BROOKLINE MOVING COMPANY BLOG

Moving to a new area, across the country or even across the ocean, is a big decision. Making a move uses resources and puts a strain on any family, marking a huge change in life that can take a year or more to fully adjust to. The success of a move depends largely on the family’s preparations and whether or not the new neighborhood is a good match for their desires, interests and personalities. Choosing a new neighborhood may result from a job transfer or the family may simply be ready for a change. Education, employment and opportunities for healthy family experiences and entertainment are all important considerations when deciding on a new neighborhood. Each family should consider their lifestyle, personalities, desires and interests when considering a move to a new location.

 Austin, Texas

 With so many USA houses for sale, there are a variety of choices available to families. Austin, Texas is a family-friendly area and thanks to its mild climate, public swimming pools are open all year round, providing kids with plenty of opportunities for fitness. Cultural experiences are offered in the Live Music Capitol of the World and jobs are plentiful with technology companies such as Samsung, Google and Facebook all having offices in Austin.

 Boston, Massachusetts

 For families who are looking for both open green spaces and the cultural diversity a larger community offers, Boston is an ideal city. Education and medical care are both high on the list of Boston’s facilities. The city’s parks are second-to-none and amongst the most innovative in the nation. A restored saltwater marsh has been developed into both habitat for wildlife and space for humans with the incorporation of community gardens and even a playground.

 Madison, Wisconsin

For families who want to put down roots, Wisconsin may be the best choice. Madison is known for its historic University, museums and theater. The Cave of the Mounds offers opportunities for kids to try their hand at archeology. Farmer’s markets and bike trails help families embrace a laid-back, healthy lifestyle.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Often thought of solely as a tourist destination, Honolulu is one of those places families may visit and decide to stay. With one of the lowest crime rates in the nation, excellent schools, high employment rates and a great tropical climate, there is much to love about the whole island. Kids and parents alike can take up surfing, swimming, snorkeling or just lounge on the pristine beaches, soaking up the sun.

Louisville, Kentucky

Horse racing and baseball are two of America’s most-loved sports and both have their roots in Kentucky’s Louisville. Home of the Kentucky Derby and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Louisville is known for the beauty and quality of its parks, in addition to being one of the America’s Promise Alliance’s ‘100 Best Communities for Young People’. The slow-paced lifestyle of the American Midwest is a good fit for many, so add in affordable housing and a strong employment rate and Louisville becomes a prime destination for families considering relocating.

When you know that you will be moving soon, probably the first question you ask yourself is: 'Can I handle all the work?' Although many people find packing and moving the most dreadful tasks, the truth is that you don’t have to be so worried and stressed out. In order to cope with the tension, remind yourself that you will be living in a brand new home where everything will be unused and impeccable, and the neighborhood will be so friendly and safe. The happy thoughts will certainly relieve the stress and make you feel calmer.

 

Once you have handled the emotional stress, it is time for you to start with the actual moving task. If you are asking yourself how you are going to do it, in this article you will find the answer to this scary question.

In order to make things easier for you, this step-by-step guide will help you ensure an organized and stress-free move.

Step one: Create a checklist

Your desire to finish with moving as quickly as possible will make you start packing right away. However, this would be a great mistake since before packing, there is one very important step. Your moving must start with a checklist because you need, most of all, a good plan to follow. Create a checklist in which to outline everything that needs to be done before and after your move. Your checklist should include important details, like the date to start packing and date you have to be finished; what things to pack; and a rough estimate of the moving costs you have to pay.

Step two: Decide what to pack and what to leave behind

There is really no point in packing things which you know you will not be using any longer; it will only take you more time and energy. So, what you should do is get rid of the clutter and pack only the most necessary stuff.

Step three: Start packing early:

Regardless of the fact that you have a month before you move into your new place, you have to start packing early. Even if you pack only two boxes a day, you will be done with all your stuff for 30 days. Remember that when you start early, you will have enough time, which will save a lot of stress. You should always start packing the items that you know will not be needed for a long time, like seasonal clothes, stuff in the attic, etc.

Step four: Pack room by room

The key to an organized moving is to know how to pack your things. In order to finish earlier with the packing, a lot of people try to finish with as many rooms as possible in one day. This is a mistake. Remember that any task done in a haste has a great risk of failing. What you should do instead is pack room by room. Keep the content of each room in separate boxes; this will save you a lot of time and confusion when unpacking.

