Category Archives: Moving Tips

When is the Best Time to Move?

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When is the Best Time to Move?From hiring movers and renting a truck to packing boxes and decluttering closets, it’s easy for your moving date selection to fall to the bottom of your relocation priorities. Just remember, though, this one little detail can make an enormous difference when it comes to the ease of your move and the size of your bank account. Over the course of our own multiple relocations, we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that when you move is just as important as how you move. So in the spirit of learning from mistakes, here are the absolute best times to plan your next move in terms of convenience and costs.

Best Season to Move: It Depends

Ultimately, this decision comes down to your own needs, budget and preferences. Those trying to save money on a move should choose a late fall, winter or early spring move. Those with school-age children should consider opting for a summertime move. Those who strongly prefer to move in mild weather conditions may want to move during the fall or spring.

Fall: Great weather conditions for moving and you may be able to get a better deal on a home during the off season.

Winter: Cheapest time of the year to move since demand is lowest. Moving companies have more flexible schedules. May not be ideal if moving with children.

Spring: The weather won’t be as harsh as the winter months and demand is still lighter in March and April.

Summer: Ideal time if you are selling your home since demand is highest and you may get a higher price. Also, if you are moving with children then this season is ideal since they won’t be in school.

Best Month of the Year: Mid-September through April

If you define by “best” by cost then, generally speaking, you are more likely to save on a move during the late September to April window. Demand for movers usually slows down during this time frame and rates are low. According to various moving professionals, peak moving season stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, with roughly 70 percent of all moving takes place in the spring and summer. The reason for this? Families with children tend to move during the summer months to avoid any disturbances during the school year. It’s also easier to move in the spring and summer when the weather is ideal.

In addition, college students and other renters usually move in the early fall and late spring, since this is when most leases start and end. Keep in mind that if you live in a large city with university students, you’ll certainly want to try and avoid moving in early September. In Boston, for instance, the majority of apartment leases begin on September 1, making it the busiest moving day in the city. If you want to avoid moving mayhem in the streets, I suggest researching the most popular moving days (or lease start and end dates) in your own city.

Best Week of the Month: Mid-month

We suggest planning a “mid-month” move instead of a move at the beginning or end of the month. If you have the flexibility to avoid moving the first and last weekend of the month, then we strongly recommend opting for a mid-month, mid-week move. This is typically when demand is lowest and therefore, your costs may be lowest as well. As a general rule of thumb: the first of the month is more likely to be busy for movers since most leases begin the first of the month.

Best Day of the Week to Move: Weekdays (Monday through Thursday)

When picking a move date, it’s best to choose a weekday. Many moving companies like Pony Express Moving Services suggest moving during the Monday to Thursday window when there is less demand. So if you can afford to miss a day of work to move during the week, I highly recommend doing so. Moving on a Saturday or Sunday may increase your costs due to higher demand for movers and limited number of weekends in a month (especially during peak moving season). Moving on a weekday also means you’ll have the entire upcoming weekend to unpack and get organized before your following work week.

Best Time of Day to Move: Early AM

Good news early birds: mornings are the best time to get moving. If you hire a professional moving company, they’ll want to arrive in the A.M. – roughly during the 8 to 10 a.m. window. Early mornings usually mean cooler conditions for the movers during those warmer months. “The elements have a lot to do with it,” long-time moving professional Scott Dickerson tells me. “When it gets to be 105 degrees outside, we want to be gone by 2 p.m. to beat the heat.” If you’re moving yourself, it’s a good idea to get an early start as well. You’ll have more energy in the mornings (after that cup of joe, anyway), and you’ll be left with more time to unpack, organize and enjoy your new digs.

Other considerations when selecting your moving date

  • Weather: It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you should trust your common sense. If you happen to live in a cold climate, you’re probably better off avoiding a move smack-dab in the middle of winter. After all, icy roads, treacherous conditions and heavy lifting make for a miserable time.
  • Work: If you have to move during a busy time at work, then it may be worth the extra bucks to move on a weekend date.
  • Family concerns: Have school-age children? It may make more sense to move during the summer in order to avoid a chaotic school year.

Of course, not all of us have the option to move at the most ideal time. The “best” time for you will really depend on: location, weather, budget, family matters and flexibility at work. Once you have these figured out, you’re on your way to a successful move.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online.

How to Overcome the Challenges of Boston Moving

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Living the Boston life is generally fast-paced, rich in culture, full of opportunities, and some may even say, glamorous. But, there’s certainly one part of Boston living that isn’t glamorous – moving in or out of the Boston area!

