If you’re searching for where to buy moving boxes, and you’ve read that it’s better to use boxes specifically made for moving rather than packing your stuff in grocery store boxes, you heard correctly.
Why? Well, probably several reasons, but namely sturdiness…and bugs.
As you’ve researched where to buy moving boxes, you may have noticed that “true” moving boxes are constructed of thick, sturdy cardboard. These are designed to protect your household items and help them travel safely. The boxes you find behind your grocery store normally aren’t. You’ll likely notice they’re constructed of a more flimsy cardboard and are easily torn (which means they won’t provide much protection). When you’re packing things like clothing and linens, these flimsy boxes may work, but when the items you’re moving are fragile, expensive or otherwise susceptible to damage, sturdier boxes are the way to go.
Then there are the bugs. And like avoiding damage, I’m pretty sure you want to avoid bringing insects of any kind into your new home. When you get your boxes from the grocery store dumpster or in the alley behind the store, the likelihood of picking up a few varmints is high – these boxes become little bug condos. Even if you don’t “see” bugs, they’re known for laying eggs inside the box walls. No thanks.
So, where do you buy moving boxes? My suggestion? ABF U-Pack. Even if you’re not moving with U-Pack, you can still buy boxes and packing supplies (although if you are moving long distance, it’s easy to get a free moving quote). To get boxes, just select the moving boxes & supplies you need from the U-Pack box store. U-Pack will send them right to your door. The Starter Kit is probably U-Pack’s most popular box assortment. It is typical for a studio-sized apartment. You get 10 small boxes, 10 medium boxes, 20 dish protectors, 1 roll of bubble wrap and a tape dispenser with box tape. Of course, if you have a larger home, or need more boxes, or other supplies, they’re available.
If you have more questions about where to buy moving boxes, let us know!
Moving Service Reports Texas is Next Best Thing to Paradise
National moving service, ABF U-Pack Moving, releases annual moving trends report with good news for Texans. Two Texas cities ranked just below top-ranked Hawaii for the number of inbound moves in 2009.
(FORT SMITH, Ark., January 21, 2010) — Where’s the next best thing to Paradise? Well, Texas of course. That is if moving trends reported by national moving companies are any indication. National moving service ABF U-Pack Moving® listed several Texas cities as hot spots in its annual long-distance moving trends report. There were more Texas cities with high levels of inbound moves than any other state.
The perennial top city for inbound moves is Honolulu. However, Beaumont and Waco completed the 2009 top three making Texas the next best thing to ‘Paradise.’ Other Lone Star cities on the list were Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Wichita Falls and Corpus Christi. Texas has been trending upward in regard to inbound moves for years, but 2009 marked a new high point for U-Pack customers. Other southern and southeastern states also dominated the 2009 list, but Texas was the most popular by far. Other moving companies that release annual reports are seeing similar trends. So, if you are moving to Texas, you aren’t alone.
Texas is predicted to be a leading state in the nation’s economic recovery. Less volatility in home values, low home costs, employment opportunities and low cost of living are probable factors. Visions of Texas as a state with a purely oil and cattle-based economy are long inaccurate. Texas has a diverse economy with a great deal of high tech industry.
Kay Lynn Clay, business development manager at U-Pack, says, “We have seen a more southern trend in moving for years, and customers moving to Texas have been a big reason for this trend.” Each year the moving service releases the report based on U-Pack customer trends over the previous 12 months. Annual trend reports released by moving companies and moving services offer insight into what future census studies may find. These trends are important because such statistics determine the distribution of government funding and electoral votes. Many sources predict that Texas will add electoral seats after the 2010 census.
ABF U-Pack Moving is a leader in the self-move industry with a network of 281 service centers nationwide. U-Pack specializes in affordable do-it-yourself moving, combining the professional driver and equipment of traditional full-service movers with the cost savings of a rental truck. Visit http://www.upack.com/ for more information.
If you know relocation is in your future, but you haven’t found the ideal job, it’s time to start a cross-country search. Here are some good tips to get you moving in the right direction:
Get your resume in tip-top shape. As you know, the market is extremely competitive right now, so it’s important that your resume stand out. If you’re struggling with the best way to present your skills, the Career Placement Center at your college or university should have helpful resources, or check out resume building sites like theresumebuilder.com or howtowritearesume.net.
