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Top 100 Reasons Oakland Isn’t As Scary As You Think

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013

If you read the media’s daily headlines, you might think every street in Oakland was filled with crime and violence. I’m by no means trying to sugarcoat Oakland as there are indeed gritty parts to the city. Unfortunately, these sensationalist headlines stop many people from exploring Oakland and discovering all the gems the city has to offer. From Gondola rides on Lake Merritt to the historic Fox Theater, Oakland has so many amazing things to experience. If you’re considering moving from San Francisco to Oakland to save some money while still being close to work, don’t fret. Oakland has plenty of charm. To help you begin your love affair with Oakland, I’ve put together a list of the top 100 things to do, see, and eat in Oakland. If you would like to add any things I missed to this list, let me know in the comments below.

1. Café van Cleef

Get a greyhound. Fresh pressed and made with love, they are the best in the bay area. Don’t let the stuffed animals and taxidermy freak you out- its charming- sort of.

2. Oakland Zoo

Great habitats, assortment of animals, and much larger than you’d think. Otters and giraffe feedings are pretty entertaining, so plan your visit around those.

3. Yoshi’s in Oakland

Go for live music and great Japanese foods. Happy hour has some great deals including a weekly special, which is often cheap oysters.

4. The Lake Chalet

Order a pint or a margarita and enjoy the water view, if it is nice- even on the dock. Go on Tuesday for a taco, just $2.50, and pair it with the house brewed IPA.

5. Heinolds First and Last Chance Saloon

Open since 1883- its name comes from it being the last bar before long sea journeys out of the port of Oakland. Its floor is crooked, and indeed looks over 100 years old, very cool.

6. Fentons Creamery

It’s a staple in Oakland, having been open for 118 years. Plan ahead and schedule a tour, complete with soda jerk hat and ice cream samples. Or, just try the roasted almond ice cream for a quick trip.

7. Berkeley Bowl

While its technically in Berkeley its proximity to Oakland makes it easy to go to, and worth the trip. See every type of produce under the sun, often for rock bottom prices; then visit the dry bulk foods section for spices, dried fruits, pasta or oats- also with reasonable pricing.

8. Jack London Square Blue bottle coffee

Go during the farmers market, and the sweet aroma of coffee will entice you as you walk among the vendors.

9. Uncle Willies BBQ

Serving up excellent beef brisket, try it for delivery or head to their downtown location for this savory meal.

10. Oakland A’s Games for 2 Bucks

Most Wednesday baseball games have $2.00 Plaza Outfield and Plaza Reserve seats. Games are usually during the day, so you can have the stadium to yourself.

11. Redwood Regional Park

Try the skyline loop for great views, and a dog friendly path.

12. Gondola Tour on Lake Merritt

If paddle boating isn’t your cup of tea, take a Venetian style gondola ride around the lake. Your guide will do the work as you take in the best of Lake Merritt.

13. Bakesale Betty

You order the fried chicken sandwich when you come here. Its topped with a great slaw, and for dessert get the strawberry short cake. Yum. Expect lines around the block.

14. Childrens Fairyland Gardens

Rides, entertainers and storybook sets have amazed Bay Area children for over 50 years. You will need a child to go, but its fun for adults too.

15. Arizmendi Bakery

Fresh breads and baked goods. Try the pizza, which is made with new toppings daily, often including such oddities as corn, potatoes, kale or gouda. Check the pizza menu out online to see what they are serving up.

16. Paddleboat at Lake Merritt

Get your legs ready for a slow but relaxing paddle around the lake. With its proximity to restaurants and ships, its great start to a date, or to capture views of the downtown skyline on a sunny day.

17. Highwire Coffee Roasters

Grab a latte or go for a tea or coffee tasting or tour. Learn all about roasting coffee or how tea is made. Tasty, educational and interesting.

18. First Friday Art Nights

On the first Friday of each month, artists, dj’s and vendors gather for an evening party. Try the beer garden and don’t miss the plethora of open galleries.

19. Grand Lake Farmers Market

This market isn’t limited to produce-you’ll also find cheeses, flatbreads, Indian delicacies, tea and more. Grab your reusable bag and head there early.

20. Beer Revolution

With just about 50 beers on tap, its tough to make choice here. Save a buck and buy bottled beer to go, and drink them in your living room.

21. Wine on Piedmont

Get the expert to make your wine choice for you, even if your budget is small. This is the perfect place, and you can also pick up beers, taste your wine before buying and sample cheeses to pair.

22. Kaiser Center Rooftop Garden

In the summertime you’ll find free concerts and sunshine during lunch time. It’s a corporate 9-5’er’s dream: daytime, mid-day concerts.

23. Rockridge Market Hall

Perfect for a date night, they even make heart shaped steaks and delectable cupcakes that are sure to please your lady.

24. Lukas Taproom

With happy hours beers for just $3.00, margaritas for $5.00, you can’t beat the prices or microbrew selection here.

25. Sway

Stylish, girlie clothing, accessories and shoes. When you walk in you’ll feel like you’ve entered yet another overpriced boutique with unreachable pricing, but you soon find you have a pleasant sticker shock.

26. Grand Lake Theatre

Watch movies and get there early to see the old school organist play beforehand. The eclectic and original and will send you down memory lane.

27. Pretty Penny

Shop till you drop and find some of the best vintage clothing available at the Pretty Penny. It beats Haight St. any day.

28. Make Westing

Indoor Bocce Ball courts make this bar unique and amazing. And, its right next to the Fox theatre, so a perfect place to pre-game before the show.

29. Crucible studio

Take a class at Crucible studios. Offerings include glass blowing, jewelry making, neon production, blacksmithing and more. Or, if you are feeling risky, take the fire-eating course!

30. Hibiscus

This Barbados family owned establishment will send you straight to the tropics. Try the fried chicken, rice and peas.

31. Golden Gate Fields

Try the Weiner Nationals for a fun day at the fields watching daschund race in between regular horse races. Only $6 and wildly entertaining.

32. Preservation Park

A neat mix of 16^th century buildings revitalized in the heart of the city, crossed with great event venues. Its ornate architecture is a perfect place for a photo op, or wander through on your lunch hour if you work downtown.

33. True Burger

Order a tasty burger and fries but be sure to leave room for the toasted marshmallow milk shake.

34. The Foot Spa and Tea Bar

Make a date with yourself and head in for pampering and warm beverages.

35. The Ruby Room

Perched on the edge of Lake Merritt, it’s a favorite dive bar in the Oakland, known for cheap and strong drinks. Bring your student ID, and well drinks become deeply discounted.

36. AC Transit and tons of Bart Stations

Oakland is a hub of transportation options. Ferries, trains and buses make it very easily accessible from any part of the city. You’ll find AC transit reliable, on time and generally clean.

37. Rick and Ann’s Breakfast

Located next to the spectacular Claremont hotel, the journey to view this amazing hotel alone is worth it. Then go for breakfast, which is served until 2:30 daily.

38. Southie

If you are craving a back east style sandwich, get to Southie. You’ll get west coast ingredients including acme breads, made with what they call “east coast sensibility.”

39. Issues

It’s a magazine only store in the Piedmont neighborhood of Oakland. No matter the subject, this shops houses hundreds of magazines and is sure to have what you are seeking.

40. Temescal Recreation Area

Put your bathing suit on, and grab a spot in the sand at the Temescal lake area. The shallow swimmers area is refreshing within this urban setting.

