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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Moving Mayhem!

Since relocation seems to be the name of the game in this field of work.....does anyone have any fun advice or helpful hints they have learned while moving numerous times due to your hubby's school/work? I moved to college, then to an apartment with Tom after we got married, and then put everything in storage for the 3rd move and all have been inside Oklahoma very short distances. They were more like gradual transitions over the period of weeks more than actual moves, so this moving 850 miles across time zones and to other climates really has me uncertain. While I know we are heading where we are supposed be and are very excited about remodeling our new home and moving in, obviously the unknown is a little scary.

Also, any helpful ideas besides, stay busy and find other mom's to hang out with for once we relocate to this new home? Did you learn anything during your relocation process that you wish you had been told or found out before?

Labels: discussion question, just for fun

14 Comments:

Mrs. Dawkter said...: Where are you moving from and where are you moving too? Sounds like you have already purchased a home? Are you moving for residency/fellowship or done with all that?; April 15, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Sarah C said...: My advice on moving is: don't take things you don't need. You can make a little money and save moving space by having a garage sale. You can also donate it to a second hand store. I found that moving gave me a good opportunity to de-junk. Good luck with your move.
When you get to your new area, I would suggest joining a gym with a day care. It is a great way to meet new people, give your children a play date, and give you a break. I also think it helps to get involved with community activities.
I bought a family pass at the children’s museum and it gets us free admission at hundreds of museums, zoo, and aquariums across the United States. I highly recommend looking into that.; April 15, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Alexandra said...: To answer some questions, we are moving from Tulsa, OK to Muskegon, MI for Tom to start his OB/GYN Residency in June.

Since everything has been packed up in storage for the last year and a half, we have to move everything that is boxed up and wait to have our garage sale until we are settled. Since, I will have plenty of time alone(the next four years, hehe) I will have plenty of time to go through everything and give away alot, I'm really looking forward to that part. Obviously if its been in storage for a year and a half, while we have been on the road with rotations, we obviously don't need it, except for furniture and things like that of course.

While I love doing yoga, swimming and things like that, we don't feel that at this time joining a gym is being wise stewards based on our limited budget, but maybe once Tom starts practicing that will change. I was on the board for the children's museum here in Tulsa, and am very involved in community events here, so I'm sure that won't change if I can find something there. I've alrady contacted the MOPs group there and another mom's group for activities, for Grant and the new baby, so those will be fun things.

I hope this clarifies things!; April 15, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Melisa said...: You can sign up for financial assistance to the YMCA. Heaven knows a resident's salary qualifies. It has been keeping me sane. If I didn't have a place to go and get a break from kids for an hour a day, I'd be certifiable by now. haha! It is the only place I have adult contact. Well, besides the virtual variety. ;)

I went into a depressive state the first 6 months in our new town. It was so hard on me. No help, tons of unpacking, no family or friends around, ugh. We ended up going to counseling. Hmm. This probably qualifies as over-sharing rather than helpful. haha!; April 15, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Allison said...: Here's my tip if you didn't already know: Don't buy boxes - go to grocery stores or liquor stores to get them and if possible save them. We saved them all in our garage when we knew we were only going to be in TX for his internship year and it was so easy just going back and getting them out.

Also, looking for new people to hang out with - try meetup.com - If you have kids, you can search for moms groups, or if you have a certain hobby (like photography) try searching for it or just see whats in your area. :); April 15, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Great post!! I hope to get some really helpful advice as chances are, we will be moving across the country too.

I'm thinking it might be less expensive to part with our big furniture than to move it??? I have heard that before...although it might still be better to UHAul it to whereever we are going.; April 15, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Unknown said...: Before S and I made our last big move, we parted with the furniture that we didn't love, need, or would be replacing in the future... and we found a furniture bank (like a food bank) here in our city. It was definitely easier than moving the furniture we knew we wouldn't use. We have ten or twelve Rubbermaid tubs as well that get used for packing/moving and then get used for organization at the new place... while he's a MSIV, we've moved twice since we've been together!!; April 16, 2009 at 7:06 AM
botanybabe said...: can't imagine the furniture "rumor" of being less expensive to rebuy. we are getting our furniture moved (in state) by united and it cost us 4-G's. SO WORTH it to us! we knew that our last move, would be our last "on our own" move. why? we barely fit into the largest u-haul then...so with a kid in tow now...ain't gonna happen. PODS is insanely expensive (in high season), we reuse boxes too, for up to 3 moves. yep, mom's forums in the new city you are moving to. and search those forums (past posts) for newcomer advice. good luck! if you have to stay somewhere for short term, try e-mailing to the med school classes for sub-lease options..especially if it is an inbetween time for everyone (after grad, etc.); April 16, 2009 at 10:20 AM
botanybabe said...: also...depending on the area you will be...savysource.com (for preschool reviews, family activities, etc.); yelp.com for other random reviews.; April 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Laura said...: Good luck with the move! I also have a membership with the YMCA here. Residents do qualify for financial assistance. It is well worth it.
Also, check into the MOMS club. There are groups all over, they are very helfpul as a lot of the members are in the same boat as you. The group here has a lot of military spouses and some resident/doctor wives as well.; April 16, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Save Me A Seat said...: Hi Everybody! I am new to the group and when I found this link I thought I landed in heaven! My husband is a third year resident and I've moved once to join him after we got married and twice since then. I went from CT, to MA, to CA and now we are in NY. Through all these moves we didn't have our daughter yet so I was able to find a new job and make friends that way. I would just say to put yourself out there in whatever way you feel comfortable. Once I met people I joined book clubs and knitting clubs. If you are a mom, I guess you could join a mother's group. My advice would be if you are active and a member of a gym/health club, make that a priority. Before you empty any boxes or decorate your new house. Find a gym and join it. It's one of those things that always got put on the bottom of the list and before I knew it, six months had passed and I was 15 pounds heavier - EVERY TIME! Looking forward to being a follower of this blog!; April 17, 2009 at 4:19 PM
--Leann-- said...: you're probably a pro at moving, but I'm going to throw this out there anyway. Make a notebook with a packing list of all the boxes. Give each box a number and on a page with that same number, write down EVERYTHING you put in that box. It is much easier to flip through a notebook when looking for a long-lost-something than it is to go through 20 boxes before you find it.

Also, for the socialization thing, I found MOPS to be wonderful, as well as looking into local churches (if you're religious). A church near me has women's bible studies one day a week (child care provided) and that has been a great resource for friendships with women of all ages and experiences. Sometimes it's nice having a grandma who's been-there-done-that to listen to your potty-training woes. lol

good luck with your move!!!; April 18, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Melisa said...: I love that packing inventory idea, Leann! I totally need to use that!; April 18, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Alexandra said...: Thanks for all the advice everyone! You have wonderful ideas, I think inventoring everything would be a great idea! Now I'm so ready to start.....come on, give us a closing date already!; April 18, 2009 at 3:29 PM

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Moving Mayhem!

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