Cheapest option to move from Midwest (USA) to Quebec?

[lleahdoll]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping we get PR sometime in June or July and that I'm able to land shortly after that. I do have belongings still in the states that I'd like to move all in one go.

It's less than a studio apartment's worth. No heavy furniture or anything like that. Probably 2 big plastic tubs, a few boxes (books, cd's, dvd's, etc), and maybe a bag of childhood stuff.
Most of the Uhaul options and things similar are too pricy for me. And I don't need a small moving truck even. And I don't think it's an option for me to drive one on my own that far.

Have any of you had a similar situation? What option did you choose to move your belongings?

 

[lleahdoll]

Sorry, just bumping this since I posted it so late. :3

 

[Evadyrrehs]

Probably the best plan would be to go through your stuff and just keep the absolute essential and sentimental items. Then you could sell, donate, or store your non essentials with a family member or something for now to keep costs down. If you got it down to just a few boxes that are not super heavy you could look into mailing them and see if that might be an option?

My wife has her stuff stored at her parents house in Chicago and also doesn't have much to bring.. We are hoping what she definitely wants to keep will fit in my car (a small two door Yaris hatchback ).. At some point after PR when we can I will remove the backseat to the car and we'll drive there and back and get her stuff..

Renting a U-haul Leah would really add up when it's all said and done.. You'd have to way the costs of what you really need and what you could just purchase again in Quebec rather than ship etc..

 

[Ponga]

Don't forget to include these items on your B4 Goods to Follow form, to avoid paying duties and taxes when they are delivered.

FedEx Ground might be an option for you, since the plastic tubs may be too large for regular mail.

 

[lleahdoll]

Probably the best plan would be to go through your stuff and just keep the absolute essential and sentimental items. Then you could sell, donate, or store your non essentials with a family member or something for now to keep costs down. If you got it down to just a few boxes that are not super heavy you could look into mailing them and see if that might be an option?

My wife has her stuff stored at her parents house in Chicago and also doesn't have much to bring.. We are hoping what she definitely wants to keep will fit in my car (a small two door Yaris hatchback ).. At some point after PR when we can I will remove the backseat to the car and we'll drive there and back and get her stuff..

Renting a U-haul Leah would really add up when it's all said and done.. You'd have to way the costs of what you really need and what you could just purchase again in Quebec rather than ship etc..

Sorry, I should have mentioned, I already brought anything "essential" when I came here as a visitor. Like all my clothes and personal belongings I need day to day are already here. What I still have to get mostly consists of books, dvds, cd's, and most importantly keepsakes from my childhood.
That's my big dilemma is it's not stuff that can be replaced since it's from my childhood (photos, yearbooks, etc).
The place I have my stuff stored now is reliable but idk if they'll want to keep storing it after this. And I don't have any other family who can store my things. :/ I was the girl who brought all her belongings to college bc I didn't have a parent to store it. Haha

Don't forget to include these items on your B4 Goods to Follow form, to avoid paying duties and taxes when they are delivered.

FedEx Ground might be an option for you, since the plastic tubs may be too large for regular mail.

Yep, I've already made a tentative list of what I know is still stored. I'm hoping I can bring most of it but idk...


I actually did some research last night and Amtrak might be a very cheap option to ship a few boxes! Although they say the container has to be durable to weather and most conditions. They say no plastic tubs... which I thought would be pretty durable.. guess not haha and def no cardboard boxes haha

I also saw the USPS does a thing called media mail. You can mail your books on the cheap bc they consider books educational. Not sure yet if it's still valid if you're sending to Canada but I am going to call and ask. I hope it's a valid option bc I have about 30 books and books are heavy which makes them so expensive to mail!

Oh! And I didn't mention I'll be flying there and back. So bringing books in a suitcase would seriously weigh it down.. I do plan on bringing a few checked suitcases (empty on the first flight) but checked luggage can get seriously pricey. But probably cheaper than if I had to mail something of that size.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

I would just keep your childhood keepsakes and anything sentimental then and let the books and dvd's go as they can be acquired again. That way you would be able to just bring everything on the plane with you perhaps.

 

[Sheps]

You could rent a U-Haul trailer. Does your husband/wife have a truck? That is probably the easiest way.

 

[lleahdoll]

I would just keep your childhood keepsakes and anything sentimental then and let the books and dvd's go as they can be acquired again. That way you would be able to just bring everything on the plane with you perhaps.

This may sound lame but my books are definitely sentimental to me. They're from my childhood and yes can probably be bought again but oy! How costly would that be?! I'm sure I can give up a few that I won't ever read again. But the books are the least of my worry since I found the media mail thing.
And the dvd's are so light and there aren't many of them.

I think the reason this is a dilemma for me is bc most of (95%) of my belongings I'm going to bring with me are sentimental/keepsakes. So it's not stuff I can just throw away or replace. Some days I definitely wish I wasn't so sentimental.. haha

You could rent a U-Haul trailer. Does your husband/wife have a truck? That is probably the easiest way.

No we don't have a car. I thought of renting a car but I don't think it'd be safe for me to do that long of a drive on my own.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping we get PR sometime in June or July and that I'm able to land shortly after that. I do have belongings still in the states that I'd like to move all in one go.

