Most of us tend to love our hometowns with a passion, but from time to time, we wonder if perhaps the grass might be greener on the other side. Before you contact a long distance moving company and pack up the entire family, you need to have a much better idea of where the best place to raise a family in the U.S. happens to be. Here are the eight best places to raise a family for your consideration.

Number 8 — Boston, MA

This city of 4.7 million has one of the strongest job markets of the biggest metro areas in the country. The median salary for those who call Boston home is around $60,000 per year. People who live here say it offers all the advantages of a big city with the friendliness of a small town. The city also boasts excellent institutions of higher learning, a great arts scene, and is a mecca for foodies.

Number 7 – Raleigh-Durham, NC

Within the borders of this joint city are three exceptional colleges, North Caroline State University, Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of the best reasons to consider hiring a long distance moving company to move to this picturesque area is that it has a very low cost of living and continues to grow economically.

Number 6 – Seattle, WA

From a mild, if slightly rainy climate to major employers such as Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, and Amazon, Seattle has earned its place among the top places to raise a family. The city sits on Puget Sound and is within driving distance of the Cascade Mountain range. Educational opportunities abound for children and adults alike, making it a great choice for growing families.

Number 5 – Fayetteville, AR

Out of 100 metro areas surveyed, Fayetteville has the lowest unemployment rate at a mere 2.95 percent. At the same time, the metro area has grown more than six percent over the last few years. It might be the third largest city in Arkansas, but you would never know it from the friendly atmosphere. The city is home to hundreds of acres of community greenspace, parks, playgrounds and walking trails.

Number 4 — Washington, DC

While this might surprise many, our nation’s capital has become a prime long distance moving destination for companies like Steele & Vaughn. The city has a lot to offer including public libraries, parks, an extensive public transportation network, and more. The city is always clean, with plenty of world-class restaurants, museums, other cultural sites.

Number 3 – San Jose, CA

San Jose bears the nickname “Silicon Valley” thanks to the large number of tech industries who have chosen to make their home here. With plenty of job opportunities came an explosion in growth that is still going on today. Living here you are near both the Sierra Nevada range of mountains and the oceans. There is never a shortage of outdoor family activities to enjoy.

Number 2 – Denver, CO

The gold rush of the mid-1800s brought with it the start of the “Mile High City.” Today, this amazing city located near the Rookies boasts incredible scenery all year round. Whether you like to snow ski, snowmobile, fish, swim, or go camping, there is always plenty to do here. The city also boasts an outstanding school system, making it a great place to settle and raise a family.

Number 1 – Austin, TX

According to the latest data, approximately 50 people make the move to Austin, TX every day of the year. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World”, the city has an endless supply of concerts by well-known and local artists every year. The climate is hot in the summer and mild in the winter with only a few inches of rain each year. There are over 250 parks in the area with biking/hiking trails, places to canoe or kayak, and trails for you to jog along. Of all the cities in the United States, Austin sits atop the list of best places to raise a family.

If you are thinking about making the move to one of these cities or anywhere else in the country with your family, don’t do it alone. The best way to ensure your worldly possessions arrive at your new home in one piece and on time is by hiring a professional long distance moving company. Steele & Vaughn is your trusted moving company serving High Point, NC along with Greensboro, Winston Salem, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (336) 273-0546 to arrange for your free estimate.

Dreading your big move coming up? Moving can be costly, stressful, and time consuming. But it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of great ways to save yourself some time and money whether you’re moving across town or across the country. Follow these tips and hire reliable movers in Greensboro, NC, to make your relocation as smooth and affordable as possible.