41. Oaklandish

Art gallery crossed with apparel retailer, you’ll find clothing and artwork representing Oakland. Get a hoodie and represent.

42. Chop Bar

During the summer time this hip establishment has pig roasts on some Sunday afternoons. As they say, come for the pig, stay for the party.

43. Nathan and Co

Kitchen items, home décor, interesting books, stationary or stuff- they have it. And, it’s a dog friendly shop.

44. Home of Chicken and Waffles

They serve just what you’d expect- Chicken, waffles, grits, mac and cheese- good home cookin’. Great service too.

45. Wine Tasting

There are several great wineries in Oakland, and you can skip the long drive, fancy wineries and bay area traffic shuffle out to Napa. Instead head to Irish Monkey Winery we especially like the Meritage. You can do tastings for just five bucks.

46. The Alley

An epic dive bar on Grand Avenue; it’s a piano bar with Oakland famous Rod Dibble on the keys and trivia on Monday nights.

47. Paramount Theatre

On Saturday mornings you can take a tour of this Oakland treasure, and get all the grit on its interesting and sordid history. Its art deco elements are wonderful to see in daylight, but it’s a great concert venue too.

48. Jack London Square

Hang for the day- you can go to shops, restaurants, movies and even take the ferry to San Francisco. Its full of history, but also a great place to wander shops.

49. Oakland Greek Festival

A three day festival takes over Oakland’s Lower Hills each May. Get some lamb roasted on the spitz, listen to Greek music, and then save room for baklava.

50. Mountain View Cemetery

While you may think it sounds morbid, this is actually one of the best places to get a view of the Bay Area. Trek to the top of the hill and take it all in.

51. Quinn’s Lighthouse

A bit off the beaten path, Quinn’s Lighthouse makes up for the journey. Throw your peanut shells on the floor and then check out the view of the nearby estuary.

52. Gregoire

A delicious specialty sandwich shop offering classics like the French dip to the more exotic like Moroccan carrot on raisin lavish bread. Grab it to-go, they have limited seating.

53. Linden Street Brewery

Taste to your hearts content, savoring several local microbrews at Linden Street. Then head outside to see what food trucks might be outside before heading back in for another beer.

54. 16^th Street Station

This abandoned train station in West Oakland is one the city’s finest architectural masterpieces. Keep an eye on their 16^th street website to hear about upcoming events to get a rare chance to see inside and help support the revitalization.

55. Oracle Arena

Hop on public transit to get to a Warriors game, Raiders, or A’s game- you can take part in the festivities on the train before hand and walk over with the masses. Is like tail-gating, but you don’t have to drink and drive.

56. Classic Cars West

Check out this art gallery/ vintage car dealerships on Saturday afternoons. You’ll be able to view everything from VW buses to Ferrari’s, and great artwork.

57. Homeroom

Its all Mac and Cheese, all the time. OMG. Nuff’ said.

58. Eat Real Festival

Featuring over 30 different microbrews and food trucks, this is a great way to spend a weekend.

59. Rudy’s Can’t Fail Café

Part owned by a member of Green Day, this restaurant is surely a place to be seen. Try breakfast, brunch or lunch in Uptown Oakland for a great hangover cure.

60.The Hills Swim Club

This luxurious fitness club will offer spa like experiences, and sunny swimming in the Oakland hills. Check craigslist for memberships, as they limit number available.

61. Cato’s Ale House

Go for the large selection of beers on tap, and then put your thinking cap on for a challenging Tuesday night trivia game.

62. Oakland White Elephant Sale

This enormous rummage sale benefits the Oakland Museum, and raises over $1.8 million! That should give you and indication of how large and vast their inventory must be- anything and everything can sleuthed here.

63. Great Graffiti

Graffiti is all over the place, and it is often some of the best artwork in the city and nation. Check fatcap.com for updates on new works, where to find great tags and more.

70. Fox Theatre

It’s a historical, yet hip music venue with many huge name concerts each year. Neat, in that they theatre was closed for decades facing arson, homeless inhabitants, and economic depressions its been revitalized.

71. Sidebar

Go on date night or with friends for these great small plates. Don’t miss the oysters or roasted cauliflower.

72. The Trappist

Located in Old Oakland, this is an old world beer bar, with a great Belgian and European beers on the menu. Try the chocolate mousse to end your meal.

73. Sibley Volcanic Preserve

Hiking trails to a labyrinth, and through canyons are a favorite. Or, take the pond trail to the frog pond filled with frogs and newts.

74.Lakeshore Café

Go for the affordable and delicious brunch. The strawberry mimosas are bottomless on weekends.

75. Lunar New Year Bazaar

The entire city gets decorated for this Chinese holiday. Check out shows, food booths and shop in the streets- each February

76. Oakland Airport

Truly one of the easiest airports to fly out of, anywhere- but especially the Bay Area. Cheap long term parking, no lines, southwest flights en mass, and easy security make this airport the best. Also enjoy the wine bar inside the terminal for Napa wines.

77. Zachary’s Pizza

Oozing with cheese, and topped with unique and fresh ingredients, Zachary’s is a great bet for pizza. They offer stuffed, thin crust, and the most favored- Chicago style.

78. Oakland Urban Farms

Oakland is a leader in urban garden and farming. Visit these farms for great produce, gardening courses and tips and beautiful sights. We love Pinehaven Farm in Montclair for live animals, orchards and wildlife.

79. Housewives Market

Tons of unique grocery products, close to downtown Oakland. Everyone raves about the linguisa sausage.

80. Tara’s Organic Ice Cream

If you are a courageous diner, try some of the exotic flavors at Taras. Some of the more bizarre include pink peppercorn, sunflower seed butter, beet balsamic or sweet corn. You can also grab traditionals like mint chip or strawberry.

81. The Fat Lady

Old brothel turned dining establishment. Try the famous fried zucchini, or head in for brunch.

82. The Boot and Shoe Service

Visit the restaurant for an intimate dinner or the newly opened cafe for the ultimate hipster latte.

83. Tootsies

All girls love shoes- so ladies should head to Rockridge to this great, locally owned shop. Find the perfect boot, sandal or clog- and they’ll even match a competitors price.

84.Middle Harbor Shoreline Park

Enjoy the great views and sunny skyline that Oakland has to offer, at this shoreline park. Bike trails and paths have placards that outline the wildlife and birds you’ll see. With a fishing license you can even fish from the area.

85. Marzano on Park

Its candlelit interior makes this great for a date. Get a wood-fired pizza, or try one of their other dishes prepared in their wood oven. Their meatball appetizer is a great start to the meal.

86. Kona Club

Dark and mysterious from the outside, its actually a tiki-bar on inside. It’s the farthest thing from a club.

87. Brown Sugar Kitchen

Its been featured on the food network many times, so it tends to get packed. But the delish soul- food is worth the wait.

88. Tamarindo

Authentic and amazing Mexican food. Its next door to The Trappist, so a perfect place to post after your brews.

89. Cars

You can own one, and likely park it too. Unlike some areas of the Bay, this car friendly area has tons of freeways, lots and parking friendly streets.

90. Conga Lounge

Craving a Mai Tai? This tiki styled rum mecca is a great escape from the fog.

91. Oakland Ballet

With tickets much more affordable than in SF, this company will still impress. Check out Nutcracker for a classic holiday experience with fantastic dancers.

