Gotham Gal West Coast – 5 Ways to Keep Your Move Geek Friendly

GGWestHi there, Geeksters! It’s Gotham Gal West Coast here. While we’re having a heatwave, we’re trying to sell our house and buy a new one (fingers crossed if at all possible, please!). We need more space—just under 1,000 square feet is not enough for the two geeks in our home! However, I have some really great tips to think about (and use) while planning and executing your move. Learn from our mistakes!!!!

1. Keep boxes for the important collectibles

I cannot emphasize this enough. Keeping boxes for more intricate items (like anything Kotobukiya) will offer protection that you cannot find with commercial solutions. These pieces are intricate, and should be handled and treated as such. In most cases, YOU spent the money to get these items, so protect your investment however possible!

Disney may "say" that Mara Jade isn’t "canon," but those of us who are fans know SHE WILL ALWAYS BE CANON. Therefore, I kept the box and intend to keep the box and will delight in showcasing this to any and all who see it…Because MARA JADE IS CANON. Also, who else would put up with Skywalker? There’s a reason he was alone on an island when Rey saw him in Episode VII (don’t care if this is a spoiler now), Disney tried to KILL HER!
Disney may “say” that Mara Jade isn’t “canon,” but those of us who are fans know SHE WILL ALWAYS BE CANON. Therefore, I kept the box and intend to keep the box and will delight in showcasing this to any and all who see it…Because MARA JADE IS CANON. Also, who else would put up with Skywalker? There’s a reason he was alone on an island when Rey saw him in Episode VII (don’t care if this is a spoiler now), Disney tried to KILL HER!

2. Label anything and everything

If you’re the only Geek in your home, you may want to keep the labels General (Office-Your Name) to mitigate any hilariousness your chosen fandom altar might manifest in others. If, however you aren’t the only Geek, specific labels help differentiate your various fandoms.

The picture on the left is just weird. Like, who would want to claim that*? Some DVD gift set for some indie movie… :eye roll: But that stuff on the right, you might want to label generally. Because the awesomeness in the small box it eventually went to is EPIC. I’m pretty sure if anyone would happen upon your boxes, they would be instantly excited about the Rainbow Brite Itty Bitty and that Barbie and the Rockers Funko figurine. Those street values are just crazy for those! (*My husband is a LOTR fan, and I watched them FOR him, and I don’t get it, but what I do take issue with was that he probably spent an insane amount of money on this when it was new and all of the stuff on the right is probably worth a fraction of what the dead format on the left is worth—never mind that he won’t open them to use the book ends…)
The picture on the left is just weird. Like, who would want to claim that*? Some DVD gift set for some indie movie… :eye roll: But that stuff on the right, you might want to label generally. Because the awesomeness in the small box it eventually went to is EPIC. I’m pretty sure if anyone would happen upon your boxes, they would be instantly excited about the Rainbow Brite Itty Bitty and that Barbie and the Rockers Funko figurine. Those street values are just crazy for those! (*My husband is a LOTR fan, and I watched them FOR him, and I don’t get it, but what I do take issue with was that he probably spent an insane amount of money on this when it was new and all of the stuff on the right is probably worth a fraction of what the dead format on the left is worth—never mind that he won’t open them to use the book ends…)

3. Keep contents stored in their ideal environment

Sometimes bagging and boarding is essential. Yes, that’s right. You never know what you might end up with at a storage unit. When we helped friends move, their garage had gotten flooded. So while some of the comics were alright because they were in bags, the Robotech collection was a little worse for the wear. Learn from other’s mistakes… And act accordingly.

This is an example of a great comic to keep in a bag/board. Because Batgirl and Prince… And Batman.
This is an example of a great comic to keep in a bag/board. Because Batgirl and Prince… And Batman.

4. Bubble wrap is your friend (i.e., get the moving insurance)

Sure, you can call it an unnecessary expense, but when people come and help you move, they should be paid. And while we always have those friends that would love to help, there’s a point where you should not involve your friends in moving. Instead, look up how much it might cost to be moved. It can be a lot cheaper locally than you might think. Oftentimes they’ll carry heavy items, and even strategize ways to get that huge couch out of your house without hitting that new paint job. So you’ll have the time and energy to point them in the right direction and tell them where the boxes go. Additionally, a service will offer insurance. PLEASE research the limitations—we usually end up taking highly breakable collectibles and pets in separate trips in our cars  so that we minimize any damage incurred in a move—but be prepared for something to break, or use enough bubble wrap and care for it not to happen!

Caption: If you’re near a college campus, you can often get help from local kids who just want $10 or $20 bucks an hour and will help you with hard labor or all of those trips up and down the stairs. And then use a local trailer from a place like UHaul and save some money—you can even learn things from the trailers—like Akron is the Bowling Capital of the World! Bonus points: Instead of asking friends to help you move, invite them to your new place for an awesome tour/gaming session. They may even bring libations!
Caption: If you’re near a college campus, you can often get help from local kids who just want $10 or $20 bucks an hour and will help you with hard labor or all of those trips up and down the stairs. And then use a local trailer from a place like UHaul and save some money—you can even learn things from the trailers—like Akron is the Bowling Capital of the World! Bonus points: Instead of asking friends to help you move, invite them to your new place for an awesome tour/gaming session. They may even bring libations!

5. Unpack at your leisure to maximize your sanity!

The first thing on your mind after a move is figuring out where your collectibles may go. But if you are the only Geek in your home, patience will pay off. Keep in mind that your collectibles and hobbies should be FUN. That’s why we recommend labeling the boxes and setting them off to the side—you’ll earn points by setting up the grown-up things first (like the kitchen, bedroom and all-important living room) and still know exactly where your items are. You can come back at a later time and unpack a box or two when time permits, so you can find the perfect place to put it in your new home!

When you take time to unpack at your leisure (one box a day), you can find the perfect place for something AND have fun doing it. This process is a lot like LootCrate—sometimes you have no idea what’s in a box (if you didn’t label it) and can make you fall in love with things you forgot you couldn’t live without… Like a Louise Belcher Bunny Hat. Because everyone needs one of these bad boys!
When you take time to unpack at your leisure (one box a day), you can find the perfect place for something AND have fun doing it. This process is a lot like LootCrate—sometimes you have no idea what’s in a box (if you didn’t label it) and can make you fall in love with things you forgot you couldn’t live without… Like a Louise Belcher Bunny Hat. Because everyone needs one of these bad boys!

What Geek-friendly moving tips do YOU have?

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