Labor Day, a day to honor the working class by not working; unless, of course, you’re moving. In that case, welcome to the seventh circle of hell.
Between lifting boxes you definitely overpacked (because how heavy could books really be?), losing your will to live somewhere between the U-Haul ramp and the IKEA dresser you swore was “easy to move,” and bribing friends with pizza and beer that somehow costs more than hiring professionals… let’s face it: moving is the worst form of labor. And someone has to say it…. “PI-VOT!”
But fear not, here’s your guide to surviving the chaos with your sanity (mostly) intact.
Portland Moving Heroes (a.k.a. Saviors of Your Spine)
If you’ve decided you’d rather not reenact a CrossFit competition with your furniture, trust me… hire professionals. Here are some great local moving companies in the Portland area.
🟢 Bridgetown Moving & Storage
- Portland-born and raised, Bridgetown is known for transparent pricing, respectful crews, and not shattering your grandma’s china.
- Website: bridgetown-moving.com
🔵 All Service Moving
- Another locally owned gem. These guys handle everything from packing to storage, and have the muscle and the attitude to make it painless (well… less painful).
- Website: allservicemoving.com
Hire them, tip them, and thank me later when your back isn’t crying.
🛠️ DIY Hacks for a Less Miserable Move
Can’t afford pros? Just addicted to chaos? Either way, here are some ways to make it suck slightly less:
- Purge Like a Crazy Person: If you haven’t used it in a year, donate it, sell it, or light it on fire in a ceremonial backyard cleansing. I may have done this a time or six… 🔥
- Color Code EVERYTHING: Boxes labeled with vague “misc.” stickers are a nightmare when you have a stack of boxes in the garage and you can’t find your toothbrush. Use colors, sharpies, symbols—just not your memory. That thing’s a liar.
- Pack a Survival Kit: TP, chargers, tools, snacks, painkillers, wine; this box should be worshipped. Just don’t forget the wine key!!
- Wrap Breakables in Clothes and Towels: Save on bubble wrap and boxes potentially by doubling up.
- Use Bins for Moving: These you can reuse for storage, they stack neatly when you’re not using them, and they’re more durable than typical moving boxes that collapse in the rain (this is Portland, after all).
Or… Don’t Move. And Make Your Home Not Suck.
Want to know the best way to avoid moving?
Stay put—and make your home better.
Here’s how:
- Renovate Instead of Relocate: That weird hall bathroom? Fix it. The outdated kitchen? Give it a facelift. Sometimes a $15K remodel saves you a $50K move.
- Declutter Like You’re About to List It: Less stuff = more joy. Thank you, Marie Kondo. (And me, because I told you to do it.)
- Reimagine Your Space: A new couch, some paint, maybe a room swap. You’d be amazed what rearranging your chaos can do.
- Consider a HELOC: A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) allows you to borrow against your home’s equity without altering your existing low-interest mortgage. A HELOC provides a revolving line of credit for various expenses and may offer lower interest rates compared to personal loans or credit cards.
But If You Are Gonna Move… Call Me First
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or just need to GTFO of your current situation—hire me!
I’ll help you find the right home without making you lose your mind (at least not completely). And when it’s time to sell, you’ll want your place to look like a West Elm catalog—not a Craigslist free section.
Here’s what helps:
- Decluttering = Higher Offers: Seriously. A cleaner home feels more spacious and well-kept. Let’s make it shine.
- Try PODS: Yes, they’re a national brand, but damn they’re convenient. Load it up, store it nearby, and they’ll drop it off at your new place.
- Local Storage Works Too: Just know you’re moving it twice—once to the unit, and again to your next home. So maybe don’t store 57 boxes of baby clothes your kid outgrew 8 years ago (see decluttering).
Let’s raise a glass to everyone who’s ever lifted a sleeper sofa through a 30-inch doorframe. Moving sucks. But with the right prep, some professional help, and an honest-to-goodness Realtor who knows how to guide you through the madness (hi, that’s me), you might just come out the other side with your spine—and your sanity—intact.
I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day and don’t forget to lift with your legs. Or better yet, don’t lift at all.