Start a comprehensive job search. If you’re open to relocation, finding a great job goes beyond looking in the Sunday classifieds. Start with the Career Placement Center, then go to job fairs and visit job search sites like careerbuilder.com, job.com, or monster.com.
Compare salary vs. cost of living. Any time you get a job offer, it’s a good idea to compare the salary to the cost of living in the city you’re considering relocating to. A lower salary may not be so bad if the area has a lower cost of living than you’re accustomed to. At the same time a higher salary may not be worth it if the cost of living is outrageous. Try cost of living calculators at sites like mysalary.com or bestplaces.net to get an idea of what to expect.
Consider the housing market. How difficult will it be to sell the home you’re currently in? How difficult will it be to find an affordable home in the city you’re relocating to? Will the new company pay for temporary housing while you’re trying to sell your home? Can you afford two mortgages if that’s what it takes? These are all good questions to ask before taking the relocation plunge.
Choose a reputable relocation service. Once you’ve found the perfect job (or any job really), and relocation is on the horizon, you just want a seamless move with a reputable moving company. It’s not a bad idea to start researching relocation companies right away. Start with getting moving quotes, then visit sites like epinions.com, movingscam.com and the Better Business Bureau - they're are all excellent research tools. Listen to and read about what other people are saying. If you don’t see much about a particular relocation company, or the majority of what you read is bad, you’ll probably want to move on – regardless of price.
Set up shop. Before you move into your new home (whether temporary or permanent), make sure the utilities are turned on and it’s move-in ready. At least two weeks before your relocation takes place, call the utility companies to make them aware of your move-in day. And, of course, make sure the utilities are shut off at the residence you’re moving out of. The utility companies you may need to contact are: electric company, water company (normally the city), trash/recycling services, gas company, local telephone company, cable/satellite provider, internet provider and alarm system provider.
Relocation has the potential to be exciting! Consider it a new, fresh start and an opportunity to excel. It’s a new adventure. Enjoy it!
It’s that time of year again…tax season! If you moved in 2009, you may be eligible for a moving expenses tax deduction. We’ve written some helpful blog posts in the past that should be helpful again this year – including instructions for retrieving the cost to move from your U-Pack delivery receipt.
If you’re searching for Arizona relocation information, I recommend that you start with the basics…at the Chamber of Commerce. You’ll find that most chambers offer Arizona Relocation Packets that provide a little extra information about the area and sometimes even discount offers. What a deal! For a list of Arizona chambers, visit: http://www.azchamber.com/localchambers/index.cfm?ID=34.
Helpful Arizona Relocation Resources You can also get factual information about Arizona relocation from the State of Arizona website http://az.gov/. Here you’ll find information about education, registering to vote, licensing your vehicles, applying for driver’s licenses and tax payer information. It’s a terrific Arizona relocation resource.
Then, I recommend that you begin getting moving quotes from Arizona relocation companies. Depending on the area you’re relocating to, you may want to start getting prices fairly early – like 30 to 60 days ahead of time. If the area is remote, you may have difficulty finding door to door delivery service. If you’re in one of the larger areas like Phoenix, Tucson, Kingman and Nogales, it may be not be difficult to find door delivery, but finding affordable Arizona relocation prices may be difficult. Whether you’re relocating to or from Arizona, typically ABF U-Pack offers the most affordable prices when it’s a long distance move.
And, once you’ve figured out where you’re going and who’s moving you, there are a few things you may want to know about Arizona relocation:
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, if you’re a new Arizona resident, you are required to get an Arizona drivers license and register your vehicle in the state. You may be asking “How do I know if I’m an Arizona resident?” Well, if you meet any of these stipulations, you’re an Arizonian.
You work in the state (other than seasonal agricultural work).
You are a registered voter in Arizona.
You have children in school in the state without paying non-resident tuition.
You have a business with an office and operating vehicles in the state.
You have a state license or pay in-state tuition.
You have a business that operates vehicles to transport goods or passengers within Arizona.
