The Move-In
Now that I knew where I was moving, I could decide what to keep and what to sell or give away. After a garage sale, numerous posts on Craig’s List for various items, 2 Salvation Army pickups, and 2 roll-away dumpsters full of crap, I thought I was at a managable inventory. Besides, the leasing agent told me that beneath the building there were storage lockers that were available for $60/month, so any overflow would have a place to go.
I hired All American Movers to move me on April 12th. This company is highly recomended. I’ve used them before and they are extremely professional and careful. They got everything packed up in 3 hours and we were downtown by 1pm. They got all furniture and boxes up the elevator, and placed where I directed by 5 pm. For a little over $1100, 3 guys busted thair butts all day and provided boxes and packing- excellent value!
Then reality struck- I have way too much stuff, especially to unpack for a 6 month lease. The main problem would be the clothes. Since lofts are typically converted offices, they have no closets. Mine had a little closet in living area, but not rods and only 2 shelves in each. Thankfully the owner had left a mid-size Ikea wardrobe, but I was going to have to leave many hanging clothes in the cardboard wardrobe boxes they were shipped in. My 4 suitcases full of clothes were going to remain full, my 2 garbage bags of sheets were going to have to be paired-down from 6 sets to 3 sets, and my huge box full of towels was going to have to be thinned out. I figured I could make it work with these concessions.
As I started unpacking kitchen items, it became apparent that many items were going to remain in boxes. With so many new restaurants to try, I didn’t need much cookware. Daily plates and glasses would be unpacked, but no place to put fine china. And the artwork, it probably will not get hung either, for just a 6 month stay.
This was my plan, but as I write this I still have no pots or pans unpacked, and only one box of daily glasses are in the cupboard. I had more important things to do- get the furnature arranged and the set up the computers and home theater.
Here’s a quick clip of what my place looked like after a few days- what you don’t see are the mountain of boxes in the area behind the bed (there is actually a big area back there with a 2nd door into the loft that will be blocked with storage).