[Michael 61]

I’m moving to TV in December from Colorado. I am in the process of down-sizing now in preparation of my move. Though hard (I’m getting rid of lots of expensive sweaters and jackets, and lots of items I’ve collected over the years), it’s also kind of cathartic. I need some feedback from you folks of what you wish you would have discarded prior to bringing with you to TV, but also, what did you get rid of in your haste to downsize, that you wish you now had. Here is my thinking, and let me know if I’m on track:
Getting rid of:
- Most of my winter jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves - only keeping two mid-weight jackets and a few light weight sweaters.
- Any clothing item that I have not worn in the past year.
- Most all of books, cookbooks.
- Most of my collectibles, and curio items - don’t want stuff that collects dust - looking for a minimalist and stream-lined look in my new Florida home.
- Bookcases, Curio Cabinets and China buffet/hutch.
- Not bringing a single furniture item - buying all new in Florida - want neutral and light colors - not my current Oak, Rocky-Mt style lodge furniture.
- All paintings, framed art, etc - want all new, something that is more Florida-like.
- Most tableware - getting rid of most china patterns - only bringing two styles- one formal and one casual.
- Ditching my car in Colorado- will buy something new in Florida.

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

[MsPCGenius]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

I'd look into a reputable company in your home town that handles Estate Sales. Use the money you make from the sale toward the purchase of new items. Win-Win situation.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Keep one winter-weight coat, or a ski vest. Also - consider out of all your bureaus and dressers and closets that you'll have here in Florida, you should dedicate at least one dresser drawer to sweatpants/sweatshirts and long-sleeve knits/thermals.

It can get cold in the Villages. And by cold I mean in the 40's, usually at night in the winter. You'll want to be able to layer if you're going out early evening and planning on enjoying the Squares at night then.

[Djean1981]

I would type up a list of items you're donating and have Goodwill sign and date it. I think the market value may be a tax deduction..

[Smalley]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m moving to TV in December from Colorado. I am in the process of down-sizing now in preparation of my move. Though hard (I’m getting rid of lots of expensive sweaters and jackets, and lots of items I’ve collected over the years), it’s also kind of cathartic. I need some feedback from you folks of what you wish you would have discarded prior to bringing with you to TV, but also, what did you get rid of in your haste to downsize, that you wish you now had. Here is my thinking, and let me know if I’m on track:
Getting rid of:
- Most of my winter jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves - only keeping two mid-weight jackets and a few light weight sweaters.
- Any clothing item that I have not worn in the past year.
- Most all of books, cookbooks.
- Most of my collectibles, and curio items - don’t want stuff that collects dust - looking for a minimalist and stream-lined look in my new Florida home.
- Bookcases, Curio Cabinets and China buffet/hutch.
- Not bringing a single furniture item - buying all new in Florida - want neutral and light colors - not my current Oak, Rocky-Mt style lodge furniture.
- All paintings, framed art, etc - want all new, something that is more Florida-like.
- Most tableware - getting rid of most china patterns - only bringing two styles- one formal and one casual.
- Ditching my car in Colorado- will buy something new in Florida.

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

We just moved here from Virginia. I certainly agree to have some sweatshirts, fleece vest, puffy vest and coat. January is our coldest month and the weather is lovely and you'll want to dress for it. You're doing a fabulous job of decreasing possessions. We've been alternating between thrift shops giving away what we shouldn't have brought. One point about closets; they aren't big enough or numerous enough here. There's no coat closet in our courtyard villa and I wish we had a large linen closet. Good luck with the move and welcome!

[Aces4]

I recommend keeping one pair of those gloves, they come in handy if you’re out in the golf cart on a cold evening.

[CFrance]

Do you walk in the morning? In January and February, for my walk I wear jeans, turtleneck, sweater, winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. The older I get the colder I get. I kept a lot of my winter clothes when we moved down from Michigan. It seems to me the winters have gotten colder since we moved here in 2012. Also winter pajamas and warm socks and slippers for indoors.
The HVAC system that we have doesn't heat the house all that evenly. The warm air blows out from the ceiling, and it can be chilly in some spots of the house.

