https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:40:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877395 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 07:55:58 +0000 Ajsmommy 2877395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK!!! We are currently moving just a few miles away and it's a nightmare.. LOL I can't imagine braving a cross country move.<br /> My only advice would be to not plan to stay in your old home, empty for very long. We have been moving stuff to storage for months and these past 2 weeks we finally moved almost everything out for the staging of the photos etc to put our current home on the market and my kids (2 and 5) have been going stir crazy... the other night they were playing with tongs.. yes tongs from the kitchen bc MOST of their toys are in storage. So unless you can get outside or go do things I'd recommend not staying in an empty house too long.... it can work for a few days or maybe a week but longer than that... it's just asking for trouble </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877284 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:59:35 +0000 MrsSRS 2877284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you considered using ABF UPack? That's the company we used and it only took a few days for our stuff to get from the east coast to the midwest. 3 and 1 are small enough that they won't really "get" what is going on. Books for the three year old will help, but remembering to stay calm and cheerful and treat it like an adventure yourself will be the most important since they will be taking their clues from you. Definitely agree on the packing super organized! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877126 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:28:17 +0000 Katc 2877126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow thank you all for taking the time to write this all out. I poured over each comment. SO funny with the little information I provided - the responses hit home. We have my mom in neither city, and landed on going to stay with her while stuff in transit. The international 8-9 week post def put my situation in perspective, which I needed!</p> <p>The child comment hit home too - hadn't even thought of buying books about moving. Just knocked that out. Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877030 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 23:43:15 +0000 MenagerieMama 2877030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved from VA to WA with a 3 yo and almost 1 yo. We used shipping containers (upack) and hired movers to pack them, after we had already packed our belongings. We had the kids in daycare the 2 major packing days and rented an airbnb in the neighborhood to stay in so we had beds, kitchen, etc and a little bit of stability. I flew with the girls by myself, while DH drove across the country with our 4 pets. I stayed with my mom for 2 weeks while DH drove and then started his new job (he stayed in a room via airbnb for the overlap). We had rented an airbnb for us all to stay in while we waited to close on our house but it wasn't available right away. Then we all moved in together to the (very bare bones) airbnb and were there for a few weeks until we closed. We had about a week overlap so we were able to get the shipping containers out of storage and (again paid movers) unloaded them. That way we were able to set up the kids furniture before moving into the house. We also didn't have daycare for them for the first 6 weeks, they started right before I started my new job. So we had a summer vacation (it was summer, thank goodness) with me as a temp SAHM. Which sort of drove me bananas, usually I WOHM 3 days/week, but mostly it was the lack of all of our stuff that made it so hard. And we went a little too cheap on the airbnb. But we moved from LCOL to HCOL so it's still been a financial adjustment.</p> <p>We did lots of prep for the kids (okay mostly the oldest, the baby had no idea) with books about moving, making a memory book of pics from her old school, and books about our new city. It helped that we were moving closer to family so that really kept her centered.</p> <p>I spent a ton of time thinking about everything so ask questions! Good luck! We also bought our house sight unseen, didn't find a daycare until we got there, and didn't get our old house sold until 9 months later (ugh, technically we don't close for 3 more weeks...). It was/is super stressful, no joke. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877016 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:06:22 +0000 youboots 2877016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove and made a little vacation out of it. We were reimbursed for our expenses. We saw friends or family on nearly every stop and did not the most direct route. It was really memorable and something we would not have had the opportunity to do again anytime soon. We rented a small trailer with some essentials- clothing &amp; bedding to use at our new house before our stuff was delivered. TP, paper towels, dish towels, shower curtains etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877008 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:40:20 +0000 lamariniere 2877008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve made several international moves and have had to live without our stuff for 8-9 weeks at a time while it was shipped. First, is your company paying for the move? If so, see if it covers packing and unpacking. If it does, there’s not much to worry about. Just pack your suitcases. Are you planning to make the actual move flying or driving? I don’t have experience with driving, but we took I think one extra suitcase per person filled with essentials other than clothes and toiletries. We’ve never taken many toys and the kids don’t miss them. When you get to the new city, you can always rent a serviced apartment or air bnb for a week or two while you find more permanent lodgings. On our last move, we were in an Airbnb for a month while apartment hunting and waiting for our stuff to arrive, but we still lived in our new apartment practically empty for 2 weeks before our container arrived. We did make one move where, in addition to our container, the company paid for 1 cubic meter of air freight, so we could bring extra stuff and have it basically right away. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877007 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:34:55 +0000 JCCovi 2877007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>+1 for staying with family. We sent all our stuff ahead of us and spent a week at my parents before we came out. We spent 1 weekend in a hotel once we arrived and then our lease and our stuff arrived on the 3rd day after our flight. Staying in a hotel for a couple days was nice because we didn’t have to cook and could settle in and explore the area before we had to tackle unpacking. The first day back to work/preschool was from our new home though. I think being settled quickly really helped us adjust to the new place. </p> <p>Also, staying with family for that week was good bonding for the kids since we were moving away from family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877006 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 14:44:47 +0000 bhbee 2877006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Assuming you might be working remotely anyway (not sure), is there any chance you could stay with family? I only had one when we did a big move but that’s what we did ... dh stayed a couple days past us in the old city to finalize move and we flew to my mom’s (not close to either location, but easy to stay there). I worked remotely there and my mom watched my oldest. DH stayed in an extended stay in the new city which helped with a couple deliveries (new washer, etc) and then when the truck was scheduled I came down to the new city. I left DD behind for a couple days so I could get the basics organized, I’d use daycare for that and take a few days off if you can! The way we did it, my mom flew with her that time and stayed to help - I was 1st tri pregnant and really needed the help because I was so sick. If I had to choose between old and new house, I’d probably pick something temporary by the new house. Feels good to get there and you can talk it up like a vacation and explore together in your free time, so you’re not stuck in a hotel. </p> <p>Being really organized also helps. The first things we set up in the new house were kid room basics and kitchen (and maybe a pack n play to contain your 1yo). If those boxes are clearly labeled it makes it easier to get that settled. Also, give yourself a lot of grace. If they watched too much tv, eat too many chicken nuggets, whatever, it will be fine! Also expect everything to take longer than you think and accept any help you can get!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-move-with-2-kids#post-2877004 Sun, 17 Mar 2019 14:11:03 +0000 Katc 2877004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you share your cross country move advice or lessons learned? I can’t picture how to get two kids (ages 3 and 1) to new city without our stuff (truck takes 1-2 weeks). Do we stay in old house, mostly empty? Get to new city but use temporary housing while we wait for truck? We have daycares on both ends. Thank you for any experience you have time to share! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2761622 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 12:57:43 +0000 peaches1038 2761622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a quick update! I was offered the perfect position exactly 2 weeks after applying! They are paying some relocation costs as well! We are getting really excited and can't wait to start this new chapter! I appreciate all of the advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759852 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:02:36 +0000 Jadj13 2759852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Forgot your other question. My DS and I went to visit my parents for a week while waiting for our stuff to make it to WA. I knew with the move we wouldn't get a summer vacation so I wanted to visit some family before moving even farther away!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759850 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:00:43 +0000 Jadj13 2759850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: My husband's company offered full relocation package for the move so I don't have the broken down costs. The relo folks selected Mayflower Moving Company. This was for a 3 bedroom house, with full basement (so around 2k sq ft, plus 3 car garage) all packing, loading and moving, including 2 vehicles. They also included full replacement value insurance and 30 days of storage in the quote in case we needed it per the policy. The estimate was $25k. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759816 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:14:55 +0000 ninja 2759816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Good luck with the move! I moved from Chicago to Seattle 11 years ago. I don't have any advice as I was single and the company I work for moved me, but I can tell you that it's lovely out here! Your income will see an immediate boost due to no state income tax too! 😀 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759804 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 08:49:42 +0000 wrkbrk 2759804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Cannot believe this is happening in a month!!! Congratulations!!! I agree with posters above - give away/sell as much as you can get away with before you move. Then, be prepared for a sucky week. After that it will be DONE and everything will seem a lot easier when you're physically in the new place. (Do you have a new place yet?). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759752 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 06:20:57 +0000 FannyMae 2759752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no advice here but best of luck to you guys!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759733 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:18:39 +0000 LilSprinkles 2759733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've moved from Chicago to Las Vegas to Virginia and then to California. Every time, DH drives his truck and brings the dog, and DS and I fly. My car gets shipped and so does the majority of our household goods. I hate long trips and I'm also a horrible cocaption (need to pee every five minutes, gets bored really quickly, major motion sickness on long drives). We usually take a trip to Chicago and then meet DH wherever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759730 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 21:40:06 +0000 Anagram 2759730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved from Dallas to NYC area 5 years ago. We actually moved very little. My husband was given a moving allowance from his new job and we bought a used SUV (my husband sold his sports car before the move because it wasn't practical to be a commuter car) with the money and he brought 1 small uhaul trailer of stuff and we sold everything else and basically started over.</p> <p>When we arrived here, we sold the SUV for almost what we paid and basically pocketed the 10k moving money and used it to buy some new furniture and just put it in savings. I did manage to find a job from dallas, but I had to use points to fly last minute for interviews. I actually found a job in 3 weeks of aggressive looking, sending resumes, and follow up emails.</p> <p>That was pre baby, but I would weigh the costs of moving vs buying more stuff when you arrive. Moving is pricey! We were quoted something ridiculous to move a 2 bedroom apartments amount of stuff. Something like 8k. So we just got rid of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759706 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 19:38:26 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2759706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: we found boxes were cheapest through Uhaul and they buy back what you don't use. We also got several loads of boxes from donations (friends recycling etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759696 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 19:19:19 +0000 peaches1038 2759696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jadj13: oh wow! I am actually looking at a job in Tacoma. How do you like it so far?! I am pretty impressed that it only took 7 days to get your stuff. Do you mind sharing the moving company you used and an approximate cost? That's a great idea about checking fb groups for boxes. Dh just priced some and it was like $500!! crazy. I was trying to convince DH that i would fly with DS, but he thinks it would be "fun" to drive. oy. Did you just stay in a hotel until your DH got there?</p> <p>@kiddosc: @mrskansas: I will do that! Thank you. I was worried about coming off as pushy/desperate, but i really want them to know that I am serious. </p> <p>@mrswilson2012: Yay! I am so glad to hear hat you loved growing up in Seattle. I think it will be a much better fit for our family than Chicago. I hope my son will say he loved growing up there too :) I started to look into PODS but got slightly overwhelmed. Was it considerably less expensive than a traditional moving company? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759534 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:12:11 +0000 mrswilson2012 2759534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on the big move! I'm from Seattle born &amp; raised and I'm sure you guys will love it! All of our family and friends still live there too.</p> <p>The job market is incredible there. I'm sure you will have much better luck finding a job once you are in Seattle with a Seattle address. If you are in healthcare (same as my DH), I'm sure you will find something quickly!</p> <p>DH &amp; I are in the midst of a cross country move too. We are moving in September from Portland OR to Atlanta GA. We booked PODS &amp; movers to move all of our stuff into the PODS. We'll do ALL the packing &amp; fly with DD who is 3 months old and our 2 year old cat. It just seemed much easier to go that route.</p> <p>Edited to add: DH's company is paying for our relocation and we'll be having both of our cars shipped.</p> <p>Good luck! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759516 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:33:27 +0000 mrskansas 2759516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: We moved from Alaska to the Midwest with a cat three years ago. We had everything shipped (including our vehicle) on a barge from Anchorage to Seattle so I can't give any good advice there.</p> <p>I do agree with @kiddosc: about calling the hiring manager and telling them you are moving to the area on X date. That's what I did when we moved &amp; then they took me seriously and I had a job waiting for me. </p> <p>Congrats &amp; good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759513 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:27:58 +0000 kiddosc 2759513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: If you're really interested, I would contact the hiring manager and emphasize that you are moving to the area on X date for unrelated reasons. It shows how interested you are and lets them know you aren't waiting to find a job to relocate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759476 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:27:33 +0000 Jadj13 2759476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Congrats on the big move! We just moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area (South King County) this May from Cleveland (husband got a transfer/promotion). Big adjustment but we are loving it so far.