Furnished vs unfurnished

[franapn]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

[retiredguy123]

Of the 3 options, B the only one that makes sense. I don't think you can rent an unfurnished house for 2-3 months, and it makes no sense to move every month just be in a particular area because you can drive to almost any location in The Villages in about 15 minutes. You should also ask yourself if your furniture is really worth keeping.

[TNGary]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

OP, what is the estimated cost of moving the furniture and belongings?

[LuvtheVillages]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

You will find that styles in Florida are very different than up north. You will want new furniture for your new house. Sell most of your furniture.

If you just cannot let it go yet, put it in storage in New Jersey. Don't pay to move it. Three months from now you may find it easier to let go.

For what you pay to move a big truckload of furniture, you can instead spend that money on new stuff.

[JSR22]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

We moved here from NJ 9 years ago and rented a furnished for several months. Our stuff went into storage. The furniture we did bring has mostly been replaced .The northern furniture does not look great down here. Rethink what you are going to bring.
We moved here from Hunterdon County and love there is not any snow or ice.

[BettyInFL]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

We just moved here (in March from Texas) and while getting rid of what I THOUGHT was a bunch of stuff and furniture, we are now wishing we gotten rid of even more. Big, oversized furniture can 'fill up' a TV house pretty quickly. Also, wishing I could buy new stuff to replace that leather couch we've had for 20+ years (won't wear out and super comfortable for napping).

I would suggest renting, or even one the 'Lifestyle' visits, where you rent from The Villages in one of the villas. (We stayed at a furnished 3 bedroom in Brownwood for about $800 for one week, and they threw in golf cart, theatre and movie tickets, golfing, and meals.

[Pinball wizard]

What I found is that the cost of moving furniture from NJ to TV was similar to just buying new furniture here. Just move your 'must haves".

[retiredguy123]

If you are by yourself, another option to consider is to stay in a hotel, especially if you are coming during the high season. I rented a hotel room for a few months for about the same price as a house. Although, you will not have access to The Villages amenities.

[Papa_lecki]

It is not worth it to party to move furniture to FLA. Sell the NJ furniture. Also, house in FLA is probably smaller.

My advice is C - rent a furnished house in 3 different areas in The Villages, see where you want to buy.

[JMintzer]

We rented a furnished home for 2+ months last Winter. We had already visited (staying with friends) around Thanksgiving 2019, and the extended stay was to make sure SWMBO was sure about buying in TV. I was sold on our initial visit... She came down again in early February 2020 (again staying with friends) and met with their realtor, who took her to the area we were interested in, as well as Chitty Chatty, which had just gone up for sale and the areas SW of the turnpike...

On both visits, we toured the various areas and had a good idea where we wanted to be.

Once we decided to buy, we found a place rather quickly and settled late Februrary.

We decided to bring our master bedroom set, a sideboard (that was my wife's grandmother's), an armoire and a futon (along with the needed kitchen crap), came down in mid-April, had the house painted, our furniture delivered and we're 90% settled.

We bought a dining set, a sofa, a leather recliner, and a queen size bed for one of the guest rooms (the futon will suffice in the other), plus a new mattress/box spring for the master BR.

My friend (who's in the moving business) recommended we tally up what it would cost to buy everything new. If it was less than the move, it was worth moving things. Our BR set alone would cost more to replace than the move cost us... Plus, SWMBO -insisted- it was coming with us (and I have to agree, it looks much better in TV than it ever looked up here! ;))

Now, whenever we visit (we typically will drive), we'll bring some other odds and ends, pictures and artwork, along with the rest of what we want (like my guitars/amps) until we're done...

Eventually, we'll sell the place here and have the kids take what they want, have an estate sale and make the permanent move...

We -may- keep a small condo/apartment up here, as our kids still all live within 10-15 miles of our home and each other...

[Stu from NYC]

Rent a furnished house for three months, sell what you do not want to bring and put rest in storage.

Travel around the villages during your three months to decide where to go.

BTW when the three months are up how long to buy house and complete sale and where do you put yourself during this period.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Most unfurnished rentals will want a yearly lease.

