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Posted on Posted by virginia Categories Organized Household Relocation

6 Tips to Keep Your Household Relocation Organized & Under Control

Moving is stressful, but by staying organized, you can reduce the hassle when you relocate to a new city or state. Here are six tips to help you keep your move organized and under control.

1. Make A Master List Of What Needs To Be Done

Lists are key for staying organized. Place a master list somewhere the whole family can see it and add to it whenever necessary. That way, everyone will be on the same page when it comes to knowing what moving tasks have yet to be completed. You might even assign certain tasks to particular members of the family so that everyone is contributing to the household relocation.

2. Start Packing Early

Even if you think you do not have a lot to pack, these Seattle moving companies urge you to get started as soon as you can. Packing a box or two a day well in advance of your move can make the final packing push much less overwhelming.

3. Arrange Movers Or Your Moving Van As Soon As Possible

Summer months can be some of the busiest for local and interstate moving companies, so if you have definite dates that you need to move, make reservations well in advance. This will also allow you more flexibility to comparison shop and find rates that meet your relocation budget.

4. Make Reservations For Overnight Stops

If you are moving across state lines and the drive will take more than a day, remember to make reservations for overnight stops. You do not want to be looking for a hotel when you are already exhausted from a long day of packing and driving. Plan to stop at a convenient point and give yourself time for dinner and relaxation. That way, you can start the next day refreshed and ready to go. Helpful apps to easily compare rates on hotels include hotels.com, booking.com, and hoteltonight.com.

5. Check With Utility Companies In Advance

Make sure you understand your utility company’s procedures for stopping and starting service. You may need to return old equipment to a company before they stop billing you. If you are moving on a weekend, this could add complication if you have not made arrangements to return this equipment in advance of your moving day. Your new utility companies might require documentation from your previous provider or proof of your new address. Know what you need to do so that you can settle into your new place right away.

6. Set Aside Important Items In A Special Box

When you are packing, it can be tempting to throw your belongings into any box with space. Make sure that you set aside important items in a box that you keep in an accessible location for your first night in your new home. Make sure you set aside personal necessities like medication, toilet paper, and towels in an essentials box so that you are not digging through random boxes when you need these items most.

Moving is stressful, but it can also be an adventure. With planning and organization, your family can be confident that the next chapter of your life gets off to a great start.

Posted on Posted by virginia Categories Moving to Virginia

How to Plan Your Hampton Roads PCS Relocation

There are several important factors to keep in mind when planning one’s Hampton Roads PCS Relocation. A PCS is a Permanent Change of Station, and usually, a PCS order may prompt some panic. A bit of family organization will make the PCS move to Hampton Roads an enjoyable experience. Hampton Roads is a gorgeous, coastal community with much to see and do.

What is Hampton Roads, Virginia?

Hampton Roads is composed of seven cities. These cities are Newport News, Suffolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.

What Bases are on Hampton Roads, Virginia?

Bases at Hampton Roads are Newport News Navy Shipyard, Portsmouth Navy Shipyard, Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Norfolk Naval Station, and NAS Oceana, Little Creek Amphibious Base, Dam Neck Navy Base, US Joint Forces Command Suffolk, and Joint Base Langley Eustis.

What are Challenges with Housing in Hampton Roads?

There are several bases in this area, but on-base housing may be extremely limited. This may force families to move off base. A tunnel transportation system may also mean long commute times, so it’s important to find out what base one is PCSing to. Familiarizing oneself with this information in advance will be helpful when researching potential homes or apartments in that area.

What to Keep in Mind when Researching Homes

Home values reflect the price of seaside dwellings, which means that they are quite expensive. The farther that one is from the coast, larger homes may be found at a lower price. But this will, of course, create longer commute times. It’s wise to consider a home that is priced somewhat reasonably near an excellent school system or work. A reasonably priced home in a family-friendly neighborhood may be less updated, or less attractive, but the price will be more affordable in the long run. One can always update the home later.

PCSing Tips

Make several copies of one’s orders beforehand, as they will be requested quite a bit. Keep them organized in a folder that can be easily toted around. Include moving forms, apartment leases, and such related paperwork. Avoid purchasing brand new furniture before the PCS move. Consider a full or partial DITY move. DITY is short for “Do It Yourself.” One can pack items like plants, liquor, cleaning products, and essentials and haul it away to the destination in a small U-Haul. This may serve as a potential fun and unforgettable road trip for the family as well! Research any Advance Travel Pay that the military may offer, as the extra financial help may come in very handy. Take pictures of any irreplaceable objects before they are shipped off in case they get damaged or lost, and claims must be filed. Have the whole family throw away clutter and even host a yard sale to get rid of items that are no longer wanted. Print directions, research Hamptons Roads and get excited by making a list of fun things to do once a home is established there. Do research on where the commissary is, base malls, favorite restaurants, and even the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation).

Ultimately, a PCS move to Hampton Roads can be an exciting one with proper research and planning. Keeping a budget in mind, taking advantage of any military moving incentives, and keeping everyone motivated are vital ways to make the transition to the gorgeous, coastal area of Hampton Roads a breeze.

Posted on Posted by virginia Categories Moving to DC

Advice for Moving to DC | Real Estate, Neighborhoods, Jobs, and More

Planning to relocate to the nation’s capital? As with any move, it’s important to associate yourself with the basic facts about your future home. Here are some factors to consider regarding life in the Beltway area.

Real Estate

As of October 2017, the median price for a home in the DC area was $550,000, according to Washington’s Top News (WTOP). Since the recession hit in 2008, home prices have risen by 47 percent, making the seller’s market exceptionally tight — which translates into a highly competitive market for buyers. The demand for homes in the area far outweighs the supply, so be prepared to play hardball.

Job Market

Fortunately, there are a great many high-paying jobs available in DC as well, particularly in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In 2015, the city was ranked #1 on the Forbes list of most competitive job markets, with over 52 percent of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to CareerCast, the number of STEM jobs available in the region is around double the national average, so it’s a good bet for anyone who holds a degree in one of those fields.

Also high on the list? Human resources management. The growth projection for this field remains solid throughout the year 2020.

Neighborhoods

The Niche website lists the three best-ranking DC neighborhoods as follows: Hawthorne, Foxhall Crescents, and Spring Valley. All are ranked highly regarding public school systems and overall quality, but be forewarned that they’re likely to be correspondingly pricey as well.

Traffic

Here’s the bad news first: DC has been rated the worst traffic “hot spot” in the country. Only New York and LA rank lower overall regarding traffic congestion. The upside? Public transportation is both ubiquitous and easy to use. If you can manage it, this might be the ideal time to do away with owning a vehicle altogether.

Weather

While winters in DC can be on the chilly side (the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 38 degrees), the region doesn’t get hit with nearly as much snow as its neighbors to the north. The average snowfall is a mere 15.5 inches, an amount that’s often exceeded during a single storm in Boston. Summers are likewise mild, with a July average of 80 degrees.

Demographics

The median age of DC residents is 33.8, making it a fairly young city. This is evident in the hot local music scene and enclave of trendy area restaurants, which are mainly dominated by American cuisine (what else would you expect from the nation’s capital?), but there’s no shortage of ethnic offerings available, either.

Moving to DC

There’s much to love about life in the DC area, as long as you’re prepared for the move. Familiarize yourself with the real estate market, and try to have a job lined up in advance. Make your move easier by hiring the services of cheap DC movers and take care of essentials like turning on the utilities and figuring out your commute. These steps will ensure that your experience is a positive one right from the beginning.