92. Lanesplitter Pub

This East Bay standard for pizza and beer can be found in Oakland, Albany, Berkeley and Emeryville. Order pepperoni or try the loaded Sicilian Garbage Pie

93. Greetings

Need a gift-head to Greetings. The perfect place for cards, gadgets, and a great wall of socks.

94. Golden State Bonsai Collection

About 50-100 delicately trimmed and grown mini bonsai are featured at any given time at this Lake Merritt garden. Poke around, enjoy the craftsmanship.

95. Chinatown

Get away from the masses in SF’s crowded Chinatown and instead try Oakland’s. Restaurants are authentic, delicious and you’ll also find great markets and shops with items direct from China and Hong Kong.

96.Heart and Dagger

What appears to be a biker bar is actually a sunny day paradise with a great back patio.

97. Morcon Municipal Rose Garden

Just as it sounds, this garden is focused on roses- bushes, vines, and trees. If you stick around you may even cross paths with wild turkeys roaming through. Beautiful place for a picnic.

98. Barlata

Cooking up authentic Spanish, Barcelona style tapas, this will be an exquisite dining experience. The chorizo is a must order amongst your small plates.

99. Peters Kettle Corn

Follow them for the traditional kettle corn or the new horchata flavor- you’ll will be hooked on this sweet and salty treat. Look for them at food truck events around Oakland and the East Bay

100. Mariachi Bands

The Fruitvale neighborhoods are full of Mexican culture, traditions and foods. Try Las Adelitas for the Mariachis and their homemade tortillas.

Tags: Moving Boxes Oakland, Moving from San Francisco to Oakland, Moving to Oakland, Oakland Moving, Reasons to move to Oakland, Things to do in Oakland
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100 Reasons To Move To San Francisco

Friday, February 8th, 2013

San Francisco is one of the most diverse and beautiful metropolitan cities and as a result its also one of the most desired places to live. San Francisco has so many amazing things to do, eat, and see, and there are so many little gems many people have never heard of. To help people discover these San Francisco treasures, I’ve created a list of 100 reasons why you should move to San Francisco (not in any particular order). Be warned though. If you don’t already live here, you’ll be itching to pack your stuff and move after reading this list. If I missed any of your favorites or there are specific items from the list you love, please let me know in the comments.

1. Seward Slides

Grab a piece of cardboard and head to these steep cement slides. Caution, these are adult speed and sized!

2. Speakeasy Brewery

They open the warehouse on Friday nights to the public for fresh beer tasting.

3. Haight St Market

Some of the best and cheapest produce in the city. You’ll find berries for a couple of bucks and some great wines to pair with your cheese, meat and veggie picks.

4. Asia SF

Has the cities finest drag queens, and serves it in a dinner show style with carefully prepared gourmet meals.

5. Hayes Valley Beer Garden

The perfect place on a sunny day. Dive into a tasty pretzel with your beer and it’ll feel like a mini Oktoberfest.

6. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Watch as fortune cookies are quickly prepared in front of you and then revel in their deliciousness.

7. The Wave Organ

Produces sweet sounds caused by waves entering this acoustic sculpture. Check the tide schedule for high tide for the best results.

8. Jackson Square Coffee

The baristas will make you a carefully prepared blue bottle coffee drink; pair it with one of their scrumptious bite sized cookies.

9. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

The only free 3 day music festival around.

10. Houseboats at China Basin

Stroll along the waterfront and view this alternative living style.

11. Free Museums

On the first Tuesdays of the month check out the De Young, Legion of Honor, or SFMOMA. Try the zoo on the first Wednesdays of the month.

12. Love Fest

Once yearly the normally conservative Civic Center becomes packed with glitter wearing, music loving, hula hooping San Franciscans having a great time.

13. Free Tour of Palace Hotel

SF City Guides offers free walking tours of one of the most historic and finest hotels in the city.

14. Zeitgeist

Sit outside in picnic style with a pitcher of beer sitting at one of the cities hippest bars, and try the backyard BBQ foods.

15. Cinderella bakery

Has some of the tastiest Russian delights around. Try piroshkies and even choose baked or fried.

16. Fern Grove at Golden Gate Park

Waterfalls and ferns line the wooded paths. Find serenity after a tough day at the office.

17. Musee Mechanique

Forget the X-box and take peek into the games of yester-year.

18. Telegraph hill parrots

They reside in the tall trees around the hills of Coit tower year-round, and can frequently be spotted or heard in this area.

19. Aquatic park

Watch in awe as people swim laps in the frigid San Francisco waters.

20. Ella’s Tuna Melt

Tantalizingly good dish at Ella’s Restaurant! They have a delightful sticky bun too if you need a breakfast appetizer first.

21. Acme Bread paired with Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses

From the Ferry Building. Absolutely worth the trip!

22. Crissy Field at high tide

Using binoculars you can usually spot porpoise and dolphins in the bay under the bridge.

23. Aquarium of the Bay

A largely unknown and little visited aquarium by locals. Its small size is soon forgotten once inside the carefully selected exhibits, including sharks, rays and local species.

24. Swensen’s Ice Cream

Some of the tastiest, creamiest ice cream around. And, you can avoid the Mission and the lines of the other popular ice cream establishments in the city, and even take the cable car.

25. Oak St Laundry

Yes, it a laundry mat. But its got free parking and they’re the only laundromat that takes credit cards so we had to include it on the list.

26. The Pastry Cupboard

The corn chowder is to die for if they happen to have it that day. Or just pick your favorite bear claw or Danish and dig in.

27. Roller Skate Disco

Swing by Golden Gate Park on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll see roller skaters doing their thing to the sounds of the BeeGees and Bowie. Even if you don’t skate, it’s a must see.

28. Baker & Banker muffin

Doesn’t matter what flavor, its going to be the best muffin you have ever tasted.

29. Garden for the environment

This charming community garden will provide a haven within the busy city and often offers classes and workshops.

30. One Half

Retail store in Nob Hill with quirky gifts for half off what you would expect to pay. Some real treasures can be found here.

31. The Hot Tubs

Located on Van Ness you’ll question it at first, but soon love the relaxing soaks in privacy.

32. Edinburgh Castle Pub

Has one of the best Trivia Nights in town. Bring your “A” team and your “A” game, and head over on Tuesday nights.

33. La Mediteranee

The combinations platters are huge! Be sure to have one that includes the pomegranate chicken and spanakopita.

34. Bowl of punch from Hobson’s Choice

A Victorian feel, paired with a tropical rum drink which can’t be found anywhere else.

35. Sutro Baths

This was a private bathhouse overlooking the water in the 19^th century and a must see. The ruins remain for walking and viewing.

36. Larkspur Ferry

Skip the crowded touristy ferry boat. For around 8 bucks you can take this great bay cruise, complete with bar on board.

37. The Cheese Shop

Located on Polk Street and offers some of the most divine cheese and freshly prepared sandwiches. Check up front at the register for tiny cheese chunks, around $1.00-$3.00, which are remnants from large expensive wheels.

38. Free DVD rentals at SF Public Library

They’ve got new and old releases. Request and reserve ahead of time, and you’ll beat Netflix delivery times and save some moolah.

39. Lombardi Sports

A locally owned sporting goods paradise. Sign up for their mailing list, and they will send you major coupons each season.

40. Lees Sandwiches

in the Tenderloin might just be the cheapest sandwich in the city. Try any Vietnamese variety, and hold the peppers if you can’t handle spice.

