Let’s face it, moving anywhere with kids can be a little challenging. Add the uncertainty that comes with moving to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar requirements, and it might just add a little extra excitement to the equation. 

The good news is, there’s nothing too difficult about moving to Puerto Rico (even with kids). U-Pack Moving makes it really, really easy. And to make you feel even more comfortable about the move, we’ve compiled a list of information related to moving to Puerto Rico with kids. I think you’ll find it very helpful. And of course, if you have questions about how moving to Puerto Rico with U-Pack works, we’ll be happy to help. Getting a free moving quote is easy too; just call or click.

Things you should know if you’re moving to Puerto Rico with Kids:

• Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, U.S. Immigration and Customs Laws and Regulations apply. That means that children who are U.S. citizens do not need a passport to fly from a U.S. state or territory to Puerto Rico (and vice versa).
• For the same reason, parents are not required to provide a child’s birth certificate, as long as the child is a U.S. citizen and the flight originates in the U.S. Each airline determines identification requirements for minors, so contact your airline ahead of time to determine policies for traveling with minors. Typically minors under age 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Get more information about flying with children from the Transportation Security Administration.
• There are no governmental health restrictions for flying into Puerto Rico from a U.S. state or territory; however, children should be current on vaccinations. Immunizations are required for school registration, but Puerto Rico does allow exemption from immunization if it contradicts their religious beliefs.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Puerto Rico has a primary seat belt law, which permits law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle and issue a citation for a seat belt violation, even in the absence of other violations. So if you’re driving (or riding) in Puerto Rico, buckle up.
• Child safety seats are mandatory in Puerto Rico. Infants 0-20 lbs. and less than one-year-old must be in a rear-facing car seat. Children 20-40 lbs., and over one-year-old can face forward in a secure convertible car seat. It’s also recommended that children under 4’0” and less than 80 lbs. use a booster seat, secured with a seat belt. All children under age 12 should ride in the back seat. For more information, visit the Department of Highway Safety.
• In Puerto Rico, teens can apply for a learner’s permit driver’s license at age 16. A learner’s license allows you to practice driving while accompanied by a licensed adult age 21 or older.
• Education in Puerto is mandatory between the ages of 6 to 17 years old. In Puerto Rico’s public school system, Primary school is six grades and secondary school is divided into two cycles of three years each. The first cycle starts in August and ends in mid-December, and the second cycle goes from January through May.
• The primary language taught in public schools is Spanish. English is taught as a second language (from Kindergarten to high school).

 We hope you find this information helpful! If you have other questions about moving to Puerto Rico with kids, just leave a comment below!  Happy moving!

While we’re not quite into the busy moving season yet, it’s fast approaching.  Now’s the time when many folks start thinking about making big “are we moving?” decisions.  Not quite to the research phase, but definitely trying to figure out if, where and when they’re going.  This is the hard stuff. 

If that’s the position you’re in – making the “if” and “where” decisions – this “top 25” list I just ran across at Forbes.com might pique your interest – especially if the state of the economy has any bearing on your decision.  It’s America’s 25 Best-Performing Cities (from the Milken Institute’s 2011 Best-Performing Cities index).

Is it any surprise that the state of Texas leads the list and represents with nine – that’s right, nine – cities on the list?  We’ve seen it time and again – it’s the hot spot for so many people moving for job opportunity.  In fact, the Milken report found that Texas employers were responsible for one of every five U.S. jobs created from June 2010 to June 2011.  Way to go Texas! 

Drum Roll please....Here’s the list:

1.  San Antonio, TX
2. El Paso, TX
3. Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
4. Austin-Round Rock, TX
5. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX
6. Salt Lake City, UT
7. Anchorage, AK
8. Huntsville, AL
9. Provo-Orem, UT
10. Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA
11. Charleston-North Charleston, SC
12. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA
13. Cedar Rapids, IA
14. Raleigh-Cary, NC
15. Ogden-Clearfield, UT
16. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
17. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
18. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
19. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
20. Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX
21. Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD
22. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
23. Madison, WI
24. Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
25. Lubbock, TX

As a little side-note, I was super happy to see an Arkansas city listed!

Do you live, or are you planning to move to one of these cities?  We would love to hear about it! 

In her last post, Miki explains why she trusts U-Pack when it comes to moving long distance. Capping off the cross-country road trip she and her grandmother took while U-Pack handled their big move, Miki now has a published blog series to document the unforgettable experience. Read on!