[retiredguy123]

I sold a 5 bedroom house and liquidated everything in it. I came here with an SUV and clothes. I was amazed at how easy and inexpensive it was to buy all the same stuff again. Now, I have too much stuff again.

[Cupcake57]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
Congrats on deciding to move to the Villages! you will like it here, wherever you choose. I am sorry that many of the posts (again) advise people to sell all their furniture and buy new that 'goes' with Florida. Sounds like you have given much thought to your move and have decided to come with most of your stuff. I just moved here and spent around $5000 to move all of my furniture from the midwest. For that money I couldn't replace my sofa, let alone the rest of my furniture which is either good quality or antique. To each his/her own, but some us don't care for coastal chalk paint particle board. AND currently most furniture that has to be ordered is taking 4 months or more to get in. Best wishes and I hear ya on the 'no more snow'!

[Number 10 GI]

I tried to convince the wife to sell our furniture in Tennessee before we moved. Lost that argument with the exception I talked her into selling the dining room only because it wouldn't fit in the house we bought. Were here less than a year and replaced the bedroom and living room. If memory serves correctly we spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,500 to move the rest of our stuff. Right now though if the furniture store doesn't have the stuff in stock it can take 6-8 months to get new furniture. I found a recliner that I fell in love with, almost fell asleep in it while trying it out in the store, and was told it would take 10 months to get it as it wasn't in stock.

[DAVES]

OP, what is the estimated cost of moving the furniture and belongings?

We moved from New York. An interstate mover it is an interesting game you play against a professional player. There is something called a Tariff Rate that is what they file with the government and it is so much per hundred pounds. As you travel the highways you will see truck exists called weigh stations. The driver needs to at regular intervals have his truck weighed. A person shows up at your home with his laptop. Two couches, 4 tables etc etc etc. His program is calculating the weight and he gives you an estimate. A common trick. He underestimates the weight and his estimate will be less.
Then when they deliver he shows you the difference between the too low estimate and the real weight and then they hold your furniture ransom. When, we moved there was a fuel surcharge. If, it went away when fuel was cheaper, I expect it is back now.

Also, beware, several of the interstate movers are owned by the same corporation.
Your bids assuming you decide to get three of them some several of them can be the same corporation, just a different name.

I moved some machinery. The salesman told us he would over estimate the weigh but we would get credited back if it was under the estimate. Seemed fair and reasonable till it can tine for the credit. I calculated their TARIFF RATE AT .57 a hundred pounds.
They pointed to the fine print on page ????? that says the credit is .13 a hundred pounds. They pulled this with the wrong person. My first name is David. They told me where to stuff it when I explained who lost in the story of David vs Goliath. IT COST THEM DEARLY.

[mskaggs]

If I we’re in your position, I would store stuff in NJ while renting a furnished home. I would probably only want to rent one for the 3 months. Many have suggested to ditch your current furniture and buy new... I have done a little of both. We have a Pod for the furnishings we are bringing. I am bringing the items that bring me joy, or are sentimental. Some are just plain useful. I am buying new furniture as well. I could not furnish my whole house for the cost of the move, so this is working out for me.

Someone earlier said store stuff in NJ, and that will help you have some perspective about what to keep and what to let go of. I agree!

[CoachKandSportsguy]

We moved all the items needed to live down from NE in a UHaul trailer behind a subaru outback, then purchased the furniture there. . . Total cost of the new furniture $18K, we did a second trip several months later with a few items, and will make one final trip with a one way Uhaul for remaining when we relocate permanently, ie lawn equipment, tool chest, but the furniture still remaining up north will never go well in the begonia, nor do we have florida lanai furniture in NE. Nor did we have a leather recliner, nor a 65" TV so didn't make sense to ship a large amount of furniture from here to there. The final trailer will be pulled by an F250 diesel, so weight will not be an issue.

Of course, we read quite a bit about the villages' opinion on here and looked at alot of houses for sale to get different ideas of how homes where furnished to get an idea of what we wanted that was local decor.