41. Bread and Butter Café

Makes a superb latte. Try a grilled cheese on the side, its especially enticing on a foggy day.

42. Numerous Stairway Walks

Get the book, “Stairway Walks in San Francisco” and get climbing.

44. San Francisco Bulls hockey game

Tickets are cheap, and you’ll get a taste of this sport without having to trek to a Sharks game with sharky prices.

45. Small plates of comfort food

Its ok, order two- at the Fog city diner. Save room for a cheddar biscuit.

46. Tommy’s Joynt

Come for the meat. Cafeteria style line up and portions, but savory well cooked meats await.

47. Ginger Cake with Pumpkin Ice cream at Chow

Delicious. Nuff’ said.

48. Late Night Happy Hour at Pacific Catch

Grab sushi and drinks after 10pm for a great deal.

49. Bix Old Fashioned Supper Club

You’ll feel like you entered the 1940’s, and enjoy a masterfully made steak frites while you’re at it.

50. Maritime National Park

Allows you to roam through historical ships, ferries and boats. The lovingly restored boats are cool for tourists and locals alike.

51. Pizzeria Delfina

Excellent pizza. Cute little location with long lines.

52. Balboa Café

One of the best burgers in the Bay Area. Served on a baguette, you won’t know what hit you.

53. Le Cordon Bleu Vietnamese Restaurant

Bring your own brew and order the five spice chicken, but don’t be shocked when you realize there is only seating for about 10 people inside.

54. National Holistic Institute

Offers massages for just $25-$30.00. The catch, it’ll be given by a massage student- but I haven’t had a poor massage yet.

55. Three bees Nursery

Houses local and native plants, Christmas trees, herbs, etc- everything you need for a tiny SF garden. It’s a perfect field trip.

56. Gingerbread houses at the Fairmont Hotel

During the holidays you’ll be stunned with the number of gumdrops, licorice sticks and starlight mints used on these exquisite houses.

57. Faith’s Warm Ham and Cheese Toast

This appetizer at Town Hall restaurant is the most divine culinary creation known to man. Be prepared to be addicted.

58. Epic Harry Potter Halloween

Each year the neighborhood of St. Francis Woods puts on the best friggin’ Harry Potter tribute. Garages, yards and homes in the neighborhood take on this immense theme party each season.

59. Pacific Puffs

Cream puffs to die for in Cow Hollow. Try traditional, or chocolate filled for the best sweet treat.

60. Presidio Bowl

Its just 12 lanes, but the sweet bar and retro feel will get you bowling and might even inspire a few strikes.

61. Smugglers Cove

Some of the best mixologists in the city. This tiny tropical drink mecca in Hayes Valley is a must splurge.

62. South Park

This cute little area is a hidden gem nestled between Brannan and Bryant St in SOMA. Cute little playground park surrounded by delicious eateries and outdoor tables for people watching.

63. The Galleria

Outdoor mall and eatery which becomes a farmers market each Thursday. It’s a great find if you work downtown.

64. Nettie’s Crab Shack

For crab cakes, shoestring potatoes and more charm than a café in Maine. It’s your east coast fix on the west coast.

65. SF Comedy Cellar

Deep in the Tenderloin, its an underground (literally) comedy house with acts which will leave you laughing for weeks.

66. Cable Cars are free with your monthly muni pass

Those early morning cable cars can be a great way to get to Fi-di in style.

67. Skeeball at the Buckshot

Perfect for those nights you want a cocktail along along with some nostalgia. Reminds of the days when I ruled Chuck E. Cheese Skeeball! They also have foosball, pool and a few other old school video games.

68. Dog Days at the Park

At least once a year, the bleachers at AT&T park are filled with dogs- it’s a good time even if you don’t have a pooch.

69. Good Vibrations

San Francisco’s ultimate sex shop. Check out their sex museum inside while doing your Friday night shopping.

70. Rooftop Café at MOMA

A wonderful place to catch rays. Grab a torte from Café Museo for a tasty bite.

71. Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack

Delicious food. Devour meatballs, pasta or a delicious “Shack Mule” vodka cocktail.

72. Queen Wilhelmina Windmill

Beautiful tulips are nearly everywhere. Check to see when they are blooming and take a mini trip to the Netherlands in Golden Gate Park.

73. Source

The best vegetarian and vegan food known to man. My favorites are the Awesome Burger and the Green Goddess Kale salad. Free parking in front to boot.

74. Santa Con

Ever drive around in early December to find the streets filled with Santa’s? It’s a big pub crawl, but made magical with thousands wearing bright red Santa suits.

75. Suppenkuche

A must try for German delicacies. Their schnitzel, beers and strudel will make your mouth water for more. Arrive early, it gets incredibly busy.

76. Anchor Steam Brewery Tour

Offers free brewery tours and tastings. Just call well in advance to reserve a place, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about brewing beer.

77. Blow dry bar

They don’t do cuts… just blow outs- so they are the experts for picture perfect hair.

78. Club Deluxe

Listen to excellent Jazz music here. Its only about five bucks and you’ll be serenaded over drinks and pizza.

79. Citrus Club for Tom Ka Soup

You will crave the sweet and spicy coconut broth for months to come.

80. Watch a movie at the Independent

Check the schedule for bar viewing, cocktails and a slightly more rowdy crowd that your typical movie theatre.

81. Jeremy’s

A discount shoppers delight. Grab finds from Anthropologie and other hip designers at rock bottom prices- but sign up for the e-blasts or you’ll miss the best sales. True Story – My wife once scored a pair of Manolo Blahniks here for $30.

82. Billionaires Row

Let your jaw drop in awe at the enormous single family homes. It’s a great drive with guests in town.

83. Off the Grid

For a food truck paradise. You can also get crafts, listen to music and see and be seen.

84. Giant Pillow Fight

Each year stores throughout SF sell out of their stock of pillow for this amazingly fun event in Civic Center. We recommend a mask for minimal feather inhalation.

85. Seven Hills

This restaurant has some of the loveliest Italian food in the city. Skip North Beach and head to Hyde street; order the butternut squash tortellini. Yummers!

86. Dolores Park Summer Movie Nights

Are the epitome of San Francisco summer nights. Bring a picnic of gourmet foods and wine and you’ll fit right in.

87. Mojo

Half bike shop half café. Try Tuesdays for the burger pop up.

88. Lions Pub for a Great Greyhound Cocktail

They will use a fresh grapefruit and press it before your very eyes. Look twice when going, its very discreet as it hard to find a sign on the outside of the building.

89. McCovey Cove

Watch Giants game for free. You’ll be at the back of right field, but hey its free so who’s complaining.

90. Wholesale Flower Market

Its open to the public at 10:00, but if you are a wholesaler go early for the best deals.

91. Tartine Pastries

To die for. I recommend trying the coconut cream tart.

92. Critical Mass

Take over the streets in a massive, all are welcome, bicycle ride. First Friday night of every month.

93. Perry’s restaurant inside the Design Center

is a total surprise. Sip a cocktail in this cool lobby and watch the world of interior design happen around you.

94. Opaque Dining in the Dark

A completely strange experience, but an absolute must try. You are served in pitch black by legally blind waiters. Let your senses take over your eating experience. I quietly got up mid dinner and made my wife freak out when she realized I wasn’t sitting next to her.