When I chose a moving company for my grandmother, I wanted the best. I mean, this would be the company that would move her 86 years of belongings; her treasures. I don’t think I can ever fully articulate how thankful I am for the services of ABF U-Pack Moving—not just for my own move two years ago, but especially for my grandmother’s.

I began this journey scared, overwhelmed and confused. The fine folks at ABF took all of this out of the equation. They walked us through every step of the process. And, they were kind when I needed kindness. They did all the driving, so I could merely take care of my grandmother. And boy, what an experience. They brought so much to the table:

Expertise: ABF U-Pack provided the expertise that I needed. And I needed a lot. The only things I really knew were where we were starting and where we were going.

Customer Service: Throughout the course of both moves, I interacted with a myriad of ABF U-Pack employees. Every single one of them was helpful and kind. Each one was able to address my concerns in person or on the phone. They even walked me through properly opening and shutting the doors, something most people know on their own, but I didn’t!

Flexibility: I didn’t know exactly how much room I would need to move my belongings in the truck so long ago or how many ReloCubes grandmother would need for this last move. The ABF U-Pack Moving professionals walked me through it AND I only paid for the space I used.

Quality: Both moves resulted in flawless execution. Nothing was damaged. Nothing was lost. Everything was on time. Everything was easy, from query to paperwork, payment to retrieval.

Costs: My move two years ago cost me less than it would have to rent a competitor’s truck, pay the gas and drive it myself. Less! And I didn’t even have to drive an oversized truck 3,000 miles. My grandmother’s move would’ve cost about the same as driving a rental truck. But instead of having to drive the truck, which wouldn’t have given us enough room for our entourage, we took the vacation of a lifetime.

We played in Texas, visited my best friend and watched fireworks in New Mexico, explored the Grand Canyon in Arizona and meandered around Hollywood. I’ve since had our photos published into a keepsake book. This treasured time will always be in our hearts and on our coffee tables. Thank you, ABF U-Pack Moving. You will always have a place in my heart. You’re truly my heroes!

Are you moving to a small town, perhaps to get away from big city life, or maybe a job or career change? Whatever the case, you’ll definitely want to do a little new-town-investigation before you move. Pre-move research will definitely help you get a feel for the city and what it has to offer, and you can do most of it online, from the comfort of your favorite chair!

Here are a few suggestions to help prepare you for your move to a small town:

1. Google your new city
   Sounds simple, right? You can easily jump online and perform a search to see what comes up on your new town. Try searching “things to do in (your city),” “(city) newcomers,” or “moving to (city).”  Most cities are known for something, so a little research will help you figure out what your new town has to offer.
2. Check out the Visitors Center or Chamber of Commerce
   Most towns have a visitor’s center or Chamber of Commerce, and these can both be a great resource for learning what the town has to offer; most offer a newcomers guide. Search “(city) visitor’s center,” or visit Chamber of Commerce.com (you can search by city and state).
3. Meet your neighbors
   While this is sometimes difficult if you don’t have much chance to visit your new town before moving day, meeting some of the locals will certainly help you get a feel for the city. Some small towns are notorious for being close knit communities where newcomers are welcomed slowly. Make an effort to make a good first impression, and keep in mind that it might take some time to find your place. Keep in mind that many people in small town grew up there, so roots are deep. But being friendly goes a long way! You could also join a local church; they’re a great environment for meeting new people. If you don’t have a chance to visit ahead of time, speak with the HR department at your new company, they may be able to put you in contact with co-workers you can connect with beforehand.
4. Visit community information websites
   U-Pack’s Coverage Map offers information on thousands of cities throughout the U.S – you’ll find great resources, and info on what to expect when you get there. Topix is another online site with a plethora of information on towns across the United States. You can search for information on your specific town easily by zip code. They have news and events for the town, local entertainment, shopping, and real estate information.

Moving from a larger city to a small town is certainly life-altering, and may take a little getting used to, but many people like the slower pace. Have you made the move from a big city to a small town? Tell us how you handled it.

Free, Instant Moving Rates for your Cross-Country Move

From New York City to LA is about 2,800 miles (or 42 hours by land). From Miami to Seattle, is about 3,400 miles (or 50 hours by land)—even further.  Have you determined how many miles (and hours) to expect for your move? I used the Rand McNally Mileage Calculator to figure it out.