</p> <p>As far as timing for your things, we had professional movers and our goods took 7 days to arrive in WA. From Chicago I would assume about a 6 day transit.</p> <p>I've heard good things about U-Pack - moving service where you pack and load onto truck and they drive to your destination. Also, find free boxes if you can (they are SO expensive new!). Online local 'Buy Nothing' groups (check FB) are a great resource; everyone is always trying to get rid of moving boxes after unpacking. </p> <p>My husband, FIL and dog drove across country with our car (took 4 days -- they didn't stop much!) and I flew out with our 3yo son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759464 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:09:08 +0000 peaches1038 2759464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: my parents might be able to help us. We haven't priced out moving companies yet but I can see how doing it DIY would save a ton. And I was worried about how long it would take to get our stuff, so that is definitely worth consideration. I think I am running into the same problem regarding applications. 6 weeks isn't too bad of a turn around. There are 2 jobs that would be a perfect fit, so hopefully they will call or maybe they'll still be available in a month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759438 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 10:18:48 +0000 kiddosc 2759438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Yes! We sold/gave away a lot of stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759436 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 10:13:41 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2759436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: We helped my BIL and SIL do a similar long distance move. They packed everything themselves and had it ready. We flew up and I drove in a minivan with SIL and kids, DH and BIL drove the truck with a trailer for their smaller car. </p> <p>They definitely got rid of a lot of stuff before they moved! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759417 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:27:41 +0000 kiddosc 2759417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: We moved from Houston to Milwaukee a few years ago with a 2 year old and a dog. My parents flew in to help us and I don' t know how we would have done it without them. We priced out moving companies, but it was SO expensive and it was going to take so long to have access to our stuff that we just decided to DIY. We rented as big a truck as we could, and towed one of our cars behind it. My husband drove the truck with our dog, my dad drove our other car, and my Mom, LO, and I flew. It was a lot of work, but went pretty smoothly. Would it be possible for your to have some help for the move? </p> <p>I didn't have a job and ran into the problem that I really wasn't even getting call backs on applications I'd submitted before we moved. Good news is that once we moved and I had a local address and was available for local interviews I started a new position within six weeks. I think that @lamariniere: is right that your application doesn't even get looked at because you're currently long distance. I would try to prepare for having a short lapse in employment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759398 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:55:49 +0000 peaches1038 2759398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: thank you! This is all great advice. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: We could probably swing me staying home for about a month, but we definitely still require 2 incomes. It would make it so much easier to get everything settled if I was able to stay home for a bit. </p> <p>@lamariniere: we will probably be paying for most of the move ourselves but are planning on outsourcing as much as possible. And that's a really good point about job prospects. In my cover letter, I do mention when we are moving and that I already have transferred my license so I was hoping that would be enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759381 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:30:18 +0000 lamariniere 2759381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you moving yourself? Or is the company paying? We are about to undertake a huge move, but the company is paying, so I don't have to take care of anything as far as packing and moving goes. I would outsource whatever you have the budget for. I would also get rid of as much as you can before the move, which is what I'm doing right now. </p> <p>As for job hunting, I know a few people who have tried to job hunt before having a local address and it doesn't always work in their favor (recruiter sees a long distance address and doesn't go any further). So it could be that you need to be there before people will really be interested, so maybe keep trying but remain patient until you are physically there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cross-country-relocation#post-2759362 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:12:40 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2759362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! </p> <p>Financially do you have to have a job right away? Or could you stay home with the baby for a couple months? That could give you time to unpack, interview, find a daycare, etc. </p>