What's the cheapest and easiest way to move cross-country from East to West Coast?

Question

I have nothing big (no furniture to move or anything) and only have a bedroom's worth of stuff (but it's a lot of stuff). I was planning on shipping it all either mail or UPS, but it seems expensive and like a major hassle. Is there a better way? One that would be less trouble? One that would be less expensive and unlimiting with what I send?


Any advice and suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

Answer 1

That's how I moved my stuff from east to west...I used UPS. I bought a bunch of small-to-medium sized boxes and packed them well, then held them in my arms while standing on the scale to determine their weight, and wrote the weight on each box. UPS will send a truck to your house to pick up all of your boxes, so other than buying or locating boxes, buying the tape and styrofoam peanuts, etc,... oh, and the packing and weighing, it's not a ton of work. You do need to have a place to send them to that won't mind receiving them and storing them until you return. The only alternative that I can think of is to rent a smallish truck to drive your stuff yourself. You could rent one from a place like UHaul, or perhaps just rent a normal truck from a car-rental company. You didn't mention if you had a car that you were driving cross-country, but if so, maybe there is some form of tiny travel trailer you could buy to haul your own stuff. It is a good time to really cleanse yourself of stuff you don't need...once you have to attach a price tag to hauling it, it looks less worthy of keeping, doesn't it?

Answer 2

I have moved from the west to the east about 5 years ago. I searched for a "freight" shipping company to ship my household things, lots of clothes I could not part with & some small furniture across country....they charge by weight, not by dimensions of the items. I also packed everything I shipped in large rubbermaid containers (the ones with the wheels) that I purchased from WalMart for about $15 each. Some freight companies only ship with businesses, not personal....also the PODs company & the BULLBAG ships as well. I sold all the large items like my truck, appliances & whole room furniture. Then, buy a ticket to fly unless you would rather sit on a bus for 4 days.
Good Luck!!

Answer 3

All I know is maybe rent a small u-haul if you can fit everything in it.
My brother rented a big u-haul truck and his wife drove the car. He had a lot of stuff, but, said it was much cheaper than hiring a moving company. Though I not think he enjoyed the drive.

Answer 4

There are a few companies that will deliver a box on a pallete to your residence, you pack at your convenience, then they will move it across country on a truck or train.

You should check out either Door to Door, http://www.doortodoor.com/ A friend is using it and says it is must cheaper than renting a U-Haul.

Answer 5

wow i live in la. If your going to buy a house good luck. Houses start at 500,000. renting is pretty expensive to , starts around 800. When you move to LA , its a whole diffrent world. There so many things you can do all the time. I hope u have fun here . Goodluck.