It's less than a studio apartment's worth. No heavy furniture or anything like that. Probably 2 big plastic tubs, a few boxes (books, cd's, dvd's, etc), and maybe a bag of childhood stuff.
Most of the Uhaul options and things similar are too pricy for me. And I don't need a small moving truck even. And I don't think it's an option for me to drive one on my own that far.

Have any of you had a similar situation? What option did you choose to move your belongings?

Depending on where you're moving to, exploring mailing something to the US side of the border may be worth it (and then do a shorter round-trip to pick up the goods, which hopefully are on your B4). I've found FedEx Ground to be pretty cost effective when I've needed to mail things within the US in recent years, but you should be able to check pricing with the various companies (incl. USPS) online. As a reference, I just happened to mail something from the Midwest to the East Coast last week (within the US) and a 40lb package was ~$20 so for a few boxes it may be just the thing (definitely way cheaper than checked bags, especially excess checked luggage!).

 

[Amalthea]

Awe I wish I was goin your way, we could use my car! Sadly Oregon and BC are too far from Quebec and Oklahoma

When I got rid of my stuff I figured, if I sold it and rebought it up here, it'd be cheaper than paying to store it, then mail it/move it..

Even then, I still had enough crap left to fill up my car.

Hope you can find an economical solution!! You should be getting DM any day now

 

[lleahdoll]

Depending on where you're moving to, exploring mailing something to the US side of the border may be worth it (and then do a shorter round-trip to pick up the goods, which hopefully are on your B4). I've found FedEx Ground to be pretty cost effective when I've needed to mail things within the US in recent years, but you should be able to check pricing with the various companies (incl. USPS) online. As a reference, I just happened to mail something from the Midwest to the East Coast last week (within the US) and a 40lb package was ~$20 so for a few boxes it may be just the thing (definitely way cheaper than checked bags, especially excess checked luggage!).

Where would I mail it to though?

Awe I wish I was goin your way, we could use my car! Sadly Oregon and BC are too far from Quebec and Oklahoma

When I got rid of my stuff I figured, if I sold it and rebought it up here, it'd be cheaper than paying to store it, then mail it/move it..

Even then, I still had enough crap left to fill up my car.

Hope you can find an economical solution!! You should be getting DM any day now

Aw you're so sweet Amalthea!

Maybe... seems like the people who didn't get asked for more documents are getting DM first. Both you and Claudzilla submitted after me and I've yet to hear anything since I sent my CSQ.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Where would I mail it to though?

For FedEx, any FedEx Depot or FedEx Office can hold it for you to pick up there (address it to yourself c/o their address and include your phone number so they know how to reach you). AFAIK, there is no charge. Look up "staffed locations" on http://www.fedex.com/locate/index.html?locale=en_US.

For UPS, a Depot can also hold it for you. UPS Stores should also be able to hold it (call to check with them, though, and also what their store's charges would be).

Alternatively, look up postal solutions stores (like Mailboxes, etc.; Postal Solutions; etc.) that would offer a similar service.

If you prefer a different solution, many/most hotels would hold packages for guests so you could make it an overnight trip =) Just check, as some will charge you per package.

Personally, I'd also call the location you settle on to check on any specific instructions they may want to give you in terms of how to address the package (and to check on time limits for how long they will hold the package, hours you can pick the package up, and any charges).

 

[steaky]

Awe I wish I was goin your way, we could use my car! Sadly Oregon and BC are too far from Quebec and Oklahoma

When I got rid of my stuff I figured, if I sold it and rebought it up here, it'd be cheaper than paying to store it, then mail it/move it..

Even then, I still had enough crap left to fill up my car.

Hope you can find an economical solution!! You should be getting DM any day now

Yet I have seen Quebec/ Ontario/New York state plated vehicles on streets here in Vancouver, BC. A few years ago, a friend of mine moved his stuff by car from PEI to BC. It's not that far apart.

 

[Amalthea]

Yet I have seen Quebec/ Ontario/New York state plated vehicles on streets here in Vancouver, BC. A few years ago, a friend of mine moved his stuff by car from PEI to BC. It's not that far apart.

I think you misunderstood my comment. Leah and I are friends and applied in the same month, and I was merely stating I wish our home states were closer together, as we could make the trip together and she could use my car. I'm driving down to Oregon from Vancouver to grab my possessions and land, and Oklahoma and Quebec certainly aren't along the way

I have driven back and forth across the country several times, but sadly my car is now approaching 20 years old and would not make a joyride from Vancouver to Oregon, over to Oklahoma, up to Quebec and back to Vancouver

 

[Ponga]

I think you misunderstood my comment. Leah and I are friends and applied in the same month, and I was merely stating I wish our home states were closer together, as we could make the trip together and she could use my car. I'm driving down to Oregon from Vancouver to grab my possessions and land, and Oklahoma and Quebec certainly aren't along the way

I have driven back and forth across the country several times, but sadly my car is now approaching 20 years old and would not make a joyride from Vancouver to Oregon, over to Oklahoma, up to Quebec and back to Vancouver

Oh come on...it would be like remaking Thelma and Louise, but without Brad Pitt, or the driving over the cliff ending, but...still an adventure!

(Geez...could you imagine the collection of bugs on the windshield. Yikes!)