1. Careful packing goes a long way. The order in which you pack things matters, as well as the things you should keep separate. One of the first things you will want to do is make the beds up in your new home, so keep the bedding in an easy to find place (perhaps your own vehicle). Also pack a suitcase or travel bag with at least 3 days of clothes and toiletries (more if you are traveling farther) in case it takes a while to organize everything. When you take apart furniture or other large items, put all bolts and screws and small pieces in carefully labeled Ziploc bags. Before you unplug electronics, take a picture of the wires with your phone so you’ll know how to plug everything back in. Take the time to pack carefully and you will save yourself a lot of time unpacking.
2. Keep your toolbox handy. This is another item that may be best to pack in your own car. You’ll need tools first upon arrival at your new home to assemble beds and other furniture pieces. If your tools get buried at the back of the moving truck, you’ll have to wait until everything is moved in to start putting things together, especially your bed, which you’ll be dying to climb into and collapse.
3. Keep track of your moving expenses. If you are relocating for your job, you may be able to deduct some of your moving expenses from your taxes. Keep track of how much you spend at each step of your move, including what you pay your movers in Greensboro, NC, so that you will have proper documentation when it’s time to file your taxes.

Hiring Professional Movers Can Actually Save You Time and Money

Thinking you’ll save money by moving your things yourself? While it may seem that way at first, the costs really add up. If you have to make multiple trips in your own vehicle, the cost of gas alone will be significant. Renting a truck comes with its own expenses, and then you’re still responsible for packing, loading, driving, and unloading. If your things get broken or damaged, there’s no way to recoup that loss because you were the responsible party. Save yourself time and money by hiring movers in Greensboro, NC. Don’t wait, reserve your moving date now with Steele and Vaughn. Call (336) 273-0546.

You may have wondered about this if you’ve ever thought about selling your home. Is there a certain time of year that is best to put your home on the market? You may have heard that spring is the best season to sell a home. The weather is nice, flowers are blooming, and people are house hunting. Statistics show that it can actually be narrowed down to a more specific time frame. Put your house on the market at the right time, and it might be snapped up fast. Don’t get caught unprepared for a quick sale. Do your research on movers in Greensboro, NC, before you put your house on the market so you’ll be ready to move out if you get a good offer.

For Best Results Put Your House on the Market in the Month of May

Real estate statistics show that more homes sell between May 1^st and May 15^th than any other time in the year. And they sold for 1% more than average sales. But it’s important to understand the process. You will need to prepare well in advance of May 1^st to have your home ready to be listed by then. How far in advance? That depends on the extent of the work your home requires to be sale-ready. A deep cleaning, yard work, and some basic staging may only take a few weeks, where painting, remodeling, planting, etc. may take months. It’s never too early to have a real estate agent come by and give you suggestions for improvements and an idea of what your listing price could be. Let the experts help you sell your home as fast as possible and for the highest possible price.

In Contrast, May is Not the Best Time to Buy a House

Unfortunately, the reasons that May is a good time to sell a house are the same reasons that May is not a good time to buy a house. Houses are selling fast, meaning it’s difficult to find one in the first place. And if you do find one you like, you may find yourself in a bidding war with another potential buyer, meaning you will likely end up paying more. Will the 1% more you get for your house balance out the extra amount you will spend on a new house? Probably not. Also, May through August is the busy time for movers in Greensboro, NC, meaning you may struggle to find reliable movers who are available during this timeframe.

Reserve your Movers in Greensboro, NC, Well in Advance if at all Possible

If you do plan to sell your home and buy a new one in the spring, its best to reserve your movers as soon as possible. Once you know your closing date for your new home, schedule your moving date. Choose reliable movers in Greensboro, NC, Steele and Vaughn and rest assured your possessions will make the transition safely. Call (336) 273-0546 to reserve your moving date today.

It goes without saying that divorce is a difficult process. And it typically results in a move for some members of the family. Moving can be stressful in any situation, and as part of a divorce it can be even more intense. To make the move as smooth as possible, hire a reliable moving company in Greensboro, NC, and follow the dos and don’ts of moving after a divorce.

Do plan your move well in advance. At least 8 weeks of preparation is ideal for a less stressful move.

Don’t spring the move on your children at the last minute. People, especially children, need time to adjust to the idea of leaving behind their old home and moving to a new one.

Do take your time choosing a moving company in Greensboro, NC. Read reviews and ask for recommendations from people you trust.

