Packing and moving advice

[Dreamer61]

Ok so we've signed a contract on our home here, woohoo! Our closing date is August 5th. Where should I start packing and where should we store our things while looking for a home there? Once we close here, we will be heading down there in our motor home. We will of course need a place to park it while we are looking for a home there. Your advice and suggestions are most welcomed!! Finally, TV are in sight!

[jblum315]

You should start packing today.
Try to find a mover that will store your stuff until you tell them to deliver it.
I can't help you with the motor home parking.

[chuck90199]

Recreation Plantation is the closest RV park to The Villages. We came down from New Hampshire last fall in our motorhome and stayed there until we found a house. They also have a motorhome storage area. The Blue Parrot over near the Lady Lake Post Office also has a few spaces to park motorhomes, and a place to store them.

[fb32162]

Congrats and welcome! Here's my two suggestions:

1)Pack and move less stuff. I have yet to meet anyone who says they brought too few things. You will most likely find that you paid to move stuff down that you end up giving away or storing in your attic.

2) measure your furniture (sofa, beds, dressers dining/kitchen table etc) before you come down and start your house hunt. That way when you are house hunting you will know if the space fits your furniture or not. TV does a great job of staging some model homes but looks can be deceiving and you may discover the sofa or dining table they used to stage a room is 6" shorter than yours, which, in smaller rooms can really make a difference

[DianeM]

Congrats. Start packing now because it takes a whole lot longer to do than you expect.

[DandyGirl]

We used PODS and really liked it. We were able to pack it ourselves at our own pace. They picked up when we were ready and kept it in their storage till we closed and then they delivered. We then unpacked at our own pace. Loved the whole process.

[graciegirl]

Ok so we've signed a contract on our home here, woohoo! Our closing date is August 5th. Where should I start packing and where should we store our things while looking for a home there? Once we close here, we will be heading down there in our motor home. We will of course need a place to park it while we are looking for a home there. Your advice and suggestions are most welcomed!! Finally, TV are in sight!

I bet there is an easy way to find where mobile home parks are nearby since you have one and probably have a network.

Pack early and often until you are screaming at each other to throw things out. At least that is what I've heard from people I know well and that is what happened to us. It is VERY stressful and you have our sympathy.

There are many, many, many public storage rentals around the edges of The Villages. Google public storage near 32162.

Welcome to you. I hope you find the home of your dreams.

[YouNeverKnow]

We are in the final day of packing! Movers are coming tomorrow and we are heading out to our new house in Fernandina. After our initial Life Style Visit over five years ago, we can't believe that this day has finally come!
We sold all of our furniture and are only bringing our two bedroom sets, recliner, and washer and dryer. We cleaned out closets, drawers, basement, garage, etc. Even with that, after packing for the past couple of weeks, we still have more than we ever expected! Keeping our eye on the prize has gotten us through this whole process and we are more than ready to start life as a "The Village People" in Lower Paradise!
Thanks to everyone on this site who have offered helpful hints, recommendations, and much more over the years!

[MSG@TV]

I bet there is an easy way to find where mobile home parks are nearby since you have one and probably have a network.

Pack early and often until you are screaming at each other to throw things out. At least that is what I've heard from people I know well and that is what happened to us. It is VERY stressful and you have our sympathy.

There are many, many, many public storage rentals around the edges of The Villages. Google public storage near 32162.

Welcome to you. I hope you find the home of your dreams.

:agree:Gracie, you can say that again!! People spoke on this site how VERY stressful the move could be, but like other life altering events, you really can't relate until you go through it yourself. Thankfully, I don't think it will result in a divorce after 43 years of marriage, but we are certainly snipping at one another and overall being testy. Our adult children are reacting as well. My DH and I were talking about my facilitating a group (if there's interest) to vent and get over the stress of the move. As a therapist, I might consider doing that once I settle in to my life in TV.

[cgalloway6]

WalMart used to allow RV overnight parking - there are 2 of them in the area. Dispose of "stuff" until it hurts and then dispose of more. We haven't made the final move down but have been having garage sales and donations to work off the excess. We decided on what we want to bring and will keep working to eliminate the rest. It's easier to have the garage sales at home - no signs allowed in TV.
You can buy a lot of new "Florida looking" furniture for what you will pay to move your old used inventory.

[beachx4me]

:agree:Gracie, you can say that again!! People spoke on this site how VERY stressful the move could be, but like other life altering events, you really can't relate until you go through it yourself. Thankfully, I don't think it will result in a divorce after 43 years of marriage, but we are certainly snipping at one another and overall being testy. Our adult children are reacting as well. My DH and I were talking about my facilitating a group (if there's interest) to vent and get over the stress of the move. As a therapist, I might consider doing that once I settle in to my life in TV.

Sign me up for your group, I have been packing for weeks and weeks. We will have made three trips down with a 26' trailer loaded (putting things in storage while house is being readied. This third trip my husband went without me while I am home trying to wrap it up. I hope to get there by the first of July (that is if I am not committed)!