Step five: Label the boxes

When you start packing, don’t forget that you will be unpacking the boxes once you move into your new home. To make the unpacking easier, you need to label the boxes. You can even use numbers to organize the boxes according to priorities, so you know what needs to unpacked first and last. Apparently, with the proper organization even the most tiresome task like moving can be successfully completed. Use the tips given in the guide if you find yourself struggling with that job.

When you are doing a local move there are a few do’s and don’ts that you should consider when you hire a removals company to do the job. These basic tips on what to do and what not to do will help you manage within your ideal time frame, avoid scam movers and plan an easy move.

First, let’s see what the fees are like when you are doing a local move. Intrastate moving companies can charge you in two ways: with a flat rate or with an hourly rate. The hourly rate includes a minimum time frame (2-3 hours for example). It can also include additional charges which vary depending on different factors. The flat rate includes the circumstances of the move as well as the shipment. The circumstances surrounding the moving process are what add up a lot to the fee: stairs, elevators, parking space, distance between the truck and the house, delays and many more. In order to be able to avoid being overcharged you need to be aware of how you are being charged for each service or issue. Remember that you don’t have to put up with bad conditions and policies which you don’t approve of – there are plenty of removals companies out there who can gladly move your things within a reasonable timeline and for a normal estimate.

The Do's

• You need to investigate the company you are planning to hire – do this months before the move, so you will have time to bail out from it if you discover any suspicious signs.

• If you want to avoid the extra fees be up front – mention the exact circumstances of the move and make sure the mover pays you a visit before you negotiate the final price. On the moving day take out of the house as many boxes as you can – stack them close to the parking and make sure there is enough space for the moving truck. Talk to your neighbors to make sure they know about the move. No children, pets or cars should stand on the way of the movers. This will speed up the process considerably.

• Be honest about everything that needs to be moved and avoid adding items after the estimate is prepared and you have a written form of it. Take the inventory and get insurance for the move.

• Insist that you have written estimate of all the charges of the movers’ services.

• Make sure your family is ready for the move and everyone has packed their essential bag.

• Discuss the different payment options prior to the moving day and make sure you have enough cash on hand for tips, snacks, drinks, fuel and the journey ahead. If the company accepts only cash this is a sign that you are dealing with a rogue mover.

The Don’ts

• Avoid trusting companies that don’t provide you with a written agreement, insurance or insist on you paying only in cash.

• Don’t hire a moving company that gives you an estimate only after a phone call and it’s really low. • Don’t hire a company without seeing past references, their licenses and registration with the department of transportation.

• Don’t forget to check each and every box after your shipment arrives. If you need to make a complaint, now’s the time for it.

Consider these basic rules of local moves and don’t trust a company that looks too good to be true.

 

Building an eco-friendly home is beneficial to you and the environment. Eco-conscious building is a method of home construction that is rapidly growing in popularity. If you’re in the early stages of construction, forgo the use of unsustainable materials. Instead, reduce your carbon footprint through the use of green materials. 

You can begin the process of building an eco-friendly home with the lumber you select. Look for wood that’s sustainable or clearly identified as coming from a managed forest. Salvaged hardwood flooring is another eco-friendly alternative. You might also want to pursue one of the newer environmentally conscious options called structurally insulated panels. Using these panels can reduce the amount of wood you need to purchase for the construction of your home.

An eco-friendly interior design involves selecting flooring that is made of a recycled or renewal product. Bamboo flooring is an affordable, durable flooring option. Bamboo flooring can be incorporated into any style of decorating. Similar in versatility to bamboo flooring, cork flooring is a moisture resistant and insulating flooring option. For the kitchen and bathrooms, you may opt to install recycled metal tile. This is an ideal choice for a modern décor.

The counter tops you select for your new home can also be made from eco-friendly material. Butcher block counter tops are available that are made from reclaimed wood or sustainable wood. Natural stone will add an element of sophistication to your kitchen or bathroom. Cork or bamboo flooring will complement any of these counter top materials.

When you're building a new home, it's a good idea to look to the future when making your selection of appliances. Energy saving appliances may initially cost more than the less efficient models, but over time, you will save more money with the energy efficient designs. The same idea applies to the windows you select for your new home. Double pane or triple pane windows will save you money on your heating and cooling cost. Depending on the location of your home and the amount of exposure it has to the sun, you may want to install windows with a coating that reduces the amount of light that enters the room.