Don’t wait too long to hire a moving company. They are often booked months in advance, so reserving one at least 8 weeks out from your move is wise.

Do make sure your movers will fully insure your belongings.

Don’t follow through with a moving company if you don’t feel completely comfortable. Don’t ignore any misgivings. You are trusting someone with all of your possessions. The stakes are high.

Do go through your things and get rid of items that are not absolutely essential. Lightening your load will make the moving process less stressful.

Don’t hold onto anything that holds negative sentiments for you. Moving after a divorce is the time to leave the past behind and start fresh.

Do make sure to tie up loose ends before moving. Forward mail, get the kids school records transferred, have utilities turned off at the right time (or transferred to your spouse’s name if they are remaining in the home), contact your bank and insurance companies with your new address, and any other items like this that will be affected by your move.

Don’t pack your most valuable items in boxes to be moved by your moving company. Consider asking your moving company for custom professional packing.

Do pack bags with a few days essentials as if you were going on a trip. That way you will have clothes, toothbrushes, toiletries, and anything else you may need without having to dig through boxes to find them. It will take a few days (or even weeks) to get fully unpacked in your new home.

Don’t forget to pack a few essential kitchen items to take in your own vehicle. Unless you want to eat out every meal for a few days, you will want some cooking utensils that are easy to access.

Hiring a Moving Company in Greensboro, NC, Reduces the Stress of Moving After a Divorce

Whatever your feelings are during this big transition, moving can be a stressful experience. You’re attempting to pick up the pieces and move on to a brand new start. Take some of the load off and hire a professional moving company in Greensboro, NC. Steele and Vaughn will carefully handle the packing and moving of your things so that you can focus on what really matters. Call today for a free estimate: (336) 273-0546.

Choosing the right storage solution in Greensboro, NC, does not need to be a guessing game or one where you visit different storage units until you find one that fits. Whether you need somewhere to store the entire contents of your home or just store the overflow that won’t fit in your home, the right storage solution is out there. The big question is, “How do you decide which is the best fit for your needs?” Follow these top tips to help you make the right decision.

1. Take Inventory of What Needs to be Stored

One of the first questions most storage companies ask is what are you planning to store? They don’t ask this question to be nosy, only to help you determine the amount of space you will need. Measure the larger items you plan to store, then place the rest of it in a carefully arranged stack like how you would pack it for shipping. Measure the length, width, and height of the stack. Add in any irregularly shaped items like bikes, grills, or items that you can’t stack.

2. Consider Your Timeline for Packing

Storage units in Greensboro, NC, come in a wide range to choose from. Do you want to be able to move around in a storage unit to get at different things, or are you planning to leave items unattended for a few months and before accessing them again?

3. Properly Understand the Dimensions of a Storage Unit

Most of the storage units in Greensboro, NC, are advertised as length by width, e.g. 8×10 feet. The average storage unit has a ceiling height of 8 feet. The different storage unit sizes will be limited to what a facility has available. To ensure everything fits, you may need to buy a larger storage unit than you imagined.

4. Buy Only What You Need

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to settle for a storage unit that is too small just to save a few dollars. But if you pack a storage unit from front to back and to the rafters, it could take you hours to find something in the back. Grouping items in containerized storage modules could save you hours of valuable time and give you the option add more stuff later.

5. How Good are You at Packing?

If you are going to be the one packing everything up and moving it into a storage unit, you need to take a moment and think about how good you are at packing. You might be able to get away with a smaller storage unit if you know how to pack everything tightly. But if packing like this is not something you are good at, consider saving yourself a lot of unnecessary stress. Containerized storage can be brought right to your home and combined with a professional packing service. Crates can be custom built for artwork, antiques, or anything else that needs special care.

Finding the right storage solution in Greensboro, NC, starts with Steele & Vaughn, your trusted moving and storage company. We offer award winning moving and storage services and offer a wide range of fully containerized storage units to choose from. Call (336) 273-0546 to learn more about the many storage options we have to offer.