Moving advice

[fireheart]

OK, so I'll be moving to Sydney in a couple of months. WHAT DO I DO?!

Housing is taken care of, as partner will be handling the rent and other sundries up until I start teaching or I start running a service (this will be to a point though).

Household duties and all that we're dividing between the two of us, although I'll be taking on the bulk to cover my butt and I also have the time for it.

My issue is now about how to ensure a smooth move-out. Some things I'll be selling, some things I'll be donating to friends and family members and some things I'm flat-out dumping or donating to an op-shop. What else do I need to keep in mind?

Work-wise, I'm transferring and I've already initiated part 1 of the process. Part 2 requires me to actually fly over there and verify my identity (they don't require you to actually LIVE in NSW to do this, just as long as you have a drivers licence from interstate and you have all the paperwork, you're fine). Part 3 I'll be starting as soon as I have the funds to do so (an online course). SO's the main reason why we're moving over there.

Is there anything else I'm missing?

[Jetfire]

Make sure you get your services handled at both ends as soon as possible. Schedule cut off dates and start up dates as soon as you can. (In my case when I bought my condo, I tried to schedule too soon; apparently booking more than 3 months in advance isn't possible. :P )

Make a list someplace you won't lose it; like a file on a Google Drive or something if you are technically inclined, and track those dates and what needs to be done by when.

Start packing up and sorting as soon as you can; starting with the stuff you rarely need. See how much of it you can purge now while you are under less stress.

If possible, start moving things to a more accessible location. I used to live on the 4th floor of a walkup, but we had lockers in the basement we could use. In the months leading up to my move date, I took boxes down every day or two, since moving up one set of stairs is easier than moving down 6-7 sets of stairs. (2 flights to reach a floor).

Make sure you allocate time to clean up after. Try to do a thorough cleaning before you move out, but still plan a few hours to scrub down after everything is out.

Take pictures and videos of the state of the place after it is emptied out (usually with a time marker like a current newspaper). Do the same with the new place before you move in (or at least before you start unpacking a lot)

Don't forget to plan for time to do all your address changes. Make a list of everything that has your address and look into what you need to do to change it. Don't forget the annual stuff like Taxes and Medicare.

[Sapphire Silk]

Make sure you allocate time to clean up after. Try to do a thorough cleaning before you move out, but still plan a few hours to scrub down after everything is out.

Take pictures and videos of the state of the place after it is emptied out (usually with a time marker like a current newspaper). Do the same with the new place before you move in (or at least before you start unpacking a lot)

This. So this. I got screwed on one apartment I moved out of because I did not do this. Paid several hundred dollars on cleaning fees I should not have owed, plus losing my deposit.

Bleach is a great cleaner for the bathrooms and kitchen. So is vinegar. And they're both cheap. Just wear heavy duty latex gloves while you're cleaning, and have good ventilation: they both stink to high heaven. Rent a shampoo vac and shampoo the rug if you have one. Fix anything that's broken unless it was broken on move in and you can prove it.

[Seshat]

Get quotes from professional cleaning companies. If the price of a full professional 'moving out' clean is low enough (compared to the bond), it can be worth having them do it.
Proof that you hired professionals means that if the landlord complains the place was dirty, the rental/tenancies dispute people will rule that you made a good-faith attempt to get it clean. (IE: it's not your fault, it's the cleaners'.)

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When the house has been cleaned, or even while you're cleaning, spray a light spray of vinegar mixed with water on most surfaces. Air the place. When the vinegar smell fades, cut a citrus fruit in each room, and leave a half-citrus to provide a pleasant smell. When you're done and about to go, grab the citruses and either eat them or toss them.

If you end up cleaning the place yourself, make certain you clean power points, light switches, doorknobs, keyholes, hand-height areas of each doorway, and anywhere that cats (if you have any) tend to rub up against. All those spots become marked with human-gunk (or cat-gunk), and cleaning them makes the whole place look cleaner.