But everyone has their own level of sentimental value and affordabilty.

Good luck

[thevillages2013]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
Another vote for B. Store your belongings in NJ . The home you end up buying here may be furnished already and you can decide then what to keep. Be sure to measure large furniture before it moves to storage and keep notes so you can figure out if it will fit when looking at prospective homes

[34gunner]

Agree

[Girlcopper]

If you are by yourself, another option to consider is to stay in a hotel, especially if you are coming during the high season. I rented a hotel room for a few months for about the same price as a house. Although, you will not have access to The Villages amenities.
Why would anyone choose a hotel room over renting a full house with amenities?? Makes no sense whatsoever.

[J1ceasar]

In today's world, most kids don't want anything. You'll read all the articles how they don't want your dishes your minx your Grandma's favorite piece of furniture, except maybe for jewelry and money that's all they want. Mostly because they don't have the fun memories you have and also request money to move, it's not their style and believe it or not I mean your kids may move every single year, due to jobs etc

[fritzgb1]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

I recently moved here only a few months ago and at first i thought sell everything and just replace it when i get here. But if you haven't been furniture shopping lately I suggest at least looking around and see what your wait time to receive it is. most stores are up to 6 months to get anything.

[talktome]

My sister & hubby moving here from Mass. in July With NOTHING shipped but their car, which is shipping by train & golf clubs, by ship stix. They sold all furniture, dishes etc. etc. and will be renting a FURNISHED home with a golf cart for at least a year in Caroline. Her thought just get rid of everything and start a new with furnishings as well when ready to buy. She is so excited and can't wait!

[SusanKD]

Most people regret bringing their furniture . Money travels easier then furnishings . So be brutal in what you bring

[GRACEALLEMAN]

If you do anything do not buy a place near Fenny..
We bought right in the middle between Spanish Springs and Sumter landing. It's 12 minutes to sumter landing and about 8 minutes to Spanish Springs. The rest of the villages cannot catch up to these 2 wonderful areas. Check out the villages of Alhambra or around or around the polo fields. A lot of things go on around the polo fields. We became members of the polo booster club, we ride our bicycles to the polo fields and look at the beautiful horses and get to pet them..
It's a great area around there. Down below, lol near Fenny You get more house but more expensive, less trees, and more construction trucks, and lawn people always putting in something or taking something out. Lol

[Foxtrot]

Sold everything in Chicago and bought turnkey. Brought our clothes and some artwork from up north. Saved so much money. Nothing from up north looks good down here.

[MollyJo]

Some of us love our comfortable furniture. You sell used furniture for next to nothing, then buy new $$$$. I am not interested in sitting on a used couch or a used bed… Penske has people that will load your rental truck, and unload at your destination. You drive the truck to your destination. That’s my plan.

[Lucylu62]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
My suggestion would be to sell most of your furniture ... Many times people do not realize that the furniture you have had for the home you have now does not fit your new space .
Different lifestyle, and the flow of your new home and space will not work..
Less expensive and easier to make the move from up north..
Make your life easier, rent a furnished home .. then buy new for your new space when it is time.. I am originally from Long Island born and raised and have lived in Ft lauderdale for over 30 years and 1 year in NC.. and 1 year now in TV..
Good luck

[Grammyarb]

We rented in Orange Blossom, St. Charles and Fernandina in the past. All furnished. Once you know where you are going to buy, try to find a furnished home for sale. Buying furniture from the local stores is taking 6-8 months for delivery. We bought a patio villa in St. Catherine and it was furnished by Babette’s Furniture and are very glad we did.

[jog222]

Don't move your furniture, it's a waste of money. NJ furnishing don't go with FL homes.

