Make Sure Your New Neighborhood is Safe

By day, your new neighborhood may seem quaint and charming, but have you checked it out at night? Be sure you will be comfortable walking around your new area after dark by doing a little detective work. If possible, go to your prospective neighborhood at night and see how many people are out on the streets. Is it bustling, or is it eerily quiet? What sort of people are in the area at night? If you are not able to see your new neighborhood before moving, enter your zipcode a search engine such as SpotCrime.com to view crime statistics for that area. Before you sign your lease or pay your broker's fee, do your research and make sure you will be able to rest easy in your new home. Other useful websites on crime include:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm

http://www.nsopr.gov/

Uprooting: Tips for Moving Plants

When planning your move, your houseplants and garden plants are probably the least of your concerns, but depending on how far you are relocating, you may want to take some of your greenery with you. Since plants are delicate living things and require special care when moving, you will want to plan ahead to make sure your plants survive the trip. Keep in mind that moving insurance typically does not cover plants because they are perishables. Also, many moving companies will not move plants for long distances, especially overseas. Contact your moving company at least a couple weeks before your move to find out if they'll take your plants. If you are planning on moving your plants yourself, here are some tips:

• If you are moving internationally, you may not be able to bring certain plants, such as fruit trees. Contact customs in advance of your move.


• Decide which plants you will want to move, and get them in peak condition prior to moving day. Keep them watered, remove pests, and prune them.


• Plants in breakable pots, such as clay, should be re-potted in plastic pots. Pack the breakable pots separately, wrapped in packing paper or bubble wrap.


• One or two nights before your move, water your plants normally. Be careful not to overwater them--if they are too moist, fungus can grow during the move.


• Line sturdy boxes with plastic to move your plants in. Pack plants in snugly--but not too tightly--and fill gaps with packing paper to prevent shifting.


• Punch holes in the sides of your plant boxes for them to breathe and mark them "plants," with instructions to pack them last.


• Dig up any garden plants you want to move on moving day, and protect the root ball by wrapping it in plastic. Alternatively, if you must leave your plants behind, you can bring cuttings in small plastic bags with wet paper towels.


• Tall plants should be bagged or wrapped in plastic. Just make sure you poke some holes in the plastic to let your plants breathe.


• If possible, the best way to move plants is in the back seat of a car or van. This will give you some peace of mind knowing that you can keep an eye on them. If you have to spend a night in a hotel, make sure to check the weather. Cold temperatures can damage fragile plants, so to be safe, move them indoors with you.


• Try to unpack your plants as soon as you arrive at your new home. Remove the plastic immediately, water them, and try to gradually expose them to sunlight.

Bottled Up: Tips for Packing a Home Bar

Moving delicate items from one place to another is complicated enough, but when those delicate items are glass bottles filled with precious liquor or wine, the task can seem overwhelming. If you are doing the packing yourself, take a deep breath and get a few friends to help. Promise them a drink when you arrive in your new place, and you'll likely have a few volunteers. Here are a few tips for keeping bottles intact during a move:

• Go through your inventory and weed out anything you don't need to bring. Bottles are heavy, so moving anything unnecessary will be a waste of energy. Perhaps you'll want to throw a going-away party and your friends can help you finish off near-empty bottles.


• Ask your local wine or liquor store for boxes with cardboard dividers, which they should give to you for free. Otherwise, purchase divided boxes from your local moving or shipping company. This type of box usually holds one dozen 750-ml bottles. Remember, smaller boxes are best for heavy items, so you don't pull your back out trying to lift them.


• Make sure your boxes are well-secured. Reinforce the bottoms with tape and/or cardboard.


• For odd-shaped bottles, you can place them in a milk crate or large plastic container with handles.


• Make sure bottles that have been opened are capped and/or corked tightly. If a cap seems loose, you may want to wrap that bottle separately in a plastic bag and secure the top with a rubber band.


• Wrap bottles tightly in sheets of newspaper or packing paper. For valuable bottles, do not use newspaper--the ink can stain the label on the bottle. Secure wrapping with tape before placing bottles inside the box.


• Write "fragile glass" prominently on the box so that when you or your movers transport the box, extra caution is taken. The last thing you want at your new home is a big spill on the floor that reeks of Kahlua. You may also want to write "booze" on the box so that you can easily find it and open it first!

