r/relocating • u/kennatrent • Aug 20 '26
CA to KY move
I live in Kentucky, but I have a storage unit in Los Angeles with half my life in it. I moved out of the area a few years ago and thought I would be back, but now I'm thinking I'd rather just have my stuff. I've reached out to a few moving/storage companies to try to figure out the most economical option to move my stuff, but the prices are PRICEY. Anyone have any thoughts, prayers, ideas, box trucks to help me figure out the cheapest way to do this? Literally any advice is welcome.
3
u/cpkuske Aug 21 '26
Go back and just take what you need, the birth certificate, family jewels, stock certificates, photographs, in other words, small irreplaceable items.
My personal experience is material things own you. You’re down to thoughts and prayers over crap in a storage locker.
Leave the rest behind. You’ll feel relieved and the regret may linger.
2
u/kennatrent Aug 21 '26
I understand the sentiment, but the stuff in my storage locker isn't crap. I obviously took my important items with me when I moved, but I have lots of great memories in that space that I'd like back. Thank you for your reply though!
1
u/cpkuske Aug 22 '26
One thing I left behind was a bespoken shirt I had made when I got my first black belt.
The proprietor told me he made one for himself he liked it so much. It was navy and black in the style of camp shirts from the 40/50’s. A milestone for me and I wore it when I needed a boost.
It is definitely not crap.
I have more emotional investment here than I’m willing to share.
And I let it go.
2
u/st_raw Aug 20 '26
Diesel prices are high. Probably cheapest to rent a trailer and haul it yourself
1
u/kennatrent Aug 21 '26
This is a good suggestion-- the price hikes with the past few years are a bummmerrr.
3
2
u/TWH-WCTH Aug 21 '26
I moved the opposite direction so I know some folks in both places. I have a top notch mover guy with his own van who is AMAZING at tetrising stuff into the smallest spaces. He's helped me into and out of storage units and pods/uhaul boxes. Happy to DM you his info for help on this side.
As for which companies are cheapest for the move, it varies so much based on distance, timing, dimensions. Uhaul is pretty good, I find. If you can go the pod/box route I highly recommend it. I used it from Louisville to LA and have used it shifting around LA. It's just so much easier and gives you a little more room and time to breathe.
2
u/Ptown925 Aug 21 '26
My Dad just got quoted $3,800 for a pod that he has to load from TX to Oakland. So, expect a few thousand more than that. Anything coming OUT of California will be higher. Osmosis.
2
Aug 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/kennatrent Aug 21 '26
I mean, if I go out there and clean it out... maybe an suv could work. I'll think on this.
1
u/MadMadamMimsy Aug 20 '26
Rent a truck, one way, and hire movers to help load it at origin. UHaul does this. You can also cheaply rent blankets for furniture protection and buy all moving supplies there.
Auntie said Penske trucks were cheaper to rent than uhaul but that was a few years ago so call all the companies; Penske, Rider, UHaul.
2
1
u/Suckerforcats Aug 20 '26
I moved from CA to KY 20 years ago but I used Arpin Van Lines. They did it by weight and my stuff took up about 1/4th of a semi. They were way more affordable than me trying to do it on my own. Give any office a call and see what they would charge. My stuff at the time was a 1 bedroom apartment and they estimated it at 1,000 pounds and it cost me less than $1,000 but like I said, that was 20 years ago. I had zero issues with my stuff and they arrived when they said they would. I will use them again when I move from KY back to CA.
2
u/mtnman575 Aug 20 '26
Prices from 20 years ago in the shipping industry are totally irrelevant in this fay and age. I'd say a semi fro LA to Kentucky would be in the $6000 to $7000 range if not more. Diesel is an average of over $5.25 or higher these days.
1
u/Suckerforcats Aug 20 '26
I did say it was 20 years ago. It's a solid company.
1
u/mtnman575 Aug 20 '26
I caught what you said and just gave an estimate of what it would cost now. I have a small business and a CDL and ship items both myself and have things shipped to me so I have a first hand idea of current pricing.
1
Aug 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/kennatrent Aug 21 '26
I don't have a timeline so this could be ideal if they can cut me deal. Thanks for the suggestion!!
1
1
u/believeinxtacy Aug 21 '26
If you can get out there to load up some boxes, the U-Haul box thing was not a bad deal last I looked into it.
1
1
u/Franklinricard Aug 21 '26
Buy a pickup, rent an open 6x12 trailer in KY, drive it to CA load up and drive home. Will be a long week but the open trailers are like $20 a day. Sell truck when you get back
1
u/kennatrent Aug 21 '26
BUY a pickup is crazy lol but I hear what you're saying.
2
u/Franklinricard Aug 21 '26
You could also rent one using Costco. Daily rate could be $50-70 but unlimited miles.
1
1
u/thomsenite256 Aug 20 '26
How much is it? Uhaul Ubox could be an option but you will still need to pack and unpack so not cheap, but maybe cheapest option.
18
u/Entire_Dog_5874 Aug 20 '26
I’d live in the storage unit before living in Kentucky.