How to Overcome the Challenges of Boston MovingWhile relocating, in general, can be especially stressful due to a slew of unknowns, moving in or out of Boston is daunting. From hiring movers to navigating the streets, to working with building management, you’ll find that urban moving is much different than moving from a suburban or rural home to another suburban or rural location. Let’s look at some of the challenges you may face during your Boston moving , and how to overcome them.

Finding Movers in Boston

Whether you are moving into or out of Boston – finding the right movers for the job can be stressful. Do you move by yourself? Rent a truck? Find someone you know with a car and make small moves at a time? Or, do you find a full-service moving company to move for you? Your options for moving companies may be limited to small move companies if you’re moving out of Boston. Your one bedroom apartment is not worth the time or expense of a large freight moving company and their trucks are often too big to navigate Boston narrow streets.

You should research local moving companies and small-move companies, such as Pony Express Moving Services. These movers are equipped to handle the urban lifestyle and understand the ins and outs of moving out of Boston.

Elevator Reservations & Parking Permits

Your relocation challenges when you move into or out of a city, such as Boston, will include working with the management companies of the buildings. You might be relocating to a 27-story high-rise apartment building and you’re going to have to organize yourself as soon as you know when your move date will be.

If you are moving into or out of a high-rise building with an elevator, you should make elevator reservations with building management. This way, you are not spending half of your day waiting for an elevator to arrive on your floor, and you won’t upset your neighbors by taking away the only, or one of the only ways out of the building. Some buildings even require this.

Once you’ve secured your elevator, you’ll also want to figure out where your moving truck will park. Whether you choose to rent your own truck or hire movers, talk to your building management about a loading zone permit or a parking permit. Check with the city in which you are moving to and/or from to learn whether there are city ordinances you must adhere to when it comes to parking in loading zones.

Security: You Can’t Do This Alone

If you’re moving in to or out of Boston, you’ll need to solicit help. Ensure that there is always someone available to keep your belongings safe and secure from thieves. While this may seem like a farfetched idea, this is one major difference in city living. Hundreds of people will walk by your moving truck during the loading or unloading process, so you do not want to leave anything unattended at any time.

If you plan a DIY move, you should recruit friends or family to play certain roles – one of which will be the security of the truck during loading and unloading. If you hire movers, you’ll want to confirm with the moving company that they will have their own security. You do not want to be put in a situation where you are scrambling last minute to find someone to man the truck during loading and unloading. Pony Express Moving Services is well equipped with nearly 20 years of experience helping people relocate out of Boston settings and understands this need for security.

Other Building Necessities

While you are organizing your move, check with the management of the building you are moving in to or out of. Ask them if you need any special permits, pay any one-time move-in or move-out fees, whether you must provide proof of insurance from the moving company or any other possible requirements. Keep in mind that while your move may be important to you, you share the common space, elevators, and hallways with your neighbors.

Do you need help navigating your upcoming Boston move? Consider contacting a small-move local company such as Pony Express Moving Services to get you started. Whether you are moving one piece of furniture across the country or an entire apartment from one state to another, Pony Express Moving Services specializes in small-moves and understands the nuances of Boston moves.

Request a Free Quote Online.

Tips for Moving During the Fall

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Tips for Moving During the FallCongrats! If you’re planning a fall move, or if it has come up unexpectedly, you’re in luck: fall is an awesome time to move. The busy, and often expensive summer season has come and gone, families looking to relocate and beat the rush of back-to-school are settled in, and temperatures tend to dip into more comfortable ranges. Lower prices, lower temps, and lower competition all work in your favor. That said, you’ll still want to plan ahead as much as possible. With different seasons come different challenges and different considerations. And if you’ve never moved during the fall, you’ll want to brush up on the basics before diving in.

Negotiate to Take Advantage of Lower Moving Costs

Bonus – moving in the fall is typically much more affordable. Moving companies have cleared the summer rush, gas prices can be lower, and there is more truck/crew availability. Whether renting a truck or hiring a full moving team, this typically means you have a greater ability to cost-compare and negotiate on moving estimates and bids. So be sure to shop around, and perhaps do a little digging online about cost-comparisons between the summer and fall.

Declutter from Summer

You may have a number of clothing items, swimwear, beach gear, outdoor furniture,  toys, and other seasonal items that just won’t make it to next summer. Instead of packing and moving these items, only to discard them next year, take some time to declutter and either ditch or donate items you don’t want to pay to take with you. And, if there are old cold-weather clothing items you or your family have grown out of, consider donating those before the colder weather hits.

Rethink Storage

If you live in a climate with challenging seasonal weather, reconsider the benefits of putting some items in storage during your move. This will help clear your moving truck of heavy or bulky items you may not use until late next spring or summer (like outdoor furniture, gardening tools, and barbecues), and can streamline your move by helping you pack everything at once. It will also make move-in that much easier when you arrive.