[Dotneko]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m moving to TV in December from Colorado. I am in the process of down-sizing now in preparation of my move. Though hard (I’m getting rid of lots of expensive sweaters and jackets, and lots of items I’ve collected over the years), it’s also kind of cathartic. I need some feedback from you folks of what you wish you would have discarded prior to bringing with you to TV, but also, what did you get rid of in your haste to downsize, that you wish you now had. Here is my thinking, and let me know if I’m on track:
Getting rid of:
- Most of my winter jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves - only keeping two mid-weight jackets and a few light weight sweaters.
- Any clothing item that I have not worn in the past year.
- Most all of books, cookbooks.
- Most of my collectibles, and curio items - don’t want stuff that collects dust - looking for a minimalist and stream-lined look in my new Florida home.
- Bookcases, Curio Cabinets and China buffet/hutch.
- Not bringing a single furniture item - buying all new in Florida - want neutral and light colors - not my current Oak, Rocky-Mt style lodge furniture.
- All paintings, framed art, etc - want all new, something that is more Florida-like.
- Most tableware - getting rid of most china patterns - only bringing two styles- one formal and one casual.
- Ditching my car in Colorado- will buy something new in Florida.

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

Id keep the car until you have another in the driveway.
You wont need a formal china. Not a lot of dinner parties here and its pretty casual
It keep the artwork myself - live in the new house and then decide. You might want to at least bring a couple of chairs lol - you never know when your furnishings will be in stock at the stores. It may take weeks.

[Cupcake57]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m moving to TV in December from Colorado. I am in the process of down-sizing now in preparation of my move. Though hard (I’m getting rid of lots of expensive sweaters and jackets, and lots of items I’ve collected over the years), it’s also kind of cathartic. I need some feedback from you folks of what you wish you would have discarded prior to bringing with you to TV, but also, what did you get rid of in your haste to downsize, that you wish you now had. Here is my thinking, and let me know if I’m on track:
Getting rid of:
- Most of my winter jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves - only keeping two mid-weight jackets and a few light weight sweaters.
- Any clothing item that I have not worn in the past year.
- Most all of books, cookbooks.
- Most of my collectibles, and curio items - don’t want stuff that collects dust - looking for a minimalist and stream-lined look in my new Florida home.
- Bookcases, Curio Cabinets and China buffet/hutch.
- Not bringing a single furniture item - buying all new in Florida - want neutral and light colors - not my current Oak, Rocky-Mt style lodge furniture.
- All paintings, framed art, etc - want all new, something that is more Florida-like.
- Most tableware - getting rid of most china patterns - only bringing two styles- one formal and one casual.
- Ditching my car in Colorado- will buy something new in Florida.

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

No regrets here. Got rid of a lot of things like you. I have nothing in the attic. Be aware that ordering new furniture sometimes takes months. Polar fleece is necessary here in the winter-winters are lovely and dry but cool in the evenings. I wear fleece after getting out of the pool for the golf cart ride home. Enjoy the process and keep your sense of humor. And welcome!

[Malsua]

Originally Posted by Dotneko

Id keep the car until you have another in the driveway.

Yeah. This.

Unless the car is a 90s era Honda Accord with 163,000 miles and a fading paint job, just ship the thing or road trip it. The car market is currently in the process of imploding, so in about 6-8 months prices are going to be in a much better place than they are right now.

[Brwne]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m moving to TV in December from Colorado. I am in the process of down-sizing now in preparation of my move. Though hard (I’m getting rid of lots of expensive sweaters and jackets, and lots of items I’ve collected over the years), it’s also kind of cathartic. I need some feedback from you folks of what you wish you would have discarded prior to bringing with you to TV, but also, what did you get rid of in your haste to downsize, that you wish you now had. Here is my thinking, and let me know if I’m on track:
Getting rid of:
- Most of my winter jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves - only keeping two mid-weight jackets and a few light weight sweaters.
- Any clothing item that I have not worn in the past year.
- Most all of books, cookbooks.
- Most of my collectibles, and curio items - don’t want stuff that collects dust - looking for a minimalist and stream-lined look in my new Florida home.
- Bookcases, Curio Cabinets and China buffet/hutch.
- Not bringing a single furniture item - buying all new in Florida - want neutral and light colors - not my current Oak, Rocky-Mt style lodge furniture.
- All paintings, framed art, etc - want all new, something that is more Florida-like.
- Most tableware - getting rid of most china patterns - only bringing two styles- one formal and one casual.
- Ditching my car in Colorado- will buy something new in Florida.