95. Hans Lilienthal House

Not only will you tour guide provide fascinating history of San Francisco, you’ll get a sneak peek at a supremely restored Victorian.

96. Golden Gate Promenade

Lovely views of the bays, yachts, and great people watching.

97. Mojito at Olive

In the Tenderloin, its tangy and not overly sweet and one of the best outside of the tropics.

98. Fantastico

Where party planners and crafters find supplies in San Francisco – offers everything you could need from baby shower favors, fake palm trees, to giant ceramic vases.

99. Soup from Café Prague

This strange and bohemian Fi-di establishment makes fresh soups everyday- try the cream of spinach for a strange but delicious savory treat.

100. Tropical tea from Greens

Order this and take a walk around Fort Mason. Bay views and barracks make for a good on foot adventure.

Tags: Best San Francisco Restaurants, Best SF Bars, Free Museums SF, Moving to San Francisco, reasons to move to San Francisco, Seward Slides, Top 100 reasons to Move to SF
Posted in Green Living, Moving Tips | 3 Comments »

The Renter’s Guide To Picking A San Francisco Neighborhood

Saturday, January 26th, 2013

Moving to San Francisco can be intimidating, daunting, and downright challenging. Between the scramble to scale craigslist and every rental website in its entirety, to searching maps to figure out “where is Russian Hill?,” finding a place that is right for you can be tough. Add seemingly endless diverse neighborhoods to pick from, and suddenly you feel like you are fighting an uphill (maybe quite literally in SF!) battle. We’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of San Francisco neighborhoods to make your job a little easier. When you’re ready to make the move and you need moving boxes to pack all your belongings, click here. We’ll bring em’ right to your door anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.

North Beach

North Beach is the closest livable area to the Financial District, making it incredibly easy for Muni commuters or walking to work. You’ll find a cross of true old San Francisco- powerful and wealthy Italian families, gelato, some of the best pizza on earth (or at least the west coast), and a delightful array of delicatessens (try Molinari’s) and bakeries-which attract a slough of tourists and visitors. Make a dash on Grant Street for quick routes to China town easy access to Coit tower. Take the steps of Telegraph Hill to the embarcadero while viewing city dwelling parrots, amazing architecture, and darling gardens amongst the steep hills. The neighborhood is filled with little Italy charm but be careful, as it’s a little grimy underneath all the glamour-many of the cities finest strip club establishments are also housed here. Many apartments will be discovered in wonder, in many cases you’ll wind your way through passages, alleys, and old Victorians and ask yourself, “how did this apartment come to be broken up this way?” If funky, and a little out of the ordinary is what you are seeking in both people and place, this may be a fit.

Financial District

Fi-di is only awake during business hours-during the day it’s a hubbub of eateries, salad bars, coffee shops, and a vast array of retail services, and is an urban delight. Imagine any beverage, shake, cocktail- you can find it in this area of the city. But since the Financial District is home to many of the global banks which were founded during the Gold Rush era, by evening the area is empty and nearly eerily empty. The Embarcadero Center has a number of shops in an outdoor setting for those who like to window shop along with the occasional purchase. If you do find an apartment among the concrete jungle here, you’ll find expensive parking, meals and rent and difficulty finding open businesses on weekends. Lofts, condos, and high-rises are the way to go in the neighborhood. One of the largest apartment complexes is The Gateway, on corner of Jackson and Battery St just above a Safeway grocery store. The higher units in this building offer amazing sweeping views of the Bay and downtown San Francisco. If a doorman, convenience to your down town job and interest in leaving the neighborhood on weekends describes you, consider this area- you’ll fit right in with the other young working professionals nearby.

Nob Hill/Russian Hill

One word- hilly. Really, its very hilly- from all sides. But, if you can get over the hills, you’ll have an incredibly walk ability to Fi-di, Chinatown, Union Square, Polk Street, Union Street and Fisherman’s wharf. The area can feel quiet, and more sleepy than other areas; homes and apartments will surely be nice, but some of the most expensive in the city. If you want a little privacy, don’t move near Russian Hill’s most popular attraction, Lombard St. A.K.A “The crookedest street in the world”. You’ll find tourists (and some locals) driving down this road almost 24 hours a day. The 1 California bus is amazing to get downtown or to the Richmond from these areas- people who live and use this line love their life.

Fisherman’s Wharf

While you may find a place here, you’ll find that unless you are hosting out of town guests the neighborhood will soon lose its charm. It has fantastic bay views, in many cases sightlines of both the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges, aquariums and museums, however, it’s incredibly tourist oriented and doesn’t carry the same charisma as some areas of the city. If San Francisco’s quirky one room dining establishments, funky old storefronts, or huge hills intimidate you, the wharf will provide you with familiar American chain restaurants, shops and grocery stores like Safeway and Trader Joes and a flat surface to view the waterfront. One gem not to miss in this area is the historical, Buena Vista restaurant. On a cold San Francisco night, take someone you love and order up some Irish coffee.

South Beach

Round the bend of the Embarcadero, and head towards AT&T park, you’ll find an array of new, modern and urban high-rises and apartments. Its one of the few places in the city that you will find new luxury apartments. Only steps away from the Embarcadero where you will find people sunbathing on the grassy areas, runners and bikers, and restaurants like Epic Roast House and Waterbar which are right on the water. Don’t forget to check out breweries- like 21^st amendment for unique IPA’s or even a Watermelon beer, or try Momo’s for a martini. There’s easy access to transportation, and the area becomes great fun when amassed with a sea of World Series winning San Francisco Giants fans. If you have the money to spend you’ll find its quite central to getting to work, is generally pretty safe, has great views and a very up and coming feel.

SOMA

While clearly providing and urban vibe, Soma can be hit or miss. You’ll find furniture stores, warehouses, and good access to the freeway and occasionally a gem of an apartment, but overall Soma does not give off a quintessential SF neighborhood feeling and can be slightly less safe than other areas. One of the hidden gems of this area called South Park. Its so hidden, even some San Francisco locals drive by it everyday without being aware of its existence. True to the name, there is in fact a South Park complete with grassy area, swing set, and cute restaurants like ‘The Butler and the Chef’ to boot.While perusing rental listings, there are always plenty in Soma, especially lofts and interesting workspaces. If metropolitan, inner-city living is suitable for you, you’ll discover reasonable rents and large spaces here.

Tenderloin

Eeek- the loin! While its has its “have eyes behind your back” areas, its not as scary as some might think, and by far and away the most affordable area in SF. Its centrally located, has easy Muni access, great food, and cheap cheap for the city- but obviously its hardcore urban living, and rough around the edges. If you’re an employee of Twitter or Zendesk and want to be real close to work, you’ve hit the jackpot. These companies are part of a new project by San Francisco mayor Ed Lee to transform the tenderloin area into an up and coming part of the city. Try the Little Saigon area for housing in the TL, but slightly off the beaten path; once you’re there try Thai House express or Les Ros for some great Asian eats.

Mission District

Every one who ever lived or ever came to San Francisco wants to live in the Mission. It’s full of nightlife, sun, tons of 20 something’s everywhere, lots and lots of hipsters, shops, bars and restaurants. Mission Street presents a diverse mix of characters who mingle among the taquerias, discount grocers and dollar stores, and fill the busy streets. Off the grungy drag you’ll find classic gingerbread style Victorians, hilly streets, and tree lined sidewalks. During San Francisco’s warmer months of August and September, nearby Dolores Park is filled to the brim with sunbathers enjoying the rare warmth along with Salted Caramel ice cream from the Bi-Rite Creamery. Its likely more affordable than some SF neighborhoods, and an easy commute on either Bart or Muni to many sections of the city. If you are fresh out of college, wearing skinny jeans or riding a fixie bicycle- choose this neighborhood.

