Moving to LA, pack up or start fresh?

Question

I am moving to Los Angeles from New Hampshire in a few months. As you can imagine, thats quite a move, and I'm debating on whether I should take my furniture with me (couches, 46" television, bed, appliances, etc) or sell everything and just start out fresh buy scouring craigslist for free or cheap stuff. Another idea is putting everything in storage. Any and all insight is appreciated.

Answer 1

If you have things you really like, take them. Maybe rent a smaller size uhaul-type truck, pack wha tyou can, and sell the rest. If your bed is comfy, take it! I think you will want to keep the TV. These things would be difficult to replace cheaply.

Think things through in that way ... then you can start somewhat fresh, and you can drive a uhaul yourself (and tow your car).

Answer 2

I just had to deal with this. Moving from California to Central Europe. Meanwhile, keeping and leasing out my house in CA. We decided that since we were going to ship some things, we might as well ship it all 'cuz we were paying for the container already. Plus, many of the items shipped are totally unique and I could not replace them here. Paying for storage back home was not a good idea. Now that I'm here. I wonder about when I go back home if I'll ever have nice things there or will it be just like when we started out...hand me downs. Some furniture I left at Mom's, some memoirs up in the rafters, one 18 yr. old child left behind, the 5 yr. old child & cats came with. You've gotta prioritize. I sure do wish I woulda filled up that container with some costco products, like papertowels, 'cuz what's available here does not cut it!

Of course you will have everything conveniantly available to you but I'd say take it all with. Remember moving is a tax deductible thing. If it is an employer sponsored move then leave your stuff behind and let them pay for your new stuff. Start early with your packing or purchases 'cuz you'll want to lie down and rest when you get there because it is a huge move!

Answer 3

I just moved from LA to NY, putting all of my one-bedroom apartment into storage for about 6 weeks prior to the move. The cost for everything came to about $4,000 with North American Van Lines (including a very significant discount because I was working through a corporate relocation group).

All movers provide estimates of moving and storage costs. So, for whatever it's worth, consider getting 1-2 estimates -- and then compare those costs with what you believe would be the cost to purchase all of your stuff anew. (I also bought some new furniture ... Even the cheap stuff adds up!!)

Also, just FYI ... If you're planning to rent in LA ... For some reason, a lot of rentals don't include refrigerators. So count on probably having to either purchase or rent one when you get in town (unless you already have one that you can move).

Don't listen to the LA haters. I lived there for 10 years. It takes some getting to used to, but it has very beautiful parts. And the weather can't be beat!

Answer 4

depends on your finances. by all means, if you can afford to start fresh, do it. some people do not like ikea (not really sure why. i think many think it's trendy. who knows), but if you're shopping for in expensive brand new furniture, ikea is the place. you can also find electronics at wal-mart and target, where it's not as expensive as say best buy or the good guys. if your looking for used or free stuff, there is a free magazine out here in l.a. similar to craigslist called the pennysaver. it's great because it's specific to your area. i just know that packaging things and having them shipped or hauling them with you is a pain the butt.

oh, the person that said l.a. sucks, keep in mind, this person's experience is from a visit. also, the person who said the traffic is horrendous, yes traffic can be bad at certian times of the day, but i know people who have lived in other big cities across the nation like boston and new york and now live in l.a. and they have said that traffic is actually worse in those cities. point being, big cities=lots of traffic, not just l.a. if you want, you can haul a trailor just fine around l.a.. since it is my hometown, i felt compelled to defend it a little. l love my town.

Answer 5

that's a hard question to answer... one thing to consider is the cost of hauling all that stuff 3000 miles... You are going to have to rent a trailer or pay a moving company to bring it across the country and that's going to cost a small fortune!!! is it worth it to you?

I think you should seriously consider a garage sale or ebay sale for most of your stuff. The most important thing is to make a list of everything you think you absolutely HAVE to have. After that, you see how much room you have. But my recommendation is sell, sell sell!! If you are wanting to have a fresh start in LA, then it might be a good idea psychologically to start over with all of your stuff. Out with the old, in with the new!!! Remember, the old way was once the new way!!!

Answer 6

Unless you already know where you're going to live, and assuming someone can watch your stuff for you, I'd say leave the stuff for now. Cost of living in LA is ridiculously high (think only New York City is higher, but they're both comparable), and unless you already have a place to put all that stuff in, carrying it around is probably more of a liability (probably won't happen, but I can't imagine you'd like to have thieves looking at all your stuff to steal as you're carting it around to find a place to live).

I guess I'm advocating the "start fresh" approach, but again, it depends on where you live, and how much stuff you can pack away. I'd be all for the "keep stuff" if you have a place to put it when you arrive in LA. Otherwise, you'll have to lug that stuff around, and traffic in LA is horrendous (can't imagine you'd like it while towing around a trailer or riding a large truck).

That's my opinion on the subject. If you can afford it, start fresh, I'd say. If not, then you may want to bring your stuff over (but again, make sure you first find a place that you can put all that stuff).

Answer 7

Be careful, only you know your finances. It could cost $200 (or more) in California, per month, to put your furniture and other stuff in storage. http://www.publicstorage.com/
Bring what you can't live without and do what you're comfortable doing with the rest. Ther are many many furnished apartments for rent so that should not be a problem.http://www.oakwood.com/corporate-apartments/US/CA/Los-Angeles.html?source=1224 and http://www.corporatehousing.com/default.asp?qw=furnished+apartment+los+angeles&kwcmp=KNC-OvertureCHC&OVRAW=los%20angeles%20furnished%20apartments.&OVKEY=furnished%20apartment%20los%20angeles&OVMTC=standard are a couple of examples. If you have AAA, pick up a map of the L.A. area and that will help you decide on locations for you. Do it long before you leave.

Answer 8

well first i'd say don't move to LA it sucks!...but seriously, i'd consider if you could get cheap storage or maybe a parent's house for awhile do that. i personally didn't even like my visit to there, so until you know for sure that is where you want to be, i'd just keep everything stored till further notice kind of thing. take the essentials, clothes, dishes, bed etc. not to mention you don't know for sure if all of your stuff will fit anyway. you never know you could be headed back and regret you sold it all!

Answer 9

it depends on how much it will cost you to bring the stuff to Los Angeles and if the stuff is worth bringing all this way.i would say is not a bad idea to keep your things until you get situated

Answer 10

that's right, take some of your things. Sell the rest and buy some more in L.A. cause its gonna cost you quite some cash to get all of your stuff there.