Downsizing for the Cross-Country Move: One Tribeca Couple Shares Their Insights

“I’ve always wanted to live in California,” Francine said. “And now that we’ve retired, it’s our chance to go live the dream.” Francine and her husband Eddie live in Tribeca. “You wouldn’t think a New Yorker would have to downsize – we’re so used to apartment living. But it turns out you can accumulate quite a few things over the course of a lifetime!”

Downsizing in advance of a cross-country move is a good way to save money on your moving expenses. “There’s really no sense in paying top dollar to send my winter boots and coats to Orange County,” Eddie said. “Snowstorms out there are far and few between!” The couple donated much of their winter wardrobe to a local charity, which distributes the clothing to people in need. “I had a few nicer coats that I put in a consignment shop,” Francine said. “You don’t get back what you paid, of course, but it never hurts to have a few extra dollars handy during a move.”

Donating and selling unwanted items is one way to effectively downsize. Francine and Eddie also gave some of their larger pieces of furniture to their children, who are staying in New York City. “They sell beds in California,” Eddie said with a laugh, “and it helps our daughter out to have the table and chairs.” One of Eddie’s former co-workers was happy to give a home to the couple’s patio furniture. “When you consider what these items cost and what it would cost to move them to California, that decision was a no-brainer.”

“By reducing the amount of things we were bringing with us, it became really cost-effective to hire the movers to pack everything that was left,” Francine explained. “And for me, that was money well spent. It freed up my time so I could spend our last days in New York with my friends. We had a nice luncheon together, and really enjoyed being together. Of course, we’ll be back to visit, but it meant a lot to me to be able to have this time with my girlfriends.” If there was one piece of advice the couple would share with others who are moving to California from New York, it’s this, “Take lots of pictures of your neighborhood too – the coffee shop, the park, your favorite places. They don’t take up any space and it’s a nice way to hold onto your memories after you move.”