Marina/ Cow Hollow

This area backs up on the Broadway Street’s epic “Billionaires Row.” Named this because of the truly remarkable homes, it also showcases expansive bay views, and easy commutes to the downtown or outer areas of the city. The Cow Hollow neighborhood is filled with boutiques, restaurants and bars, as is the Chestnut Street area in the Marina. Some of our favorites include Tacolicious, Blackwood, Delarosa, Bin 38, Horseshoe Tavern, and Cafe GoLo. You’ll find lots of young people, but not hipsters- filling the streets following yoga or leaving the bar after a football game. The green grassy areas of Chrissy Field are always close by if you want to hav a picnic with friends, go for run along the water, or just play fetch with Rover. Rents will not be cheap, but you can find apartments and homes with character, parking spaces, views, full kitchens and multiple bedrooms. Its also a great option if you work or play frequently in the North Bay- since the Golden Gate Bridge and all it offers is just a hop away.

NOPA/Alamo Square/Hayes Valley

Remember Full House, and the Painted Ladies Victorian Houses- those are found in Alamo Square. This region of the city feels like a neighborhood- with access to parks, small corner stores and coffee shops, it will feel cozy and accessible at the same time. Try the Green Chile Kitchen in NOPA for creative New Mexican Style cooking, or its sister restaurant Chile Pies for a Frito pie. When seeking a home you’re apt to find beautiful, intricate Victorians, likely cute up to apartments or left as huge 4-8 bedroom monstrosities.

Haight Ashbury

Think hippies, and funk. The Haight Ashbury area was the epicenter of the “Summer Love” and hippie subculture in 1967. This area features historic Victorians, both cut up into apartments and preserved as single-family homes. Haight Street remains a mecca of smoke shops, tie-dye and organic vegetables, and can be filled with vagabonds and tourists. But walk slightly off the track and you’ll discover Cole Valley, Ashbury Heights, and Diamond Heights. These areas all offer amazing views albeit fogged in at times, lovely winding streets, hills, nearby parks, and families are frequently spotted with dogs and shopping parcels. Try venturing into Cole Valley, and try brunch at Zazie for a delightful French dining experience.

Inner Richmond

You get a lot of bang for your buck when moving to this area. Its neighborhoody, and doesn’t feel too urban, but offers tons of services like grocery stores, post offices, furniture retailers and sandwich shops- regular life things that make it easy to live there. There are more restaurants than one can count, and Muni options are readily available. And, houses are often quite large and more reasonable because its slightly out of the city center.

Outer places

Outer Sunset, SFSU Area, Park Merced, Outer Richmond, Ocean Beach: These can be far away and a long commute downtown. Its often chilly and foggy, but has a laid back vibe and is quiet at night. It’s a great option for SFSU staff and students, those who work in the South Bay, if you are a regular beach walker or the hardcore surfer. Otherwise, venture here on weekends, when you need a cold fix, or an adventure. You can find cheap apartments in massive complexes filled with amenities in the Park Merced area, or mansions in the Seacliff area above Ocean Beach. Either way, you’ll be sure to have an easy approach to the ocean, and more space than much of the city affords.

Now-visit your potential neighborhoods, take a look around- the best way to make sure you feel safe and at home is to simply walk around. Maybe even pull out your iPhone and make sure you still feel comfortable blatantly walking around with it. Then grab your credit report, rental references, order some ZippGo boxes, and compile your life’s savings, you are ready for the wizardry that is finding a place to live in San Francisco- best of luck.

Tags: Green Living, moving boxes, Moving to San Francisco, Renting in San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco Neighborhoods
Posted in Green Living, Moving Tips | No Comments »

The 10 Most Awesome Moving Tips

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

There is a reason why California is such a popular destination when holiday season rolls around. It’s a state that packs in a little something for everyone, and it also helps that the weather also plays ball. People fall in love with California the first time they visit, and that is why so many of them jump at the chance to move there if the opportunity arises. It’s the Bay Area that calls to many, usually because of its close proximity to Silicon Valley. It’s home to some beautiful spots like Santa Clara, Albany, and of course, San Francisco. Before you can settle down and soak up the beauty of the state, there is the move to take care of, which can be a nightmare to many. It doesn’t have to be that way though, and here are 10 simple tips that can make things go much easier:

Make a checklist – unpacking is often the worst part of moving, but if you make a detailed list of what is in every box, then you will save a ton of time on the other end. Assign a number to each individual box and keep a note of every item in there. You’ll be amazed how useful that will be when you land in California.
Make sure you have enough moving boxes – moving boxes and supplies are an essential part of every move, but it’s amazing how many people don’t plan in advance. You also have to remember that cardboard can get damaged when you pack, so maybe look at plastic moving boxes San Francisco as a better alternative.
Start packing early – your moving job will seem a lot more laborious if you wait until the last minute to pack everything. Start packing your moving boxes weeks in advance, loading up items that you know you won’t need anytime soon.
Don’t forget to use your luggage – you’d be surprised how many load up on moving boxes and forget that they have a luggage set lying in a closet somewhere. Chances are you will probably have clothes that are inappropriate for the current season, so utilize those suitcases and pack up the clothes that you won’t need before the move takes place.
Leave some cleaning supplies out – it’s easy to get carried away and start packing up everything in sight. You will probably be required to give your old place some sort of quick sweep and clean, so make sure to leave your cleaning supplies out so that you don’t have to buy new ones.
Make sure to look after your valuables – everyone has jewelry or other items that are of great value to them. Most moving companies are efficient and honest, but that doesn’t mean that items won’t get damaged, lost or stolen. Those valuable should be packed separately and travel with you to avoid any kind of loss.
Look after your important documents – you should take the same level of care with your documents as you would with valuables like silver and gold. Unscrupulous folks could use that information for the purposes of identity theft, so you have to look at keeping them with you during the move.
Label all your boxes – imagine if you moved to San Francisco and there were no street signs anywhere to be seen. You would be lost, and that’s what will happen if you don’t label each box with the room that they belong in. Combining that with your inventory system from tip #1 will make it easier for you and the movers to get your stuff where it belongs. All ZippGo Moving Box packages come with free labels for each box (just a teeny tiny little plug).
Think about hiring a pro – if you are moving to California for a new job, then your company may pay a portion or even all of the moving expenses. It can be a little more expensive, but if it fits into your budget you should really look at letting a qualified moving company take care of all the details.
Think about going green when you move – preparing for a big move usually means keeping an eye out for cheap moving boxes, knowing full well that you will probably just throw them out after the move. Plastic moving boxes are the wave of the future, and knowing that they will be used up to 500 times more than the average cardboard box should be more than enough to make you think about making the switch.

Tags: how to pack for a move, how to pack your things, moving advice, moving help, Moving Tips, plastic moving boxes
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Top 5 Places To Live In The Bay Area

Friday, February 25th, 2011

San Francisco Bay is home to dozens of beautiful cities with incredible living potential. With cherished landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in the North Bay area and the technological cutting edge Silicon Valley in the South Bay area, there’s no denying that this little slice of California offers a world of diversity and culture. Whether you’re a native Bay resident looking for a change of pace or an East Coast soon-to-be import, it’s worth taking a few moments to explore the Bay’s top 5 cities before you commit to your move.

