NJ Moving Blog

Getting rid of furniture is never easy, especially when you live in a major city like New York City. The massive population and often crowded curbs make this particularly hard. That’s why so many people struggle with how to dispose of furniture in NYC.

You can dispose of most basic furniture in NYC if you simply put it on the curb. However, this is only allowed on the final trash collection day of the week. You must contact the city to schedule pickup for appliances that contain hazardous materials, such as freon, due to the environmental risk.

Luckily, NYC makes this quite easy as the Department of Sanitation is easy to reach, and they make it clear. Follow along as we explore how to dispose of furniture in NYC whether it’s a small chair or bulky couch.

How Do I Get Rid of Furniture in NYC?

You can get rid of nearly any appliance or piece of furniture in NYC if you’re compliant. The rules vary based on the type of furniture you have, such as:

Basic Furniture

New York City is generous in that you can throw away many basic furniture items without an appointment. The city accepts furniture items that exceed 4ft. x 3ft. in most cases. However, this includes caveats, such as the furniture cannot be recyclable.

You can only put these items out on the curb if it’s the final trash collection day that week. It’s also only valid if you put the furniture on the curb after 4:00 PM, otherwise, it’s a violation. This includes wooden chairs and couches, but not furniture made of metal.

The city also accepts bundled rugs that aren’t taller than 2’ and wider than 4’. You can even put old porcelain toilets on the curb beside the trash on the last collection day of the week.

Hazardous Items

Due to environmental concerns, you cannot throw away furniture and appliances that contain hazardous materials. That includes appliances that contain freon, such as freezers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators. However, NYC won’t accept appliances that contain all types of freon as some are particularly hazardous.

For example, the Department of Sanitation cannot accept appliances that contain R600a and R3 freon. In that case, you must hire an outside collection service to pick up the appliance. You may also have to hire an outside service to pick up the appliance if it’s a commercial-sized unit.

Stickers with black flames within a yellow triangle indicate the presence of this type of freon. Not only is that type of freon flammable, but it can also cause severe respiratory problems.

Recyclable Items

Luckily, you can get rid of recyclable furniture in NYC, but there are some regulations. For example, you can’t simply recycle wooden chairs and tables. You can only recycle furniture and appliances that primarily contain metal.

That said, you can’t recycle bulk furniture and appliances even if they’re made of metal unless you schedule it. You can only recycle select items, such as:

• Bed frames
• Metal bathtubs
• Dryers and washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Metal cabinets

Keep in mind that you must adhere to the local recycling rules and schedule in your neighborhood. You can only recycle these items on days when recycling is picked up unless you schedule it. Don’t put the recyclable furniture and appliances out until the night before collection.

Electronic Devices

You must be careful when you get rid of electronic devices and appliances in NYC. New York has strict rules about electronics disposal, and you can get fined $100 or more. Luckily, New York City makes it easy to dispose of electronics because you have many options.

You can find many special waste disposal sites that accept electronics all over NYC, and that includes boroughs like Staten Island. Some apartment buildings even offer electronic device pickup through the ecycleNYC program, so make sure to ask your landlord about it.

That includes everything from fax machines, smartphones, tablets, and TVs to gaming consoles, computers, and printers.

Bulk Items

Items that exceed a 3’ height and 4’ width are tricky to get rid of in NYC. That’s because you must likely break them down. They simply cannot fit inside trash trucks without damaging them or taking up too much space. For example, you may need to cut up a bulky couch before you put it on the curb.

It’s also important to note that you must remove metal frames from bulky furniture before you put it out. That’s because metal is recyclable, and the city won’t accept recyclable items in the trash.

What to Do With a Bed Bug-Infested Mattress NYC

Due to the big bed bug problem in New York City, you cannot simply dispose of infested mattresses as usual. Instead, you must seal the mattress in plastic and call the Department of Sanitation. Granted, that is difficult and even unattainable for many people without access to that much plastic.

In that case, you can call a private collection service equipped to handle bed bugs. That said, you must disclose the presence of bed bugs, or else you could face penalties. You can also hire an exterminator to get rid of the bed bugs.

Once that’s done, you can call the Department of Sanitation and put the mattress on the curb for collection.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Furniture in NYC

Sell It

Is your furniture in good condition? If so, you can always sell it through online resources like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. This is a great way to earn some extra money to put towards new furniture to replace it.

