Moving During a Pandemic
March 19, 2020 2:42 PM Subscribe
Recently bought a house in Seattle. Would like to actually move there. Am having intense anxiety about that not being possible. Seeking reassurance/reality check/information about what may or may not be possible in the coming days/weeks.
Husband and I recently (in the before-time when the world was stable) bought a house in Seattle, which we are thrilled about. Our original plan (because of work commitments here in NC) was to move in early or mid-May.
However, given the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic situation, those commitments keeping us here have essentially evaporated (or moved online). Also, given the sate of things in WA and the recent "shelter-in-place" directives in places like the Bay Area, it seems likely that some sort of similar lockdown may soon be on its way to Seattle.
We're now terrified that if Seattle or WA go into some version of lockdown in the coming days/weeks, we won't be able to move in to our house. However, we can't stay put ad infinitum because our lease here ends April 30, and new tenants will be moving in.
So, we'd like to get moving ASAP. Neither of us is high-risk, nor do we routinely interact with anyone who is. But we are of course aware that we could be asymptomatic carriers and thus have been adhering closely to social distancing/handwashing protocols. We've been self-isolating for about a week now, and will continue to do so. We're in the process of switching our logistical moving plans to avoid contact with others as much as possible (not hiring movers/packer; using PODs; etc.). We'll be driving across the country, and are prepared to continue social distancing throughout the drive to the extent that is possible (including camping instead of staying in hotels if necessary). We'd like to be on the road by April 1.
But even with all this planning, we don't know (and of course CAN'T know) what is coming in terms of further travel restrictions, etc. This causes LOADS of anxiety. I know y'all can't predict the future, but perhaps you could provide some level-headed analysis about what is LIKELY and what is POSSIBLE: for example, is it possible that we will somehow be prevented from entering Seattle? Is it possible that we will get stranded somewhere in the no-man's-land between not being able to get to our new house and having given up our old house? Is it likely that our possessions will not be able to be delivered? Is it possible that if/when Seattle goes into "shelter-in-place" mode we will not be able to access our house if we aren't there yet? Are there ways to find out more about what will and will not be possible under a "lockdown" scenario? While moving into a house seems kind of essential to me (a person who would like to have a roof over her head), I'm not sure such activities meet the definition of "essential travel"...
I have no idea if I'm being wildly paranoid or not. I have little concern (or at least little beyond the reasonable and prudent level of precautions we already take and will continue to take once there) about moving to an "epicenter" of the outbreak. I am VERY concerned about somehow being prevented from moving there!
Would especially appreciate any insight from those who might already be living under "lockdown" restrictions, and what they actually mean in practice.
(Also, please assume that I know these concerns are trivial in comparison to what many others are dealing with right now.)
Husband and I recently (in the before-time when the world was stable) bought a house in Seattle, which we are thrilled about. Our original plan (because of work commitments here in NC) was to move in early or mid-May.
However, given the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic situation, those commitments keeping us here have essentially evaporated (or moved online). Also, given the sate of things in WA and the recent "shelter-in-place" directives in places like the Bay Area, it seems likely that some sort of similar lockdown may soon be on its way to Seattle.
We're now terrified that if Seattle or WA go into some version of lockdown in the coming days/weeks, we won't be able to move in to our house. However, we can't stay put ad infinitum because our lease here ends April 30, and new tenants will be moving in.
So, we'd like to get moving ASAP. Neither of us is high-risk, nor do we routinely interact with anyone who is. But we are of course aware that we could be asymptomatic carriers and thus have been adhering closely to social distancing/handwashing protocols. We've been self-isolating for about a week now, and will continue to do so. We're in the process of switching our logistical moving plans to avoid contact with others as much as possible (not hiring movers/packer; using PODs; etc.). We'll be driving across the country, and are prepared to continue social distancing throughout the drive to the extent that is possible (including camping instead of staying in hotels if necessary). We'd like to be on the road by April 1.