San Francisco

Obviously heading the list for the area with its namesake is San Francisco city itself. With a three-sided view of the water, this peninsula city is second only to New York City in terms of population density. If it’s the fast-paced lifestyle of authentic big city living you crave, then San Francisco is the West Coast’s only destination for you. If there are two things you can count on, they are the opportunity for employment at every corner and a diversity of cuisine that staggers the imagination.

Berkeley

Nestled in the rolling hills of the East Bay area and home to the state university system’s oldest institute, The University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley offers some of the most beautiful views of the bay you’ll likely ever encounter. Although it is a densely populated city, it is a tight-knit community. If you’re looking for a place that you can speak your mind and live in peace, then Berkeley could be your perfect match.

Santa Clara

If you eat, sleep, and breathe technology, then you were born to live in Santa Clara. At the heart of the famous Silicon Valley in the South Bay area, Santa Clara proudly provides headquarters for names such as Intel, NVIDIA, and Sun Microsystems. If you are lucky enough to snag an apartment or condo in this city, you’ll never want for technological thrills again.

Albany

Love landscape views of the city but don’t want to live there? Albany could be your solution. Another city in the East Bay area, Albany offers a somewhat slower-paced approach to life. With regard to education, its school system is one of the best in the country, with a staggering 96 percent of its graduates going on to attend college. It’s a beautiful blend of city, family, and small town living.

Palo Alto

Another peninsula Bay city, Palo Alto offers a little bit of everything. With companies like Facebook and PayPal, among others, basing their headquarters here, it has the technology. With parts of Stanford University, it has the education. With original, older homes, it has the history and suburban feel. Palo Alto may just be the most well-rounded little big city in the Bay.

Are you reaching for the cardboard boxes now with one of these cities as your intended destination? Well, before you go crazy with the cardboard, think about a more convenient—and much greener way t

o move. Plastic moving boxes that are well made are reusable up to 400 time, so there’s no adding to the landfills or using up energy recycling unnecessarily. Just try to use your cardboard boxes 400 times! The best part about plastic moving boxes is that they can be delivered directly to you in most of the Bay area’s cities! So do the right thing and go green.

Tags: moving boxes, plastic moving boxes
Posted in Green Living, Moving Tips | 11 Comments »

Take the Stress Out of Moving: Part 2

Monday, February 7th, 2011

As exciting as moving can be, there is no denying that it is one of the most stressful things anyone will ever go through, good or bad. Aside from the obvious stress of carefully sorting, packing, and moving all of your belongings only to unpack and set them up in the new home, there is the stress of leaving behind that which is familiar. While it is usually children who have the most difficulty coping with this aspect of moving, adults experience the same stress to varying levels. Much will depend on your own personality, some of the circumstances surrounding the move, and some on how long you have been living in one area.

If you have deep roots in the area from which you are moving, then trying to make a strange new place feel like “home” can seem like an exercise in futility. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. No, no place on earth will ever give you the exact same feeling as the place you’ve called home all your life, but there are many things that you can do to create a new homey environment that is just as comforting, albeit different, from the one you knew before.

The Power of the Senses

Have you ever come across an item and thought immediately, “this smells just like Grandma”? The power of our senses is truly amazing with regard to how we associate them with different memories and experiences in our lives. A certain song playing on the radio may bring warm memories of baking with your mom. A particular hue of some color could send you back in time to a play date you enjoyed with a beloved friend. If you’ll use this phenomenon to your advantage, you can create a warm, inviting, comforting environment in your new home in no time.

If the smell of cinnamon, for example, reminds you of home, then try setting out some cinnamon scented candles. If it just isn’t home to you without roosters adorning the kitchen, then incorporate some into your new design. Whatever you find comforting and homey, use it to add character to your new place.

Make it Yours

As an extension on using your senses, decorate your new home to your personality. If you despise the color yellow and every bedroom in the house just happens to be that color, then get out the paint and have a ball. Hang your most treasure pictures on the walls and arrange your collectibles and knick knacks to your liking. If you have an heirloom quilt, why not take it out of storage and use it on your bed for a while? It will do you much more good to give you a feeling of home that way, and that is probably the way whoever crafted it would have wanted it to be used anyway—not packed up in some box. Ultimately, it all comes down to giving your new place your own personal touch. Before you know it, it will be far more than just a residence—it will be home.

Simplify Your Move

If you are looking for ways to help simplify your move, how about eliminating those 150 cardboard moving boxes? Yep, that’s right! Your San Francisco area move can be even more stress free when you use our environmentally friendly, green moving boxes. They are made from recycled plastic, sturdy, and you won’t have to worry about disposing of them after your move. We will deliver them and pick them up. Give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: green moving, moving stress
Posted in Green Living, Moving Tips | 2 Comments »

How Will The Family Adjust To A New Home?

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Any move, whether across town or across the country, is a big adjustment for everyone involved. As stressful as it can be for adults, children seem to experience the most difficulty adjusting to the whole idea. This is especially true for school aged children who most often feel as though they are being punished for some unknown reason by moving them away from all of their friends and everything that is familiar to them. There are some things you can do, however, to make the transition more bearable for your family and help your children to understand that this move is not a punishment of any sort, but rather a grand adventure for a new life.

Embrace the Community

No one is ever going to feel like a new house is “home” if they just move in to a building and live like hermits. Get out there and explore the town. The kids will love getting to see everything the new place has to offer, and chances are you’ll have a pretty good time too. Scope out the area for restaurants and make a point to try out several throughout the day; one for breakfast, one for lunch, and one for dinner. Hey, kids love eating out, so this could be an excellent way to loosen them up and encourage them to open their minds to everything else you’ll discover that day.

In between your ceremonious meals, explore the family activities available in the area. You might even get some good ideas from the people you’ll meet at the different restaurants. Check out the local park to see what it has to offer. Find out where the local movie theater is. You may even want to finish the day off by stopping there. Get a feel for the shopping scene. This will be particularly important if you have teenage children so that they can see that there is life here after all.

Emphasize Family Time

Exploring the community is fun and exciting for all, but nothing is more important than reinforcing the closeness of family. When you keep your family functioning as a tightly knit unit, your children will be better able to adjust to everything around them because they’ll have the security of knowing that no matter where they are, you all love each other and will always be there for each other.

In order to create this closeness, you have to go a little bit beyond just telling your kids you love them. You’ll have to show it by spending time with them. This can be really difficult to do with all the craziness of the move, but making a point to have a game night on a set day of the week and making sure to sit down together for dinner can have some really incredible benefits for your kids. Besides, you need a break too, and taking a little time just to enjoy life will help everyone feel more balanced during this transistion.

Tags: moving house, Moving Tips, new home, plastic moving boxes
Posted in Moving Tips | 1 Comment »

How To De-clutter Before You Move – Learning to Let Go

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

In some ways it’s human nature to collect things, and maybe even to form sentimental attachments to those things. While this can be good if you’re a collector, or plan to stay in one place for the rest of eternity, this habit of acquiring objects can present quite a problem when you’re wanting to move and trying to figure out what to do with all of your, well junk.