Donate It

Today, countless charitable organizations accept old furniture donations. For example, you can donate your furniture to organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Other options, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, are also great, but you must follow the rules.

Each of these organizations has rules about what condition the furniture must be in. They may not always accept each type of furniture, so it’s important to check out what they want that year. That’s because they may have too much of one type of furniture and limited space, so it’s important to check.

Hire a Furniture Disposal Service

If your furniture isn’t in great shape, you may not have many disposal options. Luckily, many companies can pick up your furniture to dispose of it for you. This is a great option if you’re moving and don’t have the time or tools to break your furniture down to make it fit on the curb.

So, What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Furniture in NYC?

The best way to get rid of furniture is to put it on the curb at night before the final collection day of the week. However, you must contact the Department of Sanitation if you have hazardous appliances you aren’t sure about. You can’t simply get rid of electronics without fines unless you schedule a pickup or visit a designated drop-off location.

NYC is more generous than most major cities when it comes to furniture disposal if you’re compliant. At Optimum Moving, we offer a furniture disposal service to get rid of your old furniture whether you’re moving or not. Call us at (855) 315-6683 to schedule a pickup date for your old sofa, chair, table, and more.

Each move is different, and not every move necessarily requires full-service help. That’s why many people opt to rent a truck. However, that’s not always as easy as it seems. So, can you hire movers just to load a truck?

You can hire movers just to load a truck, but it doesn’t come with the benefits of a full-service move. In that case, the movers will carefully load the truck with your belongings and secure them. This is a great option for local moves, but not always for long-distance moves as they cannot help you unload the truck.

At Optimum Moving, our professional moving crew can quickly and carefully load a truck to help you save time. Time is money when it comes to truck rentals, this is infinitely helpful. Follow along as we explore what to expect when you hire movers just to load a truck.

Can You Hire Movers to Load a U-Haul?

You can hire movers to load a U-haul or similar rental vehicle. Many people choose this option to reduce the heavy lifting that is unavoidable when moving without help. In that case, you must either pay a flat rate for a block of time or pay the movers per hour.

Hiring movers just to load a truck comes with pros and cons. The pros and cons ultimately depend on your budget, timeframe, and how far you must move. For example, a full-service move may be better than hiring movers just to load a truck for a long-distance move.

Is it Worth it to Hire Movers Just to Load a Truck?

It’s worth it to hire movers just to load a truck for the stress reduction alone. Let’s face it, the average person doesn’t know how to efficiently load a truck as well as a moving crew. The key benefits of hiring movers to load a truck include:

• You can save yourself lots of heavy lifting and stress if you hire movers to load a truck. This comes in handy if you live alone or must move without much notice.
• Professional movers know how to efficiently load trucks without wasting space. Loading a moving truck is like putting a puzzle together, and movers know how to make the pieces fit easily.
• Movers help you save time and money on truck rental. Truck rentals are timed, and that affects how much money you spend. You can save plenty of money if you hire movers to maximize time and return the truck sooner rather than later.
• Professional movers know how to protect your boxes and furniture. It’s hard to load a truck to maximize safety if you don’t have much experience. Movers use careful positioning and ratchet straps to ensure your belongings don’t move during the drive.
• Hiring movers to load a truck is sometimes cheaper than a full-service move. That said, the cost difference ultimately depends on the moving distance. However, it’s worth it to hire movers just to load a truck for a local move.

Loading a Truck Alone Vs. Hiring Movers

Time, money, and convenience are the biggest differences when it comes to loading a truck alone or hiring movers. Realistically, moving can be dangerous if you don’t have enough people to help. You can load a truck without help if you have friends and family to help.

That said, it won’t likely be as fast and organized.  However, it’s always worth it to hire movers if the physical demand of loading a truck is too much. Most people can’t simply load a moving truck alone, and it’s a safety risk.

Hiring Movers to Load a Truck Vs. Full-Service Move

While it’s worth it to hire movers just to load a truck, it’s not as comprehensive as a full-service move. A full-service move can cost as little as $600 for quick, local moves, and they can cost over $3,000 for long-distance moves.