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Get boxes and other transport stuff NOW. Consider using plastic storage crates for some things: anything you use rarely or can live without for a while, shove into storage crates and put in the spare room (if you have one). Stack 'em, but make sure you LABEL them.

All the things you can put in storage, label with 'spare room' or 'storage' or something, so that you know it's one of the things you can unpack last. ALSO label them with what they are, eg "art supplies: hobby" or "summer clothing" or "spare towels".

Actually, if you have enough spare towels that you can put some in storage and not need them for a month or two, send them to a charity shop!

Label everything. On all sides, including top and bottom. Use good strong labels on the storage boxes or crates.

Don't pack any box heavily enough that it's difficult for a single person to carry. By the time you've carried boxes for an hour, you're going to hate every single heavy box.

Any book you can get as an e-book, replace with an e-book. Keep books that are unavailable as e-books, and any special editions. Sell the rest to a secondhand book store.

Label everything. Clearly. If either of you has bad handwriting when you're tired, invest in a label maker or print labels from the computer.

Gradually work things down until you're living on as few things as possible: basically living out of a suitcase level, just still with cupboards. Have one or two place settings of cutlery and crockery, have a minimum of pots and kitchen tools, keep only your favourite spices. All of that. Everything else is packed.

Label everything.

In the last days before the move, put all your final stuff into storage crates and suitcases, and live out of those. Label these as UNPACK FIRST.

And did I mention that you want to label stuff?

[fireheart]

Seshat, you never fail to provide advice.

I should also clarify at this point that my partner will be moving out of the place he currently rents (and has been doing ok rent/utility wise on around $10k less than what he'll be getting interstate). I am moving out of my parents house though.

So there comes the question: does any of the above advice also apply to me moving out of my parents house or not?

[TheSHAD0W]

Throw out or sell as much as possible. Then throw out some more! Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.

I'd also like to mention the old saying that "two moves equals one fire".

[Seshat]

Seshat, you never fail to provide advice.

Ah, but is it good advice?

So there comes the question: does any of the above advice also apply to me moving out of my parents house or not?

Everything except the cut-off dates for utilities. It's only polite to leave your parents as clean a spare room/guest room as possible. You'll definitely want the utilities on when you arrive at the new place. And you have a lifetime of detritus to rid yourself of.
Keep only that which you know to be useful, believe to be beautiful, or which holds memories you hold dear.

Oh, and label everything. Did I mention that?

[fireheart]

Ah, but is it good advice?

Actually yes. It'll be handy in my case as I've never actually MOVED OUT before. (I have "moved", but I was 3 and barely remember anything except that I kept trying to help dad scrape bits of paint and whatnot off the floor with a paint scraper)

Everything except the cut-off dates for utilities. It's only polite to leave your parents as clean a spare room/guest room as possible. You'll definitely want the utilities on when you arrive at the new place. And you have a lifetime of detritus to rid yourself of.
Keep only that which you know to be useful, believe to be beautiful, or which holds memories you hold dear.

Yeah, I'm starting the process by selling off certain things. I'm going more practical than "memory" because we're both downgrading in size (we're both moving from 3BR houses). There are some things I'm going to "upgrade" when I'm over there, but it'll be on a case-by-case basis. For instance, I'm selling my flute. Even though I have good memories from playing it, the last time I pulled it out was a LONG time ago and it was only during a nostalgia fit. I still get a joy out of listening to good music, but I have no desire to pick up my flute again (also, we'll be moving into an apartment: need I say more?).

I have 2 120L tubs FULL of stuff that I'm sending over with the SO as he'll be moving over before I do. All of this was my "glory box" stuff (although I'm a little wary about sending the glass stuff over)

Oh, and label everything. Did I mention that?

Yes. I plan on even labelling my stuff when I fly over initially to set up some paperwork (I have to set up a working with children check BEFORE I start work and the process can take up to 4 weeks. Given I want to jump straight from working in SA to working in NSW, I want to get this done ASAP so I'm not scrambling for work the second I touch down. I also have to go over there in person >_<)

Hmmm....now I wonder what I should put in the SO's "Flight kit." (he's never been on a plane. I've flown to Qld before)

[taxguykarl]

Throw out or sell as much as possible. Then throw out some more! Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.

