy a house.) The surrounding areas though like Lafayette, Broomfield, Westminster, Longmont, Erie are all reasonable. Maybe more expensive compared to FL (?) but no where in the same stratosphere as Boulder. Even Denver is cheap compared to Boulder. we live in Westminster in a really nice neighborhood, 3000 sq ft house (finished basement), maybe 4 bedrooms that would go for about $300K right now. And it sits on a nice sized lot close to open space and rec center, so not too pricey. Colorado is an extremely pet and family friendly place, be prepared for that. When you look for a house, I highly, highly suggest using these folks: http://www.boulderhome.com/ They are buyer's brokers that work for you instead of the seller and this group is real good. We bought our house through them and sent 2 other couples to them (who also bought houses and actually enjoyed the experience.) You can ask for Ulf and tell him the Szotts sent you, but they are all good there. Buy some chapstick and hand lotion when you get here. It's pretty arid all year round, especially compared to FL. High plains and all. If you ever need help or want someone to hang with in the area, give me a call. I can send you my number via PM (I don't want Romier or Joey crank calling me at 4AM - hehe.) We have 2 yound kids, so not great night life people, but we're good hanging out folks. Anyway, welcome to Colorado. You'll love it here, I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyN Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 I can send you my number via PM (I don't want Romier or Joey crank calling me at 4AM - hehe.) Maybe Romier , Im never up at 4 am :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orpheus Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 We moved alot when I was young and the only company that my father's employer would hire was Mayflower. They did a great job of packing and treating our possesions with resepect and care. Looking at their website, it looks like they have both a "we'll do everything for you" as well as a "you pack it, we'll drive it" option, so you could always do the packing, loading and unloading yourself and let them drive it. For my last longer distance move, I went the rental route. I only had to drive a few hundred miles, but there was only one truck available and it was the big monster that Uhaul rents for moving large (6-10 room) households and that thing was a real treat to drive. Then again I was renting it from the middle of BFN so it's no suprise it was a piece of crap. Really it comes down to what you want to spend and how much effort you want to go through. The number of rooms in your household will really affect the price, as well as if you'll need to car(s) towed. A big move like this is also a good chance to evaluate your possessions and purge yourself of unnecessary items (I'm a huge packrat, so this has been a big problem for me) . Well, at any rate, congrats and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris The Rock Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 Anyway, welcome to Colorado. You'll love it here, I'm sure. Thanks for all the info. My wife and I have been out there a couple of times in the last 18 months, and I've found everything you've said to be true. I can't wait to get out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris The Rock Posted March 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 On the morning of Saturday, 3/19 my good friend and I began what would be a 32 hour drive from my old place in Pinellas Park Florida to my new place in Superior, Colorado. After reviewing my options, I decided to use UHaul for the move. It was a combination of several factors that led to that decision. Mainly it was my absoulte disgust with the individual who came out to give me an estimate from a professional mover. I had a moment like Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer. "Thanks, you've just convinced me to hire a DJ." The drive went without a single problem. We stopped over night twice, in Tennessee and in Kansas. We're mostly unpacked, and I'm totally loving the area. We got an apartment that's walking distance away from a huge mall (Flatirons Crossing) and everything we could every need is less than a mile away. It was nice to walk over to the mall and pick up my copy of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory! :tu Anyway...I'm glad it's finally over. Now we've just got to get a couple of bikes. I can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted March 31, 2005 Report Share Posted March 31, 2005 COngratulations Chris! I'm glad everything went to smoothly for you. I absolutely despise moving in general. I moved apartments a few years back in same complex I live in (the building was literally right down the street) and I still hated every minute. It's especially nice that everything went so well since you were moving completely out of state. (I don't want Romier or Joey crank calling me at 4AM - hehe.) Shit, I have nothing better to do at 4am. :lmfao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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