4 Neighborhood Red Flags To Watch Out For During A Move

Scoring the perfect house should be at the top of your list when moving, but don’t forget about the importance of the neighborhood it’s located in. After all, you could be living there a long time and will want to feel safe and happy among your neighbors. Also, if the neighborhood turns out to be bad, it can be difficult to sell later down the road when you’re ready to move. Doing ample research about the neighborhood is a must, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any of these neighborhood red flags.

When you’ve decided on the right place in the right neighborhood, schedule moving services with our professional moving company in Gainesville, FL.

It’s Too Good To Be True

A beautiful house in a seemingly good neighborhood for the ideal price? There may be a reason for your good luck that isn’t obvious on the surface. Check out the neighborhood for more “for sale” signs that aren’t just on the property you’re eyeing. If there’s a lot, it could be an indication that people are trying to leave that neighborhood. And if the home you’re looking at is listed for a price below expectation, it could mean that they’re desperately trying to repopulate. The reason could be anything from underlying economic reasons to local environmental issues that make it difficult to maintain the home, such as flooding. It’s also important to look at surrounding neighborhoods to see if rising crime rates could be causing the exodus.

Poorly Maintained

Beyond just a single house, a neighborhood should be a well-functioning hub of neighbors, roads, sidewalks, and yards. While the occasional crack in the sidewalk or pothole in the road isn’t a sign to run, multiple points of degradation are an indication that public services are lacking. Additionally, look at the state of the neighbors’ homes and yards. Are they well-kept and maintained or are they in a state of disrepair? Crumbling home exteriors and weedy lawns with junk piled high can speak in volumes about the character of both the occupant and the neighborhood. While pristine homes and lawns don’t necessarily mean the best neighborhood, poorly maintained ones can be a reflection of the issues you might face should you become an owner there.

Check Nearby Schools

Even if you don’t have children, the state of schools in the area can be an indicator of the quality of the neighborhood that you’re considering. Do some research on the population of the school and its overall rating. This can give you insight into whether the local population is aging or if parents are potentially opting for private or homeschooling because of the quality of the public schools. While an aging population isn’t necessarily bad, it could point to decreased economic security in the area. Also, if you do have children, that means that your child will have fewer people around their age. 

No One’s Around

Not seeing people on the sidewalks or in their yards isn’t necessarily a red flag. After all, there could be inclement weather the day you visit or they’re opting to relax in the more spacious backyard. However, not seeing children playing outside or even neighbors doing lawn work could point to concerns for safety. Even in areas that seem nice, growing worries about crime could be keeping your neighbors inside. Of course, you should always check crime statistics for any area you’re considering moving to. You should also check out local news to see if the area around your neighborhood is becoming a hotspot for crime.

Tips For Moving In The Rain

Relocating can be a stressful process. Add a projected forecast of stormy weather to the mix, and your move might seem like an impossible feat. Fortunately, our movers in Gainesville with UF Mover Guys have some clever tips to help make your move a breeze, whether rain or shine. To avoid scrambling at the last minute, consider the following to ensure your belongings stay safe even during a sudden burst of precipitation.

Need help from an experienced moving company you can trust for your next relocation? Contact us to request a moving quote and learn more about our available moving services.

Prepare Your Home For Rain

Carving out some time in your moving schedule to prepare your new home for the movers to arrive can go a long way. This rings particularly true should unexpected rain occur during your move. A few simple steps can make all the difference between an unorganized, chaotic relocation and one that runs smoothly. We recommend laying down a welcome mat or a cheap rug to ensure movers and residents both have a place to wipe their feet after sloshing around in the rain. Put out some old towels you wouldn’t mind throwing out, just in case the rain is heavy or the moving boxes need to be dried off while unloading the truck. If you have extra moving boxes, lay them out on the floor near the entrance and throughout walkways to create a somewhat anti-slip surface — this is especially important for homes with wood or tile flooring.

Pack Your Belongings Properly

Many people pack up their belongings without considering the effect of heavy rainfall on their items during a move. Moving plans, including packing, should accommodate protective measures to ensure your belongings won’t become damaged should a downpour hit. One common solution is to wrap items without boxes in plastic wrap. Plastic repels water more effectively than cardboard or fabric, making it a must for electronics and other moisture-sensitive items. If they aren’t packed into boxes, items like artwork, furniture, and clothing should all be securely and properly protected with plastic wrap. Experienced movers with UF Mover Guys can help ensure your belongings are protected from the elements with our available full and partial packing services. Contact us today for more information and to schedule moving services.

Don’t Skimp On Rain Gear

Protecting your belongings when moving in the rain is just as important as protecting yourself. Moving in the rain makes everyone involved with the relocation more prone to possible injuries. The best way to prevent any accidents is to minimize risk ahead of time. Be sure to wear non-slip shoes and, to make a move less miserable, be sure to keep some rain essentials, such as rain slickers and boots, umbrellas, baseball caps or hats, and a change of clothes on hand, both for protection against the rain both during and after the moving process. Additionally, you might consider helping rainproof your items for loading and unloading by purchasing a packable canopy and installing it in the space between the front door and moving truck.

Set Up An Assembly Line

Efficiently loading up a moving truck in the rain requires a system. UF Mover Guys offers encompassing moving services that cover all aspects of your relocation, including loading and unloading, but if you plan to load the moving truck on your own, be sure to think ahead of time about how you’ll keep your move as rain-free as possible. We recommend designating 1-2 people to stay with the moving truck to load boxes in an organized manner. This is important for moves in any type of weather, but it holds even truer when it’s raining out. In the rain, the fewer people moving from point A to point B the better. In addition to the people stationed at the moving truck, also set up an assembly line for moving boxes from the house to the truck during loading and the truck to the house during unloading. Setting up stations and designating specific tasks will help ensure less water gets in the house and reduces the chance of injuries on slippery surfaces.