Pack for the Season

While you’re considering bulkier items, don’t forget about clothes and sporting gear that you may not need right away after the move. Pack seasonal items together so you can find them easily later – and make sure you’ve left out all those cold-weather items you’ll need shortly after you settle into your new place, like rain boots and raincoats, snow gear, and snow-removal equipment. If you’ve stored them away, now’s a good time to make sure they’re easy to access and unpack after you’ve arrived.

Unpack for the Season

If you’ve stored away crock pots and sandwich presses, large dutch ovens, and other seasonal dishware and service wear, consider talking to your movers about placing them in more accessible locations in your house or apartment upon your arrival. Instead of trudging out to the garage or down to the storage closet to find items you packed away last year, they’ll be in your kitchen or dining room, ready to be put into service for the fall and winter seasons.

Setup Utilities in Advance

There’s nothing worse than arriving in a new place during the chilly, wet fall to find you haven’t set up all the proper utilities like electricity and gas. Often times, waits for new accounts can be several days. Not so great when the temperature drops. So be sure you’re clear on what’s required to setup or transfer your accounts, so that you arrive to a warm, bright environment on day 1.

Put Down Plastic During Your Move

When both moving in and moving out during the fall, the potential to track in wet leaves, dirt, and mud increase. You want to get back your security deposit, or at least ensure your post move-out cleanup doesn’t involve scrubbing a rug (more than you might already have to). So buy plastic painter’s sheeting, or cut open large black trash bags and tape to entryways and other pathways where movers and friends will be coming and going. When you arrive at your destination, be sure the movers wait for you to lay down more plastic before unloading your items.

Keep a Broom Handy

During the fall, no matter your preparation, you’re going to track in a lot of leaves and dirt. Have a broom, paper towels, and sponge mops ready so you can clean as you go. This will ease the post-move cleanup, and help to avoid tracking materials into and out of your moving truck, onto your furniture and boxes, and into your new home or apartment.

Clear Outdoor Pathways

Despite your precautions for protecting your existing and new home or apartment, you should take extra steps to clear the outdoor paths to and from the moving truck. Sweep away leaves and shallow puddles with a stiff broom, and put down flat pieces of cardboard in any particularly wet, muddy, or slick spots. Cleaning while you go can help keep your place tidy (and help with that security deposit) and can also help avoid injuries you might sustain while carrying heavy items to and from your place. If wet weather is in the forecast, and you feel like taking extra precautions – try a bag or two of Turface. Designed to deal with water quickly on sports fields, it absorbs its weight in liquid, and doesn’t cake, making it easy to clean up and discard after your move is complete.

And an Umbrella for that Matter

Rain is the worst for moves. There’s simply no avoiding taking your things outside into the weather to load them into the truck. So be sure you have an ample supply of umbrellas and other plastic covering to keep furniture, upholstery, and boxes dry as they’re loaded into and out of the truck. Wet boxes can break or mold—especially if headed for prolonged storage. And it’s just no fun starting out in your new place with a wet couch.

Dress Appropriately

We know, you’re probably used to the tried-and-true moving uniform: running shoes, shorts, and old T-shirt and a baseball cap. But during the fall you’re going to have to plan ahead or colder, and potentially wet weather. Be sure you’re wearing shoes with good traction, have a hooded rain jacket on hand, and that you’ve considered layers so you can dress up or down depending on temperature fluctuations, and how challenging your move becomes.

Get Your Car Serviced

While this isn’t necessarily related to your move, relocation is a good reminder to do those things you’ve been putting off throughout the year. While there’s a lot you can do online, some things, like your car, require professional support. So take your ride for service to ensure it’s running and in good shape prior to the colder, wetter seasons. Have your service technician rotate the tires and check them for over wear, triple check the heater, change the oil, clean air filters, add antifreeze and new wiper fluid, and replace your old windshield wipers.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online.

Students Tips for Moving in Boston

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As what’s likely to be the hottest August ever recorded in Boston comes to a close and September rears its hopefully cooler head, throngs of students are once again descending on the city.

Students Tips for Moving in Boston

With upwards of a quarter-million college students studying in the Greater Boston area, Sept. 1 has become the go-to move-in day for tens of thousands. Some are seasoned veterans of moving in Boston, but even more are new to the city, navigating our winding streets and low bridges for the first time. Mistakes, like the act of “Storrowing” your rental truck, are bound to happen. Here are some tips to help you get into the city and settled so you can hit the books.