You have lived in Arizona for 7 months or more during a calendar year.
To get an Arizona driver’s license you should bring your out-of-state drivers license and one other form of identification to a MVD office. You will have to take a vision test, but normally a written test isn’t required.
An Arizona Licensing Plate Holder Law requires the state name of Arizona license plates to be visible. So, if any part of your license plate holder (even if it’s your favorite college football team) covers your plate, you’re in violation.
If you’re driving a motor vehicle on Arizona roadways, you must be covered by liability insurance.
If you want to register to vote in Arizona, just complete an online voter registration form.
Arizona does not observe daylight savings time.
If you have questions or comments about Arizona Relocation, feel free to let us know.
People tend to have a lot of questions about moving to Alaska. We've attempted to answer a few of the big ones. If you have more, let us know - if we don't know the answer, we'll find out.
Is it true you can get paid to move to Alaska? If you search message boards about moving to Alaska, you’ll see various versions of the question “can I move to Alaska for free?” over and over. The answer is “no”. This is a misconception. The state does not pay you to move to Alaska. What you’re probably thinking of is the Permanent Fund Dividend that is paid to permanent residents of Alaska each year.
What is the Permanent Fund Dividend? The Permanent Fund Dividend is paid to every qualifying Alaskan, normally every October. The money comes from Alaska oil revenues. For more information about the fund, visit the Alaskan’s Guide to the Permanent Fund.
How do I establish residency in Alaska? In order to receive the Permanent Fund Dividend, you must establish residency in Alaska, have lived in the state for at least one year and intend on living there permanently. As proof of residency, you must have severed residency in any previous state you have lived in and you must be able to provide one of the following:
A contract for moving your household goods to Alaska (company paid is not acceptable)
Proof of owning a home or renting a home in Alaska (employer paid housing is not acceptable
Employment and unemployment records
School records
Voter registration
Motor vehicle registration records
Licensing records
Court or other government agency records
How much does it cost to move to Alaska? The best answer I can give is “it depends”. On what? Where you’re moving from, how much you’re moving, when you’re moving and what Alaska moving company you use. Typically, the most affordable way to move to Alaska is with a “you pack, we drive” service like ABF U-Pack. To get a quick idea of how much it costs to move to Alaska, just request a moving quote.
What is the best way to move to Alaska? If you’ve gotten moving quotes already, I think you’ll see fairly quickly that “you pack, we drive” services like ABF U-Pack are the ideal way to move to Alaska. Plain and simple, full service movers are too expensive and it’s too far to drive in a rental truck. With a “you pack, we drive” service, you save money by doing your own packing and loading, but you don’t have to drive.
What is the cheapest way to move to Alaska? The answers above should answer this question as well. Typically ABF U-Pack is the cheapest way to move to Alaska. ABF brings a moving trailer or moving container to your home in the lower 48. You load. If you move in a trailer, U-Pack can deliver to most locations in Alaska. If you’re using a moving container, you can save even more money by unloading at the ABF service center in Anchorage.
How long does it take to move to Alaska? It depends on how you choose to move. If you’re using traditional van lines or full service moving companies, it can take 20-30 days for your shipment to arrive. Moving to Alaska with U-Pack typically takes 8 to 13 business days, depending on where you’re moving from.
How do I find a job in Alaska? The Alaska Job Center Network, powered by the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, is a great place to start.
Do I have to pay income tax in Alaska? No. Alaska does not levy income tax on personal income. And, as an added bonus, there is no statewide sales tax in Alaska. For more information on taxes in Alaska, visit the Alaska Tax Division.
If you have more questions about moving to Alaska, let us know and we'll get the answer.
Ah…beautiful Hilo, Hawaii. Have you seen photos of this place? Or even better, have you been there? Absolutely amazing. And may I offer a little piece of advice? If you’re moving to Hilo, you might consider keeping it under wraps, or risk the onslaught of visitors that never want to leave! It’s a coastal town on the eastern side of the Big Island, and lies at the feet of three volcanoes, Mauna Kea, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. And it’s simply breathtaking.
OK, I’m moving to Hilo in my head…snapping out of it.