I have to admit...looking at those numbers makes me cringe.  Fifty hours is a long time to be in a vehicle, much less moving cross country in a rental truck.

When I look at it from that perspective, it makes even more sense why so many people use U-Pack for their cross country move.  The moving rates compare to truck rental—but U-Pack does the driving!

If you haven’t gotten one already, U-Pack makes it easy to get free moving rates for your cross-country move. Just enter your “moving from” and “moving to” locations, an estimated move date and the approximate size of your home in the form to the right, to see your quote instantly.

If you have questions about your cross-country rate, we’re here to answer them! Just leave a comment below.

Learn more about driving laws that change by state
If you’re moving across the country, it’s good to know what driving laws might change as you drive state to state – specifically speed limits, minimum driving age, seat belts, radar detectors, carpooling and cell phone usage.  Remember, ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse, so here are some resources for determining what the laws are before moving day gets here: 

Speed limit laws.  Since not all states acknowledge the same speed limits on the road, ultimately it’s up to the driver to look for posted speed limit signs.  You should always err on the side of caution when in doubt. This chart from the National Motorists Association lists speed limits on interstates by state: http://www.motorists.org/speed-limits/state-chart.  

Carpooling.  Because carpooling is becoming increasingly more popular, especially in larger cities, we’re seeing many laws created for HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes and carpool lanes.  Usually driving in these lanes requires a minimum of 2 to 3 riders per vehicle, but that can vary.  Make sure to know your state’s carpool lane laws before you make your merge!  If you’re driving through any large cities, we recommend Googling “carpool laws (+city)” before your trip.

Seat belts.  According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary.  Primary laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver for not wearing a seat belt without any other traffic violations; secondary laws allow for ticketing for not wearing a seat belt only when there is another citable traffic infraction.  Thirty-two states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all have primary seat belt laws; seventeen states have secondary laws.  New Hampshire is the only state without a primary or secondary seat belt law for adults (though it does have a primary child passenger safety law for drivers and passengers under 18).  Learn more about state seat belt laws here: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/seatbelt_laws.html.

Cell phone laws.  Because the use of cell phones while driving is such a problem, many states have created laws against texting and/or talking while driving.  Many of these laws focus on school zones and construction zones specifically.  This chart from the GHSA shows all state cell phone and text messaging laws. http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Driving under the influence.  All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws stating that it is a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a certain level, which is currently 0.08 percent for most states.  This chart from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety shows DUI/DWI laws by state: http://www.iihs.org/laws/dui.aspx  

Radar detectors.  Research shows that these devices are legal in private vehicles in all states other than Virginia, Washington D.C., and on U.S. military bases.  In Minnesota and California there are laws against affixing them to the windshield (obstructing vision).

Minimum driving age.  In most states the minimum driving age is 16; however some states have nighttime restrictions that raise the age to 17 or 18, and many states have passenger restrictions for drivers under 18.  Check out all age-related driving restrictions here: http://www.iihs.org/laws/gdl_intermediate.aspx

If you have any questions about the driving laws in any state you’re operating a vehicle in, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicle Department should be able to help. 

You never know what you’ll find in your new city. If you’re moving to (or traveling through) New Orleans, LA; Boston, MA; Stockton, CA; Coney Island, NY; or Biloxi, MS, have we got a treat for you... Check out this infographic that shows five of the best timed eating contests in the country.

They’re not just something to see at your local county fair anymore!

Now days, competitive eating is all the rage. In fact, there’s an organization called IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating) that hosts eating competitions across the world. Take a look at some of the most recent records – you’ll be amazed, impressed and maybe even a little grossed out. Who wants to miss seeing folks eat a truck-load cupcakes, matzo balls, hot dogs, deep-fried asparagus or cheesesteak?

Over two weeks of competitor comparison posts, we talked quite a bit about how to save money, time and headaches when you move long distance. We also compared rental truck companies to U-Pack Moving.

Even with all of this information, you might still question which company offers the best moving discounts (and who can blame you). If you haven’t already gotten a free moving quote from U-Pack, now’s a great time (it’s quick, and there’s no-obligation). Just enter your move information, and you’ll get a quote instantly.

