Moving via RV

July 11, 2012 1:48 AM

Help me move from Oregon to NYC Part 2: Moving in a rented RV.

I got good advice a couple weeks ago about apartment hunting.

This week I am looking for general advice before I confirm my RV rental.

I am considering renting a 30 ft RV from Sept 15 to October 15. My girlfriend and I would pack up the RV with belongings and cats and spend ~12 days getting to NYC. Once in NYC we'll stay at the Liberty Harbor RV park in Jersey City and use that as a base to look for apartments. That should leave about 18 days to look for an apartment.

After all the good advice last week we're looking at apartments in: SW Brooklyn, Inwood/Washington Heights, and Jersey City. Rental budget of ~1625 a month based on annual income divided by 40. We have or soon will have more income than that though and could go up to 2k/month easily if landlords don't need proof in the form of paychecks. We can demonstrate solvency through bank statements and a government clearance.

I welcome any thoughts or criticism of this plan. Organizing the move is a little overwhelming and having you all as a sounding board is very reassuring.

Particularly, are the chances reasonable we can find a place we can move into in the middle of the month? Any more tips on neighborhoods or apartment hunting are welcome too. I'd be commuting to the West Village, 201 Varick Street.

Thanks!

posted by pseudonick to travel & transportation (3 answers total)

I love your idea of moving everyone in comfort in a rented RV. I see no flies on your plan.

Have you figured out how much you'll be spending in fuel, rental, etc? If you've done the math on it, and you think it makes sense, then I say go for it and enjoy the road!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:20 AM on July 11, 2012

As you'll find, RVs are not known for their gas mileage. It's a pain in the neck, but staying at 45-50 in the right lane will save you real money over doing 60-70. 12 days is a great length of time. Walmarts let you park overnight in their huge lots-- they don't have facilities for watering and sewage, but they have space in abundance (and naturally they want you to stock up there).

Hit up Roadfood.com and other roadtrip sites to find novelties and great meals along the way. Consider partly following Lewis & Clark back East, which will take you through Montana and past Yellowstone (which is, no doubt, chock full of people right now, but it's still a massive place). Little Big Horn in Wyoming might be on the way.

Get traveller's checks. Yes, you're travelling in the US, but it's still a way to circumvent theft and avoid other cash complications.

Keep your keys on you at all times, or develop a system to make sure one of you can let the other into a locked RV, and won't be asleep, etc.

Have fun! Take pictures! Send postcards! (Bring stamps!)
posted by Sunburnt at 8:14 AM on July 11, 2012

I actually just did this, except it was Chicago to L.A. I used the RV because of my dogs and cats, so I stayed in hotels instead of sleeping in it (just not enough space).

I will give you the one handy hint that I learned from the experience: the RV rental company will fill the water tank before you leave. As soon as you get a chance, dump the water. It makes the RV soooo much easier to drive. Yeah, you have to stop to find bathrooms, but the difference in how the RV handles is night and day.

I found a rental on Cruise America in the "One Way Special" section, and the rental only cost me $300! I had to check back every day to find one that fit my start point and destination, but it eventually popped up.

Overall it went well and I totally recommend it.
posted by bolognius maximus at 9:09 AM on July 11, 2012 [1 favorite]