You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune
Moving to Madison, WI doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This guide will be giving you tips for moving to the Lake City on a budget.
Deciding What to Bring With You
Most long-distance moving services calculate your cost by weight. According to the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), the average cost of an interstate move of about 1,225 miles is about $4,300 for a shipment weight of 7,400 lbs. Here are some tips to get yourself well below that average:
Donating/Selling Bulky Items
Since most moving companies will charge you by the weight of the items that you’re moving, getting rid of things that you don’t need to bring with you will save you a lot of money.
Donation Resources
In many cities, there are resources that you can take advantage of that will take those unwanted items off of your hands that you are having a hard time selling.
- The National Furniture Bank Association: The NFBA has many donation centers in the U.S., and many of these centers will even pick up the donated items directly from your house.
- Local Donation Centers and Thrift Stores: Many local thrift stores (e.g., Goodwill, The Salvation Army) will accept your unwanted items. The downside is that most of these require you to drop the items off yourself at one of their collection centers.
- Selling Resources
- Selling unwanted or unneeded items and furniture will save you money by lowering your shipping costs and funding your move by turning your items into cash. Two such platforms that you could use online are Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Separating what is needed and what is not. Photo courtesy of Bob n Renee on Flickr.
Perform the Move Yourself
Many movers charge by the time spent loading or unloading your belongings. By specifying that they only move the things that you are not capable of moving, you will save more money overall.
Free Resources for Moving Supplies
Another way to save money is by reaching out to local businesses that often throw away or recycle the shipping containers that their products came in. Here is a link to some ideas for acquiring cheap or free moving supplies.
Get Many Different Quotes From Moving Companies
Be sure always to shop around when looking for a moving service. Many companies have different pricing based on a variety of factors, among them the size of your household and the time of year you’re moving. Keep in mind that while summer moves are more expensive (because of demand) Madison is also known as a winter wonderland. Snow and ice can make the logistics of moving difficult during the winter months.
Get quotes from different moving companies.
Finding a Place to Live
The average cost of housing in Madison is $256,900. With many listings below $200,000. If you’re not looking to buy, then avoiding historic or downtown areas is generally a good rule of thumb to finding cheaper rental options. Some neighborhoods to consider for more affordable rentals are Capitol, Regent, Sauk Creek, Reston Heights, Ridgewood, and Leopold.
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