How to Organize Commonly Forgotten Items During a Move

No matter how many lists you make, it is still possible to forget items during a move. With the business of packing and ensuring everything is stored safely for the movers, it can be easy to forget to check cupboards and stowed away items. Especially when under the stress of a move, forgetting important things is expected. If you are planning a move this spring, here are some tips on how to organize your move, and a list of commonly forgotten items you should double check. With the right preparation and planning, your move will be smoother and less stressful.

Most Commonly Forgotten Items During a Move

• Miscellaneous kitchen items: Items like fridge magnets, leftover food, dishwasher dishes, and items in kitchen cabinets can be forgotten during a move because they aren’t always visible. Be sure to check all your cupboards, especially the high shelves, before you pack up and leave.
• Valuables hidden in secret hiding spots
• Borrowed items such as library books
• Clothes at the dry cleaners
• Outdoor equipment: Check the garage and shed for your garden hose, gardening tools, household tools, and any items stored under the deck
• Items in the attic, crawl space, basement, or in storage
• Plungers and other toiletries (new homeowners won’t want to find these lying around!)
• Clothes hung behind the doors
• Small wall hangings, lamps and lighting fixtures
• Prescription medication
• Important files and documents
• Items to leave for new homeowners: Be sure to leave behind the garage door opener, important keys, and padlocks—any items the new homeowners would need to access all the areas of your old home.

How to Organize Your Move

The above list can help you check every nook and cranny in your home, but it will be frustrating if you run around your old home throwing items randomly in boxes. There is an organized way to prepare for your move, and here are some simple tips to help you get through.

Plan and Categorize by Room

Begin from the indoors of your home, and work outdoors, first by packing based on each room. You can begin with the bedrooms: Work from one room to the next, packing clothes, furniture, bedding, and other possessions, carefully labelling each box to identify what items are inside, and which bedroom the items belong to. This will make unpacking much easier! In addition, now is a good time to clear out any items you want to donate, give away or sell, so you can bring less items into your new home. When you get to the outdoors, do the same—label the boxes to identify that these items belong outside, and what each box contains. Be sure to mark “fragile” on any boxes that need careful handling so your movers will work accordingly.

Schedule Important Commitments

Make sure to tie up any loose ends before you move to your home. Check to make sure you have returned any library books or borrowed items, cancel gym or other local memberships if you won’t be going there anymore. If you need to terminate club memberships, explain that you are moving to reduce the risk of fees on your card, and ask if you can be refunded for the unused portion or have the balance transferred to a gym near your new home. Plan for these appointments and commitments by writing them on your fridge calendar or creating lists on your phone so you can keep track.

Use Sticky Notes for Reminders

If you’re a visual person, use sticky notes to remind yourself of important items or things you need to do during your move. Stick them wherever the reminders are needed or post them in places that you often go. You can post stickies on the fridge, mirror, cabinets, or the inside of your front door.

Make Use of Checklists

Whether you make lists in a notebook, or your phone/digital calendar, it’s important to make sure all the cleaning, packing, and preparing are done before your moving date. There are a lot of areas to consider when cleaning your home, and parts of the home can be easily forgotten if you’re not on top of things. Get proactive by using alarms and reminders, and checklists to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

Don’t Forget to Eat!

Moves are stressful and it’s easy to forget about yourself while you’re thinking about your house. Plan breaks when you can drink water and eat a healthy snack or order food. Eating throughout the day will give you the energy you need to get through all your duties, and it will help you process what you’ve done so far, so you can better tackle your next project. You can always pre-order food to be delivered ahead of time, so you won’t forget to have a good meal.

Get Help from a Professional Moving Company

Moving can be stressful, and if you have a large house or live alone it can be extremely tiresome to tackle all these jobs on your own. If you are unable to get enough time off from work, all of these tasks can seem impossible to keep track of. Whatever the challenge may be, you don’t have to plan and execute your move on your own. There are professional movers who know the ins and outs of a house relocation, and they provide a number of services from cleaning, to packing, to labelling, to moving, and more. They can help you with specific tasks like moving your items from your old home to your new one or do all of the hard work for you from the first stage to the last.