But even with all this planning, we don't know (and of course CAN'T know) what is coming in terms of further travel restrictions, etc. This causes LOADS of anxiety. I know y'all can't predict the future, but perhaps you could provide some level-headed analysis about what is LIKELY and what is POSSIBLE: for example, is it possible that we will somehow be prevented from entering Seattle? Is it possible that we will get stranded somewhere in the no-man's-land between not being able to get to our new house and having given up our old house? Is it likely that our possessions will not be able to be delivered? Is it possible that if/when Seattle goes into "shelter-in-place" mode we will not be able to access our house if we aren't there yet? Are there ways to find out more about what will and will not be possible under a "lockdown" scenario? While moving into a house seems kind of essential to me (a person who would like to have a roof over her head), I'm not sure such activities meet the definition of "essential travel"...
I have no idea if I'm being wildly paranoid or not. I have little concern (or at least little beyond the reasonable and prudent level of precautions we already take and will continue to take once there) about moving to an "epicenter" of the outbreak. I am VERY concerned about somehow being prevented from moving there!
Would especially appreciate any insight from those who might already be living under "lockdown" restrictions, and what they actually mean in practice.
(Also, please assume that I know these concerns are trivial in comparison to what many others are dealing with right now.)
If China has the new cases significantly slowed in the Wuhan area, then Seattle will slow as well. The US was just a little slow on the uptake, but is now fully committed to national defense, state, and federal agencies responding well. The communication between international scientific bodies seems well, with novel medications coming available, and a better understanding of how to avoid this virus.
Penske rents trucks $499 for five days unlimited mileage, best deal for long distance moving. Packing your own and moving your own good practice. Having your new house locked and empty for 14 days before you move in, a good practice for letting Covid19 die out in your new digs. These shelter in place orders allow for shopping, medical, veterinary, family visits, and errands of mercy. Shelter in place just means stay home for the most part. You can take outdoor exercise, even.
posted by Oyéah at 3:01 PM on March 19, 2020 [3 favorites]
Penske rents trucks $499 for five days unlimited mileage, best deal for long distance moving. Packing your own and moving your own good practice. Having your new house locked and empty for 14 days before you move in, a good practice for letting Covid19 die out in your new digs. These shelter in place orders allow for shopping, medical, veterinary, family visits, and errands of mercy. Shelter in place just means stay home for the most part. You can take outdoor exercise, even.
posted by Oyéah at 3:01 PM on March 19, 2020 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Hi! I just moved back to Seattle from the UK. We landed on 2/27 and the next day woke up to the news that we were in the new hotspot of the US! We moved into our apartment on 3/1. I think that lockdown happened here as of last Friday? I can't even remember, the days are all running together now.
We haven't been asked to shelter in place like NYC and SF have been, but Seattle is pretty much shut down. What's interesting about "lockdown" is that the measures in place here in Seattle are pretty strict, almost as much as they are where everybody is asked to shelter in place. Many people in Washington are pissed that there hasn't been a directive to shut everything down but essential business, but almost all businesses are closed. The big difference, if Inslee puts a shelter in place order, as I understand it, will be that some of the greedier businesses that are forcing their people to come in, would have to close. There might be checkpoints set up where you have to explain to the police where you are going.
If you are moving into a home you own and you have the keys and you won't need to buy furniture or essentials it might be okay. But it's hard to know for sure unfortunately. Hopefully someone in NYC or SF can update. For what it's worth, I think that Inslee is really really against putting a shelter in place order, and the infection rate has grown at a steady rate which I think has them hopeful that they have this under control. I don't think they do, but that's what it looks like right now.
If I were you I'd be looking very regularly at the WA department of health page, the The King County dept. of health page, and The Seattle Times.
If I had to characterize what's going on here, I'd say, it's weirdly quiet. There's not a lot of panic, at least not here in Capitol Hill Seattle, and the numbers are scary, and there are some weird inconsistencies with how much testing they are doing vs. how easy it appears to (not be) to get a test from the news. It feels a bit like they are doing half measures of all the things - they bought a motel in Kent to isolate people in, but they are testing enough or doing enough contact tracing (as far as I can tell) to have that be successful. They've put an order to ban gatherings and close restaurants but they haven't insisted people shelter in place so some people are still going out quite a bit (to where, I don't know). They are building a field hospital in Shoreline. My hope is that they are just hard at work on their strategy and not communicating it so well, but I don't really know for sure and I think we'll know a lot more about the situation next week.