If you still haven’t decided, here are some other considerations:

The moving discounts truck rental companies offer may not be as big as you think. Of course, every little bit helps – but don’t forget to add additional expenses like hotel stays, on-the-go meals, fuel costs, fees, road tolls and insurance to your rental truck price. Even the best moving discounts likely won’t make up for the extra costs that aren’t included in your truck rental rate.

What happens if you need more space? We’ve covered the different types and sizes of moving equipment available; from PODS^® containers and rental trucks, to U-Pack’s moving trailers and ReloCubes^®. So what’s the takeaway here? More room is always available with U-Pack, and you only pay for what you use. That’s not always the case with other moving services. There’s no need to leave items behind due to space constraints (unless you want to).  

Driving across the country is easier in your own vehicle. Let’s face it. Rental trucks are uncomfortable, and not ideal for traveling with a family. If you haven’t already, take a look at how U-Pack compares to Ryder^®, Penske^®, Budget^®, and U-Haul^®. Why make a long-distance trip in a rental truck when you can enjoy a mini-vacation together along the way, while U-Pack does the driving?

Now, here’s my shameless U-Pack plug: U-Pack offers convenient moving services at discounted rates – they’re comparable to truck rental (but you can subtract the hassle). Your moving quote includes fuel, taxes, road tolls, and the driver. And of course, I can’t write about moving discounts without offering one. Use discount code BLOG11 for an additional $25 off your move. To save even more, talk to a U-Pack representative about off-peak moving days and terminal-to-terminal moving options. Get a free moving quote online or call 800-413-4799 – we’ll be happy to help with your move!

Check out the latest blog post from U-Pack customer Miki M. and her grandmother Regina as they near the end of their cross-country road trip to Oregon. Take a look at Miki and Grandma Regina’s stop in San Francisco too.

The last night of our moving vacation, we did it big...or at least our version of big. We had an amazing dinner at 5 Thais in Redding, California. Their mango sticky rice is nothing short of amazing! We then stopped at a charming motel. There wasn’t any ocean to be seen, but it was complete with palm trees, pool and jovial owners. After a quick trip to the grocery across the street for celebratory sodas, snacks and a few packs of dog food, we gathered by the pool. Central California was a tad too chilly for Grandma-ma and me to swim, but Danielle and Austin jumped right in! They were beyond amusing with their relative antics.

Grandma-ma and I soon settled in for a night of television and snacking. We went through our pictures and some yet unsent postcards. She worried a little bit about her furniture until I reminded her how flawless my U-Pack experience was a couple of years earlier. I described again how cute her new apartment was and told her how much I had missed having her around.

We made weekly plans to shop and visit. We talked décor and she pondered over all the usual items that needed to be replaced when moving: favorite spices, basic groceries and bath mats. As I grew more excited, Grandma-ma seemed to become a tad more nervous. It’s understandable. This was a big move: 3,000 miles away from the pharmacy and grocery she had frequented for over 15 years. But this is one of the reasons I chose ABF U-Pack Moving: I wanted us to have the freedom to enjoy our journey. I didn’t want to add to either of our stress levels by trying to drive a giant truck across the nation when I can’t even successfully parallel park my sports sedan! And, most importantly, I wanted to know without doubt that all the “things” my grandmother had worked so hard to earn over her lifetime were in good hands. And it worked out great!

Excellent question. And here’s the answer: Most people find that U-Pack is the cheapest way to move long distance.

While we’ll be the first to admit that occasionally there are exceptions, in most cases, the cost to move long distance with U-Pack is significantly lower than full-service movers, and comparable to truck rental. But, of course, with U-Pack an experienced professional does the driving. That means you get to enjoy the trip in your own vehicle (sounds great, doesn’t it?).  

Here’s how U-Pack works:

• We deliver a moving trailer or ReloCube(s) to your door.
• You load your belongings.
• We drive to your new home.
• You unload your belongings.

There’s no additional charge for fuel, or taxes. Just pay based on the linear footage your shipment occupies in the moving trailer, or the number of ReloCubes you use.

And here’s a perk that U-Pack customers love: There’s no down-payment or deposit. You can pay by credit card in transit, or by cashier’s check or money order when we deliver to your home. So convenient!

Getting a moving quote is easy – just call or click. No one comes to your home, or bothers you; just a quick, simple quote to show you what to expect. Of course, if you have more questions about how U-Pack works, feel free to call us at 800-413-4799. We’ll be glad to help!

Happy Moving!