Need Advice for Upcoming Long-Distance Move

My wife and I have moved all over the country over the years. We have always used Penske. I've packed and driven their 26 foot truck cross country, but for the last few times we've managed to downsize to their 16 foot truck. Car carriers are no problem unless you need to back up and you have no experience here. When driving always think ahead, look for big parking lots like Walmarts pull into for a rest. We never vacuumed packing clothes. Either left them in our dressers or packed in our luggage. For stuff like soxs, t-shirts etc., you can stuff into big plastic garbage bags and wedge in here and there. The main thing when moving is to have patience and enjoy the process. As long as you are moving forward you will eventually get the job done.

Best of luck!

I've moved six times with UPack (and Friday will be the seventh). I've had a great experience with them every time. Whenever I've talked to them, they've been quick, helpful, and polite. I have no experience driving large trucks, and I would be a menace to everyone else on the road if I tried to drive a truck myself. If I drove the truck by myself while my wife drove the car herself, we would both get lost along the way, and the stress would put our marriage in danger. Once you figure in the price of gas (you'll be paying for with UHaul, Penske, etc., but is already in the UPack quote), and the huge stress relief of not driving the truck yourself, the difference in price is minuscule. UPack is just the moving arm of ABF, so you're dealing with people who specialize in getting freight across country. The rental truck companies specialize in renting trucks out to people.

With UPack, remember you're paying by the linear foot, so pack your stuff tight and all the way to the ceiling. If you don't use all the space you reserved, you'll pay less. You don't need fancy containers - cardboard boxes work best. The moving tips on the UPack web site are spot on, too.

I've heard good things about Penske from friends who wanted to do the driving themselves, but for the prices you were quoted, I wouldn't think twice before going with UPack.

I moved to Portland the same way. Several day drive, signed a lease right when I arrived (had arranged it prior, of course).

1. It's easy, and not that big of a deal. People I talk to use the word brave or adventurous, but all it is is packing, driving, and driving. Not a big deal to pick up and move.

2. It depends on how you define "worth it" For me, no, it was not worth it. That money was part of a tight budget, and I did not see it particularly distressing to be the one moving my things.

I used a UHaul trailer. Spent some money to install a hitch on my car ($100 ish, for hitch, lights, all that). The trailer was a good option because it is a flat rate, as opposed to a pay-by-mile option like most rentals. I think it was $400? or $600? But that $600 figure might be what I remember for everything (hitch, installation, lighting, trailer).

My car was a 4 cylinder coup. I couldn't sustain 75+ mph without really revving it, but I could hold 75 mph if I was following a truck. I spent almost all of my drive behind one truck or another.

3.

-- Portland (97204)

Yes. 15 minutes will land you a pretty diverse set of options. That location is right downtown, with very easy light-rail in and out, in every relevent direction. I sold my car after moving to Portland, and Bike and Train to work everyday.

You will not get a 800ft/1br/1ba near downtown. Housing and rent are crazy. Start looking now. $1200 could get you a studio if you're not careful. You will find something, but just look at every option. I won't get into neighborhoods without knowing what you are looking for, but will reiterate that 15 minutes commute from downtown by train covers 3/4 of the city. Look at the train, streetcar, or bus lines to get a place near a station.

4. I threw away my couch, mattress, bed, and chairs. They were crappy to begin with, but also took the most space. I kept an 8ft table, desk, and clothes shelf thing. Lots of clothes though, relevant for work. Books and paper crap too, for work. Two bikes, bar stools, vaccum. Fit it all into a 10'x8' trailer. I'm single, so it was easy.

5. Lots of homeless people in Portland. Other than that, as long as your expectations aren't guided by some Forbes "Best up and coming cities in the US" that make it seem like a utopia, you won't be disappointed. Be realistic, do your research.

Pretty much the lesson for all of this: be realistic, do your research: list out your available carrying space, measure out how much stuff you're bringing, plan your stops along the way, etc. I made two stops each day of the drive for a morning and afternoon run. I looked at trails/paths to run in cities, and a HS track to get a workout in. Do your research, be realistic.

It is not worthwhile to move a bed or a couch such a long distance.

When I moved cross country I sold everything, including my car, and flew to the new city with just two suitcases.