Moving is stressful enough, don’t make it worse on yourself by lugging around unnecessary stuff for no reason. How should you decide what gets to stay, and what you have to leave behind? The answer is simple. Follow the tips below, and before you know it, you’ll be clutter free and able to start anew.

Get Your Mind Right Before Tackling The Task

No doubt, it is a huge undertaking to go through all of your worldly possessions in an attempt to flesh out only what you need to move with. This is even more the case if you have a huge house, with an attic, multiple wardrobes, or a multi-car garage.

Don't let your home get this unorganized!

So, acknowledge that it’s going to be stressful, and work through it a bit at a time. When you’re doing it, be completely focused on the task at hand, but also acknowledge that you are going to be attached to some things, and that’s OK. That said however, you really need to think about a process like this logically and not emotionally as much as possible.

Set The Rules Of The Game

Any good game has a system of simple rules, and this is no different. You’re going to end up with a “yes” pile and a “no” pile, but you need to be clear on the criteria that need to be met for an object to go into a specific place.

For example:

If it still has tags on it, or is unopened but covered in dust, you probably aren’t going to get around to changing that any time soon, and it’s OK to let that go.
If you can’t fit into it, it’s OK to not take it with you.
If you haven’t worn it or used it in a year (or since college) , are you really ever going to wear or use it again?
If it’s broken, throw it away, don’t think about the “someday” when you want to fix it
If you have multiples of it, get rid of at least one.
If it’s a big object like a car, washing machine, or TV, think about whether or not it might be cheaper to just sell what you have and get a replacement when you get to your new destination.
If it has sentimental value to you, keep it, but really think about the definition of sentimental value, so that you end up keeping truly meaningful things, and not just “neat junk.”

Work In A System

As mentioned above, this process can be overwhelming on many levels physically and emotionally. Start as soon as you can, and try to breakdown your house into individual areas and tackle them one at a time.

Don’t rush through this process, and try to cram the attic, basement, kids’ rooms and etc into one go-round, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Chances are, if you do this alone, and all at once It will not end well, in fact everyone will probably just end up cranky and frustrated, staring at all the stuff that’s still clogging up your lives.
Remember The Saying About One Man’s Trash…

Consider that just because you’re getting rid of things, it doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from it. Things can be sold, sometimes for quite a tidy sum on sites like http://craigslist.org or http://ebay.com or you can have an old fashioned garage sale.

Getting a monetary reward from selling the valuables you don’t need to haul along with you may provide just enough motivation to tear through your place in a way you wouldn’t usually. Also consider making a charitable donation. No matter your situation, many families are less fortunate, and things like toys, games, clothing, shoes and furniture can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Such donations are also often tax deductible.

No matter how you approach your need to deeply de-clutter your surroundings in preparation for a move, just think about the opportunity as an open door for a new start. Don’t be afraid to let go of unnecessary “stuff.”

If you’re especially environmentally conscious and worry about the impact of the usual cardboard boxes used for the moving process, know that we can help you out with a green storage alternative. Our plastic moving boxes are zero waste and our unique service is incredibly easy and convenient to use. Give us a call! You’ll be glad you did.

Tags: declutter, green moving, plastic moving boxes
Posted in Green Living, Moving Tips | 1 Comment »

Top 5 Reasons People Move

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

We all dream of moving into a home and being able to stay in the same place for years, if not all of our adult lives. Visions of raising our children at the same address, planting a garden, doing home projects, decorating for the holidays, and watching our families grow up are at the base of our culture and part of the American dream.

If you are considering a move, you’re not alone. Nearly 15% of the US population moves every year. Here are the top 5 reasons that might mean it’s time to make a call to your local real estate agent:

Needing More Space

Let’s face it. We get new things all the time. As family needs grow and change, we may need more space than our current home can provide. Many homes are designed with a lot of wasted space, so moving to a newer, more efficient home will help you make the most of what you’ve got, and may even leave room for the changes you may face over the next few years.

Getting Married

If you’re planning on getting married, one or both of you will need to change your address. Although moves are known to be stressful, relocating because of such a happy occasion usually raises adrenalin levels, excitement, and feelings of contentedness. Moving because of marriage should be a relatively low stress occasion.

A New Baby

If you’re expanding your family, sometimes there’s not enough room to live comfortably when the bundle of joy arrives. Moving into a new home with more space will help accommodate your new family member and will keep your family busy until the big day. When you move to a new place, you can look forward to decorating the baby’s nursery, and as the child grows, the nursery can grow and adapt into a bedroom or playroom.

A New Career

If you’ve recently landed a new job, especially if you’ve transferred to another city or state, you’re obviously going to have to move. Being closer to work will save you money over the long run in terms of fuel, wear and tear on your vehicle, or other transportation costs so you can make the most of your new salary.

Retirement

As you enter your golden years, there are numerous things to take into consideration. You may not need the space for your children, as you once did. If you’ve tucked away a nice nest egg, your golden years are often a time of reward and leisure. A smaller space, somewhere warm and tropical, may be just the ticket. Many retirement communities or condo associations have all expenses included rental agreements, and even provide help for those with limited mobility.

Are you moving for any of these reasons? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Why waste time and money on cardboard boxes and tape that you’re just going throw away when you move into your new place? Instead, consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at ZippGo. We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With ZippGo, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

At ZippGo, we believe in win/win situations! Call us before your big move, and let us guide you in the right direction!

Tags: green moving, moving boxes, plastic moving boxes, reasons to move
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Tips For Moving To A New Neighborhood

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

There are two ways you can choose to look at a move: either as a necessary, but rather stressful event or as the next grand adventure in your life! Now, I don’t know about you, but the adventure option sounds much more enjoyable to us. Why focus on negative thoughts when this could very well be the best thing to ever happen to you? Alright, so to get down to the business of making this whole ordeal exciting and fun, let’s look at some interesting ways to embrace your new life.

Claim Your New Home Town

There was once a time that any new member of the community would be greeted by the neighbors with offerings of baked goods and warm welcomes. Sadly, today’s busy lifestyles seem to have made that tradition all but extinct. So, rather than sitting around waiting for the community to come to you, get out there and get involved in the community. Do some searching into the different types of charity and volunteer organizations to see if there is one that you may enjoy participating in. If there is, go and introduce yourself. They’ll be thrilled to have the extra help and you’ll likely make some great new friends.

Get familiar and comfortable with your new surroundings by exploring the town. Learn where the local grocery store is and make it a point to shop there rather than making a run to one of the bigger national chains. Find out if there is a local coffee shop or book nook where you can go to relax and get to know people. If you enjoy fitness and sports, check out what programs are available. You may find a weekly kickboxing class or a community golf course. Or, if you enjoy being crafty, look into calligraphy classes or sewing groups.

The point is that it is up to you to create your own adventure. Even the smallest of towns will have something to offer if you’ll only look. Visit the local chamber of commerce and make some rounds to the small businesses in the area. This is where you can find the best information about upcoming community events and groups that may interest you. Most people will be more than willing to point you in the right direction if you simply introduce yourself, explain that you are new to the neighborhood, and tell them you are really excited to get involved with the community.

Don’t worry so much about people viewing you as an “outsider” or what not. That mentality is very rare these days as most communities are made up of people from all over the country. Chances are that at least half of the new people you’ll meet are not natives of the area themselves. The people who are natives are generally accustomed to having new people move in and relish the opportunity to share their own story of living in the area. So go ahead and get out there—there is no time like the present!

Tags: green moving, new neighbors
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