The use of alternative energy can reduce your energy costs. You can begin incorporating alternative energy into your new home simply be situating your home so that you can gain optimum benefit from the sun. Choosing large windows and allowing as much light as possible to flow into each room will reduce the need for artificial lighting during the daytime. Sunlight can warm your home in the winter. In the summer, when the goal is to keep cool, you can use room darkening shades and thermal window treatments to block the sun.

There is an extensive variety of materials available to help you achieve your goal of building and living in an environmentally friendly home. You don't have to forfeit beauty for environmental consciousness. Eco-friendly products such as bamboo flooring, recycled tile, and sustainable wood products will add beauty to your home while giving you the satisfaction of knowing you're choices helped the environment. Each opportunity you seize to utilize alternative energy will save you money for the duration of the time you live in your home.

  Erin Devine is a guest author from DIY Home & Floor, an online resource for all things do-it-yourself interior design. She is also a contributor for Floor & Décor Outlets, writing articles for many real estate and home renovation sites around the web.

For a highly physically active person having a home gym is like a bliss. Not needing to travel kilometres to your gym and thus saving both time and money facilitates every avid training person. Training by yourself and in the comfort of your own home is unmatchable. However, when it is time for you to move to a different house and take all your possessions with you, removing the gym equipment can become a real pain in the neck. Mainly because of their heavy weight, these objects are a real challenge to handle and transport from one place to another. However, you can make it easier on yourself if you employ more brains than brawn in this process. Take notice of some useful tips which can help you out.

1. Make a list! A must! This makes it all easier. Prepare a list of all the items you need to move and all of their components. A list can be really helpful mainly because these objects have many parts which need to be tracked down once they are disassembled.

2. Gather all the instruction manuals Since it is almost impossible to transfer bigger equipment like benches, rowing machines, etc. in their whole, it's essential they be disassembled as much as possible. However, putting them back together could turn out to be more difficult than previously expected. That's why you need to double check with the relevant manuals whether all the pieces go in their proper places.

 

3. Remove all the weights Remove weights from both machines and dumbbells/barbells. Keep them stored in separate crates, preferably different crates for different size weights. For example, one crate for all your 5kg weights plates, a different one for the 10kg ones and so on. This will not only make the storing and moving easier but will also make the unpacking and reassembling faster.

4. One machine equals one box Try to adhere to this rule as much as possible. Of course, some parts are too big to fit in a box, but at least try to keep each machine's small and medium components in a separate box. Again, this will make the reassembling easier.

5. Secure all loose parts Parts that cannot be or are simply not meant to be taken apart need to be safely secured. Loose cables or dangling parts need to be tied with a rope or twine in order not to injure those who are moving them.

6. Prepare relevant containers Because of the very specific essence of the gym equipment, simply put – because of their weight, bear in mind that you cannot move everything in cardboard boxes. Some parts are just too heavy for a cardboard box to handle. Prepare thick plastic and wooden crates/containers for the heavier parts. However, those which are too heavy for a box/container to handle needn't be put in such, but rather transported on their own. Wrapping them in bubble wrap or wrapping paper is optional.

7. Get help! This is essential. Again, because of the fact that these machines and their parts are simply too weighty, never try to carry the stuff all by yourself. Hiring a removal company is the best option, but if you don't feel like spending any money, at least call some of your friends to the rescue. Following these tips will ensure you a fast and injury-free removal. Once you move the home gym to its new house, you are ready to pump iron!

Before proceeding to moving your house, it is essential to take care of planning the details of the whole process. The better you plan, the less unexpected difficulties you will face in the process itself. Besides the lack of problems in running a moving through, thanks to good planning you are able to significantly shorten the time for execution of your move with minimal effort on your part. Being familiar with the companies offering relocation services in turn can provide you with excellent distribution of your common budget.

 

 

 

 

 

First point of planning is, of course, a list of activities that must be accomplished in the context of the upcoming move. So, after you specify them, you can proceed to the full list of items that you plan to take with you into your new home during your move. Some of these activities are, for example, buying all the packing materials you will need to store your belongings, paying all the bills and sending change-of-address notifications. When planning a move, you need to ask yourself some important questions in advance because without the proper answers things can get out of control, and that can cost you waste of energy and resources. The most significant one of them is whether you are going to hire an expert company or accomplish the process by yourself. Here are shared some facts that can help you decide.