If you’re looking for a professional moving company to help you with your move, consider working with Firemen Movers. We are a GTA-based moving company that has a wealth of experience in all aspects of moving. This allows us to think about all the small details and be there to fully support you. Contact us today for more information or to get a quote on our services.

Moving to San Jose? 2018 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

San Jose sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, with a backdrop of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It has a rich history, great entertainment and an enviable climate.

If you are considering moving to San Jose, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this innovative city.

Quick San Jose Facts:

1. Population: 1,000,536 (2017 estimate)
2. Official Language: English (de facto) with Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hindi and Korean spoken by at least 1% of residents.
3. GDP Per Capita: $80,028 USD (2015)
4. Vietnamese: San Jose has the largest number of Vietnamese living in the city, more than anywhere outside Vietnam.
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2017, £1 = $1.25, €1 = $1.08, $1 CAD = $0.75, $1 AUD = $0.77

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to San Jose

Below are some sample container shipping costs to San Jose from other major world cities. Just keep in mind they only reflect the shipping portion of the cost and not the full moving costs.

• New York City – $525+
• Los Angeles – $155+
• Canada (Vancouver) – $565+
• UK (London) – $1,508+
• Australia (Sydney) – $1,156+
• Ireland (Dublin) – $1,742+
• New Zealand (Auckland) – $1,823+
• Hong Kong – $1,195+
• Dubai – $3,030+
• Singapore – $2,003+

Source: WorldFreightRates.com

You can save money by comparing moving companies using our moving quote form above.

2. San Jose Housing Costs

As of August 2016, the median price of a house in San Jose was over $1 million. Property is expensive but salaries are high.

Monthly Rental Prices in San Jose

• 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: $2,200+
• 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $1,750+
• 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: $3,400+
• 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: $2,900+

San Jose Home Purchase Prices

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $5,400
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $4,700

San Jose Housing Cost Comparison

This is how rents in San Jose compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 16.47% cheaper
New York 19.89% higher
Los Angeles is 19.65% cheaper
Toronto is 52.29% cheaper
Sydney is 20.65% cheaper
Paris is 48.41% cheaper
Dubai is 12.43% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

• Share an apartment or house. San Jose is an expensive place to live but sharing a house or an apartment is a way to save on living expenses. There are lots of young professionals who are looking for roommates. You will probably have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flat mate: Easyroommate, Roommates, Kangaroom, For Rent and Yelp.
• Different areas – different prices. Like all cities upmarket areas attract high prices and San Jose has a lot of upmarket areas. Try and live just outside the city where purchase prices and rentals tend to be lower. Living and working in Downtown San Jose means saving on transport. It is close to many tech businesses, shops and entertainment. It has high rise apartments, Victorian houses and Californian style houses.  Edenvale, Almaden Valley, Rose Garden, Burbank and King and Story are the cheapest areas in San Jose.

3. San Jose Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

There’s a great variety of restaurants and food stores in San Jose, each reflecting a different influence in the region. India, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Italy are just a few of the countries that are represented in the city.

1. Inexpensive Restaurant: $12 – $20
2. Takeout Coffee: $3.75 – $5.00
3. Bottle of Coke: $1.00 – $3.00
4. 1L of milk: $0.79 – $1.32
5. Loaf of Bread: $2.20 – $4.41
6. 12 Eggs: $2.80 – $6.00
7. 1kg Chicken: $6.61 – $13.23
8. 1kg Beef: $8.82 – $17.64
9. 1kg Apples: $2.65 – $6.61
10. 1kg White Rice: $2.20 – $6.60

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 8.28% more expensive and groceries are 28.50% cheaper than San Jose.
• New York restaurants are 21.00% more expensive and groceries are 20.69% more expensive than San Jose.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 0.92% cheaper and groceries are 8.95% cheaper than San Jose.
• Toronto restaurants are 20.09% cheaper and groceries are 23.85% cheaper than San Jose.
• Sydney restaurants are 9.52% cheaper and groceries are 2.72% cheaper than San Jose.
• Paris restaurants are 0.67% cheaper and groceries are 7.42% cheaper than San Jose.
• Dubai restaurants are 22.34% cheaper and groceries are 30.23% cheaper than San Jose.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

• Know your supermarkets: San Jose has many independently owned grocery stores and ethnic stores as well as the usual supermarket chains. There are also lots of farmers’ markets and shops which sell health foods and organic foods. Popular supermarkets are Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Lucky and Safeway.
• Find Cheap Eats: There are lots of restaurants and takeaways in San Jose where you’ll find good, inexpensive food. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – TripAdvisor, Four Square, Zomato and Serious Eats.