Reserve Parking for your Moving Truck Early

Secure parking space for your van or truck by obtaining a street occupancy permit. The permit saves you from unwanted parking tickets, guarantees you convenient space to load/unload your vehicle, and is a valued courtesy to your neighbors.

Permits are available at City Hall, and are available during business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00PM). Start at the Transportation Department in room 721 of City Hall, and make sure to bring any parking meter-head numbers at the location and payment (check; money order; or a Visa, Mastercard, Discover debit or credit card).

Wait times are typically 15 minutes, but can push an hour or more during the summer months when everyone’s moving. Get your permit up to 2 weeks before your moving date to avoid the rush.

Moving companies

The city of Boston recommends you do your research before hiring a moving company. Moving scams are not unheard of. The city suggests keeping a list of everything you pack, and making sure you understand your contract, including payment, before signing anything.

Renting a moving truck

If you haven’t booked your truck yet, you very well may be out of luck. Truck rentals for September 1 go quickly, oftentimes months in advance. If you’re ready to spend hours on the phone looking for one, you may find one, but only if you start right away. If you have other transportation available, it may be possible to find a vehicle outside of Greater Boston. Cast a wide geographic net while making your calls.

Beware of getting ‘Storrowed’

Despite how many times we say it or plaster it on warning signs, inevitably some poor sap will peel open the top of their rental truck on one of Storrow Drive’s low bridges, scattering its contents across the roadway.

While Storrow may be the most notorious offender, Memorial Drive in Cambridge can be just as hazardous. But the Charles River roads aren’t the only places rental trucks should fear to tread. Your Google Maps or Waze apps may not know you’re in a taller vehicle. Luckily, there are specific navigation apps for trucks that will allow you to set your vehicle’s height and get a customized route that should be safe for travel. TeleType’s SmartTruckRoute app is one of them, and being based on School Street in Boston means they should have a pretty good idea how to navigate the city.

Parking

If you’re looking to reserve a parking spot for your moving truck, it must be done in advance. Monday was the deadline to obtain a permit in time for Sept. 1 so if you haven’t reserved a spot yet, you may be out of luck. The good news is that permits like these aren’t required, but be prepared to jostle for position and deal with parking tickets if you must park illegally.

If you do have a permit, it is good for two spaces between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. You must post signs on the street at least two days before moving day, and obviously you must be reserving only legal parking spaces. The whole thing will cost you just over $100.

Remember, you won’t be the only truck heading into the city this year. 907 permits were pulled for Sept. 1 this year, with another 550 for August 31.

To help facilitate a smoother move-in process, many neighborhoods have temporary parking and traffic restrictions during the week of September 1. A complete list can be found on the City of Boston’s website.

If you’re moving into a dormitory, check with your school about the move-in process. Many dorms have an organized system to get vehicles in and unloaded, and some will even provide helpful staffers and upperclassmen to help out.

Building rules

Speak to your landlord or realtor before moving to find out what moving restrictions apply to your new apartment. There is nothing worse than camping out in your moving van for five hours because you can’t begin the process of carrying that couch up the stairs until noon.

Trash and ‘Allston Christmas’

The city of Boston’s Trash Day app will let you know what day the garbage collection is in your neighborhood. It also provides customized notifications and information on recyclable materials.

One thing to watch for: bedbugs. The hitchhiking insects would love nothing more than come home with you and feast on you and your loved ones. That discarded couch or end table may look like a nice addition to your apartment, but it could easily be infested, so officials advise against taking part in the “Allston Christmas” tradition. City workers often affix bright stickers to discarded items and distribute flyers and other informational packets to students and new residents.

There isn’t anywhere in Boston that is immune to infestations, so bringing home that Beacon Hill arm chair may be just as dangerous as taking that Brighton barstool. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Other tenant issues

Both tenants and landlords in the state of Massachusetts must abide by the law. Most rental properties in Boston are required to be inspected once every five years to make sure they comply with state housing codes. The city of Boston and its Office of Housing Stability offer a litany of resources for the Boston renter. Know your rights, and your landlord’s obligations.

Boston 311 is the city’s platform to report non-emergency issues and request city services and information. Residents can ask for an apartment inspection, report improperly stored trash, or call with any questions they may have. The line open 24 hours a day, and also available via e-mail at 311@boston.gov, on Twitter @bos311, and as a smartphone app on iOS and Android.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online.

Moving Summer Tips

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Moving Summer Tips - Pony Express

Moving Summer Tips

Ask any expert and they will tell you that summer is the most popular time of year to move. Moving is strenuous at the best of times, but doing so during the summer, especially if you are moving to or from a hot climate adds it’s own set of challenges. When moving in summer you’ll need to give a little bit of extra thought to logistics and how to keep cool. Here are some tips to make your move in the summer a breeze.

