Moving to an Apartment in San Francisco? 4 Ways to Do It Right
Congratulations, you’ve found an apartment in this great City by the Bay. You did the research, got over the heart attack you had when you first saw the rental prices, explored neighborhood options, and battled it out with the other rental contestants until you secured a place. Clearly, finding an apartment in San Francisco can be quite challenging, leaving you drained for the actual move itself.
You’ve succeeded in finding an apartment in San Francisco, now what? There is stuff to haul, boxes to pack, furniture to purchase, and so much ridiculous running around to do that you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of Bay to Breakers. Let’s get this party started the right way so that you can have the easiest move possible and then kick your feet up and relax in your new San Francisco apartment.
If you’re moving to an apartment in San Francisco, here are four of the best insider tips to moving San Francisco style:
Rent Moving Boxes
A word of advice from a moving veteran, beware of free moving boxes. With every use, cardboard boxes accumulate wear and tear that make them prone to breaking while you’re moving your stuff. Plus there’s the whole hassle of trying to find affordable cardboard moving boxes in the first place. Pretty soon, the price tag adds up.
And for goodness sake, do not use free moving boxes you see on the sidewalk. Have you seen the state of San Francisco’s sidewalks and streets? Yes, street scores can be awesome, but not when it comes to moving boxes that will hold your precious belongings. Who knows what little critters are hitching a ride inside the corrugated cardboard walls of those boxes?
The trend in San Francisco is to
rent moving boxes. Also known as plastic moving crates, renting moving boxes is an on demand service that brings the boxes right to your door. You simply order online, the boxes are delivered, and then the moving boxes are picked up from your new location when you’re done with them. It’s as simple as that. Plus, these moving boxes are made from 100% recycled industrial strength plastic, meaning they’re both good for the environment and sturdy enough to support even the heaviest of your things.
Store Your Stuff
Considering that a number of San Francisco residents are living dorm room style, moving all of your stuff to your new apartment isn’t always an option. Or maybe your new place doesn’t have the same amount of storage space as your last one. Or you’re tired of your place looking cluttered. Whatever the case, if you need to store your stuff, San Francisco has an on demand storage service option that makes storing your stuff as easy as a click of a button.
Operating like a valet service for your stuff, on demand storage allows you to store as little or as much as you want, and you can navigate all of it from your computer or mobile device. On demand storage is a great option, too, if you have a period of time to wait between the end of your current lease and the start of your new one. No need to move everything twice!
Take Advantage of On Demand Storage Services
On demand storage and renting moving boxes are just two of the on demand services San Francisco has to offer. We’re quite spoiled with on demand services in the Bay Area. Everything from groceries to massages is right at our fingertips. There’s no better time to take advantage of on demand services in San Francisco than during your big move.
Instead of rummaging through your boxes trying to find dishes so you can cook a meal in your new pad, you can get food delivered from your favorite restaurants, grocery stores, and chefs. On demand services like TaskRabbit give you access to people willing to help you with almost anything you can think of. This is especially handy if you need help with running errands, cleaning your new space, making any repairs, or installing unique features that will make your San Francisco apartment one of a kind.
Moving to a new apartment is hard work. You deserve a break. Order an on demand massage, on demand mani/pedi, or even an on demand therapist if your move was so stressful that you need someone to talk to about it. We’re hoping these handy moving tips will keep you sane during the moving process, though.
Peruse Craigslist
This insider’s tip harkens back to the 1990s. San Francisco may be shiny and new on the tech front, but San Francisco residents still like to kick it old school with Craigslist. Before you shell out the dough for new furniture, appliances, or whatever else you need to make your new apartment feel like home, check Craigslist first.
You can find everything from kitchen appliances to furniture to houseplants on Craigslist. The site is also a great way to find out about garage sales happening in your area. And the free stuff section is not to be missed, especially if you’re looking for house plants.