Choosing a professional company

If you decide to save time and efforts, this is the best solution for you. On the market there are numerous professional companies offering a wide range of services at reasonable prices and ensuring speed, reliability and security of the process. There are several things you need to plan if you select this option:

1.Before selecting a company to assist you for the removal, make sure you have done a good research and that you have compared the services offered. Market prices of these services are different, and it is better to compare them in advance and to conform them to your preliminary budget;

2.Try to provide a place with easy access where the firm will stop its truck without interfering with other people or passing cars;

3.Make sure the elevator works prior to the company coming to your address. If it turns out that currently it does not work, you will have to pay a fortune for moving your furniture through the stairs;

4.If you decide to pack the items you are going to transfer by yourself, be careful with the selection of the correct size and type of packaging for that belongings. Glass, china and other fragile items pack separately and label the boxes;

5.Specify the date for the relocation into your new home in advance. Arrange all the details and coordinate the activities with the company. Remember that good communication with the company ensures easy and smooth completion of the relocation process;

Moving yourself

If you decide that you can move by yourself, start planning at least several weeks in advance. Be sure to obtain all necessary materials and begin to pack your belongings room by room. It is better to include all family members in the process and to try to avoid much overburdening by carrying heavy boxes.

No matter which way you choose to move your house, planning is an essential element of the process. So, it will run smoothly and soon enough you will enjoy your new home.

Graduation has finally arrived and it only means one thing, you’d be moving from home very soon. Now is the time to get a job, meet new friends and enter a new social life. You just can’t wait to leave your old house and transfer to your new apartment. And then what? When moving from home, you need to check first how much money you have and how much you need to spend. Making a budget is not that hard, all you need is to prioritize your needs from your wants. You can also try to ask some help from your parents in making a budget before moving from home. Ask them how they budget their household needs. Let them explain about each bill they have. Also, inquire if the bill differs every month or is it the same amount. Surely, your parents have encounter some rough times, ask them how they were able to budget properly the money and where do they usually cut back when the need arise. Now that you are aware of your money, it’s time to decide if you need a roommate. Having a roommate has its pros and cons. Pros – you will have the privacy you need but wont’ have anyone to help you with the budget if you fall short; Cons – you will be able to have a bigger apartment but lose a bit of privacy. Talk with your friends and family, listen to their advices and experiences when they were moving from home for the first time. You will be surprised that you weren’t the only one who a little bit anxious and nervous to move out. Before moving from home, it is important that you know how to cook. Being able to cook your own meal with surely save you a lot of money. Just learn the basics of cooking, you don’t have to be chef to be a master in the kitchen. Learn as much as you can and surely, moving out won’t be that stressful.

Why Moving Storage is a Great Idea

Reputable moving companies can always help you with moving storage, may it be long term or short term. Long term storage is when you store your belongings for more than 60 days while short term storage is storing your items in lesser terms. Your moving storage may be treated differently according on how long you intend to store your belongings.Usually in short term moving storage, moving companies store your stuff just inside the moving truck especially if you only ask for an overnight storage or storage for a few days. Your belongings are stored safely in the truck with locks and kept monitored. There are also some other situations that your things are loaded to a secure warehouse for short term storage. For long term moving storage, reputable companies usually offer weather controlled, monitored and secured warehouses. This is for the safety of all your belongings. Your belongings will be stored inside a 250 foot cubic foot space where your things won’t be mixed up with other customer’s things. Moving to another place is not the only reason why people use moving storage. When natural disasters happen such as flood, people opt to safely store their things on a local storage until the family can finally recover and stand on their own footing. The moving company can always deliver your things back to your new or repaired home. Another reason why people store their things on storage is when they go travel for a long period of time. As these people try to satisfy their wanderlust, reputable movers store their things and ship them as soon as the person has settled down in a certain place. Some people travel around and try to find employment where there is an opportunity. They prefer to store their things on storage rather than carrying them halfway across the country. When moving to another country, others leave their things in storage until they come back.