Agreed, chances are, it is cost-effective to buy a new item over moving that item. When I lived in Chicago, I moved almost annually and took great pains to avoid amassing too much for a cargo van.

[Seshat]

I've moved with glass stuff many times. Remember that a fragile item that is hollow is more fragile than one which is filled, and fill vases, bowls, etc with .. well, anything you can pull out again. Soft scarves, socks, smaller bowls (wrapped in newspaper), etc.
(This is why the ancient egyptians filled their mummy's skulls with sawdust: make them less fragile.)

Using clothes, sheets, etc as packing materials will save you weight: you want to cart them across anyway, so you may as well use them in your packing.


As for the flight kit: it's only a two or three hour flight, including liftoff and landing.

Carryon bag packing list:
Easy access:
* ID (can be in his wallet). (doesn't need to be a passport - SA-issued ID is fine), and some money.
* Two or three distinct ways to get more money (eg ATM card + credit card).
* Any useful membership cards, eg RAA (NRMA is the NSW equivalent, btw).
* Something to do while on the plane, preferably two distinct activities in case he gets bored with one. A puzzle book is fine, if he likes puzzles.
* Something to chew for air pressure equalisation.
* Today's medications, glasses, hearing aids, or whatever.
* Travel details confirmation.
* Access info for the new home/wherever he'll be staying when he gets off the plane.
* Travel info for how the heck to get there from the airport.
* A tiny bottle of waterless hand cleanser, cause you KNOW he'll want it, and a travel pack of tissues.

Somewhere in the bag:
* Medications for a week (in case his suitcase becomes missing-luggage), plus prescription repeats and existing doctor's info.
* His medicare card (can be in his wallet).
(Note for non-Aussies, this will get him practically free medication and prescription drugs anywhere in Australia.)
* Second set of clothes, can be sports clothes (easy to pack) and loafers that squish flat.
* A toiletries pack, including a travel sized waterless shampoo and waterless body cleanser in case he ends up needing them.
* A rain poncho, umbrella, or whatever he prefers, in case it's raining in Sydney.

Worn:
* Comfortable clothes, but not ones that make him look like a hobo. Casual is fine. I'd personally go with casual slacks rather than jeans if I were him, cause jeans have too much hardware around the waist when you're sitting for a long time.
* Shoes that he can tolerate easily if his feet swell a little in the plane.
* A jacket that doubles as both a warmth jacket and a rain jacket. Or stuff a rain jacket into his carryon.


Suitcase packing list:
Imagine he's going to be camping in the new house until the rest of the stuff arrives; with the exception that he'll have an actual stove, and an actual shower; and a grocery store nearby.
Pack for that.

* Casual clothes.
* Clothes he can wear to his new job.
* One lightweight set of crockery and cutlery (eg, a picnic set), and a saucepan and frypan OR the money to buy such a kit from a local thrift store or chain store.
* Air bed and sleeping bag, air bed and bedding, OR money to buy such from ...
* Towel, soap, etc, OR ....

Really, all he HAS to have with him in the suitcase is stuff that he wants on hand for his job, plus anything he really doesn't want to have to go out and buy to get through the first couple of days. He can even go out and buy the clothes, if he's willing to do that.

[Maria]

I got screwed on one apartment I moved out of because I did not do this. Paid several hundred dollars on cleaning fees I should not have owed, plus losing my deposit.

I had a similar problem, once. Pictures are wise, even if you accompany the landlord on the final inspection, even if you sign a form that states what damages do and don't exist. Also keep in mind, an unscrupulous person could easily write extra information on the completed forms, and pretend that it was all there when you signed it. You might want to cross out any blank "comments" sections, or get a photo of the completed forms, ask for a copy for your records, whatever.