[franapn]

Thank you all so much for your replies. to answer some of your questions, it will cost about 5K to move what i want to bring. i am not bringing everything, my bedroom set was my moms and is beautiful, and the bed from the other bedroom new mattress and box spring. the dining room set, as it is beautiful, and now you have me second thinking my couch which is a sectional and probably wont go in florida.
The location thing gets me, i understand being close to the squares is most desirable, but you can also get there by car fairly quickly to each of them, so how much does that really matter. I am hoping to just go to a lot of open houses in the first month, my house in NJ will be sold so it will be a cash deal which can happen quickly i would think so hopefully by week 6 will have purchased something and then by then end of the 3 month rental i will just move in. that was the thing i wasnt sure if you could rent unfurnished for 3 months, i see some say 1 year minimum and some say nothing. as i always say a bird in the hand.... so if you have no one to rent, an owner may take a 3 month unfurnished, either way i will have to move twice from NJ to storage or rental, and from storage or rental to final desitnation.

[merrymini]

Just do not listen to some of the bad advice. People do everything differently. Buy where you like. There is no perfect place, just make sure you do the math first. It is brutal to move and make the difficult decisions of what to sell and what to keep. I have a house of very fine furniture up north and the furniture they sell here does not compare. Most of it is rooms to go and ashley, mostly junk. However, not everything works here so keep some, sell some. Tough but necessary.

[ficoguy]

Don’t move old furniture multiple times. Rent furnished. It’s cheaper

[sallyg]

You are smart to rent first. Definitely use option B. Also agree with others that the expense of moving all your furnishings then putting in storage might not be worth it. We got rid of everything except our bedroom furniture when we moved. Truth is, it was nice to have a few familiar favorite pieces of furniture here. Keep what you love and buy what you need after you buy your house. Good luck.

[RMarkland]

Suggest you drop by a local consignment store. Most of their items for sale are items Villagers moved from the north and feel they no longer work in our homes/area/lifestyle. If your furniture resembles that in the consignment store it might be wise to sell it up north instead of moving it at 75 cents to a dollar a pound, and then in the next year selling it and getting 50% of the proceeds from a consignment store.

[PJackpot]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

Do yourself a favor. Do not bring your furniture. Sell it, and save the expense of moving and/or storing it. We made that mistake only to find it does not fit the Florida setting. If your wife is anything like mine, you’ll find yourself shopping for new furniture, regardless.

[La lamy]

It may be quite hard to find a rental at this point. Lots of them are gone one or 2 years in advance. I would definitely come over without furniture, you don't know if you find the home you want to buy (don't dally, they go fast!), and if you do, it may come furnished as they often do. Good luck with your new journey.

[Johnson072702]

We are doing that now and we chose furnished. And used Mayflower to move and store our furniture. $10/day and I don't need to move my furiture twice.

Also area mid to south to rent unless you think you will buy used. Bring your bike and rent a golf cart and daily pick an area and go look and see.

We chose a house very quickly as we had already been looking at models and knew what we wanted and luckily it was in a great spot!

Good luck and welcome to the Villages! Love it here and it's only been a month.

[KRMACK55]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
It’s Sumter and don’t move anything until you’ve found a place. Everything in the villages is 20% more than other areas. If you are moving here for fun then mode anywhere north of highway 44. The closer you are to downtown the better. DONT rent from villages property mgmt! Best deal is private person. Go on next door or FB!!! This is the lowest price season ! You should be all in for $1500-/mo. Good luck

[Ptmckiou]

Where you want to live will depend on if you want an older home that you will need to remodel with paint, upgrade counters or cabinets, change tile colors to current look, etc or buy a new home that already has all those things. We chose to move south of 44 because that’s where the new homes are, and fabulous amenities being put in. The new Sawgrass Market Square will have a nightly music venue like the other squares, along with a championship golf course nearby to be completed by the end of the year. Plus, many lots have views and the thing that sealed the deal, was buying a Veranda home which is a new designer home that has privacy fence in the back yard and ours has a see thru fence on the view side. Plus, beautiful large lots and many old oaks.

Our old furniture would not have looked good in our new home. For one, the kitchen glass tile is Aqua/light teal in color, so that set the tone for the entire house to be in tropical colors. We purchased all new furniture with custom tropical fabrics from Babette’s and some from City Furniture. Lead times 8 weeks to 10 months depending on the piece. Live with your patio furniture awhile until it all arrives. It will be worth it in the end.