I’m just bringing some clothing items, some kitchen stuff, family photos, a few personal items of sentimental value and that’s it - I’d say 90% of what is currently in my home is heading to Goodwill. Please let me know if this is a reasonable plan and strategy.

We moved from Colorado March, 2020. We did not bring any furniture - same theory as yours. Brought a blue blazer, slacks, 5 dress shirts and two dress shoes - I've not worn them in almost 3 years. Last year it got down into the mid-20's so a heavy coat will come in handy a couple of times. Plan on living in shorts and "Hawaiian" shirts for most all activities and dining locations. With current car prices, I would bring a car down to FL, sell it later, when you're settled. We drove down in a Frontier (19 mpg), packed with our stuff, and traded it a year later for a Honda Clarity (110 mpg effective). Bring everything sports related, except for skis, as there is a place, club, and/or group for most all sports.

Welcome to paradise - or, as my wife says, adult Disneyland!

[GpaVader]

Just be aware that many of the items you intend on replacing my not be readily available. I know lots of people that had to wait months to get bedroom or living room sets. If you are OK with that then come as you planned. We moved down last year and just needed a dining room set, we were lucky to find what we wanted and even luckier that it would be in stock for our move in. Lots of other people weren't so lucky. I know some that waited as much as 6 months. And that was something that kept getting rescheduled. Good luck with the move and welcome!

[mikeycereal]

What I learned after moving to TV... can be applied with any move. It was kind of a quick spontaneous process buying the home and moving and I had to get it done in only a couple of months. Highest stress of my life was what to do with all the accumulated memorabilia items that still had value in time for the move. The easy way was to just chuck 'em, but I really wanted them to be in a good home with someone who appreciated them after all my time spent acquiring them. Us memorabilia collectors have some tough decisions but at the end it all worked out. I found out they were of value to others but it took some looking and calling around and I don't do ebay. Got rid of a lot of old clothes and items to Goodwill. Target accepts all old used computer and electronic equipment for environmental purposes for free.

The basic plan was keep the irreplaceable stuff, get rid of the stuff that I can buy once moved. Except for my large SmartTV since I just bought it and could just stick it in my car. So I moved the car with an auto transport company from Vegas to the Brownwood hotel. We called around and found the one with the best reviews, and they let me stuff it with my items a little over the minimum poundage by at least 100. (they had a minimum 100lbs)

I didn't bring a single furniture item either and later bought some nice used furniture from facebook marketplace and new furniture and other stuff from Amazon and Sam's when I arrived. Goodwill was great in finding little gems of decor, and some nice new large floor rugs for $40. My sister was a great help with decorating my home.

What I regret not packing was the simple (or so I thought) replaceable stuff like my handheld shower head (had to figure out a different style), a simple scissors (the one I got from the $ store couldn't cut jack), and my original silverware (had to settle for Walmart basic look), and some other stuff that I wish I would've packed. So I'll say instead of trying to cheapen your shipping, bring the stuff you like even if it can be replaced. Will save you time looking for their replacement.

Lastly, cancel what you need to cancel and set up what you need to set up. I had a hassle trying to get plates because of registration issues and a couple other companies that I had to cancel and get back credit for or fees would accumulate. I also somehow lost my car title so that was another hassle. Go to the DMV here with all the required paperwork to keep it a single successful trip.

[asianthree]

Emptying out our up north home, for 3 years. Whatever I needed or replace at lake house went there. Grandkids came emptied out most of kitchen, baths, 1/2 of furniture. Ordered 8’ pod, whatever I had to have packed first. Then filled the rest of pod so nothing shifted, with what I wanted but could have lived without.

Brought down one bedroom set, select comfort mattress, and my custom buffet. Moving from 5 bed to 4 bed so easy to bring small amount of furniture. It’s the 2000sf basement we miss. Good thing I have been looking at furniture and none looks worth buying for us, Personal choice, all of art work came with us

First year I left all my winter coats and sweaters, last trip I brought two winter coats, and pair of my Ugg boots. I have used them twice working Run Disney and still was cold. Kids live in cold climates so coats were a must. We have huge coat closet, and linen, so storage is not a problem.

Up north We left one couch, chair, small table, and bed up north, so during summers we have furniture.
Rest we donated to local church resale. So far there isn’t anything I packed I haven’t used.

[Mpappie]

Please bring your cookbooks. I use mine, I'd be lost without my favorites