4. San Jose Alcohol Costs

There are bars and clubs to suit all pockets. It is a city that is full of places to have a quiet, or not so quiet drink.

• Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/bar: $3.00 – $6.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/bar: $5.00 – $8.00
• Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $1.50 – $3.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $2.00 – $3.50
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $10.00 – $15.00

How to drink for less in San Jose

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
• People working in San Jose are known for working flexi time, so it’s always ‘happy hour’ somewhere in the city. Try the Britannia Arms between 3.30 and 6.30 pm and get a pint of draft beer for $4 and $5 and mojitos for $3.75 (Britannia Arms). E & O Trading’s happy hour is between 3.00 and 7.00 and they offer beer at $3 and $4, wine and cocktails at $5. Have a look at Four Square, Total Happy Hour and Drink Owl for other ideas.

5. San Jose Transportation Fares

The rail and bus system in San Jose is run by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. It operates all over San Jose but, as the city sprawls so much, it is often necessary to change busses or trains many times if you live a long way from where you work.

If you live right outside the city, then the Caltrain which runs from San Jose to San Franciscois a good option.

Here are some example ticket costs.

• Adult Single – $2.00
• One day ticket – $6.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $70
• Annual season ticket, unlimited – $770

How to save money on public transport

• Buy a Clipper Card to get the best daily, monthly and annual deals
• Buy a bike. San Jose is in the process of developing more cycle lands and depending on where you live and work, cycling to and from work may be an option.
• If you live relatively close to where you work, try walking.

6. Cost of Internet in San Jose

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2017 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Xfintiy: From $29.99/month for for 10 mbps.
• AT&T: From $40.00/mo for 45 mbps

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

San Jose’s hottest month is in April where the temperature reaches an average high of 77°F (25°C). Its coldest month is in January, where the average temperature plummets to 72°F (22°C)! September is the wettest month with an average rainfall of 9 inches (240mm).

San Jose enjoys around 300 days of sunshine a year.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $34 – $60
• Summer Dress: $25 – $75
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $50 – $85
• Business Shoes: $60 – $130
• Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): $94
• Deodorant: $3.40
• Shampoo: $5.21
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.12
• Gym membership: $20-$50 per month
• Movie (cinema) ticket: $12-$15

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in San Jose

Lots of people drive in San Jose and the traffic gets very congested throughout the day.

If you’re moving to San Jose from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in San Jose:

• Volkswagen Golf: $22,000
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol): $0.76
• Other fees (if any): The average cost of state and local taxes, license, title and registration fees is $665 per annum

Source: Expatistan, AAA Study

Ways to save money driving in San Jose

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Car Pool World, Ridesharing and eRideshare.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber and Uberpool and Lyft.

Need your car/vehicle moved to San Jose? Then read our guide to: Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping

9. Taxes in San Jose

Sales Tax in San Jose is 8.875% and is added to most goods and services. Generally, the price you see on an item does not include sales tax.

If you own your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in San Jose at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy an apartment or house in San Jose you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from San Jose

If you do make the move to San Jose, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2017:

• London: $346
• Los Angeles: $59
• New York: $125
• Toronto: $163
• Vancouver: $89
• Dubai: $626
• Sydney: $590
• Melbourne: $582
• Cape Town: $942
• Hong Kong: $389

Other San Jose Relocation Tips

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in San Jose but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Relocating to San Jose Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in San Jose.

• Meetups: San Jose has lots of Meetup groups to ease you into your new life in a new city. There are groups for most people’s interests, from Pilates through to gaming, baseball or languages.
• Attend local events: There’s always something going on in San Jose, so whether you are interested in the theatre, sports or just socialising with like-minded souls, you’ll find something to do in San Jose. Have a look at San Jose Events, 10 Best, TripAdvisorand Things to do and find an event you’ll enjoy.

12.Moving to San Jose with a Family

San Jose has a lot to attract families. It is close to the mountains and the sea and is great for those families who love the outdoor life. There are lots of parks, museums, the zoo and much, much more.

