Moving always creates a to-do list, usually several, and our move west in September is no exception although it’s going to be a pretty short one. We will depart Tennessee the day after Labor Day for five hour flight to Oregon, then we’ll begin our search for a new home.
We’ve already taken care of a few things on our moving list: we reserved our hotel stay for the four days over Labor Day weekend here, when we’ll be cleaning our apartment. That hotel, a Drury Inn, is close by, pet friendly, and we got a great room rate. The hotel provides not only a BIG free breakfast every morning but free happy hour food that’s great for dinner as well as free cocktails!
We’ve also purchased our airline tickets for a nonstop flight to Portland in premium economy seats, and reserved spots for Kaipo and Tilly to travel in-cabin with us. We’ve also reserved a car to use until our car arrives.
Still left to do before heading west: a) hire and schedule movers for our stuff, b) hire and schedule a car mover and then rent a car for our remaining days here after they pick it up; c) purchase travel crates for the dogs, and d) pack our suitcases for the flight west.
That’s it.
I thought you might like to see though the list of tasks we would have needed to complete if we had chosen to move to San Miguel de Allende:
May:
- Make an appointment for Brett’s visa at the Atlanta consulate
- Pick up 12 months of monthly statements directly from our credit union (required proof of net income) – the credit union is located over an hour’s drive away.
- Get Brett’s photo taken for the visa
- Go to Atlanta for visa appointment (Brett)
- Purchase airline tickets to Mexico (and pay pet fees)
- Reserve Airbnb for stay in Massachusetts
June:
- Get our marriage certificate apostilled in Tennessee; get my birth certificate apostilled in California
- Decide what will and will not go into storage; get rid of more stuff, and decide which items we will sell before moving out
- Interview and choose a long-distance mover for our household goods
July:
- Take both Kaipo and Tilly to the vet to update vaccinations and get certificates of health.
- Purchase travel crates for dogs
- Make hotel reservations for two nights on the road up to Massachusetts.
- Choose and contact a realtor in SMA to help us find a home
- Make reservation for ground transportation from Mexico arrival airport to San Miguel de Allende
August:
- Select storage company in Massachusetts and rent space for our household goods.
- Start packing for SMA
- Start cleaning the apartment
September:
- Move out of apartment and finish cleaning/drop off keys
- Drive to MA (3 days)
- Get household goods into storage in Massachusetts
- Get Massachusetts driver’s licenses
- License car in Massachusetts for storage
- Fly to Mexico and begin again
I have trouble breathing every time I look at this list – I am just too old for this!
The list for Mexico is exhausting. I’m glad you decided against moving there. I’ve stayed at the Drury in FL and had the free evening meal and it’s a lot of fun. It’s not the most exciting menu and it’s a buffet, but it’s not bad. I remember tacos, pasta and hot dogs, but I think they change it up every day. I also remember the big breakfast.
How much stuff are you going to be bringing with you? I know you and Brett are amazing at not having clutter, so will it just be car, clothes and some furniture?
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Yikes…the Mexico list gives me hives. 😂 Glad you decided on the more streamlined choice. You must be getting excited for the move. I would be. Look forward to your ongoing adventures.
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