VJ: Solve my problems, please

[Alex+R 0]

Hi everyone. We are moving with our two cats to NYC in August. We would kind of like to fly and hire a truck to take all our stuff for us. Or we'd drive ourselves in a rented U-Haul, but we can't get into our apartment before we get the keys and I don't know where we'd park a moving truck ourselves in NY. Meanwhile it seems the cats would probably not enjoy a cross-country 20-hour drive. I don't even get how you keep them in a hotel with you.

How much have these options cost for other people? What companies would you use? Is it affordable to have a company drive your stuff for you? Pros and cons? Please share your experiences.

Unfortunately, practically every website about moving is one of those scam websites that sends you 500 "quotes" from every moving company ever. (Learned that the hard way once.) So I'm asking you for help because I'm kind of green with moving.

Thanks!!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I moved from Chicago to Boston once and drove with my cats. One of them was a good car traveller and the other I gave a mild sedative from the vet. Both were fine and finding a motel that would let me bring them in the room was not a problem.

[Alex+R 0]

I moved from Chicago to Boston once and drove with my cats. One of them was a good car traveller and the other I gave a mild sedative from the vet. Both were fine and finding a motel that would let me bring them in the room was not a problem.

Hm, so maybe driving with them is possible... I hadn't thought of a sedative.

[Mononoke28 135]

Yes, keyword here is sedatives. I had a friend who drove from Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA and had no problems with her cats since they were high as a kite.

[Alex+R 0]

Yes, keyword here is sedatives. I had a friend who drove from Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA and had no problems with her cats since they were high as a kite.

Sorry that's hilarious.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about drive to your new home once, get the keys, then fly back and get your stuff, bringing it in a rental-truck?

(I actually did this in 1997, from Dallas to Atlanta).

You can always ask for a crew-cab truck.

[jundp 191]

Yes, keyword here is sedatives. I had a friend who drove from Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA and had no problems with her cats since they were high as a kite.

Sorry that's hilarious.

I drove from New Orleans to Seattle with my cat. No problems. The vet suggested dramamine. Worked like a charm, and he amused my two children the entire trip. He didn't even need to be in his travel cage, except when we stopped for gas or to eat.

I do know someone who moved cross country and she hired Allied (I think that's the name) to move her and was pleased with it, but her employer paid for the move, so I don't know how pricey it was.

Good luck!

[no name 1]

August, in a car, in the Midwest/East, with 2 cats. HOT HOT HOT.

I suggest flying & finding a moving company.

[Alex+R 0]

Any suggestions on moving companies?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Just time the drive to arrive when you have access to your apartment. I'd move myself unless the company was paying for the move.

Consider moving in at night to avoid NYC daytime traffic hell.

[Fandango 1,440]

Alex, please choose a reputable moving company if you are going to go that route....I had a customer move with a company that gave the best deal....and halfway from NY to FL, her truck 'got stolen'....all her important momentos, piccies, keepsakes, GONE.

The co went out of biz shortly thereafter as well

Can you have the keys mailed to you before you leave?

[Alex+R 0]

Can you have the keys mailed to you before you leave?

It says in bold on the website that we can't, and that we can't get access to the apartment before going to the office within five days of moving in. So basically we have to get the keys with the moving truck, and we have to do it between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, so no night moving either. My wanting to have a moving company take our stuff is partly motivated by the fact that I'll have to drive a moving truck around NYC when we don't know the roads and then park it.

Edited June 4, 2007 by Alex+R

[Mags 112]

If you have air con in the moving truck/car an August move should be fine, IMO. I do know that you can get travel kitty litter pans that are for one nights' use, that would solve your hotel room and the kitty poop/peeing needs.

I'd also suggest that as your cats are relatively young, getting them just one, slightly larger cat carrier. They could go in it together, keep each other company, amused etc etc Obviously, that is considering they have a good relationship...

Edited June 4, 2007 by mags

[Alex+R 0]

If you have air con in the moving truck/car an August move should be fine, IMO. I do know that you can get travel kitty litter pans that are for one nights' use, that would solve your hotel room and the kitty poop/peeing needs.

I'd also suggest that as your cats are relatively young, getting them just one, slightly larger cat carrier. They could go in it together, keep each other company, amused etc etc Obviously, that is considering they have a good relationship...

Oh that's a nice idea, so they could be drugged out together,hehehe. So, where do you get these travel litter pans? Is it a particular brand?

[Mags 112]

If you have air con in the moving truck/car an August move should be fine, IMO. I do know that you can get travel kitty litter pans that are for one nights' use, that would solve your hotel room and the kitty poop/peeing needs.

I'd also suggest that as your cats are relatively young, getting them just one, slightly larger cat carrier. They could go in it together, keep each other company, amused etc etc Obviously, that is considering they have a good relationship...

Oh that's a nice idea, so they could be drugged out together,hehehe. So, where do you get these travel litter pans? Is it a particular brand?

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_Na...llers0-_-770272

Found these online, they look pretty good!