Take It, Don't Break It: How to Move a Refrigerator

One of the most difficult parts of your move is probably going to be lugging heavy items into your new home, and refrigerators require careful planning to avoid damage. If you are transporting heavy appliances to your new home, your best bet is to hire a moving company, but if you are doing it on your own, be sure to have at least one other strong-armed person to help maneuver large items, such as a fridge. Here are some tips for moving your refrigerator:

• If possible, refer to your fridge's instruction manual to find out what steps you need to take to move your fridge without damaging it.


• Hopefully you have planned your meals to empty your fridge, but if you still have food in the fridge and/or freezer, either eat it, give it away, or store it in a cooler with dry ice.


• Unplug the refrigerator for 48 hours before moving. The fridge and freezer must be fully dethawed prior to the move. Disconnect the ice maker if you have one.


• Clean the interior of the fridge and freezer with warm, soapy water, and remove any trays and other items that could shift during the move. Be sure the shelves and trays are completely dry before packing. Wrap any glass in bubble wrap and pack separately.


• Let the fridge and freezer air out for at least 24 hours before your move to prevent any moisture turning into mildew. Secure the doors open so that nothing (and no small child) gets trapped inside.


• Secure the fridge and freezer doors shut with bungee cords or ropes--tape may damage the finish. Cover the fridge with a blanket or other soft cover to protect it during the move.


• Use a dolly to help move the fridge onto your moving truck or vehicle.


• Be sure to move the fridge in an upright position. If you move a refrigerator by laying it on its side, you run the risk of oil running up the cooling tubes from the compressor. If possible, lay the refrigerator in the opposite direction of the discharge line. Consult your owner’s manual to determine what and where the discharge line is. Also, try propping up the “top” end so that one end is higher than the other, to keep oil from escaping into the cooling coils or discharge line.


• Load your refrigerator and any other large appliances into your moving truck first. Secure the fridge with straps if possible, and tightly pack other items around the fridge to keep it from shifting.


• At your new home, allow the fridge to sit upright for 24 hours before turning it on. This will allow time for the oil to settle, preventing damage to the compressor.


• If you have an icemaker and/or water dispenser, you'll want those connected to your water line by a professional.

12 Tips to Make Moving Day Easier

After packing some initial boxes and lifting a few heavy items, you may be thinking to yourself, 'This move is a drag.' Well wipe off that sour expression and put some pep in your step. Got kids? Get them involved too to prevent anxiety. Here's some tips for making moving day as easy as possible:

• Hire movers. This might sound obvious, but professional movers can make all the difference in a stress-free move. Getting moving insurance will give you even more peace of mind.
• Make an upbeat playlist. Blast your favorite songs on a portable stereo to keep you in constant motion.
• Eat a big breakfast. You'll be burning a lot of calories today, so here's your excuse to load up on carbs! Pick up pastry and coffee from your local bakery--don't bother cooking.
• If your kids are old enough to pack their own things, let them do it--this will help give them closure and feel involved. One easy activity to make children feel useful is to give them color-coded stickers that they can put on boxes for each room. If they are too young to help, make sure you have someone to look after them while the work gets underway.
• Also, let the kids pack their favorite toys and games in backpacks for the trip to the new house.
• Have lunch and snacks prepared--such as pizza, sandwiches, and munchies for the kids. Don't forget to pack a cooler full of water, juice, and sports drinks--the last thing you need on moving day is an energy meltdown. Save the bulk of the beer for celebrating at the end of the move.
• At your new place, let children decide where they want to put their furniture. Even if you change it later, this will give them some feeling of control on moving day. Depending on their age, let them pick paint colors too.
• Tape floor plans where you want your furniture set up so that your movers can unload quicker.
• Have cash on hand to tip your movers before they leave.
• Have bedding readily accessible so that you are not spending your first night in your new home in a sleeping bag.
• Before you crash into bed in exhaustion, break out the beer, champagne, and other treats--it's time to toast a new beginning!
• Once you are settled, explore your new neighborhood. Start introducing yourself (and your little ones) to your new surroundings. Plan a housewarming party and celebrate all of your hard work.