Seriously though, if you’re planning a move to Hilo from the upper 48, you have a few options. Obviously rental trucks are out of the question, since the Pacific Ocean is a bit of a barrier. But, rest assured, there are options for moving to Hilo that are less expensive than hiring full service movers. I’m talking about ‘you pack, we drive’ containerized moving companies like ABF U-Pack.
Moving to Hilo, Hawaii in a container For larger moves, like a 3 bedroom home or larger, a 20 or 40 foot ocean container is probably the best option. If your move to Hilo is smaller - anywhere from a studio apartment to a large 2-bedroom home/apartment - you may want to consider ReloCubes, U-Pack’s 6’x7’x8’ moving containers. You can choose as many of these as you need, and pay for only what you use.
With either option, an empty container is delivered right to your door. You load everything you’re moving to Hilo into the container, then call to let us know when it’s ready to be picked up (you have 3 business days to load). Once picked up, it starts traveling to Hilo the next business day. ABF ships out of the ports in either Oakland, CA or Pico Rivera, CA, so the transit time depends on where you’re moving from. Just to give you an idea though, U-Pack transit times to Hilo average 9-14 business days. I think you’ll find that’s fast compared to other Hawaii moving companies that average 4-6 weeks.
More good news…when you’re moving to Hilo with U-Pack, your shipment is not co-mingled with other people’s belongings – regardless of the container type you choose. And, though this could probably go without saying, since Hawaii is a U.S. state, there are no special requirements, taxes or additional paperwork required for a Hawaii move. Just load it, and U-Pack will move it.
If you have any questions about moving to Hilo, HI, or you’re trying to answer the question “How much does it cost to move to Hilo, Hawaii?”, let us know and we’ll gladly help.
National Moving Service Notes Continued Southern Moving Trend
Nationwide moving service ABF U-Pack Moving® releases long-distance moving trends.
(FORT SMITH, Ark., January 2, 2010) — Texas is the next best thing to paradise according to an annual report by national moving service ABF U-Pack Moving®. Each year the company, which specializes in long distance moving, reviews the migration patterns of customers over a 12-month period. The annual report offers insights into national moving trends.
In a review of cities with populations of 100,000 or more, Honolulu had the highest percentage of inbound moves by the company in 2009, with inbound moves accounting for 87% of all the city’s moves. The next two highest cities were Beaumont, Texas with 71% and Waco, Texas with 69%. Texas posted a total of eight cities — the most of any state in the union — to the list. In addition to Beaumont and Waco were Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Wichita Falls and Corpus Christi.
Business development manager, Kay Lynn Clay laughs, “Seems no one wants to leave Honolulu! The city usually tops our list for inbound moves. Texas has become increasingly popular as well. There is a definite trend for relocation to the South and Southeastern regions of the country by U-Pack customers.”
Southern and Southeastern cities with populations of 100,000 or more and 60% inbound moves were predominant. Louisiana and North Carolina each posted four cities, the second highest number by state. Other than Honolulu, the only city outside of this region to make the list is Billings, Montana.
When asked why long-distance moving trends are important, Clay states, “The trends observed by a moving company are important for the same reasons the census is important. Movers can identify early the possible population shifts that directly impact our daily lives.” Clay adds that at census time these trends affect things such as public funding and the number of electoral votes states receive.
The report also examines outbound moving trends for cities with populations of 100,000 or more. In 2009 Detroit, Michigan. had the highest percentage of outbound moves with 71%. The states providing the most cities to the high outbound list were Michigan and California with three each. These included Detroit, Flint and Lansing in Michigan and Stockton-Modesto, Long Beach and Fresno in California. Connecticut provided two with Hartford and New Haven.
So where are the new best places to live? Trends from moving companies could be an indicator. With a national census in 2010, it should be interesting to see how trends from the moving service match with the new data. (Statistics are available to the media for all cities serviced by the company.)
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ABF U-Pack Moving is a leader in the self-move industry with a network of 281 service centers nationwide. U-Pack specializes in affordable do-it-yourself moving, combining the professional driver and equipment of traditional full-service moving companies with the cost savings of a rental truck. Visit http://www.upack.com/ for more information.
