Dilemma: To Pack or Not To Pack
April 22nd, 2008 | 
Author: In a couple of weeks, we’re going to be moving into a new home. (Yippee!!!!) But I have a dilemma…
Our new home will be very close to our current home. Close enough that the dirt pile from the new site is sitting in the old backyard. I’m a horrible judge at distances, but I’m going to say that from front door to front door is about 300 feet.
Now, here’s the dilemma – Do I pack most things in boxes as if we’re moving 300 miles instead of 300 feet? Anyone have experience with this?
I’ve thought about using laundry baskets to move most things. For example, when the new home is ready, unload the kitchen cupboards into the laundry baskets, carry them over, unload them in the new pantry. I like that idea. We can also carry the dresser drawers this way.
But what about things like books? (I have lots of books.) And things that are on pieces of furniture like my desk or the china cabinet or tops of dressers? Do I pack those things?
I want to be efficient as possible so we can move in quickly. I really don’t want to spend a week trudging back and forth between the two places.
I’m the type of person who would rather stay up for 24 hours straight and get the entire move done with rather than stop halfway through to sleep knowing I’m waking up the next day to the same mess. And, yes, during previous moves I have been known to stay up until the early morning hours so everything -the entire house – is unpacked and put away.
Please offer any advice that will help save us time!
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Hey Kara, How in the world is your house going to be ready in two weeks? You must have the fastest construction team ever. I am SUPER excited for you though! Are your parents coming to visit? I think you should only use the boxes for the books. Packing and unpacking boxes sounds so tedius when you can just do it via laundry baskets and crates, etc. I love the drawer transfer idea! GOOD LUCK! I haven’t talked to you in a while. I hope you are doing well. Congratulations again on the house. SO EXCITING!
Kara,
I have moved 100 times in my adult life. I do have experience with this! If you care if it gets broken wrap it as if you are moving 300 miles. If it is anything else just hand carry. Use dollys for the big stuff and if you can get your hands on something like a great big laundry cart or suitcase trolly that would help greatly. DO NOT USE A TRUCK!
Laundry baskets for everyday stuff would work great but again if you care if it gets broken wrap it well!
I also think it would be helpful to box up the books. Then you could use a dolly or wagon and take a bunch at a time. I’d be loading my kids wagon up – for sure.
You could just cover the top of your clothes with a towel and carry all the dresser drawers over to the new house. No packing or unpacking necessary.
Will there be people coming to help carry big furniture things? Maybe if you have some stuff boxed up they would carry boxes and save some trudging for you.
Hope it goes well!