• New parents (or parents to be): Check out PAMF or Thrive for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents to be.
• Live in a family friendly area: San Jose is considered a safe and friendly environment for families. The best areas are Willow Glen, Cambrian Park, Blossom Valley, Almaden Valley and Santa Teresa. Read in depths accounts of these areas
• Find things to do with the kids: San Jose has lots for kids to do and see on all those sunny days. Have a look at the following sites to get ideas – San Jose, Family Days Out, Trip Buzz and Vacation Idea.

13.Moving to San Jose for Work

San Jose and Silicon Valley are the ultimate places to work for those people who love anything high tech. Moving to San Jose for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move and many of the companies treat their employees like royalty.

While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries in San Jose are high. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
• How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to San Jose, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Snagajob, Craigslist and Career Builder. You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to San Jose from Australia

There are around 60,000 Australians living in California, so you will definitely be able to meet up with some of them and talk about home. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to San Jose, here are a few things to consider.

• Size comparison: If you compare the population size of San Jose with a city in Australia, then the closest would be Adelaide.
• Join expat groups: Internations, Meetup and Aussies Only Club offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in San Joe.

15. Moving to San Jose from Canada

California has attracted well a large number of Canadians so if you’re considering joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size: Edmonton, Alberta is the nearest in size to San Jose if we look at population sizes of the two cities.
• Expat groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Meet Up and Internations.

16. Moving to San Jose from the United Kingdom

San Jose attracts computer geniuses from the UK, so if you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:

• Size: If you look at the population size of San Jose, Birmingham is the closest to it.
• Expat groups: If you want to get together with others from the UK who are experiencing those 300 days of sunshine per annum, then go to Internations and Meetup.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to San Jose you can start by comparing moving quotes here.

Illinois and Wisconsin State-to-State Movers

When planning a household move, there’s no doubt that the to-do lists can be overwhelming. Any size relocation can be a challenge to coordinate, but when you’re moving state-to-state, it’s even more important to have a professional team of Rockford interstate movers on your side to take the stress out of the process.

From packing up the rooms in your home to planning storage and unloading boxes at your new house, a qualified Rockford state-to-state moving company can make all the difference in a successful relocation.

At O’Mara Moving, we understand all the ups and downs that come with interstate moving. Not only are you excited about getting settled into your new home, but you’re likely stressing over the amount of work involved leading up to the big day. Our Rockford state-to-state movers are confident that they can help you have an ideal interstate relocation, and we’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure that your move goes off without a hitch.

From our Illinois facility, just south of the Wisconsin border, we can provide residents of either state with comprehensive interstate moving solutions. Whether you’re moving within the midwest or all the way to the coast, our premier Rockford state-to-state moving company can give you the upper hand in a smooth transition by providing:

• Free, no-obligation estimates right in your own home
• High-quality moving supplies
• Packing, crating, and free furniture stretch-wrapping services
• Peace of mind with replacement value coverage options
• Unpacking, set-up, and debris removal at your new residence
• Exceptional resources backed by North American Van Lines

… and so much more!

There are countless benefits that come from working with a team of expert Rockford interstate movers, but that doesn’t mean you should trust your precious belongings to just anyone!

As the most trusted name in the region for any size or scope relocation, O’Mara Moving guarantees that your experience with us will exceed your expectations for quality and value. To learn more and schedule your free estimate, just give us a call or fill out our online form today!

5 Tips For Moving With Pets

When it comes to moving, there are a lot of things to think about before the big day.

Of course, you’ll need to make sure all of your belongings are packed tightly and securely and ready for the move. But, you should also be thinking about what you’re going to do with your pets.

Moving can be a confusing time for pets, and they’ll either want to play and be curious about everything going on, or they’ll want to hide. Neither situation is good for you or your pet, so it’s important to prepare beforehand.

If you’re not sure how to prepare for your beloved critter, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re discussing moving with pets and things you can do to make it easier on all of you. Keep reading to learn more.

Boarding or Pet Sitter

The closer you get to moving day, it might be a good idea to take your pet to a boarding facility or a family friend that can watch your pet for a few days.

