Moving cross country due to a job offer advice NEEDED ASAP

How exciting!
I just moved from Washington to Maine. Cost us about 10 grand for the movers.
This is a pet friendly hotel site http://letsgopets.com/

most Marriott hotels allow cats. at least they did a few years ago

Originally Posted by Pamela

He suggested getting rid of most of the big stuff like couches, dresser, chest, tv, etc and just rent a trailer for all the boxes, clothes, etc and drive a big suv/van with all the cats inside. Once I get there, I can get some good quality furniture pretty cheap to replace what I get rid of. He also suggested donating my car to a non profit agency then getting a big tax write off next year.

If I do this, that means I will only need one other person to drive with me. This may simplify things a lot for me (don't ahve to worry about all the logistics such as if I use prof movers, then I'd have to wait a week or two for them to deliver stuff meaning I'd have to do without a lot of things)..

What do you guys think of this? Would that be the best way to go?

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The only issue I see with that is you definitely will not for the same amount of $$$ for your old couch vs. buying a new one. Take a look in your area before deciding to do this and find out if there are a lot of people already selling their furniture. It may be something that takes time and if time isn't on your side you'll either dump it or move it.

Donating your car is a good idea, however will you have the funds to put a down payment/purchase a new/used one when you get out there?

I mean that's the key thing you have to look at...if it costs $5000 to move your stuff and the company will reimburse you for it or pay for it, you may as well move your stuff. I doubt that they will offer you money for new furniture or a new/used car. That winds up being an out of pocket expense, and I would seriously look at everything as such without knowing what the company is going to reimburse you for.

when looking for housing, place a post on Craigslist..also try and hook up with a realtor that does rentals. One issue I had moving from Michigan to New Jersey is that many rental places only allowed 2 cats maximum I finally started lying and claiming we had 2 instead of 4. So far my landlord hasn't visited us yet.

Originally Posted by Pamela

Thanks for the ideas! I did think about selling my car here then buying a new car there but got concerned that there'd be too many big purchases at once since I'd need to buy a new bed/mattress, desk , entertainment center and hopefully in a year a new home.

I agree about moving and buying so fast- I am really nervous about that but at the same time, I know most of the apartments have policies about # of cats and I don't want to lie to them about # of cats.

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I would look into renting a main floor in a house, first. If you go through an individual homeowner, their cat policy may easily be different. Even offer them an upfront damage deposit, to ease their mind. I wouldn't feel comfortable to lie about number of cats, as well. I'm too honest and would be worrying about if they found out. That's why if you go through an individual renting their house, rather than an apartment complex, you may have luck.

Originally Posted by Pamela

He suggested getting rid of most of the big stuff like couches, dresser, chest, tv, etc and just rent a trailer for all the boxes, clothes, etc and drive a big suv/van with all the cats inside. Once I get there, I can get some good quality furniture pretty cheap to replace what I get rid of. He also suggested donating my car to a non profit agency then getting a big tax write off next year.

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Honestly, I agree about selling your stuff here and then buying once you move. Personally, I would sell your car here as well. You don't HAVE to purchase everything at once. You can bring your bed with you. If you pick a location near your work and amenities, you can easily go without a car for awhile. Or rent one on weekends, if you need it. Not sure what public transit is like where you will be moving. Rob and I didn't have a car for 2 years, but lived in a major urban center, lived near amenities, and rented a car once a month for bulk grocery buying and running errands. Way cheaper and we saved money for purchasing our house.

I am a big real estate lover, and would never buy it on a whim. I research like crazy because it is such a big investment.

So, if I were in your shoes, I'd rent a basement or main level of a house short term, near your job. Take public transit (if available) for the first few months (believe me, they will go by fast!). Buy necessities only but space out your purchases. Wait until I'm settled in job and comfortable with understanding the different real estate areas and then buy after a year or two - also dependent on market conditions.

Rob and I have always been very careful with our purchases and always differentiated needs vs wants. You can honestly get by with little money, in a pinch.

I thought I would look up agents for you and found this website. Look on the right hand side, half way down the page, and this realtor has a relocation package available. It's the first one I found, but I'm sure there is many more!
http://www.bestsaltlakehomes.com/

If nothing else works out, I'd explain about my six cats to my future employers, telling them that you honor your commitments and for that reason your six cats have to come with you. They may do whatever they can to assist you, which could be a whole lot.

I agree with Pamela, especially about selling as much furniture as you are willing to part with.

I've done three 2000+ mi. moves and it's always exciting! Congrats and good luck!

Thank YOU all for giving me advice about this!

I am hoping that you guys can help me out again.

I have been trying to find out how much it'd cost to rent a moving van (so I can put all cats in that) from Silver spring,MD to SLC, UT but haven't had luck. (I need to add this to my estimated costs so I can see if the company will cover it).

I tried all the well known companies (Budget, Penske, Uhaul, etc) and it seems they only rent vans out for IN TOWN moves and the van must be returned to the same place. I need to rent a van for ONE WAY trip...

Can any of you find this info for me ASAP?

I'm keeping fingers crossed that you can help me out again.

Have you tried looking on their web sites? Perhaps the smaller chains are in your area, but they might have larger ones a little farther out.

Heck I know for a fact that UHaul will do one way trips...I've driven trucks in MI with IN license plates!

Go to their web site and do a search...

Originally Posted by lunasmom

Have you tried looking on their web sites? Perhaps the smaller chains are in your area, but they might have larger ones a little farther out.

Heck I know for a fact that UHaul will do one way trips...I've driven trucks in MI with IN license plates!

Go to their web site and do a search...

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Yes I have looked at their websites. All the companies have one way services but NOT for the VAN. ....

I'm now checking with Enterprise and they don't have cargo van but they do offer SUV. Will I be able to fit all 6 cats in big crates in a SUV?

No luck with enterprise, thrifty or hertz for one way rental of van.

You should be able to get them into an SUV.

U-Haul and Ryder both rent small moving vans one way, and some have a door between the cab and the cargo area. And both can tow a dolly with a car, so you don't have to have it moved or driven.

Originally Posted by Pamela

Yes I have looked at their websites. All the companies have one way services but NOT for the VAN. ....

I'm now checking with Enterprise and they don't have cargo van but they do offer SUV. Will I be able to fit all 6 cats in big crates in a SUV?

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Oopps...I realized that last night when I was falling asleep...sorry!

Yes! You should be able to get all 6 cats into an SUV...the smaller ones like the VUE or Escape might be right, so go with an Explorer or the immensly huge gas guzzlers.

Hey get a Hummer! Go into SLC in style

I have no advice about the housing once you get there, but just wanted to add that I recently traveled with my cat and Super 8 motel was where we stayed both nights. They had a $10 extra fee for having a cat. I wouldn't tell them you have six though...... lol