Be aware that escrow closings are running at a 60:day close because they are swamped with closings here. So you could be in the rental much longer than anticipated. We bought sight unseen via a zoom call with our realtor because properties were selling within hours of hitting the market. We bought our Livingston within four hours of it hitting the market. Be prepared to move fast to get what you want.

[rmd2]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

Fran, you have a great plan. When I moved here I rented in three different areas and learned where I was spending most of my time. I liked the 466 area because it's close to shopping on 466 as well as 441, restaurants, banking, theaters, etc. I did not bring my furniture when I came and rented furnished places (they are all over). I bought a turnkey resale near 466 and have never wanted to be anywhere else but here. I think renting first helped me to find my forever location. I've heard from realtors that many people relocate 3 times in TV but not me. I'm happy where I am.

[JerseyGurl]

Before selling ur NJ home rent inTV for a month in the 3 areas your interested in to help decide where you want to be. Put your NJ home on the market. Purge. Purge. Purge. Have the NJ moving company move and store what you decide to take. Come here and rent furnished for a month. Once you close on your Villages home move your furnishing to your new home. Good luck.

[DebbieHale]

I would:
Sell the furniture - bring your personal items and kitchen items. Most furniture used up north is not a good fit for the modern Florida home. I chose this way and am so glad.

[Billy1]

Lot's of good advice, everyone is different. We brought only things that made us feel at home. I deeply feel that people that aren't ready for the village lifestyle should not move here.

[Dgodin]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
We sold or gave away almost all of our furniture. It really didn't fit down here. The used furniture stores in and around TV are full of northern furniture.
You may want to consider selling and buying new down here. It may be less expensive.

[robertsonsusan]

I totally agree with retired guy. I’d look for a furnished rental near Lake Sumter Landing (LSL). I’d rent a 3/2, with two-car garage w/I 1 mile of LSL. Call 352-408–4430 if you would like more information.

[Debset]

I sold everything a few weeks before moving here. I shipped my car with only my personal belonging. I was moving into a furnished rental in Spanish Springs for 6 months before purchasing my home. Best thing I could of done. The only problem, I left a few very precise boxes with friends until I got settled here and never got them back. I don't miss what I sold one bit, only the person items.
You will love it here! Enjoy!

[TOMTOFVIL]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran
We bought almost a full house of furniture from a couple moving to a new house for $6k. Then bought almost new furniture from the used furniture store here. There are two very good stores. PS our 2+ bedroom on Nancy Lopez Golf Course is availability through Oct 2021.

[JMintzer]

Don't move your furniture, it's a waste of money. NJ furnishing don't go with FL homes.

Does NJ have a "style"? :confused:

[Trish2356@yahoo.com]

Are your things worth $4500....your style my be different in florida...take as little as as you can, buy new.

[Bellavita]

get a pod and move it when you buy a house, it won't take you long

[Dr. Drea]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

Hi Fran, I sold my house last summer, packed everything I wanted to take in a PODS and had no problem finding a rental for 3 months. A smooth transition AND I didn't have to pack/move twice. I too kept my "stuff" as I wanted my things around me and just "filled in" with a few Florida accents. The rental actually changed my mind about what size/style house I wanted. Once I found the right house, cleaned, painted, then sent for the PODS and moved right in. Come on down, we're all waiting for you here!

[TNGary]

Does NJ have a "style"? :confused:

Good observation,
Did you every watch the Soprano's. A bit of levity! have a good day, love all of your post!

[MaryShields]

Totally agree. We moved from MN, sold/gave away all our furniture and bought new stuff down here. The decor is so different as are the housing styles. Very happy with our new contemporary coastal look!

[CoachKandSportsguy]

After reading all the responses similar to ours, the current lack of inventory for appliances and furniture would change my mind about how the pre pandemic residents sold everything and bought new down here. I think I would pack everything in a pod or two if necessary, and rent furnished, so the ideal house purchased in 1 hour, has furniture delivered in the Pod(s) to be livable while you assess the availability of local furnishings and final decor.

