Apartments Baltimore ~ Loch Raven | The Metropolitan of Baltimore

Local Resources

Baltimore City Schools
200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-8577
www.bcps.k12.md.us/

Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce
102 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, 1st Floor, Towson, MD 21204-4526
(410) 825-6200
http://www.baltcountycc.com/

Maryland Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100,
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 269-0642
http://www.mdchamber.org/

State Certified Childcare
Maryland Committee for Children
608 Water Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410-752-7588
Fax: 410-752-6286
http://www.mdchildcare.org/

Baltimore Gas & Electric
P.O. Box 1475, Baltimore, MD 21203
(410) 685-0123, (800) 685-0123 outside the Baltimore metropolitan area.
http://www.bge.com

City of Baltimore
City Hall, Room 250, 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-3835
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us

The Baltimore Sun
501 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21278
(410) 332-6000
http://www.sunspot.net

Packing Tips

You can save a lot of money if you do the bulk of the packing on your own. Limit yourself to non-fragile items such as books, linens, clothing and shoes; and replaceable items such as plates, dishes (not fine china or expensive silverware), and small kitchen appliances. These items will be cheaper to replace in case of damage as opposed to hiring workers for the extra labor. Leave the furniture, mattresses, and heavy appliances to be packed by the mover.
The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. Don't toss everything into one huge box. It will make the hauling much more difficult. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the box easily, it's too heavy! Keep the weight of the box under 50lbs and remember to always lift with your knees, not your back.
You should never let the movers pack your jewelry, family heirlooms, or other priceless items. Should they be lost or damaged, the insurable value will not come anywhere near the value you would place on them. Such items include jewelry, sports memorabilia, photo albums, and various hobby collections. Pack these items yourself and take them with you, either in the car or as carry-on luggage if size allows.
Get the proper boxes for your items - the right sizes and strengths. Have enough wardrobe boxes, as they'll save you ironing time later. You can pack t-shirts and jeans in suitcases and regular boxes but you don't want to pack your fine clothing such as suits or dresses in the same place. Save space by tossing in shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe box, but be reasonable. Don't let the box become too heavy or susceptible to fallout from the bottom. Purchase the padded dish boxes with dividers to protect your fine china. For your replaceable and non-fragile items, save money by using the free boxes that you can obtain from supermarkets and wrapping the items in old newspaper.
Take the time to pack everything carefully. It is important for you to buffer and separate the fragile items that you pack with old newspaper, bubble wrap, sheets, blankets, pillows and towels. Wrap each fragile item separately. Fill in empty spaces to minimize movement during transit. Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked. Purchase strong tape- not masking tape but either duct tape or the plastic and strapping tape that movers use.
For the safety of your items, movers are required to inspect each box tendered for shipment. Immediately point out to your mover each and every box that you packed yourself, especially if they're fragile or valuable. The mover will advise you on whether the boxes need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes. They have the right to refuse to load any box they deem improperly packed. Any improperly packed boxes must be repacked either by you or the mover. All repacking services are additional costs. However, if you agree to use used boxes, they may give them to you for free. Professional moving companies use only sturdy and reinforced cartons. Although the boxes you can obtain from your neighborhood supermarket may be free, they are not nearly as strong or padded. They are more susceptible to causing damage to your valuables in transit. Keep in mind that movers are not liable for items they didn't pack.
To protect themselves, movers will not disconnect your major appliances. Before the movers arrive to pack and load, unplug and prep your refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, washer and dryer. Also prep your computer and back-up your important files.
Movers will not transport living things such as your plants or pets. If you do not wish to give them away, don't forget to prepare them for the move. They will need a "plant/pet suitcase" of their own.
Movers will not transport or allow you pack hazardous materials. These items include: paint, thinners, solvents, oils, varnishes, firearms and ammunition, bottled gas, propane, lamp oil, anything flammable, explosive or corrosive, motor fuels and oils, nail polish remover, bleach and aerosol cans.
Make the loading process easier and more organized by designating a room in your home/apartment, preferably the one closest to the door, in which to place all of your boxes. Keep related boxes together since they'll end up in the same room. This will help cut on the carrying time and make the move much more efficient.

Moving Tips

EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Remove unnecessary items from your closets, storage shed, etc.
Use things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
Obtain information about your new community.
Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
Start a possessions inventory.
Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
Call your renter's insurance agent to find out what parts of your move are covered.
Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts.
Arrange to transfer your children's school records (if applicable).

SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Contact the IRS and/or your CPA for tax-deductible information.
Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything? Do you really need it all?
Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and activities.
Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable).
Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location.
Complete a change of address via post-office cards or an online service for the following: banks; charge cards; religious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends; Income tax bureau; Social Security Administration; union; insurance broker; lawyer; CPA; stockbroker; magazines; Post Office; and schools.
Clean your closets.
Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
Choose a mover.
Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire about insurance coverage.
If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover.

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Start packing! See packing tips below!
Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed.
Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc.
Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings.
Request refunds on unused renter's insurance, security deposit with current landlord, and pre-paid cable service.
Contact insurance companies (auto, renter's, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home. Auto clubs, too.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Make your travel plans.
Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale (if necessary).
Notify your state's Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
Arrange for childcare on moving day.
NOTE: For high-rise apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
Service your car for the trip.
Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move.

ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records.
Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
Give away any plants not being moved.
Cancel newspaper delivery.
Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
Buy traveler's checks.
Make arrangements to pay for your move.

TWO-THREE DAYS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
Disconnect all major appliances.
Contact your moving company for any updates.
Pack first-night items and a survival kit. Keep them in separate boxes in your car.

FIRST NIGHT ITEMS:

Sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes, and flashlight.

MOVER'S SURVIVAL KIT:

Scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, bottled water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner, and aspirin or ibuprofen.

MOVING DAY:

Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and water).
Stay until your movers are finished.
Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.

AT YOUR NEW HOME:

Unpack first-night items and mover's survival kit.
Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The driver is obligated by law (a Federal requirement for interstate moves) to collect payment upon delivery.
Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items.
Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
Go to the post office and collect mail being held.
Start enjoying you new home!