That’s often pricier than simply hiring movers just to load a truck, but it’s worth it. Full-service movers often do several things that make them worthwhile, such as:

• Full packing and unpacking. This convenient moving service ensures the movers will pack and unpack your belongings for you.
• Truck loading, unloading, and transportation. Not only will movers load and unload the truck, but they’ll drive it with the full-service option. That is infinitely useful to people without experience driving big moving trucks.
• Long-distance moves are much easier. Movers can’t help you too much with long-distance moves if you only hire them to load a truck. However, full-service moves ensure they will load and drive the truck, then unload it at your destination.
• Full-service moves include insurance. Truck rental services offer insurance that covers truck damage and some coverage for your belongings, but it’s not comprehensive. Moving companies typically offer premium insurance plans that cover the full value of your belongings.  

Average Cost to Hire Movers to Load a Truck

It costs an average of $100 per hour to hire movers just to load a truck. Movers typically charge between $25 and $150 per hour to load a truck. That doesn’t include the cost to rent a truck, and that costs as much as $900-$2,000 or more.

Truck rental costs vary on the size of the truck and how long you need to use it. For example, you could rent a 15’ moving truck for just $600 for a local move. Depending on how much stuff you have, you may not spend too much on the movers’ labor rates.

For example, it may only take 2 hours to load the truck. In that case, you may spend as little as $300 depending on the size of the crew. Other factors, such as staircases and large, fragile items can also affect the overall cost.

Trust Our Skilled Movers to Load Your Moving Truck

At Optimum Moving, we understand that many people prefer to rent a moving truck for short moves. That’s why we offer our services to load a truck whether you hire us for a full-service move or not.

Our punctual movers are organized, and careful, and work quickly to load your belongings. Whether it be a local or long-distance move, our team will happily load your truck to set you up for success.

Our organizational skills and safety precautions will ensure your belongings are secure on the rental truck. Call Optimum Moving (855)-315-6683 if you want to hire movers just to load a truck

The stress of moving has a lot to do with how time-consuming it can be to pack your belongings. After all, the last thing you want is to pack something, label the box, and realize you need it later. Understandably, many people struggle with what to pack first when moving.

It’s a great idea to pack storage items, seasonal clothes, and decorations first when moving. Go through each closet and room in your home and pack items you won’t need until you get to your new home. Next, you can pack fragile items, collectibles, linens, cleaning supplies, dishes, and food 1-2 weeks before moving.

Make sure to label each box so you can stay organized and easily unpack your belongings at your new home. Follow along as we explore what to pack first when moving to maximize your time and reduce stress.

What Should You Pack First When Moving?

Whether it be extra linens or unused clothes, you don’t need to wait until the last minute to pack when moving. You can save yourself time and stress if you strategically pack your home room-by-room before you move.

1. Storage Items

Storage items are the best belongings to pack first when moving. You won’t likely need them before you move, so it’s best to get them out of the way. Check your closets, spare rooms, and basement to see what you can pack up to a month before moving.

This is also a great chance to declutter your home to lighten your load for the move. You can even unload a storage unit before moving if you already have access to your new home.

2. Seasonal Clothes

Most people don’t wear all the clothes in their closets year-round. That’s why it’s a great idea to pack seasonal clothes 3-4 weeks before moving, if not sooner. Go through your closet and determine which clothes you’ll realistically wear before moving.

For example, you can pack your warm hoodies and sweatpants if you are moving during summer. This will get them out of the way so you can quickly pack the rest of your closet the week before you move.

3. Decorations

Decorations add character to a home, but they aren’t necessary when you’re about to move. It takes a while to pack them during the chaos of moving, so you should do it weeks before the deadline. Go room by room and slowly pack your decorations in the weeks before moving.

4. Breakable Items

Breakable items and valuables take time to pack, so you don’t want to save them for the last minute. This includes family heirlooms, precious art, fragile decorations, and fine china. Carefully pack fragile items with several layers of bubble wrap, and make sure to label the boxes “fragile” or “breakable”.

5. Spare Bedroom and Office

Do you have a spare bedroom or unused office in your home? If so, it’s best to pack the items in those rooms 2-4 weeks before moving if you don’t need them. That includes the bedding, mattress, storage items, and decorations.

Stage the boxes in the room or a storage closet in your home so you don’t have to worry about them. Roll up rugs, break down spare bed frames, and pack your unused office supplies to save time later.

6. Collector’s Items

We all love our collector’s items, like DVDs, books, baseball cards, and records. However, they can be annoying to pack when moving if you wait until the last minute. Collectibles should be among the first items to pack when moving even a month before loading the truck.

Make sure to use corrugated boxes and protective materials, like bubble wrap, to protect your collectibles.

7. Spare Linens

Pack your spare linens a few weeks before moving to get them out of the way. Bedding is easy to pack, and it doesn’t take up much space. This is especially an essential step if your home has several bedrooms as that can get hectic when packing.

Pack your extra towels, sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and even pillows a few weeks before you move. That said, some people set a few sheets and towels aside to use them as protective materials when moving.

8. Bedroom and Closet

Understandably, many people get anxious about packing the contents of their bedrooms and closets before a move. The last thing you want is to sleep in a barren room for a few days, and that’s not necessary. Instead, simply pack non-essential bedroom items, like decorations and rugs, within 3-7 days of the move.

Wait to remove your current bedding and mattress until your moving day. Our moving crew can move your mattress and take apart the frame for you if you choose that service.  If you’ve already packed seasonal clothes you don’t need, it’ll be easy to pack the rest of your bedroom closet.

Ideally, you should only have enough clothes left in your closet to fill 1-2 suitcases. Don’t worry if you have more, as long as you have enough time to pack it on the big day.

9. Bathroom and Cleaning Items

Toiletries and cleaning supplies are often easy to pack, and you should wait to pack them until right before you move. After all, you’ll need your toiletries, and you must clean your home before you move. Pack any cleaning and bathroom items you don’t need and wait to pack the rest.

That way, you can finish cleaning your old home to ensure you get your deposit back, or that it looks great for the new owner.

10. Food and Kitchen Supplies

Of course, you’ll need to use your kitchen and eat until the day you move out. That’s why it’s a great idea to wait to pack your food and kitchen supplies until right before you move. You can save time if you slowly pack some kitchen supplies, such as seasonal dishes and blenders, 1-2 weeks before moving.

Pack everything non-essential in your kitchen leading up to the move but keep food until the last minute. It helps to limit how many perishable food items and beverages you buy a week before you move.

That way, you can consume them, so you don’t have to rush to empty your fridge on your moving day. Simply pack your dishes, cutlery, and leftover non-perishable food items on the big day.

Packing Doesn’t Need to Be Stressful

Packing isn’t stressful unless you save it until the week before moving. You can save yourself plenty of stress if you start packing 1-2 months before you move.

At Optimum Moving, we offer Full Packing and Unpacking services, so you don’t need to worry about it at all. Call us at (855)-315-6683 to schedule your move and ask about our packing services.

Moving out of state comes with many new and exciting changes. That said, getting there can be stressful, and of course, expensive. Understandably, many people look for the cheapest way to move out of state.

The cheapest way to move out of state is to rent a truck or trail to haul at least some of your belongings. That way, you can save money if you hire a moving company so they can spend less time and haul fewer belongings. If possible, choose LTL (less than a truckload) shipping and sell or donate old furniture that’s not worth bringing to lighten the load.

You will get extra cash for the move, and you may save money on labor and shipment weight fees. Follow along as we explore ways you can cheaply move out of state.

What Is a Good Budget for Moving Out of State?

Ideally, you should set a budget of $3,500 to $15,000 when you move out of state. It ultimately depends on how big your house is and how far you’re moving. Bigger homes have more furniture, and that adds to the time and cost of the move.

Moving one or two states over may not be too expensive. However, moving across coasts can easily cost over $10,000. You must also set aside money for when you get settled in your new out-of-state home.

Ideally, you should set aside three times as much money as your rent or mortgage payment will cost for a month. This will provide wiggle room for groceries, utility fees, and unexpected incidents that pop up.

How to Move Out of State Cheaply

Create a Budget

You can avoid exorbitant moving costs if you create a budget at least 2-3 months before you move out of state. Set aside money from each paycheck and put it into a moving fund. Depending on how far you must move, you should set aside between $3,500 and $15,000.

Call a moving company to ask questions or book a consultation. They can help you set a budget and provide a quote for how much it will cost. Keep in mind that you must also set aside money for when you get to your new destination.

You may not jump right into a new job, so it’s a great idea to have a nest egg to rely on. Utility startup fees, groceries, house closing fees, and transportation costs add up quickly. Once you set a budget, you can create a plan to move out of state cheaply.

Pack Yourself

One of the cheapest ways to move out of state is to pack without professional help. Moving companies offer full packing services. This package means that the moving team will pack your belongings for you at an extra cost.

While this is convenient, it’s worth cutting this cost if you want to save money when you move out of state. Full packing can add anywhere between $250 and $2,000 to your moving costs depending on how much stuff you have.

Instead, simply start to pack your belongings as soon as you reach out to a moving company. Start with non-essentials and work your way up to daily-use items when you get close to the moving day.

LTL Shipping

Moving companies offer two shipping options: LTL and guaranteed, or dedicated, shipping. Guaranteed shipping means your belongings will get a dedicated truck. This option is more expensive than LTL, which means less than a truckload.

LTL shipping means your shipment may be combined with other customers’ shipments. Your belongings are just as safe, but you may be given a different arrival window. This is the cheapest way to move out of state when you use a moving company, and the savings are worthwhile.

Lighten Your Load

One easy way to save money is to move some of your belongings yourself and use a moving company for the rest. For example, you could take a trip to your new home where you bring most of your small, non-essential items. From there, you can hire a moving company to move your large items, such as heavy furniture.

You’ll still hire a moving company, but you’ll pay less if they don’t have to haul as big of a load. This will also reduce labor costs as it won’t take as long. However, it’s worth talking to the moving company about this to see if they’ll be able to offer lower rates for this.

It also helps to declutter and get rid of furniture that isn’t worth bringing with you. Old couches and heavy chairs that are in bad shape will only add weight to your moving shipment.

You can save money and space if you get rid of them and find new and cheap furniture in your new destination. Many people sell clothes and old furniture to lighten their loads and get extra money for moving.

Rent a Truck

Renting a moving truck can help save money when you move out of state. However, that isn’t always the case. You must be careful and read the fine print as many moving truck companies are sneaky with their fees and rates. Pay attention to the mileage rates they charge.

This option works well with the last step, which entailed moving yourself and using a moving company.

For example, you could rent a small truck for a day, take a trip to your new house, unload it, and return it. This will save money compared to renting a big truck and taking several trips back and forth.

Tow a Trailer

Renting a trailer is typically much cheaper than renting a truck. That said, you can’t fit nearly as much in a trailer as you can in a truck. This is a great option if you want to haul some of your items and use a moving company for the rest.

Otherwise, you can simply take several trips back and forth with a trailer. However, this can be time-consuming and may cost just as much as renting a big truck depending on how far your new home is. Trailers are often perfect for moving from studios and 1-2-bedroom apartments.

So, What Are the Cheapest Ways to Move Out of State?

The cheapest ways to move out of state are to create a budget and choose LTL shipping. LTL shipping is cheaper than guaranteed shipping, and it can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

You can also save money when moving if you pack yourself and declutter so the moving company has to haul less stuff. It’s also a great idea to move some of your belongings yourself so the moving company can get the job done faster.

Getting stuck in an uncomfortable and inhabitable apartment is miserable. Breaking the lease may be your only way out, but that’s a scary prospect. Many people must also break a lease because of military duty or medical disabilities. So, how much does it cost to break a lease?

It costs at least 1-2 months’ rent to break a lease without a valid reason. However, you can break a lease without paying penalties for several reasons, such as violence, harassment, and military duty. You can also get out of your lease if you prove you have a qualifying disability. In that case, you must provide medical documents and 30 days’ notice.

Landlords must fix problems that make your home uninhabitable. If they fail to fix these problems, you can get out of the lease early. Follow along as we explore how much to break a lease and see how you can avoid penalties.

How Much Do Most Apartments Charge to Break a Lease?

Depending on the landlord, it may cost up to 2 months’ worth of rent to break a lease. Landlords typically impose steep fees to discourage tenants from breaking the lease. In other cases, you may be required to spend as much money as the landlord would lose from you breaking the lease.

For example, if you break the lease with 3 months left, you may have to pay 3 months’ rent. In some cases, there is a cap to this. You may not have to pay all the money the landlord lost out on if you break the lease shortly after signing. In that case, you’ll likely only need to pay a few months’ rent.

Some states and municipalities require tenants to give ample notice before breaking a lease. You must typically provide at least 30 days’ notice before you break your lease. The landlord may still penalize you, but it won’t likely be as bad as breaking the lease with 7 days’ notice.

Can You Break a Lease Without Paying?

You can break a lease without paying in many states under special circumstances. However, you must typically be able to prove that your reason for breaking the lease isn’t frivolous. Let’s see how you can break a lease without paying, or at least without paying much.

Your Home is Uninhabitable

Landlords have a responsibility to make sure your home is a safe environment. A house or apartment is deemed uninhabitable if it violates building codes or has safety hazards. For example, fire hazards, mold, pest infestations, and defunct HVAC equipment can make a home uninhabitable.

Your landlord has a grace period to fix these problems. That said, you can legally break the lease without penalty if they fail to fix the problems. The landlord can dispute this if you never made maintenance requests.

That’s why it’s important to document your maintenance requests as a tenant. Take pictures and or videos of the problems as well as backup evidence if they dispute it.

Moving Because of Military Duty

People in the military often have to move unexpectedly. This makes it hard to stick with a lease in some cases. Luckily, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects active military members from penalties for relocating.

The catch is that you must prove to the landlord that you are moving because of military obligations.

This is easy, and you can simply attach the deployment papers to a letter and send it to your landlord. If they object, you can ask your superiors for more clarification or documents. You may still need to pay one month’s rent if you don’t give ample notice, but that’s better than steep penalties.

Victims of Harassment and Violence

Sadly, some people must break their leases to avoid harassment, violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Luckily, many states understand this and won’t penalize tenants for breaking a lease over it. In many cases, you can even get your security deposit back if you break the lease for this reason.

Simply provide police records, medical records, or documentation like a protection order or restraining order. Otherwise, you can reach out to a social worker and request a letter that verifies your claims. This is an emotionally tough process, but it’s worthwhile to break the lease for your safety.

You Must Move Because of Your Health

Breaking a lease because of poor health or a disability is quite understandable. Most states have laws that protect tenants who must move because of disabilities. Each state has a list of qualifying disabilities that may require a tenant to break their lease.

If your disability isn’t on that list, you can try to negotiate with your landlord to avoid penalty. You must provide 30 days’ notice when you move because of a qualifying disability. Landlords also require documentation that verifies your disability so they can waive the fees.

Your Landlord Doesn’t Uphold the Contract

Lease agreements are just as much about the landlord as they are about the tenant. Tenants are expected to adhere to the rules, and so are landlords. If your landlord violates the terms of the contract, you can typically break the lease without a problem.

For example, your lease agreement may say the landlord cannot enter without permission. If your landlord enters without permission and violates your privacy, they will have violated the terms of the agreement. You can also break the lease if you discover that the landlord failed to disclose something they were supposed to.  

It also counts as a violation if your landlord doesn’t notify you about it with the proper notice. Check your local regulations if you are concerned about your landlord’s actions. The rules are different everywhere. A contract violation may be your chance to break the lease without penalty.

So, How Much Does Breaking a Lease Cost?

Breaking a lease typically costs 1-2 months’ rent. However, the landlord may require you to pay for more months that you miss paying. You can legally break a lease without penalty due to active military duty, violence, and harassment. Tenants can also break a lease if the landlord violates their end of the contract.

The temptation to move away and start a new life doesn’t just have to be a fantasy. Today, it’s easier than ever to research a city and see if it’s a good fit for you. With so many options, it can be hard to figure out the best cities to move to and start a new life.

Jacksonville, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are the best cities to move to and start a new life. Both cities have low housing costs, many job opportunities, a thriving nightlife, and an affordable cost of living. You can also find many great jobs and housing costs in Cleveland, Austin, Salt Lake City, and Richmond, Virginia.

Each of these cities is affordable, easy to get around, and offers a mix of nature and city settings. Follow along as explore the best cities to move to and start a new life.

Where is the Best Place to Move and Start Over?

Whether it be Charlotte, North Carolina, or Cleveland, Ohio, many U.S. cities are the perfect place to start over. Ideally, you should pick an affordable city with many jobs and a thriving economy. Let’s look at the best cities to start a new life in and highlight what makes them special.

