Separate Ways
No one can truly prepare you or your nerves for the feeling of getting divorce papers. It’s a mix of shock, sadness, and anger that hits you like a ton of bricks. You go through a maelstrom of emotions, and everything is crashing around you. Even though you may have been expecting it, nothing can truly prepare you for that moment when you finally see the papers in front of you.
I received divorce papers from my wife last week. It was a big shock since we had been married for over ten years, and I thought things were going well. But after talking to her, it turns out she had been unhappy for a while and had been thinking about leaving for a time.
It’s been tough dealing with the news, but I’m trying to stay positive and move forward. It’s hard, though, especially since we have two kids together. But I knew that ultimately this is what’s best for everyone involved, and I was trying to keep that in mind.
Relocating Long-Distance On Short Notice
At the time of my divorce, I lived in a house I could no longer afford on my own. I needed to move out, but I had no idea what to do. Fortunately, I found a new place to live relatively quickly. But it was down in Texas, where I had family. Moving out is a stressful experience without it being a last-minute endeavor, and I kept thinking it might have been preferable to have had some help navigating the process.
What’s The Best Way To Move Cross-Country?
I was thinking about hiring a moving truck from one of the truck rental companies, loading everything up, and driving down to Texas. From the get-go, I wasn’t sure if it would be such a good idea to go down there. I knew it would be a lengthy trip, and I didn’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere. But, at the same time, it appeared a lot cheaper than hiring movers, so I felt stuck in between a rock and a hard place.
I knew I was letting my already-crippling anxiety get the better by going down the mental rabbit hole. So I decided one evening to get a pen and paper and write a list of pros and cons of hiring long-distance professional movers and renting a moving truck. Once I could get all my thoughts down on paper, I was sure that some weight would be lifted.
Here is what I came up with:
Renting A Truck
Pro: Save Money
For starters, it’s much cheaper than hiring a moving company. At first, I was looking for the most affordable option possible; renting a moving truck was the way to go. Truck rental companies generally have lower rates than movers, and it looked like I’d save even more if I did the move yourself. Plus, I wouldn’t have to be overly concerned about paying for travel time or additional services like packing or unpacking.
Con: Not As Cheap As First Seen
After I’d considered moving myself, the costs soon added up quickly. I realized that I needed to factor in the gas price to get my truck to drive a thousand miles down to Houston, TX, and all the accommodation or hotels I might need along the way. I had no intentions of either sleeping in the truck and, as a 50-year-old, I didn’t trust myself to cover. You’ll also need to account for packing materials and the cost of hiring a moving truck or van. And that’s not even considering the time and effort it will take you to move everything yourself!
Pro: I Can Keep An Eye On My Stuff At All Times
I knew I wasn’t placing all of my worldly possessions in the hands of strangers. I would do all the loading and unloading myself, so I could keep an eye on everything and ensure that nothing got lost or damaged.
Con: Every Part Of The Move Is Down To Me
Having the responsibility to do all the loading and unloading of furniture can be too stressful for many. This is exceptionally accurate if you have a large home with a lot of furniture to move. It can be pretty tough to try and get everything done in a timely manner, and it can be frustrating if something is damaged during the move.
Pro: I Decide My Own Logistics
I’m in control of my own itinerary if I use a rental truck for my move. I can choose when and where to go and ensure that everything is packed and ready to go before I leave. This will help to make the move as smooth as possible.
Con: I’m Solely Responsible In The Event Of Theft Or Damage
As someone who once made a living transporting furniture locally in a rented truck, I am always mindful of the risk of theft. I would have to take measures to ensure that my belongings are safe by securing them as best as possible and taking out insurance, but unfortunately, there is no guarantee that they will not be stolen. I would need to accept this risk and am willing to take the necessary precautions to protect my furniture, but I would also hold myself responsible for ensuring that it is not stolen. Should anything untoward happen to my things, I would be the one responsible and would have to bear the consequences.
Hiring A Moving Company
Pro
The pros of hiring a long-distance moving company are that they can take care of all the logistics of the interstate move, from packing up all of your worldly belongings to getting them to your new home. They can also often save you money on the action by finding discounts on shipping rates.
Con
When hiring a long-distance moving company, I could expect to pay more than if I were to hire a rental truck. This is because long-distance moving companies have to factor in the cost of gas, labor, and other associated expenses with crossing state lines.