Plan Ahead

Summer is the prime time for moving. It’s the busiest time of the year for movers, so you’ll need to plan well in advance. The best moving companies fill up their schedule quickly and don’t have to provide competitive pricing because the demand is high. If you can, start looking for moving companies at least six to eight weeks before the date on which you wish to move. To avoid rushing around in the blazing heat, pack up your belongings several days before your move and be as organized as possible.

Do thorough research

Don’t make the mistake of researching only one or two movers and trusting them to give you the best price. They are there to make money and you might get ripped off. Talk to several different companies, get quotes from all of them, compare their rates and make a short list of the ones offering the lowest prices. Or visit Pony Express Moving to compare the available movers in your area and get a guaranteed price instead of an estimate.

Beat the Heat

When possible, it’s a good idea to book your moving company to arrive early in the morning while it is still relatively cool. Remember to stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing strenuous activity, and wear light clothing, so you don’t overheat. Heat stroke is a real danger when moving in the summer.

Move on the least busy days

The beginning and end of the month and weekends are always packed because that’s when most people move. Memorial Day weekend and the last weekend of July are especially busy. Moving companies are not willing to lower their rates on these days. But business is usually slow on weekdays since most people have to work. If you move on these days, you will usually get a better price.
If you have to move on a particular day like Friday or Saturday or the first or last day of the month, chances are, if you book last minute it won’t be easy process to find a moving company. This means that latecomers are forced to pay steeply hiked-up prices.

Take Care of Your Belongings

Certain items won’t fare very well in a hot moving truck and should be taken with you in the car, or packed extremely carefully. These items include candles which can melt in the heat and get wax all over your other items and music items, such as instruments, CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records, which could warp or get damaged under high temperatures.

Don’t let the challenges of moving summer scare you; as long as you keep on top of things and plan ahead, it won’t be a nightmare.

Moving Summer Tip: Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

Moving Plants to Your New Home

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Plants are part of what makes a house feel like a home. If you’ve spent months or years taking care of your plants, it can be hard to think about leaving them behind or giving them away when you move. Thankfully, plants can be moved – it just takes some planning.

Tips on Moving Plants

How you go about moving your plants largely depends on what kind of plants you’re dealing with. For most potted plants, the process is fairly simple. But for outdoor plants or larger indoor plants, the process is a little more complex.

Indoor Plants

Small plants are the easiest to move, since you can keep them in their current pots and simply place them in an open box for transport. It’s a good idea to stuff the gaps in the box with paper to prevent the plants from moving around too much when you’re on the move.

Keep in mind that many moving companies can’t transport plants, so it’s best to plan to move them in a separate vehicle with you. This is also best for the plants since you can try to regulate the temperature and keep them happy during the move.

Larger houseplants may need to be trimmed or pruned first before you move them. If it’s cold out on moving day, wrap your plants in newspaper first to protect them and keep them warm. Many plants are quite sensitive to temperature changes, so you want to keep them as stable as possible.

If you’re moving a longer distance with plants in your car, you’ll need to take care of them along the way. Treat them as you would your pets; bring them inside with you if you’re stopping overnight. Don’t leave them in the car – if it gets too hot or too cold, the plants could get damaged. If you’re worried about transporting them on your own, you can also pay to have your plants shipped, but this can be expensive. You may be better off not moving them if you’ve got a long way to travel.

Outdoor Plants

Outdoor plants can be a little trickier to move, so you should consider this before you start the process. It may be easier to leave certain plants behind if the process is going to be too complex.

Before you move larger plants, it’s a good idea to trim them back. This makes them easier to move and can help with regrowth when you plant them again at your new place. They should also be watered well before you begin the process, in order to make sure the roots and soil stay moist during the move. Next, you’ll want to dig up your plants, making sure to leave lots of dirt around the roots and keeping as much of the root as possible.

For smaller plants, the roots and dirt can be placed in paper bags – this is better than plastic because it allows the plants to breathe. For larger plants trees, and shrubs, the root ball should be wrapped in burlap to hold everything together. Plants can stay wrapped like this for a few weeks as long as they are kept watered and don’t get too hot, so you can do this prep work ahead of time.

Make sure to keep them in the shade during the move, as plants can be quite sensitive to temperature changes. Once you get to your new home, you’ll want to replant everything as soon as possible. Keep in mind that they may take some time to adjust to the new soil after you plant them again, so they might not immediately look as luscious as they once did. But with time and care, they’ll be happy and flourishing in their new home!