This will help to keep them out of the way and alleviate some confusion and anxiety for them. This will also prevent your pet from hiding so that you can easily grab them when it’s time to go.

Keep Pets Out of the Way

If you decide not to take your pet away to a pet sitter, it’s still important to keep them out of the way of boxes, furniture, and other things that will be moving around. It’s also safer for you so that your pet doesn’t get under your feet and trip you while you’re getting around.

Consider locking your pets in a bedroom while you move the rest of your things. This will also prevent them from escaping to hide.

Overnight Kit

Make sure to pack an overnight kit for at least the first few days when you arrive at your new location. You’ll need water, food, snacks, and toys to help your pet get more comfortable with the surroundings. Packing a separate overnight kit will help prevent you from losing things that your pet needs.

If your pet takes any medications, make sure to include these in your kit.

Transporting

Moving with pets can be tedious. Some pets don’t like riding in the car. But, it’s important that you transport your pets using your own vehicle if possible.

They will be familiar with your scent and feel more comfortable traveling with you instead of a stranger. Also, make sure to crate your pets in the car for safety.

Let Pets Out Carefully

When you finally arrive at your new home, it’s important to be cautious when first introducing your pet to the surroundings. A useful tip is to set up a room for your pet first to limit the amount of exposure your pet gets to its new home.

Quickly re-introduce previous routines including feeding and play schedules. Make sure to spend lots of time with your pet to reassure him in his new surroundings.

Make the Most of Moving With Pets

Moving with pets doesn’t have to be overwhelming and stressful. In fact, the more stressed out you are, the more stressed your pet will be. Try to take it easy and simply follow these tips the next time you find yourself moving with pets in tow.

It’s a good idea to contact a local veterinarian in your new neighborhood soon after you move in. You should also consider having your pet micro-chipped and make sure they wear a tag, especially if they frequently go outdoors. And, don’t forget to contact your old vet where you’re moving away from to obtain your pet’s medical records.

When moving day gets closer, and you need professional help, or if you have questions, feel free to contact us. We offer a wide range of services to help your move go smoothly.

Gentle Giant Employees Reflect on 2018 New Year’s Resolutions

As another year begins, many people will be sitting down to set forth their goals for the coming months. While resolutions vary between individuals, there are often common threads tying them all together: health and wellness, new experiences and improved relationships. We all hope to improve ourselves in some way.

At Gentle Giant, we like to highlight healthy resolutions and help our employees reach them. Here are five of the most common New Year’s resolutions and how we plan to continue down a path of self-improvement:

1. Exercise more and lose weight— Whether it is lifting more weight or dropping the pounds, most New Year’s resolution lists include a nod to getting fit. With an extensive gym in our headquarters, frequent trips to Harvard Stadium, and gym membership reimbursement, we make a point to help all employees find their best path to good health. After all, we are a company whose success is based on the fitness of our employees, both body and mind.
2. Prioritize personal well-being and stress management— Chronic stress can have long-term physical and psychological impact. To address the inherent stressors that occur with managing a work-life balance, Gentle Giant offers monthly meditation sessions, a flexible schedule, quarterly acupuncture and 24/7 access to a robust employee assistance program. We also have a clear job ladder to offer transparency in how to move ahead in your career.
3. Spend more time with family and friends— Employee surveys show that the number one reason people choose to work and stay at Gentle Giant are the people they work with. The company atmosphere is one of a close knit, team-oriented group, where coworkers often feel like family and old friends. It is an opportunity to work alongside like-minded people you enjoy every day, keeping positive relationships at the forefront.
4. Travel more— There is no better way to learn the ins and outs of a city than from the cab of a moving truck. Gentle Giant movers are in a new house, neighborhood, and town almost every day and get the opportunity to try the best lunch spots and take a break in the wonderful city parks in the area. With a long-distance moving branch of the business, there are also excellent opportunities to travel throughout the country.
5. Get organized— Hoping to bring a little order to your life and maybe sort through some of those closets and drawers you never touch? There is nothing better than professional moving to learn how to get your life organized and reevaluate what “things” you need and what you could pass on. Plus, you will always be the go-to friend when someone you know is moving.

Among the resolutions above, if you added “Get a New Job’ to your 2018 list, head to our Careers page and join our team of movers and shakers!