Interstate move - Apartment to apartment - Any recommendations for companies/services?

Straygatsby

We'll be moving from our apartment in one west coast state to a new apartment in another. In the past, we've basically started fresh, filling up carloads, UPSing boxes, and selling the rest and then raiding IKEA at our destination. This time, we actually have large appliances and furniture we want to hold onto (Bed, Couch, Treadmill, Fridge) if it's economically feasible. While we'd be comfortable renting and driving a 10 foot Uhaul, we don't have any help loading and unloading this very heavy/unwieldy stuff. We're moving to a more urban area where a PODS sort of thing is not an option. At this point, I'm stuck somewhere between hiring legit movers (if such a thing exists) and going on a craigslist selling spree (and possibly being murdered over an ottoman in the process).

Anyone in this or a similar position had any positive experiences with moving companies that work with or specialize in smaller loads/apartments?

schuss

I would just go Uhaul (or Penske, if you plan ahead they have better trucks) and hire people for the move out/in as helpers. Most moving companies sub it out, so even if the local company is great, the one on the other side might suck.

wrong_button

I was able to hire movers to meet me when I arrived when I moved across the state (different state than yours). I had friends help me load the Uhaul, but I didn't know anyone in the new location. I just gave the moving company - Two Men and a Truck in this case - my info and an arrival time and they sent two guys over. They were driving a truck so maybe it was in between stops, but either way they unloaded the truck I drove and went on their way, then I returned my Uhaul.

And I've had them move a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment before as well (though it was just to the next city over). They ask how big the apartment is when you get the quote, and that goes down to a small 1BR. Probably slightly more than I wanted to pay but nothing earthshaking, overall a good experience. They were fast and pretty careful with my stuff. But they're a franchise, so results may vary.

Usagi

I cannot recommend ABF UPack cubes enough (even in urban areas they work awesomely because they're pretty small)

dispatch.o

Uhaul UBOX is also a good option. They tend to have service in areas that pod and abf do not. I moved from Tennessee to Northern California, it cost me about 1500$ and the ubox was here about 4 days after I made my epic 1200 mile a day drive. Just be sure to move the stuff you will need right away in the back of your vehicle, in my case it was my cat, a couple weeks worth of clothing, my pc and my game consoles (purely because I dont like the idea of them in a big crate).

I'll be moving again from where I am to the Portland, OR area soon and I'm already prepping to go with ubox again. They can also provide loading/unloading assistance. Pretty much any city with a uhaul service can recieve a ubox and you can always pick it up yourself on a trailer to save additional money.

I was able to fit my entire studio apartment in 1 box, including a queen size bed and 50" tv. I would recommend if you have a fridge and couches and shit you're going to move, you get 2 boxes.

Straygatsby

Thanks all. The box/pod services seem to have improved a great deal in the few years since I last looked at them. It might be doable. Our biggest problem is a monstrous 300 pound treadmill that is lovely to own in a carpeted ground floor unit but less so in, for example, a 3rd floor walkup with hardwood floors. That sucker might have to go up on craigslist.

schuss

Yeah, for the love of your neighbors, do not bring that to a 3rd floor apt.

Quid

There's a site I used last time we moved called Thumbtack. Local help basically puts in bids for your business and I've generally had a good experience each time at a way cheaper price than bigger companies.

Steev

Usagi wrote: »

I cannot recommend ABF UPack cubes enough (even in urban areas they work awesomely because they're pretty small)

Yeah, I'm using them right now. No complaints so far. Today they're supposed to deliver my relocube to our apartment, and it should only take up one parking spot since it's only 6' x 7'.