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

Moving Out of Your College Dorm

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Most moves you undergo in your life come with a lot of preparation time. You have plenty of time to pack, choose your method of transportation, and plan the process. But moves after graduation or for summer vacation often don’t come with the same conveniences.

Whether you need to leave your dorm or apartment at the end of the term or the end of your undergraduate career, leaving your dorm can come with both emotional and logistical complications.

Use the six tips below to simplify the trip away from your school dorm and toward your home or future.

1. Start the Process Early

Between exam preparation and final project completion, you don’t have a lot of time at the end of a school term. And while it might feel like you left most of your belongings at your parents’ or in a storage unit, you may be surprised at how much stuff you have with you when you begin packing.

Start by packing up your seasonal clothing and decorations. Then move on to items you don’t use every day.

2. Clean As You Go

You may dread cleaning checks (and put off completing them until the last possible moment), but they provide good practice for moving out. Make a sincere effort to clean more than you typically do for at least the last month of the term.

As you work on sorting and packing, clean every area you empty. Once you clear the space under your bed, shift it and vacuum thoroughly. When you remove your dishes from the cupboards, wipe the surfaces down.

These small cleaning tasks ensure that you won’t have to spend time complying with cleaning requirements the day before you leave.

3. Sort Your Belongings

Packing can feel intimidating, but it will only feel more so the longer you avoid it. To make the process seem less overwhelming, sort your possessions before you begin to really pack.

You can create more piles as needed, but start with these general categories:

  • Items you’ll use: Think about the clothing, books, and other belongings you actually use when school isn’t in session. Wait to pack these items until you’ve taken care of everything else.
  • Items you need but won’t use: These items may include winter clothes, textbooks, and seasonal decorations. Pack these belongings early to ensure you find a place, such as a storage unit, to keep them. Then you won’t have to drag them around with you.
  • Items you don’t use: What do you own that you never touch? If you can donate or throw out these items, you’ll have less to worry about during your move.

Grouping your belongings as you pack simplifies and streamlines the process, so don’t forget this step.

4. Divide Your Move Into Parts

In addition to separating your possessions according to their use, divide the move itself into multiple events if you can. As you begin to fill boxes, ship them or place them in storage. It’s harder to clean a room full of boxes than an empty dorm space.

If you live near the home you’ll stay at during the off season, take your packed belongings with you when you make visits. Using this method decreases the amount of stuff you have to transport on the last day of the term.

5. Pack With What’s Convenient

While you have to protect breakable items in transit, most of your belongings will survive non-traditional packing materials. Start by collecting the packing supplies you already have, which may include the following:

  • Garbage bags
  • Food boxes and other cardboard containers
  • Laundry baskets or hampers
  • Purses and/or backpacks
  • Suitcases and travel bags

As you pack, use these containers wisely. Wrap fragile items in clothing or household linens and place them in solid containers, like shoe boxes. Pack heavy objects in smaller containers, like purses, to ensure that you and your helpers can easily lift each package.

6. Use Your Resources

Packing for an out-of-dorm move can quickly become frustrating. During each step of the process, remember to take advantage of your resources.

People you know, both on and off campus, may represent your most valuable resources. They can help with any of the following:

  • Heavy lifting: You may have a hard time moving all your possessions out of your dorm room on your own. To simplify the process, enlist the help of athletes you know, your parents or siblings, or your roommates.
  • Packing materials: If you don’t have enough packing materials, ask for help from your dorm mates, resident adviser, roommates or local stores.
  • Transportation: If you don’t have a car of your own, you probably know exactly who does. Stay in these folks’ good graces so you’ll have an easier time of moving your belongings from place to place.

When you enlist the help of family and friends, moving out of your dorm or college apartment becomes an easier process.

You’ll have plenty of things to do in the lead up to graduation or summer vacation. But by following these tips, you can ensure that your trip away from your temporary home goes as smoothly as possible.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

Keep Your Home Clean and Organized After A Move

Home Clean and Organized After A MoveThe process of moving can seem never-ending. But there’s nothing quite like the feeling of finally getting everything unpacked and settling into your home. Those first few days after unpacking are pretty glorious—everything is in its right place and your space is perfectly clean and uncluttered. The good news is, it’s actually pretty easy to keep it that way.

Embrace small changes first

If you’re generally a bit messy, it may be difficult for you to adopt a tidier and more organized lifestyle. Trying to clean your home from top to bottom at once can be quite overwhelming for you, so you should try to adopt simple habits first. For instance, you can start by simply washing the dishes after your meal every time. Gradually, you can implement other changes until you realize that living in a clean, organized home is much more inspiring and motivating.