I want to say that I fully understand the anxiety you are experiencing, having just negotiated an international move and started a new job while all of this was ramping up. I had been nervously watching the story and nearly lost my mind with anxiety from the stress of the move. It's not a trivial amount of stress. It's a really incredible amount of uncertainty.
I will say that we moved into our apartment and have just a bed and a couch and a TV and we were able to buy pots and pans and the things we need to cook. We don't have most of our regular things (they're sitting on a dock somewhere in the UK, who knows when we'll get them?) but - I feel so much better, even though I'm right in the middle of a very hot hot zone, than I did before, because I've got some roots now.
posted by pazazygeek at 3:07 PM on March 19, 2020
We haven't been asked to shelter in place like NYC and SF have been, but Seattle is pretty much shut down. What's interesting about "lockdown" is that the measures in place here in Seattle are pretty strict, almost as much as they are where everybody is asked to shelter in place. Many people in Washington are pissed that there hasn't been a directive to shut everything down but essential business, but almost all businesses are closed. The big difference, if Inslee puts a shelter in place order, as I understand it, will be that some of the greedier businesses that are forcing their people to come in, would have to close. There might be checkpoints set up where you have to explain to the police where you are going.
If you are moving into a home you own and you have the keys and you won't need to buy furniture or essentials it might be okay. But it's hard to know for sure unfortunately. Hopefully someone in NYC or SF can update. For what it's worth, I think that Inslee is really really against putting a shelter in place order, and the infection rate has grown at a steady rate which I think has them hopeful that they have this under control. I don't think they do, but that's what it looks like right now.
If I were you I'd be looking very regularly at the WA department of health page, the The King County dept. of health page, and The Seattle Times.
If I had to characterize what's going on here, I'd say, it's weirdly quiet. There's not a lot of panic, at least not here in Capitol Hill Seattle, and the numbers are scary, and there are some weird inconsistencies with how much testing they are doing vs. how easy it appears to (not be) to get a test from the news. It feels a bit like they are doing half measures of all the things - they bought a motel in Kent to isolate people in, but they are testing enough or doing enough contact tracing (as far as I can tell) to have that be successful. They've put an order to ban gatherings and close restaurants but they haven't insisted people shelter in place so some people are still going out quite a bit (to where, I don't know). They are building a field hospital in Shoreline. My hope is that they are just hard at work on their strategy and not communicating it so well, but I don't really know for sure and I think we'll know a lot more about the situation next week.
I want to say that I fully understand the anxiety you are experiencing, having just negotiated an international move and started a new job while all of this was ramping up. I had been nervously watching the story and nearly lost my mind with anxiety from the stress of the move. It's not a trivial amount of stress. It's a really incredible amount of uncertainty.
I will say that we moved into our apartment and have just a bed and a couch and a TV and we were able to buy pots and pans and the things we need to cook. We don't have most of our regular things (they're sitting on a dock somewhere in the UK, who knows when we'll get them?) but - I feel so much better, even though I'm right in the middle of a very hot hot zone, than I did before, because I've got some roots now.
posted by pazazygeek at 3:07 PM on March 19, 2020
Best answer: I am so sorry for your having to go through such a normally-stressful experience in an abnormally-stressful time!
I'm in the SF Bay Area, we are under shelter-in-place orders, but the movers thus far are considered an essential service, and my friends who were scheduled to move next week can still move.
Like pazazygeek said of Seattle, so far shelter-in-place doesn't feel much different for me than what was happening a few days ago. We are still able to go get our essentials, people are still being crazy grocery hoarders, all that's happened is that some of the businesses that really should have let people work from home have had their hands forced, which is a good thing. Many more tech workers than you would think were being forced to still come to the office or take sick time, then when the SIP hit they were suddenly approved to WFH....
posted by assenav at 3:38 PM on March 19, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm in the SF Bay Area, we are under shelter-in-place orders, but the movers thus far are considered an essential service, and my friends who were scheduled to move next week can still move.