As for packing, our last few moves were just across the city, but one thing that really helped me was to pack a suitcase as if I'm going on a trip of about 2 weeks, including basic first aid items and a bath towel. I then can live out of the suitcase for the last few days at the old place, and the first few at the new place. It helps two ways - the essentials can be packed a few days ahead, and not on the last day when things are getting stressful. And, if it takes a few days to locate some essential item, it's not a big deal, nobody has to run to the store at 11pm, or whatever.

[Seshat]

There are realtors and tenants' associations in each Australian state, and there's a standard inspection form which has three (not two) copies: one for the realtor, one for the tenant, one for the association.

The association is the first port of call for resolving disputes, and handles most of them, partly because they typically have all this documentation. However, timestamped photos are a HUGE help!

[fireheart]

I've moved with glass stuff many times. Remember that a fragile item that is hollow is more fragile than one which is filled, and fill vases, bowls, etc with .. well, anything you can pull out again. Soft scarves, socks, smaller bowls (wrapped in newspaper), etc.
(This is why the ancient egyptians filled their mummy's skulls with sawdust: make them less fragile.)

Using clothes, sheets, etc as packing materials will save you weight: you want to cart them across anyway, so you may as well use them in your packing.

I'll pass this part onto him. He's currently relying solely on newspaper for packing things up.

As for the flight kit: it's only a two or three hour flight, including liftoff and landing.

2 hr if we go directly, 2.5 if he has a stopover in Melbourne (yes, this actually came up as an option)

Carryon bag packing list:
Easy access:
* ID (can be in his wallet). (doesn't need to be a passport - SA-issued ID is fine), and some money.
* Two or three distinct ways to get more money (eg ATM card + credit card).
* Any useful membership cards, eg RAA (NRMA is the NSW equivalent, btw).
* Something to do while on the plane, preferably two distinct activities in case he gets bored with one. A puzzle book is fine, if he likes puzzles.
* Something to chew for air pressure equalisation.
* Today's medications, glasses, hearing aids, or whatever.
* Travel details confirmation.
* Access info for the new home/wherever he'll be staying when he gets off the plane.
* Travel info for how the heck to get there from the airport.
* A tiny bottle of waterless hand cleanser, cause you KNOW he'll want it, and a travel pack of tissues.

We won't be having cars in NSW (where we're moving to, there'll be options to car share or take public transport everywhere). He'll be quite upset to hear that he'll have to disable the 3G he has on his phone though.

Hmm...I might check if I can take my crochet over though or not...I know they throw a fit about knitting needles.

Worn:
* Comfortable clothes, but not ones that make him look like a hobo. Casual is fine. I'd personally go with casual slacks rather than jeans if I were him, cause jeans have too much hardware around the waist when you're sitting for a long time.
* Shoes that he can tolerate easily if his feet swell a little in the plane.
* A jacket that doubles as both a warmth jacket and a rain jacket. Or stuff a rain jacket into his carryon.

I'm tempted to shove a rain jacket in his carryon . He has 2 trenchcoats, a couple of hoodies and a jacket. I'm gonna make him take one of the trenchcoats.

Right now, we're both going through our stuff. In my case, what I'm saving is stuff I'm using as my anxiety therapy (artworks and whatnot), teaching prac stuff (if I didn't have the teaching prac, I would be flying over with him), clothes, shoes, laptop etc. I'm sending over my glory box stuff in the initial flight. The second flight (for me) will have me drop off a spare uniform for work and some important documents I'm not going to need for the rest of my time in Adelaide.

[Seshat]

One of the cheapest shipping options is to drop stuff off at the nearest railway station, and pick it up at the destination railway station. It's cheaper because it's not door to door.

I don't know if the rail system still does that, but I know they used to. It's worth investigating. I do know that they do it for cars (though in that case you have to drop off/pick up at a freight-specific station).

[wolfie]

(This is why the ancient egyptians filled their mummy's skulls with sawdust: make them less fragile.)

Skulls full of sawdust? I guess that explains why mummies in horror movies are more intelligent than the average SC.