Greet change at your front door

When cleaning your home, you should embrace change at your front door – leave your shoes there. You can imagine how much dirt and bacteria you’re bringing inside when you walk around your home in your shoes. So, once you step inside, take off your shoes and leave them by your front door. If you have a lot of shoes, make sure to introduce enough storage units for you and your family members. You can even design a built-in shoe closet next to your entry.

Don’t let clutter rule your life

According to NBC News, one in four Americans actually has a clutter problem. Not only is this making your space smaller, stuffier and more overwhelming, but it’s actually leaving you without a few extra bucks in your wallet. You’d be surprised by how much money you can earn by simply selling your clutter online or organizing a yard sale. Therefore, instead of feeling cramped in your own home and letting clutter take over your life, you should finally free yourself and your space from unnecessary junk and useless items. The best way to declutter your home is to deal with one room at a time. You should throw away anything that you haven’t used in more than a year, put away some items and clothing that you want to donate and set aside those things that you can sell.

Start your morning the organized way

Your bedroom will seem more organized the moment you make your bed in the morning. This will take just a few minutes each morning and you’ll be able to start your day by creating an organized look in your bedroom. Afterwards, your personal sanctuary will seem more relaxing and inspiring, which will have a positive effect on you, as well.

Pay attention to what you breathe in

When cleaning and tidying up their homes, most people consider dusting, mopping, scrubbing and vacuuming without even thinking about the quality of their indoor air. Yet, indoor pollution is a serious issue that can affect your health and your home’s general atmosphere. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to eliminate or at least mitigate this problem in your home. For instance, effective AC units are a key component for creating a healthy, airy atmosphere in homes. Furthermore, proper air conditioning installation is a way of ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of both duct and spit systems in households. Therefore, if you feel that your home needs some fresh air, you should have an AC unit installed by professionals so that you can rest assured that it’s working properly.

Other ways to increase your indoor air quality is to introduce air purifiers and houseplants that will help you remove airborne toxins and allergens. You should also switch to healthy, green cleaning products instead of using those highly toxic ones.

Wash and deep clean

Everything from covers and pillowcases to drapes and area rugs collects dust and allergens in your home every day. Carpets and rugs, in particular, are full of dirt, toxins and other pollutants that can easily spread throughout your space. Therefore, you should wash and deep clean your fabrics, carpets, rugs and other materials on a regular basis. While covers, pillowcases, sheets, cloths, towels and other materials can be easily thrown into the washing machine, rugs and carpets require more effort, so you can just have them professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

Put away after use

Learning to put an item away after using it is a simple habit that will save you a lot of effort. By always keeping each item in its own place, you’ll prevent clutter from building up. You may need to introduce more storage units, but you’ll finally have enough room for everything.

Clean as you go

You probably passed by a blanket thrown over your sofa or a pile of magazines lying on your coffee table countless times. Instead of choosing not to even pay attention to these messy spots, you should tidy them up as soon as you notice them. Every time you pass by a cluttered or dirty area in your home, don’t ignore it, but deal with it immediately. This will save you a lot of trouble later on when you can’t postpone cleaning anymore.

Keeping your home clean, tidy and healthy often entails adopting simple habits that will make both your home and your life more organized.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Assisted Living Home Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

Moving Your Loved Ones Into an Assisted Living Home

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Moving Your Loved Ones Into an Assisted Living Home

Moving Your Loved Ones Into an Assisted Living Home

There comes a time in life when you have to make the difficult decision of moving your elderly loved one into an assisted living home. Whether it’s a parent, an aunt, or even a beloved neighbor, it’s a difficult time in both of your lives. Pony Express Moving is here to help you navigate this difficult process and make it as stress-free as possible.

Finding the Right Assisted Living Home

Before anything else, the most important step in this process is finding the right home for your loved one. If they get stuck in an environment that isn’t a good fit, it can be extremely difficult for your loved one to feel comfortable. You must remember that this is their home now – and they need to be able to feel at home. Do your research and know which amenities are important to your loved one. Also, use your best judgment to find a home that has the right atmosphere – is your loved one a young soul that needs to be surrounded by other spirited community members to socialize with, or do they need a more quiet, low-key environment? Know your loved one and do the right research to make sure you find them a home that is right for them.

Downsize, Downsize, Downsize!

If your loved one was previously living in a larger house, they may need to downsize when it comes to their possessions. They may not have room for all of their big pieces of living room furniture or their countless pieces of decor that have been accumulated over the years. Talk with the home you have chosen and find out what furniture they supply, and whether or not you can replace existing furniture with your own. While many homes will come with fully furnished rooms, your loved one might feel more comfortable if they can sleep in their own bed and relax on their own couch.