If you have Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and have determined that a DITY (do-it-yourself) move is your best money-saving solution, there are a few things you’ll need to know:
First, we recommend that you take full advantage of the Relocation Readiness Program at the base you’re relocating to. You’ll find this a huge help in acclimating you and your family to your new home. Through the Relocation Readiness Program, you’ll find ways to make military moving easier, like newcomer orientation, welcome packets, and general information about the area.
Second, if you’re planning military moving in the form of a Self-Procured DITY relocation, it’s important that you follow the proper guidelines to ensure government reimbursement:
DITY moving requires prior approval. Make an appointment with the Transportation Office ahead of time. Without prior approval, you risk not being reimbursed.
Supply the Transportation Office with proper paperwork. You will need four copies of your PCS orders, and complete DD Form 2278 (application for DITY Move).
Begin getting moving quotes. Get moving quotes from military moving companies that will guarantee full and empty weight tickets, and make sure to ask about a military moving discount.
Reserve your military move. Make certain to verify inclusion of full and empty weight tickets.
Visit the dispersing office. Pick up your advance operating allowance.
Submit a settlement claim. Once you take delivery of your shipment at destination, your claim should be submitted to the inbound Transportation Office. Necessary documents include: Copy of PCS orders Original DD Form 2278 All receipts for moving expenses (attach to DITY move certification) Statement of expenses actually incurred Voucher for advance operating allowance U-Pack Bill of Lading Certified empty & loaded weight tickets Original DD Form 1351-D (travel voucher) with address, dates and service member’s signature
Keep everything. Make sure to keep all receipts and copies of all documents for tax purposes.
Submit settlement claim. Your settlement claim should be submitted to the TMO within 45 days of your move.
Receive Reimbursement. Your military moving payment should be received within 30 days of submitting paperwork to the TMO. Incentive is equal to 95% of what it would have cost the government to move the property, and final reimbursement is based on the actual weight moved (which is why weight tickets are a requirement).
If you have questions about specific military moving requirements and reimbursement procedures, the best resource is the Transportation Office at your outbound base. For questions about U-Pack’s military moving services, please call 800-413-4799. Make sure to mention that it’s a military move and we’ll add weight tickets along with your military moving discount.
Question of the day: Does renters insurance cover moving?
My best advice? Call your insurance agent and ask. Unfortunately there isn’t a general answer for this question since it depends on the parameters of your renters insurance policy.
Normally, if you are moving in-state, you can simply contact your renters insurance agent and submit a change of address, with no lapse in coverage. However, if you are moving out of state, the insurance company may not be able to provide coverage at your new location. Also, the personal property coverage provided by many renters’ insurance policies applies only if the property is inside the primary residence – personal property away from the residence may be covered only at a percentage of the primary residence coverage.
Here are questions you might consider asking your insurance agent to figure out if your renters insurance policy covers moving:
Is my personal property covered while I am moving out of state?
Does insurance coverage apply while my belongings are moving, or only once the belongings are inside the residence?
What amount of personal property coverage do I have while my belongings are being moved (and they are away from my primary residence)?
What losses are covered while my personal property is away from my primary residence?
Where in my renters insurance policy does it refer coverage while moving?
Moving everything you own is a big deal. Checking out the coverage your renters insurance policy provides is a very proactive way to start the process. If you haven’t already, your next step should be to research and choose movers with an excellent reputation and an impressive safety rating. ABF U-Pack Moving is one of those companies. ABF has been the winner of the ATA Excellence in Security Award an unprecedented five times and prides ourselves in having one of the best claim ratios in the industry.
Even with a reputable moving service and sufficient renters insurance coverage on your goods, with self moving we recommend that you take the necessary steps to help your belongings travel safely. You can do this by using sturdy moving boxes, wrapping furniture in moving blankets, using plastic mattress covers, wrapping fragile items in bubble wrap and securing your items tightly with tie down straps. It’s also important to eliminate space in the trailer or ReloCube where items can move around in transit – using trash bags filled with linens as space fillers is an excellent solution.
If you need more helpful information to make your move as safe as possible, check out the packing tips at upack.com.