Like pazazygeek said of Seattle, so far shelter-in-place doesn't feel much different for me than what was happening a few days ago. We are still able to go get our essentials, people are still being crazy grocery hoarders, all that's happened is that some of the businesses that really should have let people work from home have had their hands forced, which is a good thing. Many more tech workers than you would think were being forced to still come to the office or take sick time, then when the SIP hit they were suddenly approved to WFH....
posted by assenav at 3:38 PM on March 19, 2020 [2 favorites]
No advice; just commiseration. I've got to move at the end of the month, too, and majorly stressing about it.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:42 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:42 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Hi, I feel you. I'm moving to Alaska in a couple weeks, from NY. Professional movers are considered an essential service, though individuals may not be willing to work, so my plan so far has been to leave myself significant lead time between getting movers to the house and getting to a plane. I also have a couple moving companies on deck in case I need a backup.
Also I have a worst case plan-- if I can't get movers, I can get a storage space, and fly back to ship stuff when it blows over.
Also if you are starting a new job-- pay attention to any local isolation orders. AK is asking people coming from areas with "significant community transmission" to isolate for two weeks after they get there. So I had to move my move up closer to still start at my new job. Seattle may be similar-- check with your new HR.
New Rochelle is locked down right now, but people who have to commute and make essential trips are able to get in and out. So they're not going to turn you back-- you have a legit reason to get to your new home.
posted by blnkfrnk at 5:25 PM on March 19, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also I have a worst case plan-- if I can't get movers, I can get a storage space, and fly back to ship stuff when it blows over.
Also if you are starting a new job-- pay attention to any local isolation orders. AK is asking people coming from areas with "significant community transmission" to isolate for two weeks after they get there. So I had to move my move up closer to still start at my new job. Seattle may be similar-- check with your new HR.
New Rochelle is locked down right now, but people who have to commute and make essential trips are able to get in and out. So they're not going to turn you back-- you have a legit reason to get to your new home.
posted by blnkfrnk at 5:25 PM on March 19, 2020 [2 favorites]
Shelter in place in the SF area allow for people to return to their homes. Have paperwork with you showing that you bought the house and this is your new home. If you have turned on power and utilities and have utilities bills in your name, bring that too. I have no idea whether there would be any need for it for it would make sense to me as way to be prepared if things get even stricter.
posted by metahawk at 6:29 PM on March 19, 2020
posted by metahawk at 6:29 PM on March 19, 2020
North (far north) of Seattle here (think Marysville.) Many fewer people on the roads, businesses are open but all restaurants, bars, et cetera are takeout or delivery only. Many people are sheltering in place voluntarily, if they can. Lots of other stores have reminders to people to cover their cough/sneeze, keep distance from other people, and avoid touching surfaces. (Example: my local post office had red tape on the floor to mark where people should stand when in line, to maintain social distancing.)
Call the various companies you were thinking of using for your move. See if they'll still be operating when you intend to move. And try to come sooner rather than later, because you're right - it won't get better in the near future, more strict measures may be put into place.
If you're able to move now and you're driving and staying in hotels, take some household cleaner with you and wipe everything down - just as a precaution. Pack Wet Ones packets - those aren't necessarily "sanitary", but they're better than nothing. Wear something with longer sleeves that you can pull over your hands when you have to open doors, and wash those regularly. If you're flying, same thing: pack Wet Ones, use those on places where you put your hands, if you can, have bandanas or scarves to tie over your lower faces. (They're better than nothing.)
blnkfrnk has some great suggestions about having a backup plan, possibly about keeping some of your stuff in storage on that side of the continent (move the essentials) and about checking with your Seattle employers. Those are also great things to think about. I would think about taking action sooner than later, because the situation is so fluid.
metahawk also has a good point about having some kind of proof that you can show to people if necessary. Moving house, finding a new place to live because your old one came unavailable, seems to fall under the heading "essential"...but, again, the situation is so fluid. What holds true today may not be true next week. A big plus to you folks, you can get utilities turned on without having to go someplace else; possibly the only in-person appointment might be from the cable/internet company to get you hooked up. And you're not moving out here and then househunting, you have a place to live lined right up.
posted by Tailkinker to-Ennien at 8:33 PM on March 19, 2020
Call the various companies you were thinking of using for your move. See if they'll still be operating when you intend to move. And try to come sooner rather than later, because you're right - it won't get better in the near future, more strict measures may be put into place.