1. Jacksonville, Florida

It’s no secret that many people move to Florida to start over. While Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando are common choices, Jacksonville is the best for many reasons. The cost of living in Jacksonville is lower than Miami and you still get 22 miles of beaches to enjoy.

With a median home value of $243,000, there’s a wide range of prices on the housing market. Hospitality, healthcare, education, and finance are the biggest industries in Jacksonville.

It’s much less of a tourist city than places like Fort Lauderdale, and that’s a big plus for many people. The vibrant nightlife, art scene, beaches, and parks make Jacksonville a great city to start over in.

2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

While the East Coast has many expensive cities, Pittsburgh, PA is not one of them. You can buy nice homes in Pittsburgh for just $140-$160 per square foot. That said, only 47% of the population of Pittsburgh owns their homes, and there are many great renting options.

The median gross rent is currently $1,153 which is reasonable for a medium-sized city. The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh continues to drop, and it’s now at 2.9%. Industries like robotics, healthcare, and manufacturing help boost the local economy in Pittsburgh.

3. Cleveland, Ohio

Affordability and opportunities are what define a great city to start over in, and Cleveland exemplifies this. Cleveland, Ohio is home to some of the most affordable housing in the United States. You can buy homes for under $70 per square foot.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in Cleveland is $87,400. Cleveland had a high unemployment rate, but it dropped to 3.6% and it looks like it will continue. The city’s metropolitan area is home to many jobs in the healthcare, insurance, service, and finance industries.

4. Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas has had a major population boom in the past several years. The cost of living is lower than in major cities like Los Angeles, and the job market is quite accessible. That said, now is the time to move to Austin as housing costs will likely rise with the influx of new residents.

The median home value is currently $461,500, but there is a wide range of prices. Only 44% of the population owns homes as Austin is more of a renter’s city for now. Austin is a great city for social people as it’s packed with restaurants, bars, and music venues. The 495 parks in Austin are perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors.

5. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah offers the best of both worlds between city life and nature. The beautiful surroundings are a nice escape from the excitement of the city. Salt Lake City is currently home to just over 200,000 residents, so it doesn’t feel crowded like some major cities.

While the median home value is $458,600, there are many affordable homes in the city. The majority of the population rents in Salt Lake City, and the median rent is $1,254. You can find many sales, customer service, healthcare, food service, and finance jobs in Salt Lake City.

6. Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia is a great city for a fresh start because of its vibrant culture. It’s a great city for fans of art, live music, lively bars, and a wide variety of restaurants. The healthcare, transportation, finance, and manufacturing industries are huge parts of the job market.

Richmond’s unemployment rate has dropped each year for the past 2 years, and it’s now 3.1%. Now is a great time to buy a home in Richmond as the housing market has gone up by 2.5% since last year. The median home value is $308,300, and the median rent is just over $1,200.

7. Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The growing economy, wealth of entertainment, vibrant culture, and exciting nightlife are hard to beat. You can find plenty of jobs, and the unemployment rate is currently low at 2.8%.

Industries like health care, insurance, finance, and technology manufacturing dominate the Nashville job market. The median home value in Nashville is $351,400, but you can find many affordable houses and apartments. Between the moderate cost of living, job market, and endless entertainment, Nashville is a great place to move to and start a new life.

8. San Antonio, Texas

Much like Austin, Texas, San Antonio is booming in both population and the job market. Over 1.4 million people live in San Antonio, and it’s an example of a bustling city that isn’t overwhelming. It’s also quite affordable as the median home value is just $198,000.

San Antonio is also a great city for public transportation with inexpensive bus routes. Cybersecurity and manufacturing are two of the biggest industries in San Antonio. You can also find many jobs in healthcare and hospitality. The unemployment rate is at 3.2% and it has steadily dropped since 2021.

Moving comes along with lots of responsibilities, and protecting your prized possessions is the biggest one. It may be easy to pack up tables, chairs, and your wardrobe, but moving a flat-screen TV comes with more uncertainty. Luckily, there are several simple tips to transport a flat-screen TV that make it easy.

First, you must remove the screws and cords from your TV and put them in a safe place, so you don’t lose them. Next, you must pad a box with foam and double-wrap your flat-screen TV with bubble wrap to protect the screen. Don’t lay your flat-screen TV down as it can damage the screen. Simply keep it upright and tape the box shut.

