Tips, Suggestions, & Movers for Moving From Houston to Austin

Posted by tropicanamovers on in Moving

If you take living costs out of the picture, then there’s so much to love about Austin. Bustling with life and energy, its thriving tech market consisting of big names, like Dell, Apple, and Intel, offers numerous job opportunities. Add the wide range of attractions, quirky nightclubs, unbeatable music scene, and easy access to quality amenities, and it’s no wonder why many Houstonians are making the big leap to the City of Violet Crown.

If you’re one of those brave souls making the westward move, here are some tips and suggestions that you will find useful when moving to Austin.

Make Sure to Choose the Right Part of Town

Living in Austin comes down to two things:

  1. How badly you want access to everything the city has to offer.
  2. How much you can afford.

With that said, the best way to assess where to live is to get a clearer picture of the neighborhoods and the environment they provide. This way, you can set your expectations and decide on one that fits your preference and needs. Here’s an overview of some of the top areas:

Downtown Austin

Average Rent: $2,500

Considered to be the heart of the city, Downtown is the center for all the hustle, bustle, cuisine, and pleasure. As expected, the closer you are to the action, the more expensive things get. If you love living in the luxury of a sophisticated condo paired with fine dining, live music, and elegant bars, then this place is a paradise.

East Austin

Average Rent: $1,800

A bit like Downtown but cheaper and more diverse, East Austin defines the city’s hipster urban setting − lots of vintage shops and people rocking unique clothes paired with cool hairstyles. Plus, the neighborhood’s filled with flavors from different cultures, like classic Mexican tacos, European pasta, or exquisite Chinese dishes.

North Austin

Average Rent: $1,500

This is the perfect community if you’re looking to reap the benefits of Downtown minus the higher cost and noisy environment. A bit close to the peaceful suburbs, it’s not too crowded with many affordable apartment complexes. You’ll never run out of fun activities since many parks and attractions are within walking distance.

South Austin

Average Rent: $1,300

Moving on a tight budget? You should consider checking out South Austin. It’s wrong to think that it’s the least desirable place because of the cheaper living cost. This area is just as good as the others, with a satisfying mix of old-school Austin influence and modern-day establishments.

West Austin

Average Rent: $2,000

If you’re tired of all the fuss involved with living in a metro area, then West Austin is the place for you. Its countryside backdrop offers you a more picturesque sight of the city’s lush beauty with two lakes in full view as you drive down the road. – A perfect escape from the jungle of concrete that you see every day Downtown.

You’ll Need a Car

Whether you choose to settle in the suburbs or near the city center, chances are your workplace will be located downtown. So it’s only logical to have a car.

Although there’s no denying that Austin’s traffic can get congested, as rumors say, some reports are way too exaggerated. Rush-hour commutes typically last from 30 minutes to an hour, which is relatively common for major cities. It is best to leave early for work then come home a little late to avoid traffic jams.

Hire a Moving Company to Help You

Knowing that Austin is just a 2.5-hour drive from Houston, you might be tempted to rent a truck and move yourself. However, DIY moving brings with it several risks and inconveniences, such as:

  • No insurance coverage for damaged belongings
  • Substantial time and energy
  • Difficulty moving large or bulky furniture, like a piano or grandfather clock.

Moving services can eliminate these downsides. Since there are thousands of movers working all around Texas; it’s easy to find trusted ones in Houston and Austin, or even affordable Georgetown long distance moving companies. 

Remember to Get a Parking Permit

Before proceeding with the move, make sure to secure a parking permit in Austin. This is extremely important in areas like SoCo that limit street parking to residents-only. If you don’t, parking within a residential space can incur fines for your movers. And the worst part? You’ll probably have to cover the price.

Wrapping Things Up

You can either choose to hire movers from Austin, TX or Houston, TX. It’s up to you to make the final call. Just make sure to do your research on a potential company to make sure they are reputable, licensed, and insured!

5 Tips For Making an Affordable Houston Move

Posted by tropicanamovers on in Texas Living

If you’re a fan of rodeo action and space travel, a move to Houston is something you’ll enjoy. Houston is the most populous city in Texas and has one of the most diverse communities in the United States. It is also home to plenty of Fortune 500 companies, and features solid aeronautics, manufacturing, and healthcare industries, as well as a thriving cultural scene, making it a great place to both live and work.

While living in Houston is a great idea, moving there is a different story. Moving is an emotionally and financially draining process that can trouble even the most meticulous planner. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to keep your savings intact during your move to Houston. The solution lies in your ability to use proven tactics and smart tricks to ensure your move to Houston goes as smoothly and as inexpensively possible.

Are you ready to learn five helpful, cost-efficient moving tips? Read on!

1) Weigh the cost of hiring professionals against DIY

Don’t get automatically assume that going the DIY route is more cost-efficient than hiring professional movers. While that rental truck looks like a great deal, plenty of people who have done the move themselves realize that the cost of a U-Haul is a lot more than the expense of hiring professionals.