Moving Company Miami

When moving to a new place, you rarely even think of how vulnerable you are at that moment. All of your belongings, all of your money as well as your hopes and dreams depend on this new place you will call home. When you choose any sort of property one of the most important decisions you will have to make will be the one for its location. You may not see it as a crucial problem initially but the sooner you realize that this will be the place where you will live for the next one or two or five or ten years the more effort you will put in choosing the best spot possible for your new home. You still need to take into consideration the way the location influences the property‘s evaluation. The more comforts the place offers, the more difficult to afford it wil be. The quality of a property is estimated not only by its content but also by its surroundings-the likability of the area, the entertainment and educational facilities, the safety of the region and most importantly the transport possibilites which defines whether it is easy or diffcult to reach the place.

 

1. SECURITY AND SAFETY

This is an extremely important factor especially if you have children. They are not always under your control and their wellfare could sometimes entirelly depend on how safe the are of your new home is. A region suitable for children should have at least one strong educational facility, enough entertainment, a hospital an as less criminal activity as possible. Follow the news for this place from past newspapers or on the internet. If everything seems fine and there are no reported burglaries, murders or anyhting displeasing of the sort then you can be sure the area is safe. Usually, the most secure way of life is the most expensive one and that is living in an apartment in a hotel which has a reception, security systems and skilled hotel personell. Since car thefts are very frequent in any part of the world, a lot of people are prepared to pay for underground parking and you should also consider it if you feel that it is hazardous to park your car on the street.

2. BETTER LIFESTYLE

If the area is preferred enough by people who move the prices for properties in it will be big. If you can afford such an area, do not hesitate and move there. The higher the rate of an area is the more comforts it offers. Those comforts include great schools, various sorts of entertainment-a movie theatre, playing grounds, etc, cultural activities, big shops in which every product you can think of can be found. But the best quality of life can be found only in the biggest cities. You should consider yourself to be very lucky if you manage to find an apartment in one and if you are capable of affording it. Eveything in the big city is the best and this is why it is the most expensive. As far as it goes for your business it depends if you are just an individual employee or in charge of a corporation. If you are an employee try to find a job that is as close as possible to your home in order to cut on transport expenses. If you are in charge of a corporation you should place the headquarters in a popular place where potential customers are easier to attract.

The Importance of Having a Break while Moving

1. BEING TIRED You have to know your limits. You will not benefit from getting too tired especially if it happens in the middle of you handling your relocation. A move could be enough exhausting to darken your mood in unimaginable ways. This mostly happens with people who experience a move for a first time. Planning, arranging and doing the whole relocation from start to finish will leave you spiritually scarred and physically devastated for at least a couple of days if not a week. It sounds bad and for most people it is. This is why it is so important to regularly rest while you are handling the removal of your home or office. This article reveals the best ways to rest during your move.

 

2. STRATEGIC PAUSES Stopping your work occasionally is not helpful only for the replenishment of your strengths. It also allows you take a proper look at what you have done so far and how well you have done it. It gives you time to rethink your plan and come up with better ideas. While you are resting try to clear your head and comprehend how much you have done so far and how much more remains. The reason why many people become so stressed during the move is because they become lost in the process and can’t retain a clear picture of how much work is left for them to do. It is best if you do those short breaks after packing all your belongings from one room. For instance after packing the bathroom you should rest and then after packing the children’s room you should rest again. No matter how pleasant a break might feel in comparison to working on your relocation you shouldn’t rest for more than half an hour per a pause. Among the best things you can do in order to rest well and regain your strength is to have a fruit juice, a coffee or simply to go out and have some fresh air.

 

3. PRESERVING THE PACE The pace of your work can be extremely important for the type of long, tedious work that relocation is. If you discover the appropriate balance between more work and less rest you will soon discover that you are getting the job done faster and better. How to find the right pace? You can start with some working out. Making simple exercises without tiring yourself will help your body get used to the hard work. In addition, in every work out there is a certain level of methodic discipline. If you learn to apply this sort of discipline in the work you put into your move the whole process will be a lot easier for you. Another way to keep the pace is by listening to your favorite music. It shouldn’t be any kind of music though-it should be energetic and relatively fast in its rhythm. Music elevates the senses and will be a great friend of you during your work.

Following these tips you will help you greatly in preparing and executing your move. You will feel calm and energized and when it is all over you won’t remember it as a terrible experience which you wouldn’t want to suffer through again. Through these guidelines you and all the people assisting you with the work will manage to escape from stress and frustration. The most important thing for going successfully and pleasantly through a move is to keep the pace of your work and to rest frequently.