Regardless of what the home provides, it’s very likely that there will not be enough room for all of your loved one’s possessions. Speak with them and help them pack and prioritize what they want to bring with them, what they want to put into storage, and what they want to sell or donate. It can also be helpful to offer to hold onto some of their things by keeping them in your home – whether on display or in a box in the attic – so your loved one feels like they are still connected to their sentimental items.

Moving Day Priorities

Offer to stay with your loved one all throughout moving day and assist them in dealing with the movers. You should also go with them to their new assisted living home and help them unpack. While the task may seem daunting, it can be crucial to try to fully unpack and decorate on moving day. It may seem like a lot of work, but you want them to have a good initial experience in their new home, and not feel like it is an unwelcoming experience. You want them to feel right at home as soon as possible. If unpacking the entire home in one day isn’t possible, make sure you at least unpack the essentials, like clothing and toiletries, and a few personal items to make the place start feeling homey. If you are able to, you can also let them stay with you in your home for a few days during the process, so that they don’t have to live in the hectic moving environment!

Decorate for Comfort

Even though it’ll take some extra time, you should really make it a priority to decorate as soon as you can. If you can finish everything on the move in day, then that’s amazing! You want to be able to set up a warm, welcoming environment to move into so that your loved one doesn’t feel uncomfortable or even potentially sad. If you can’t manage to finish it all in one day, that’s more than okay… just make sure you make finishing moving in a priority and really get to decorating!

Save money with Pony Express Moving Assisted Living Home Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

New Year’s Resolutions For The New Mover

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New Year's Resolutions For The New MoverNew Year is a time for resolutions. If you’re planning to move, you can already get started on a few of the most popular personal goals.

If you’re planning to move, you’re already making a fresh start, so why not keep up the momentum with a few more personal resolutions for 2019? Now that the new year is upon us, you have all the more reason to make some moving resolutions.

You are probably familiar with some of the more common resolutions, among them, trying to eat better, mitigating debt and volunteering more. These kinds of goals can also be translated into the process of moving, giving yourself a great start for a new year. Here are seven New Year’s resolutions you can make on your way to your new home.

Recycle more

This common resolution is all about making a life change. As you pack for your new home, keep in mind that moving is an opportunity to make a new life for yourself. Get rid of unnecessary material goods or items that carry little sentimental value. Instead of taking your trash to the dump, however, donate it or give it away to people who may see it as treasure. You may not want your old coat or a worn chair, but maybe there is a family that does.

Conversely, if there is something your new house needs, don’t buy new. Visit thrift stores or antique shops and furnish your new place with vintage, rustic and secondhand goods. With a little effort, you can find perfectly good items at decent prices.

Save yourself some money

Don’t get boxed into an overpriced moving contract — let Pony Express Moving Services find the solution that fits you best. More than 20 years ago we began as local movers with just one truck and have steadily grown into the most respected Boston moving company out there. We are known to be one of the most trusted names in the business; we pride ourselves on exceptional customer relations and professional service. With every service we offer, we bring you the latest technology to make the process more efficient and your move, whether commercial or residential, as stress-free as possible.

Manage pre-moving stress

When you’re planning to move, you’ll no doubt have an extensive list of tasks to complete. A number of these – such as registering your car in a new state, changing your bank and notifying the post office of your address change – can easily fall to the bottom of your list, only to cause you stress later on. The last thing you want to deal with when navigating a new town is a number of bureaucratic errands. Before moving, update your address and map out important offices in your new town, including DMV locations, post offices and nearby banks. Set aside an afternoon once you’ve moved to visit these places and take care of business.

Manage post-moving stress

There is no shortage of stressors once you’ve moved. One of the more subtly irksome aspects of a move is a home that’s not fully unpacked. Having boxes everywhere not only makes your new place feel more like a storage facility, it also means you have to spend time digging through boxes for things you need. Set aside a weekend to do all of your unpacking. You’ll be happier for it once you’re done.

Eat healthier meals

If you’re trying to make some positive changes in your diet, unpack your kitchen as soon as possible. Don’t rely on fast food and microwave meals to get you through the first weeks of a new town. Cook healthy and often.

Volunteer more

Many people hope to get more involved with their community in the new year. Volunteering is also a great way for recent movers to feel better connected to their new community. Soup kitchens and food drives are also a great place to meet like-minded people.

Take a vacation

Once you’ve moved, make sure you explore your new home. Spend your first few weekends taking trips to nearby locales outside your neighborhood. Go to local favorites off the beaten path as well as main cultural hubs. Make a day trip out of it.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Service. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote.