Uncategorized | Gainesville Movers and Moving Companies in Gainesville

Make A Packing Plan Before A Move In 5 Easy Steps

Without a doubt, packing is the most time-consuming aspect of moving. It’s a big feat to sort through a household’s contents, separate the cream of the crop, and move them to another location. For that reason, you may feel overwhelmed when you start packing.

One way to mitigate your moving-related stress is to team up with professional movers in Gainesville. Moving companies like UF Mover Guys offer a host of pack-up services to alleviate some of the burdens. If you wish to pack everything yourself, just keep in mind that nothing makes this process go more smoothly than having a packing plan.

As long as you create a thought-out, step-by-step plan before moving, the preparations will be as easy as a walk in Depot Park. But just in case you’re unsure about how to proceed, we’ve compiled a helpful guide that shows you how to make a perfect packing plan in five simple steps.

1. Mark The Date On A Calendar

Keep your moving date marked on a calendar to remind yourself of the deadline. On a paper calendar, circle the final date and X-out preceding days as they pass. This lets you better visualize the timeframe in which packing and cleaning need to be completed. For digital calendars and reminder apps, whether on your computer or smartphone, schedule weekly or daily reminders that count down the days until the move as well as remind you when to pack.

You’ll probably have to set aside several hours each week for packing. These can be during evenings and weekends, or whenever you’re free from work, school, and family obligations. But as your moving day draws closer, you should reevaluate how much time you’ll need to finish preparations.

2. Ask For Assistance

If people didn’t need help with moving, there wouldn’t be such a widespread need for moving companies in Gainesville. Yet, the fact that UF Mover Guys is busier than ever after many years in the business is proof that moving is absolutely a multi-person job.

A large family has plenty of helpers on standby — have the kids pack their rooms, especially their toys and games. Involving them in the moving process fosters a sense of ownership that can help them overcome anxieties they feel changing homes or switching schools. Adults in the family can pack the furniture, electronics, cutlery, and other items that need special care or require heavy lifting. In single-person households, friends and neighbors can fill in as auxiliary movers. You can also throw a good-buy cookout that doubles as a thank you and goodbye.

When family or friends are scarce, you can hire outside movers. Be leery of low-quality posts online that advertise cheap, discount, or budget moving services. Sometimes, these are from college kids trying to make a few bucks; other times, they are from scammers seeking access to your worldly possessions. To be safe, trust only a reputable moving company with a proven track record and verified reviews.

3. Donate Unnecessary Goods

Notice we said “unnecessary” — as opposed to “unneeded” — goods. This is because, if given a chance, most people will hold onto their belongings for eternity, much like the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

While devotion to one’s possessions is understandable for perennially useful items, when it comes to worn-out sneakers or holiday pillows that haven’t seen sunlight since the last presidency, having attachments to these items is less justifiable. Unnecessary items can quickly become a burden when you consider the time it takes to pack them; the effort to load, transport and unload them; as well as the money you spend to movers to handle the items. Better alternatives are either to discard or donate such items.

As you pack each room, separate items worth keeping from those that aren’t. Once you’ve inventoried the whole house, further divide the pile of unnecessary items based on whether they are high quality enough for somebody else to use them. Next, take these donatable clothes, furnishings, utensils, and more to your favorite consignment or thrift store. Some of the stores in Gainesville suggested by our movers include:

4. Organize Moving Boxes For Tomorrow, Not Today

Ask just about any mover, and they’ll tell you the most efficient way to organize your boxes is to keep items from the same rooms together. It’s much faster to unpack a bathroom when the contents are consolidated into two boxes as opposed to divided among twenty. But not all movers remember to provide the second half of that piece of advice: organize the boxes to fit the layout of the new house, not the old one.

Planning ahead by packing boxes in order to furnish the new floor plan will hasten the unpacking process tremendously. This does take some forethought but is a fairly simple process.

5. Download A Moving Planner App

Students in Gainesville love their phones. And they’re not the only ones. Lots of people rely on mobile devices every day to communicate, find directions, and order lunch. Whether you’re a tech junkie or just looking for a digital solution to staying organized, a moving planner app may be the answer to your moving woes.

Here are the latest apps recommended by our moving team:

Sortly

No more writing out lists the old-fashioned way with paper, pencils, and polaroids. Sortly lets you take snapshots or scan barcodes of your items from your phone, creating visual, manageable packing lists. After you’ve built an inventory, add categories and virtual labels for even more layers of organization. The app also provides multi-user access, so your whole household, from novices to experienced movers, can keep track of belongings with ease.

Wunderlist

To move efficiently as a couple, a family, or a group of roommates takes special cooperation. Each person has a role to play: for example, one could buy boxes and tape, another could drop off the donations at the thrift store, and still, someone else can research moving companies. In the midst of a big move, however, communication can go haywire, and organization can break down. One way to keep everyone on track with their designated responsibilities is Wunderlist. Though not an app exclusive to moving purposes, this list-creation software allows multiple people to share a to-do list, check off completed tasks, and keep everyone else updated on new developments. It’s moving-day communications for the modern age.

Magicplan

Anyone who’s ever attempted to pre-organize a room using only their memory of its layout for reference knows that sometimes the mind’s eye and reality don’t always align. Magicplan takes the guesswork out of room design. When you enter your new home or apartment, even before officially moving in, open the app and scan the floor plan for a 3-dimensional model. Now, you can refer to this true-to-spec rendering while making packing decisions.

When it comes to residential and commercial moving services, UF Mover Guys has seen and done it all. For more tips or advice, or to hire us for your next move in Gainesville, contact us today.

Tips For Moving A Short Distance

Not every move crosses state lines or time zones. Many are short-distance relocations, where people ZIP codes change but the city doesn’t. These types of moves could include college students who are upgrading from stuffy dorms to spacious apartments, or young couples or families who are pursuing their American dreams by becoming homeowners. Whatever the motivations behind your local move, check out these short haul moving tips from UF Mover Guys to achieve a low-cost, drama-free, yet fun moving experience.

Take Your Time

Even though moving can be stressful, this is only a possibility and not a foregone conclusion. One of the chief inducements to stress is time pressure: what happens if you don’t have those boxes packed, loaded, and shipped on time? Is your move ruined? While tardiness might disrupt a long distance move — for example, by causing you to have to reschedule the movers or rearrange your travel plans — the penalties aren’t as stiff during local moves.

Since you’re moving locally, you have something most people only dream about having: ready access to your next home or apartment. Whereas cross-country moves have to be completed in one fell swoop, your relocation can be accomplished in multiple stages across several days.

Once you have the new keys, head over to the place to measure the rooms. If you’ll have less space, plan on downsizing before changing addresses. You should also start bringing over items as soon as can. Your personal transportation should work for carrying smaller items. Although, when it comes to the big stuff, you’ll probably need a truck.

Many of the moving companies in Gainesville rent only medium- and large-size trucks, which cost the same amount of money no matter if you’re moving one piece of furniture or a household’s worth. But UF Mover Guys rents all sizes of trucks, including small ones, for DIY moves, or we’ll load up and transport everything for you. Smaller vehicles aren’t just cheaper on fuel (especially if you’re making several trips in town), but they’re also better on the environment.

Borrow, Don’t Buy

It’s hard to move without moving supplies. Penny-pinchers aim to save money on moves by using materials they own, such as plastic bins instead of boxes, or towels in place of packing peanuts. But the issue many run into is not having enough of these materials to finish the job. The fact that you’re sticking around town means you can borrow supplies — including bins, bags, and even large equipment like dollies — from people you know, and return them after your move. And if those friends move, you can reciprocate by lending them supplies.

Move Non-Essentials First

If you’re moving over several days, you’d be wise to hold off packing your most essential items — bed, TV, microwave, shower curtain — until you’re ready to move into the new home. This way, your current place is still livable as you transition out of it. Alternatively, if you plan to extend the move long enough to spend significant amounts of time at both locations, then you’ll want to divide essentials between both addresses as best you can.

Remember to have the utilities turned on at the new address and cancel them at your current location. To save money, you should wait to do this until you’re ready to move in, but schedule the installations ahead of time, so you know the technicians will be available when you need them. Many service providers of Internet, cable, and electricity offer either complimentary moving services or charge a modest relocation fee.

Downsize Gradually

Moving is an opportune time to downsize by getting rid of any unnecessary property, like old clothes, outdated electronics, and extra toys, games, and more. What’s nice about moving locally is that, if you have items for sale, you don’t have to relist them after you move. Even if they don’t sell, you can merely leave the ads online and wait for offers. If space is a concern, you can either donate the goods to charity or store them in a climate-controlled unit.

Manage Your Expectations

It’s true that short distance moves are easier, in many respects, than long distance moves. But when you get down to it, both involve the same amount of work — minus travel time.

If you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to pull off a moving job, even locally, don’t sweat it — just look to UF Mover Guys. Our short haul movers use the right tools and vehicles to relocate your items efficiently and for the lowest available cost — did we mention we charge no travel or fuel fees for local moves in Gainesville? Request a free moving quote today!

Is It Time To Move-In Together? Tips For Couples

Living together is a big step in a relationship. But before finding new housing and calling for movers Gainesville, Florida, couples should consider all of the factors that go into a shared-living arrangement. From financial realities to the potentially different expectations the two people have with regard to issues such as household cleanliness, there are many factors involved that make the decision to move-in together complex. Yet, if after careful consideration, moving-in together makes sense, the last step before entering this new realm of your relationship is to plan for the circumstances you and your partner will face while living under the same roof.

Sharing Living-Costs

There are several expenses associated with two people living together. For example, before hiring movers Gainesville couples must decide whether they will merge housing, where one person moves into the other’s home, or find new housing altogether. The next decision, after housing, is how a couple should divide their living-costs, including the cost of rent or mortgage payments along with other household expenses, from weekly food costs to monthly cable subscriptions.

Fairness

Fundamental to sharing the living-costs as a couple is to define the parameters of what’s fair. For example, should expenses be divided in-half, or should the person with the higher income pay a larger percentage? Or should items and services be purchased individually, such as one person pays for movers in Gainesville, FL, while the other person pays for a storage unit for the items left over after the couple combined their possessions? But whatever the decision on what’s fair, most important is that both people agree on the financial arrangement and things remain consistent.

Break-Up Plan

In Gainesville moving into a home with a significant other can be a rewarding decision, but that doesn’t mean living together isn’t an arrangement devoid of risks. People hope for the best outcome in any relationship, but there is also the potential that, down the road, a couple will break up. Generally, the more financially intertwined two people’s lives are, the more difficult it is for one person to extricate him- or herself from the other person. So until the long-term prospects of a relationship are established, it’s wise for a couple to avoid sharing both the costs of large assets, such as a vehicle, and bank accounts.

Dueling Expectations

When hiring a moving company Gainesville, FL, residents who are in relationships might disagree about such details as the time of day the moving truck should arrive or how many boxes are needed to pack up a home. In other words, while living together, couples may experience plenty of benign variances of opinion over minutiae, such as the correct brand of paper towel or milk to buy. What must be reconciled, though, are dueling expectations for major issues, such as the cleanliness of a home. So in instances where a couple is at odds over something fundamental, such as two people having vastly different preferences for organization, there should first be a candid discussion followed by a compromise agreed to by each person.

Household Chores

In Florida movers divide up moving-related tasks evenly in order to pack and relocate the contents of homes efficiently. Similarly, couples should evenly divide the responsibilities for their household chores. Again, what qualifies as an even division-of-labor is open-ended, as couples may choose to have permanently assigned chores, alternate chores weekly, or work together on each chore. Most important, though, is that both people feel the arrangement is equitable.

UF Mover Guys is among the Gainesville’s trusted moving companies. Our customers include couples and newlyweds, as well as individuals, students, and families. Contact us to schedule moving services.

Move Into Your First Apartment Or Home With These Tips

Whether you’re vacating your parents’ home or a University of Florida residence hall, moving into your first house or apartment is a colossal achievement. Of course, there’s a lot of responsibilities that come with starting your independent lifestyle, from scheduling Gainesville movers and setting up utilities to finding the best Internet service and updating your address on forms. But we’ve put together some tips on how to accomplish these feats and thus start off as a first-time renter or homeowner on the right foot.

Get An Estimate For Moving Services

Movers can be busy if you wait to call last-minute, which is why it’s advisable to book moving services months in advance of your moving day. When looking for a moving company, homeowners and renters take into account several factors. Price is certainly important, and the most-trusted companies provide up-front estimates for services with no hidden fees. But what also matters is movers’ reputations, which is why it’s wise to read reviews for moving companies before hiring your movers.

Set Up Utilities In Your Home

Around the time they’re booking movers, homeowners with experience moving also will begin to think about what utilities should be set up at their new homes. This is the behavior you should emulate as a first-time renter or homeowner.

Find Gainesville Utility Providers

In Gainesville, moving to a new house or apartment involves creating an account with the local utility provider. Providers vary based on the area of the city you live in, but the most notable utility company is Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU). Common utilities are electricity, water, and gas, although some apartments and houses don’t use gas, and certain student apartments only charge tenants for electricity. Most utilities are pre-installed and need only to be turned on remotely by the utility company, but it could be necessary for a company representative to visit your home at a future date to read or reset the service meter.

Choose Internet & Cable Services

If you lived in your family’s home or dorm, these services may have been provided without a second thought. But when you’re on your own, you’ll need to call for Internet and cable services to be installed. First, contact or visit the websites for local Internet and cable providers to determine whether their services are available at your address — a few local providers include Cox Communication, Inc., AT&T, and Gator.NET. Next, compare the prices and reviews of the services. Finally, after you’ve found a service package that suits you, schedule installation. In Florida movers recommend to people who utilize Internet daily for work or school to schedule the installation of Internet and cable services on or before moving day. And remember, there could be a delay of a week or more between when you order Internet and cable services and when the services can be installed.

Change Your Address On Forms

Prior to moving day and the arrival of their movers Gainesville residents should fill out change-of-address forms wherever necessary.

Mailing Address

Updating your address with the U.S. Postal Office is important because a current address ensures the uninterrupted flow of your mail, including bills and documents.

Florida Driver’s License

Florida law requires people to update the address on their driver’s license through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within thirty days of moving.

ATM & Bank Cards

Any bank accounts or credit cards will also need to have your address-on-file updated when you move. Particularly after a long-distance move, using your check card in a new city could trigger a security alert that temporarily freezes the account.

UF Mover Guys is right for first-time homeowners and renters because we make the process easy by providing up-front price estimates and offering friendly service from highly trained professionals. Contact us to schedule moving services!

Moving? Don’t Forget To Throw a Goodbye Party!

Not everything about moving is a drag — moving to a new place means you get to have one last party at your home. UF Mover Guys has provided this quick guide on how to throw the best goodbye party!

Three Tips on How To Throw a Farewell Party

There are so many things you can do to throw a fantastic party. Here are three ways to host a goodbye party that is sure to be the cause of some lasting friendships and a night none of your guests will ever forget. Remember, your Gainesville movers are coming soon, so you better act fast!

Have a Theme

One of the best ways to get people really excited about your party is to have a theme. Some great themes include things like basing it off of books and movies, having a costume contests, or even playing into a joke between you and your friends. Whatever your theme is, make sure that it’s fun and that everyone can participate.

Have Great Food Available

Nobody wants to come to a party that doesn’t have good food. A sure fire way to plan the best goodbye party before your Gainesville moving company arrives is to have some great food either made or brought. A pot luck is the perfect way to get everyone to bring something tasty.

Have Games or Things to Do

A party isn’t a party if everyone is lounging on your couch half awake. A great party begins with some fun games or activities for your friends to do. Some great options are card games like poker, or check out party rentals like a photo booth. Above all else, make sure you give a good hug to all of your friends that you won’t see for a long time after your Gainesville movers have come and gone.

Movers in Gainesville, FL

After your party of the century is done and it’s time to pack up your bags, remember that UF Mover Guys are there for you, too. We understand that moving can be stressful, which is why we offer great moving packages for students and young adults with all kinds of needs.

Stick with a company you can trust — call UF Mover Guys today!

Transporting Firearms & Ammo When Moving

When it’s time to move, you probably think about how you’re going to take your food, bed frame and other large items with you. But don’t forget about moving your firearms and ammo! There are processes, laws, and restrictions of transporting firearms and ammunition when moving, either within the state or to another state. In order to avoid civil or criminal penalties, you need to know the rules in place for carrying firearms in each state and the restrictions with each form of transportation, personal vehicle, moving company, or commercial air carrier. At UF Mover Guys, we are a moving company Gainesville, FL, residents can trust to deliver their belongings in a safe and timely manner.

Transporting Firearms in a Personal Vehicle

In Florida, a person 18 years of age or older who legally owns a firearm is allowed to transport it within their vehicle. However, unless they have a concealed weapon license, they cannot transport it openly in an accessible area ready to use. The firearm must be securely encases, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. The firearm must also be stored out of reach. This means that it cannot be in the glove compartment or under the seat, it should be in the back half of the vehicle, preferably the trunk. When transporting the firearm across state lines, the firearm must be stored the same way. However, gun laws vary by state so you should always check what is allowed and what is not prior to the move.

Transporting Weapons Via a Moving Company

Most Gainesville moving companies will agree to transport firearms for you, however, there are restrictions and regulations that they must follow. Licensed Florida moving companies are generally not allowed to transport dangerous or combustible items, which means that they cannot transport your ammunition. They also cannot indicate that a gun is inside the crate for safety reasons, so you must keep track of where it is stored. Some companies might even request to be present during the packing of your firearms to ensure that it follows their regulations.

Transporting Through Commercial Air Carrier

Because of strict TSA regulations and prohibited items, many people are confused as to how to go about the process of transporting firearms and ammunition. Since firearm possession laws vary by local, state, and international governments, it is important to understand them prior to transportation. General guidelines include declaring your firearm every time during baggage check-in and asking the airline about any particular limitations or fees. Firearms must always be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and they may only be transported as checked baggage, as well as all magazines, clips, bolts, and firing pins. All ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must only be transported through checked baggage.

Movers in Gainesville, FL

If you are planning a move, it is important to hire a reliable company that you can trust with your belongings. At UF Mover Guys, we strive to provide our customers with the highest quality service and timeliness. Contact us today for a Florida moving company you can count on.

Preparation is Key! Tips to Keep in Mind Before Your Move

Moving can seem like a hectic, overwhelming undertaking consisting of an endless list of tasks, worries, hassles and expenses. But don’t worry, as experts in the moving business, UF Mover Guys is here to share the simple secret to taking the stress out of your next move. The truth is, with proper preparation and organization, moving to a new home doesn’t have to be a pain!

The more you plan ahead (and start early), the easier your move will be. Here’s a few important preparation tips to help streamline your upcoming move:

Get Housing Plans in Order

Contact a realtor or rental service as far ahead of time as possible to help you locate your next home. If you’re currently renting, don’t forget to give your landlord at least a month’s notice about your upcoming departure. If you’re a homeowner, put your current home up for sale at least 3–4 months before you intend to move, and give yourself at least 1–2 weeks between your move date and the closing of the home you are departing.

Pack with a Floor Plan in Mind

Once you’ve lined up your next housing arrangement, be sure to keep the new home’s size and floor plan in mind when you’re planning and packing for your move. This will help you envision what furniture will fit into your new space and what items you may want to replace or give away.

Sort and Declutter Ahead of Time

Whether through auction, antique dealers, consignment, charity or family members, getting rid of unneeded household items before relocating means there will be less stuff to move when the time comes. It’s also possible you can make a little money from selling unwanted items, and extra cash always comes in handy around moving time.

Notify People About Your Move

Don’t forget to inform family, friends and neighbors of your upcoming move and new address! Also notify the post office and utilities about your move a couple weeks ahead of time and complete Change of Address notices for all mail, newspapers and magazines.

Pre-Pack!

You can save time by pre-packing small items and valuables such as art, silver, crystal, jewelry and electronics. People usually prefer to hand-carry these items, so be sure those boxes are clearly labeled for hand-carrying.

Make Plans for Your Pets

It’s a good idea to arrange for a pet-sitter ahead of time as pets often get stressed on moving day, and it’s better if they aren’t underfoot. Ask a friend or family member to keep your pets at their house for the day, or pay to have them lodged at a kennel — they’ll thank you for it!

Stay Organized

Save yourself a headache by keeping all moving-related paperwork organized together, and all lease or home sale and home purchase paperwork together. Things tend to get misplaced during moves; organizing all needed paperwork in one large envelope will cut down on the chance of an important document getting lost.

Hire the Right Movers

Don’t try and do all the work yourself! Moving is a big undertaking, and you’ve already got all the planning to handle on your own. UF Mover Guys is a local Gainesville moving company with years of experience and a professional moving staff. Our North Central Florida moving company provides free quotes, unmatched moving services, friendly staff and affordable prices. We guarantee you’ll be happy you hired us to do all the heavy lifting!

Clean Last

Cleaning becomes a whole lot easier once everything has been removed from your home. If you’re looking to avoid having to clean everything yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service such as Gainesville Mini Maid to handle it for you. They’ll handle everything from scrubbing floors to cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and it’s never a bad thing to have one less item on your to-do list on moving day!

Moving in With a Significant Other? Here Are Some Decorating Tips

Decorating Tips for Couples

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting big step. Once you are living together, you will need to learn each other’s habits and preferences and how to deal with them. The last thing you want to do is start a big fight. Just like with any other living situation, you will need to learn how to compromise.

Take Inventory

Before your Gainesville moving team arrives, begin by assessing the furniture and decor you both possess. If you both have full sets of furniture you may need to downsize. In the event that you have problems agreeing on which piece should stay, make a trade off. For example, perhaps one of you can keep the sofa and the other can keep the bed. With any pieces of furniture that you decide you do not need, donate or sell it. You can then use any proceeds to buy decor for your new apartment.

Find Common Interests

Even if you both have extremely different taste, try to find some form of common ground. Perhaps you both love the color blue or the use of metal in decor? Then use this element as a main part of each room. This way, you can both be satisfied with the new look.

Assign Individual Areas

If you are unable to reach a compromise on specific sections, divide them up. One of you can be in charge of decorating the kitchen while the other takes over the living room. This will help both of you get what you want without the stress of compromising on every specific decision.

Add Neutral Pieces

Because you are combining elements from two different apartments, it may create a somewhat eclectic atmosphere once your Gainesville movers drop everything off. Therefore, be sure to use plenty of basic pieces to lay a foundation. Then your individual belongings can work as accents.

Give Yourselves Time

Let’s face it, you will not be able to make every decision in one day and if you do, a serious fight will ensue. Instead, work at a gradual pace. Do your best to make major decisions that affect the function of each room first. Then move on to smaller issues. It is okay if the process takes awhile.

Communicate Calmly

The most important thing to remember when moving in together is that you need to be patient. This is not the time to try asserting your dominance in the relationship. Instead, listen to each person’s perspective and do your best to make sure each person’s style is represented equally in the apartment. Remember why you are moving in together in the first place.

Moving Company in Florida

It is exciting to finally move in with a significant other. Therefore, it is best to do everything you can to keep the process fun and simple. Let a Gainesville moving company do the heavy lifting so you can begin thinking about the style of your new place. Contact UF Mover Guys today for dependable and timely moving services so you can enjoy your new life experience.

Disassembling Furniture Before a Move

How to Properly Disassemble Furniture

During the moving process, it can be difficult to move all of your possessions. This task becomes much more difficult if you have large, bulky furniture. Therefore, it is much more beneficial to take time to disassemble your furniture before your Gainesville moving company team arrives. When altering your valuable items, it is important to do it well.

Measure Furniture

Before you begin the moving process, take time to measure your furniture in order to determine if it will fit well within the moving van. Also, make sure your large pieces will be able to fit through door ways and hallways and the room at your new home each item will go in.

Analyze Furniture

Once you decide which pieces need to be disassembled, you need to look for disassembling points. Often, there are areas that are specific points where you can take them apart such as screws. This is especially true for bookshelves and desks. Sometimes, they are beneath fabric and you must thoroughly search them.

Get the Proper Tools

In order to properly disassemble your furniture, you will need to obtain the necessary tools. This includes items such as a hammer, Phillips head and flat head screwdriver. You may even need a small hex wrench, which will be helpful for tiny screws.

Consult a Manual

Some pieces of furniture may be easy to disassemble. However, others may be more difficult. Therefore, it may be helpful to read your manual. If you can not locate the manual, you may be able to find it online. Manuals will be particularly helpful for pieces that do not have obvious disassembling points.

Secure Hardware

After you remove the screws, it is important to keep track of the hardware. If you lose it, it will be much more difficult to find similar screws when assembling the piece of furniture again. Place the screws in small plastic bags and label with the accompanying name of the furniture, or you can tape the hardware to the furniture so you can find it once your Gainesville movers finish.

Disassembling your furniture may take time, but it will make your Florida moving process run much smoother. There is also more danger associated with carrying cumbersome furniture. You can accidentally drop it, which may cause an injury or damage your furniture and will then require repair costs. It will also make the task much easier for your Gainesville moving company.

Places to Meet People After Moving to Gainesville

Sometimes, moving to a new place can be isolating and you may find yourself cooped up in your apartment by yourself on a Friday night. In addition to getting accustomed to navigating your way around a new city, and unpacking your plethora of boxes delivered by your Gainesville movers, you must also form new social connections. This may be particularly overwhelming if you do not know where to go.

School or Work

This may seem obvious but if you are a student you will regularly see the same people in your classes and if you work you spend the majority of your time at your job. Do not be afraid to be outgoing and strike up a conversation with someone you do not know. You will automatically have something in common to talk about and they may be interested in spending time together outside of that environment. Take advantage of that time together and do not let yourself be a hermit in those situations.

Volunteer

There are many places that require a lot of help. A great way to fill your time is by finding ways to make a difference in your community. There are many different places you can volunteer in Gainesville depending on your passions and what you might enjoy doing. While you are volunteering, you will interact with other people and it has the potential to be a great way to meet new friends.

Student Life

If you are a student, take advantage of organized events. Gator Nights is held every Friday night at the University of Florida. They show new movies that have been recently been released, and have free food, crafts and other activities you can participate in. The best part is it is all for free! Many UF students attend this event so it is a perfect way to socialize.

Joining one of UF’s 1,000 organized clubs is always another option. This is preferable because there are so many options, you are guaranteed to find one that corresponds with your interests. These smaller groups also facilitate the growth of friendships and they also look good on your resume.

Community Events

If you find yourself with free time on a weekend, do not spend it in your apartment curled up on couch. Instead, look up activities occurring in the community. For instance, in the summer, there are periodic festivals with musicians and artists that would make an entertaining outing. Downtown Gainesville offers a variety of coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife spots which are other great ways to meet people.

After your Gainesville moving company leaves, you are left with the task of making new friends. In general, the key to meeting people in a new area is to be friendly. If you initiate conversations with people you do not know, eventually you will find someone who is also looking for a friend. If you stay in your apartment, nothing will ever change and you will not meet anyone new. So, be brave and build lasting friendships; you never know who you will meet!