Crazy for thinking of moving ourselves?

[Anonymous]

We have two little ones (under 27 months) and are about to move about an hour away. We currently live in a small 2-bedroom apt and don't have much furniture, especially not much we care about. We DO have a ton of books and misc. items, but we've been making trips to the new house with loads of these things.

Just got two quotes from moving companies in the $1,500 range. Hubby says, why not save $$ and move ourselves. I can't decide whether it's worth it. Thoughts from anyone who's gone this route???

[Anonymous]

DO NOT DO IT! My husband and I did this before kids when we lived in a small 2br and it was the biggest hassle of our lives. I can't imagine trying to do it with two under 27 months. The movers are 100% worth the $$.

[Anonymous]

I would try to get another quote.

If you do decide to do it yourselves, get someone else to look after the kids, and get some friends to help you out. Or pay a couple of college kids to help out.

[Anonymous]

Ditto PP. We moved from a 2br apt when I was 7 mos pregnant. DH, his brother and uncle did the heavy lifting. It sucked big time. You will have enough to do with watching the 2 little ones, packing, cleaning, unpacking. If you can swing it, I would consider having the movers pack your apt - it might not be terribly expensive given that it's an apt.

[Anonymous]

Agree that movers can be worth it. But if you want to save money, have friends, especially big, strong guys come over to help out. And have someone watch the kids while you get it done.

[Anonymous]

do it yourself but get a babysitter for moving day (and maybe day after) and either a friend or two to help with the furniture or hire a college kid for it. still much cheaper than what you were quoted and will make it very do-able.

[Anonymous]

TOTALLY NUTS

[Anonymous]

There is no way I would do it alone. We had packers(students from CL) come two weeks before we moved for misc things. When the moving company came they finished packing things. It was pretty much hassle free.

[Anonymous]

Try Majestic Movers for a quote. A friend who knows the owner recommended them and we thought they were really reasonable.

Logistically it will be impossible to watch the kids and move stuff, plus, what if one of you throws your back out and is out of commission for weeks/months. Not worth it, it's $ well spent. At minimum you will need sitters and friends to help.

Enjoy the new place.

[Anonymous]

Don't do all the moving yourself - so not worth it.

However there are ways to make it cheaper - i.e. pack/unpack everything yourself so you are just paying for the time for them to load the truck. If you were moving further away I'd even say pay one bunch to pack you up on one end, and another bunch to unpack on the other end, but for <1 hour I don't think that's worth it. Unless you have lots of friends you can call on who would do the actual packing up for you.

[zumbamama]

I don't think you are crazy, OP. It's a lot of work, but it's not impossible. I've never used a moving company and have moved several times. I think it depends how much you can physically handle the labor. You'll save money and build some muscle if you do...but you'll def. need someone to watch the kids.

[Anonymous]

I think you are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Get the "2 guys and a truck" - we did the first time we moved and were VERY happy with them....one year later we got a "real" moving company and I am still PISSED 4 years later! Every single thing we had packed was done "incorrectly" (according to them of course)and they spent the whole fucking day re-packing/wrapping the stuff with THEIR material and charged us and extra $900.00 at the end of the day (for the use of the material of course, and the price they charged for ditto material was RIDICULOUS!). Spring Van Lines - STAY WAY FROM THEM.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, please hire the movers. Seriously. Moving is huge PITA, especially with young children. We did it this summer with one, and it was stressful even with professional movers. You always have more stuff than you think. Always. And then, you have to deal with packing, cleaning, unpacking. Food, perishables, small dangerous items (like knives). Boxes, moving tape, packing materials to acquire and then dump...

[Anonymous]

Well looks like I will be the lone dissenter, but if $1500 is a good bit of money to you, I would rent a uhaul and move myself. It doesn't sound like you have that much stuff and since it's only an hour away you can make several trips. Especially if you can find someone to help watch the kids, I don't think it would be that bad.
My husband and I did it several times before kids and I honestly have fond memories of that.