If you’re considering tapping the services of professional movers, try getting quotes from several companies. Moving companies have off-season rates, and if you can schedule your move in that period, you can save as much as 30% off the regular rate. Learn more about Houston movers.

However, if you’re going to DIY, make sure to make your move during off-peak hours. Whether you’re using your vehicle or renting a truck, your vehicle will get dismal gas mileage because of its heavy load. Getting stuck in traffic will make matters worse. You can save a lot of time and gas money by driving either late at night or before dawn.

2) Don’t purchase any boxes

The success of your move largely hinges on the availability of boxes. That is the reason why moving companies tend to charge a lot of money for those things. You can save a lot of money by being resourceful enough to go to places where you can get boxes for free.

You can start at your office, where you will find paper-printer boxes that are strong and large enough to store most items from your house. You can also broadcast your need on social media networks so that friends who have recently made a move can help. You can try visiting a liquor store and ask for boxes there. Boxes that can hold bottles of rum or wine can be strong enough to handle most of your items.

3) Sell most, if not all your stuff

You can try selling some of your belongings to earn some cash that you can use to subsidize the move. You can also donate some items to charity. Having fewer items will reduce the total weight of your load, which can lessen the cost. If you want to try something drastic, you can sell all of your stuff to give yourself a fresh start.

4) Try to schedule your move during the colder months

If possible, you can schedule your move during the colder months as moving companies offer better deals during the off-peak period. Try to avoid making your move on weekends or a national holiday as the rates during those times tend to be a lot higher compared to a weekday.

5) Save on most packing materials

You don’t need to purchase professional-grade packing supplies. There are plenty of items around your house that will do the job just as well. Suitcases, gym bags, and baskets can work as containers, while bed sheets and towels can function as cushioning materials.

Six Tips for Moving From New York to Texas

Posted by tropicanamovers on in Texas Living

Texas is one of the most dynamic states in the entire United States, making it an attractive destination for people who are looking to escape an increasingly congested East Coast metropolis like New York City. If you’re interested in relocating from the “Big Apple” to the “Lone Star State,” here are six tips that you should bear in mind:

1) Prepare yourself for the warm climate

Whereas New Yorkers might lament 90-degree days, you won’t hear any complaints from Texans who consider that as just another summer day. Kidding aside, you should seriously consider downsizing your winter wardrobe before moving to Texas. Heavy coats and clothing made for rainy and frigid weather won’t have much use in Texas because there are few rainy days and fewer snow days.

2) Everything is bigger in Texas

As the popular saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes housing! If you have a large family or enjoy having a lot of space, then you’ll adore living in Texas where the average one-bedroom apartment measures 870 square feet! And that’s not all! Housing in Texas is cheaper too, and you can expect to pay as much as a thousand dollars less each month.

And while it’s true that there are a lot of big things in Texas, one thing that remains reasonably low is living expenses. The best part is the fact that Texas is just one of seven states in the US that does not levy any personal income tax.

3) Work with an experienced long-distance moving company

If you’re moving from New York to Texas, hiring a long-distance moving company is something you must seriously consider. You may go the DIY route, but experts strongly discourage this tactic as the long road trip will not only be filled with all kinds of challenges but will also — contrary to popular belief — cost you more.

Having a professional moving company handle your move will mean each step is going to be carried out in an organized manner. If you have the luxury of scheduling your move, you should consider doing it in either September and October. The weather during this time is ideal, and you won’t have to deal with bad weather and hazardous driving conditions that usually come when wintertime arrives in the “Big Apple.”

4) Have your pets vaccinated

Texas has pretty strict rules regarding pet vaccinations, and so, if you have any pets, you must make sure that these are vaccinated against rabies. You must also secure a rabies vaccination certificate dated and signed by the veterinarian who administered the immunization.

5) Get ready to have a good time

If you love food, great music, and football, Texas is tailor-made for you!  Aside from those, you’ll also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities from a blooming cultural scene that rivals the melting pot of New York City.

Not only is the weather warm but the people are as well. Texas is world-famous for its hospitality, which is a significant reason for its increasing population diversity. Mexican culture is woven deep into Texas’ roots and permeates its cuisine, so don’t hesitate to binge on tacos and tamales during your first week there.

6) Have your car shipped over to Texas

If you’ve been living in New York City for quite some time, you likely learned how to get by without ever driving a car, relying mainly on public transportation. However, in Texas, you may need to drive. Over 50% of the population in the state drives.

Thus, if you’re moving from New York City to Texas, you should bring your car with you. You may decide to drive it all the way but be aware that the distance between New York City and Texas is 1,300 miles, and driving all that way will place an insane amount of stress on your vehicle. Save your automobile from all that wear and tear and have it shipped through an auto logistics company.