Pro
If I were to use a moving company, my furniture would be handled by professionals who know how to move heavy objects safely. This means there is less chance that my furniture will be damaged in transit. Additionally, I learned that most moving companies offer insurance that will cover the cost of any damages that occur during the move.
Con
After looking around, I found that many moving companies use day laborers instead of skilled movers. This is because it is cheaper, and they can get more work done. While this may be more efficient in some ways, it can also be less safe. Day laborers are often not as skilled as professional movers and may not know how to handle your belongings properly. You might look like you can bench press 300lbs, but that’s no indication that you know how to carry a sofa! I knew I had to do my research first and ask around for recommendations so I wouldn’t get suckered by these types of movers.
Pro
When looking for a long-distance mover, it is crucial to find one that offers an all-inclusive quote. The quoted price will include fuel, miles, and taxes. This way, you don’t have to worry about any surprise expenses later. I found that full-service movers offer all-inclusive quotes, so I wouldn’t have to worry about making one payment for fuel, another for labor, etc. Also, I learned that the best long-distance movers make sure everything is laid out in plain simple English in the pricing. This way, you can easily break down the costs without being an accountant!
Con
It looks like most moving companies require roughly 50% payment on the day of the move and the balance upon delivery. When I asked a mover about this, they explained this is because they need to ensure they are compensated adequately for the work they do and also so that they can properly prepare for the move. Make sure you are well aware of this when planning your move and have the necessary funds available on the day of the activity.
Conclusion: Let’s Go With The Moving Company
In the end, my ex-partner, of all people, advised me to hire professional movers for my relocation. While our marriage may have ended, we still had a bond with one another, and she was worried that the stress of having to undertake the move all by myself in a rented truck would be too much to bear. We were still going through the divorce, which was tiresome enough, so I didn’t really need another monkey on my back. She had a good point.
So Many Movers, So Little Time
Once I’d made my mind up that professional movers were the best way to go, the real work began. There are hundreds of long-distance moving companies to choose from, so I knew it was imperative to do as much research as possible.
I had to ensure I was getting the best deal and service. I asked for recommendations, read online reviews, checked with the Better Business Bureau and the US Dept of Transportation, and compared prices. It would behoove you to get quotes from a few companies to compare and see who offers the best deal.
You Get What You Pay For
All too quickly, I learned that the prices from the quotes I was receiving were drastically different. Some companies were charging double or even triple what others were. At first, I was looking for the cheapest possible option, but I soon realized that the most inexpensive option isn’t always the best.
You get what you pay for, after all. Ultimately, I decided to go with a company called Rocky Movers, which was middle-of-the-road in terms of pricing but had great reviews and came highly recommended.
Scheduling My Move With Rocky Movers
I made my reservations and scheduled my move for a date that was about a month away. I was pleasantly surprised when the movers only charged a $100 deposit to lock in my move date. This meant that I could count on them being there on the day of the move, and it also helped me budget for the move.
Overall, I thought this was a very fair price for guaranteeing my move date. Some moving companies were looking for anywhere between 10%-30% of the balance just to make the reservation!
Reserving Early, Time To Prepare
This gave me time to prepare and pack everything up correctly. Although I was willing to pay a little more for reputable professional movers, I was still working on a budget. So I decided to buy all my moving boxes at my local hardware store and get to work packing everything that could fit into a box.
I was told no food and drink could be shipped, so I made sure to throw a leaving party before the move day! On the day of the move, I had everything packed up and ready to go. The only thing left was disconnecting my internet and utilities and saying goodbye to my old place.
Professional Service
Once the big day arrived, the movers came on time and went straight to work. They were very professional and efficient and had my things loaded up in no time. The whole process was relatively painless and stress-free, which was a huge relief.
The movers even managed to get everything into my new place down in Houston, TX, without damaging anything, which was amazing considering how tight of a squeeze it was. Overall, I was thrilled with the service I received from Rocky Movers and would definitely recommend them if you’re planning a big move.
What Moving Stories Do You Have?
Have you ever had to move houses or apartments? What was your experience like? Did you use professional movers or try to do it yourself? We’d love to hear your story!
Read our previous moving story: New Job, New Beginnings.