Is that my final answer?

Yes,

That is my final answer.

[stebooo]

Put stuff in storage rent furnished close to sumnter and look around why move 3 times

[JMintzer]

Good observation,
Did you every watch the Soprano's. A bit of levity! have a good day, love all of your post!

Every freakin' episode! Twice!

One of my favorite lines was when Paulie and Michael were out in the freezing forest, chasing the Checznians. The guy was an agent from the Ministry of the Interior...

Paulie thought he was an "Interior decorator".

Michael responded, "Really? His house looked like sh!t!"

Paulie, He Killed Sixteen Czechoslovakians - The Sopranos HD - YouTube (https://youtu.be/9k2YZbni8v4)

And thanks!

[Bbgranny1]

We moved here from NJ 9 years ago and rented a furnished for several months. Our stuff went into storage. The furniture we did bring has mostly been replaced .The northern furniture does not look great down here. Rethink what you are going to bring.
We moved here from Hunterdon County and love there is not any snow or ice.

Kids went to HC high school.

[Roron123]

Furnished would be much easier than moving all your furniture every month on to the next place or simply unfinished but stay in same place for three months

[franapn]

Hi Fran, I sold my house last summer, packed everything I wanted to take in a PODS and had no problem finding a rental for 3 months. A smooth transition AND I didn't have to pack/move twice. I too kept my "stuff" as I wanted my things around me and just "filled in" with a few Florida accents. The rental actually changed my mind about what size/style house I wanted. Once I found the right house, cleaned, painted, then sent for the PODS and moved right in. Come on down, we're all waiting for you here!
I had originally looked in pods and that would cost about 4k and i would have to move everything in and out and i have big furniture so i would have to pay for people to load and unload. when i checked into moving companies they charge 5k to do all the loading and unloading. i see your name is Dr. Drea are you a medical doctor, i am a nurse practitioner and looking to work when i get there. what village do you live in

[newgirl]

Keep furniture! Empty homes sell for much less! Sold homes for 20 yrs...

[Carlsondm]

If you have expensive furniture that you love, really love...consider bring it. We did and are glad we did. Moving would have cost $10,000 from Michigan and no way would we find Navaho furniture in TV for that. We are not into the teal and turquoise stuff either.
We ordered some living room furniture and waited 3-4 months. Patio furniture took longer. We were blessed with the artistic furniture from our tiny home up north and enjoyed waiting for the rest.

The supply chain was broken during the pandemic. Be ready for a long wait unless you shop for things in stock. I would ship a few key items down if they are special or high quality and can work with the coastal feel down here. That way it will feel like home when you get here.. and while you wait for the rest of the furniture.

We were told to sell everything too, and are glad for the 20% we brought down. We regret selling all of the tools.

[robertsonsusan]

I am going to be selling my home in NJ. I am going to be moving most of my furniture to TV. I would like to rent for 2-3 months, look around, see which areas i like, where i may work, and then purchase a house. I am trying to figure out if A: I should rent an unfurnished and move my stuff there and then move to the house i purchase. or B move my stuff to storage and rent a furnished house. C: rent 3 houses over 3 months in 3 different areas sumpter, brownwook, and spanish springs and see which i like best. So many options, not sure which is best. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much, i cant wait to get there no more jersey winters.
Fran

I totally agree with retired guy. I’d look for a furnished rental near Lake Sumter Landing (LSL). I’d rent a 3/2, with two-car garage w/I 1 mile of LSL. Call 352-408–4430 if you would like more information.

[rjm1cc]

I would go for 3 homes in 3 months.
Might find a NJ storage location. Could be easier. I would look at Pods too. You could line up unloading labor in fl since you will be here.
Downsize. Figure out what you will want and in what room. I would tend toward new furniture. If you will be going back and forth several times you might be able to move your cloths and some kitchen stuff each trip.
You should be able to find a local charity to take things you do not want. I have used the ones that send a truck to your home and pick up.