Tips on moving from The Bay to NC

[weasel]

Me and my wife are moving to Asheville NC next year. At least that's the plan.

Tara's sister, husband & two kids will be there around December we think; and she wants to spend more time with them and her parents who just bought a place in Floidah. My family's here but I can always visit for the holidays so that's not a big deal. (I will miss you chuckle heads though)

Her sister moving there will hopefully help us in finding a house to rent.

I'm all for Western NC. The Tail of the Dragon's close by as well as plenty of other roads and mountains to ride. The climate looks similar and the research on the city of Asheville looks promising.

We'd both be moving without jobs but have some money saved. She can write and edit part time but I'd have to find something in Tech Sales or similar.

So, do we buy a box truck and move ourselves after selling the extra cars, bikes, furniture etc... or do we hire a moving company?

Thoughts & experiences?

 

[unirr]

Dat bay area cash out. Use a moving company and do a well planned cross country trip.
Moving company allows you to keep a good number of your things and get it across efficiently, safely, and w/o worry.. It's well worth it. Will probably cost you $2-$4k.

That way you can drive across country and enjoy a nice vacation/travel w/o fear your van will get broken into/etc at each stop.

 

[weasel]

We live in a 2 bedroom now with not tooo much stuff.

If we can hire a moving Co for $5K and I could keep my bikes that would be awesome.

 

[Zerox]

See you there brah I think I'll also be in western NC at some point. This site has some local info:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/western-north-carolina/

Asheville is a hoot (note: hidden motorcycle reference), so many transplants have moved there over the years to give it an international and upbeat vibe. A progressive mini-Berkeley if you will.

Dunno about the job market but all moves are the same....the more you dump now, the less you have to move later. Purge purge purge! :thumbup

 

[DucatiHoney]

You movin', Weasie? I'd be most concerned about the job situation over there and little else. But I'm also a bit of a workaholic and tend to get hung up on that kind of thing. I've never had more than two days off between jobs, so a big move for me without a job would be keeping me up at nights.

 

[unirr]

We live in a 2 bedroom now with not tooo much stuff.

If we can hire a moving Co for $5K and I could keep my bikes that would be awesome.

Hmm, yeah that seems possible. Look up these guys : http://www.herculesvanlines.com/

Of course shop around for other moving companies but these guys are good at getting a rough estimate. If they do too many follow up calls after just tell them that you'll get in touch with them when you're ready.

I used them when I moved across the country a couple of times with great results. However, do your research/etc. Also, they apparently will ship motos for an additional $150 handling fee.. they strap them down to a crate like container and don't stack on top of it. Cheers and best wishes :thumbup

 

[Map8]

Can't offer much advice on the move. I rented a box truck and towed a car to Boston from the Midwest 25 years ago...in the winter. I still remember a lot of fatigue from driving and towing that distance.

Stayed in Asheville a few times on rides along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful area. Trees, water, mountains everywhere and enough elevation to keep the humidity at bay. Cool town with tons of access to outdoor activities and countless excellent motorcycling roads. Wheels through time museum in Maggie Valley, NC is a must see. Good luck on your move and new opportunities.

 

[Zerox]

I realize the following information is irrelevant for you, but I like it...my brother owns a home in Mills River, NC. (where the Asheville airport is located)

Yes, that Mills River. :teeth :staRang

 

[Reli]

Asheville is very cool, although the granola, wannabe-Boulder scene does get a little repetitive.

The climate is not at all similar. You'll have frost on your window nearly every morning in the winter. There's some occasional snow and freezing rain, and in the summer it's much more humid than it is here.

 

[weasel]

I'd be most concerned about the job situation over there and little else.

I've been looking. Eaton and Thermo Fisher Scientific are out there so I should be able to find something.

I see houses for rent, 3BR for around $1500 so I don't need to make California money and don't expect to. I can afford to take a few months off (Hope that doesn't bite me in the ass)

Thanks for the info peoples :cool

p.s. Looks like we didn't win the HGTV house in Asheville

*edit*

The climate is not at all similar.

What I meant is that it's not too extreme.

 

[Lester Green]

GL lasting through a summer of that heat and humidity. At least you'll see fire fly's.

 

[Cookie Monster]

When I moved back from Texas, I just threw all my stuff into a Penske moving van and towed my car behind it. I rented the smallest van they'd allow you to tow with, and I still had way too much room (I only had one bedroom worth of stuff to move, but I did have two bicycles and a bunch of tools, along with my car's front bumper in there since it was too low to make it up the trailer). I did the entire move for around $1500 including rental, gas and hotels. It was a shitty drive in that big van but it wasn't too bad. I imagine you could move everything you wanted for around $2500, including your bikes if you can strap it to the trailer along with your car.

 

[Zerox]

GL lasting through a summer of that heat and humidity. At least you'll see fire fly's.

Asheville is up above 2,000 feet elevation, summers are humid but kinda mild compared to the more humid areas of lower elevation in surrounding counties. When I lived there we used to drive up the mountain to Asheville to cool off.

 

[weasel]

Side note: I have pets. At least my Stupid Kat. My lab's getting pretty old and I'm not sure if she'll be around next year

 

[Yakoo752]

don't forget to keep all receipts so you can write the move off

 

[mean dad]

I have heard too many horror stories about movers to ever trust a moving company. Breakage, theft, missed schedules add up to doing it myself.

I have no idea how much crap you have to move, so it may make sense for you.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Sad to see this.
I have no advise for you Jim, as I have never moved away from here.
I will say this though, I'm bummed you are leaving. I've gotten used to you being a relevant part of the landscape around here.
You will be missed.
(It sounds like you're headed toward good things so I'm happy for you)

 

[auntiebling]

Only read firstpost... my guess is you'll need to start liking harleys and Nascar

Buy an RV, whatever doesn't fit stays/gets sold

 

[weasel]

Sad to see this.

D'awwww :love I'll still be here virtually But thanks.

Only read firstpost... my guess is you'll need to start liking harleys and Nascar

Buy an RV, whatever doesn't fit stays/gets sold

Noooooo!

And Yes, I've been thinking about that, but buying an RV in CA and then selling it in NC will probably be a waste of money :dunno I'd still have to tow at least one car & hopefully one bike :ride

 

[jt2]

the more you dump now, the less you have to move later. Purge purge purge! :thumbup

Good advice.

The best moving company out there is Craigslist.