You can lay a flat-screen TV down, but the pressure will shift to the center, and that’s risky. Follow along as we highlight the best tips to transport a flat-screen TV to avoid damage.

How to Pack a Flat-Screen TV

It’s not as hard as it seems to transport a flat-screen TV if you follow a few simple tips. Your biggest priority should be to protect the screen and make sure the TV doesn’t move around. Let’s look at what you can do to protect your flat-screen TV when you transport it.

Keep the Cords in One Place

Before you do anything else, it’s a great idea to organize your TV’s cords. It’s all too easy to lose or damage cords when you transport a flat-screen TV, and they can be expensive to replace. Remove and wrap each cord one at a time.

Don’t put the cords in a pile near each other as they will most likely become tangled. If you’re worried about knots, simply zip-tie each cord separately. You can even secure the cords with yarn or twine if you don’t want to put too much pressure on them.

Take pictures of the cords when they’re plugged in if you’re worried you’ll forget where they belong. Otherwise, you can label each cord with a sticky note or piece of tape, so you don’t have to troubleshoot later.

Remove the Hardware

Next, it’s time to remove the hardware that came with your TV. Most flat-screen TVs come with mounting hardware that consists of small screws that are easy to lose. Because of that, it’s a great idea to keep a plastic bag handy.

Place each screw in the bag as you remove them, so you don’t lose them. When you’re done, seal the bag and even label it if you want to be extra cautious. You’ll need the screws later when it’s time to set your TV back up.

Protect the Screen

The biggest concern for many people is that they’ll damage the screen when they transport their flat-screen TV. That’s an understandable concern as screens are more susceptible to scratches and cracks than you may know. Luckily, it’s easy to protect the screen from scratches and cracks with something as simple as bubble wrap.

Simply wrap the TV with bubble wrap and pull it tight. Add a second layer of bubble wrap at least over the side with the screen. Secure the bubble wrap in place with packing tape so no parts of the screen are exposed.

It helps if you keep the dust cover your flat-screen TV came with. In that case, you can put the dust cover on the screen first and then use bubble wrap to fortify it.

Prepare the Box

Did you keep the box your flat-screen TV came with? Keeping the box makes it much easier to transport a flat-screen TV. The boxes that come with flat-screen TVs typically include foam and padding for protection.

Luckily, it’s easy to find boxes for flat-screen TVs online that should fit your model if you don’t keep the box. That said, you may have to buy foam, bubble wrap, and padding separately to protect the TV. Line the bottom and top of the box with foam and or bubble wrap.

This will ensure that the TV doesn’t slide around in the box, and that’s the biggest concern when transporting flat-screen TVs. If you don’t have foam and bubble wrap, you can use towels, blankets, and pillows to protect the TV. Simply pack the towels, blankets, or pillows along either side of the TV.

Slide the TV in Place

Once you’ve padded the box well enough, it’s time to slide the TV into it. It helps to have someone help you with this step. That way, you can keep the box and padding intact, so your flat-screen TV is well-protected. Make sure to seal the box with packing tape so the TV doesn’t slide out as you move it.

Can You Lay a Flat Screen TV Down?

While you can lay a flat-screen TV down, it’s not a great idea. It’s particularly harmful to lay a flat-screen TV face down as the screen is susceptible to damage. If you must lay your flat-screen TV down, make sure to put it face up so there isn’t too much pressure on the screen.

The glass plates and LCD crystals within flat-screen TVs are somewhat delicate. When a flat-screen TV is laid face down, weight will shift from the perimeter to the center of the screen. This can cause excessive pressure, and the screen is more likely to crack.

Ideally, the best way to transport a flat-screen TV is to pack it upright like how you would typically mount it. Depending on your transportation method, this may not be possible, so you must lay it on its back. If so, avoid putting anything on the box or around it that could fall and damage the screen.

So, What’s the Best Way to Transport a Flat Screen TV?

The best way to transport a flat-screen TV is to put it in a box with bubble wrap and foam padding. Pack the box tightly on either side so the TV won’t slide. Secure the box with packing tape and transport the TV in the upright position. Laying a flat-screen TV down can cause cracks and damage the screen.