If you're able to move now and you're driving and staying in hotels, take some household cleaner with you and wipe everything down - just as a precaution. Pack Wet Ones packets - those aren't necessarily "sanitary", but they're better than nothing. Wear something with longer sleeves that you can pull over your hands when you have to open doors, and wash those regularly. If you're flying, same thing: pack Wet Ones, use those on places where you put your hands, if you can, have bandanas or scarves to tie over your lower faces. (They're better than nothing.)
blnkfrnk has some great suggestions about having a backup plan, possibly about keeping some of your stuff in storage on that side of the continent (move the essentials) and about checking with your Seattle employers. Those are also great things to think about. I would think about taking action sooner than later, because the situation is so fluid.
metahawk also has a good point about having some kind of proof that you can show to people if necessary. Moving house, finding a new place to live because your old one came unavailable, seems to fall under the heading "essential"...but, again, the situation is so fluid. What holds true today may not be true next week. A big plus to you folks, you can get utilities turned on without having to go someplace else; possibly the only in-person appointment might be from the cable/internet company to get you hooked up. And you're not moving out here and then househunting, you have a place to live lined right up.
posted by Tailkinker to-Ennien at 8:33 PM on March 19, 2020
I live in 'inner Seattle'.
Even the Bay Area's shelter in place orders allow you to be outside for exercise or fresh air as long as you don't meet with anyone you don't live with. A lot of people seem not to be reading far enough into the articles and just think "gasp, locked inside, never cross the threshold!"
People in Seattle are definitely outside walking dogs, enjoying the nice weather, or in the case of the children of Queen Anne, skateboarding by the community center like they're not little viral vectors. #getoffmylawn
Grocery stores and drugstores are open, if slightly ovestressed (and hiring). So the activities of moving -- going between outside and home, carrying things, and buying things you might have forgotten -- seem pretty feasible.
posted by batter_my_heart at 8:48 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
Even the Bay Area's shelter in place orders allow you to be outside for exercise or fresh air as long as you don't meet with anyone you don't live with. A lot of people seem not to be reading far enough into the articles and just think "gasp, locked inside, never cross the threshold!"
People in Seattle are definitely outside walking dogs, enjoying the nice weather, or in the case of the children of Queen Anne, skateboarding by the community center like they're not little viral vectors. #getoffmylawn
Grocery stores and drugstores are open, if slightly ovestressed (and hiring). So the activities of moving -- going between outside and home, carrying things, and buying things you might have forgotten -- seem pretty feasible.
posted by batter_my_heart at 8:48 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]
The "shelter-in-place" and WFH edicts are mostly about keeping others safe. Like vaccines were meant to do. If you don't have any symptoms and are taking care to limit your social interactions you're going to be fine. Overall, the best you can do is limit social interactions and if you do seem to have some symptoms then isolate.
That said, it's a great time to walk around outside. The streets are all but deserted, the weather (at least here) has been lovely, the cherry trees are blossoming, traffic noises are blissfully quiet.
posted by bendy at 10:22 PM on March 19, 2020
That said, it's a great time to walk around outside. The streets are all but deserted, the weather (at least here) has been lovely, the cherry trees are blossoming, traffic noises are blissfully quiet.
posted by bendy at 10:22 PM on March 19, 2020
Update, the movers DID come, and they did take my stuff. U-haul and 1-800-GOTJUNK and similar services are classed as essential in most places. So don't fret about that part much, but my advice is to still leave yourself with a larger window between moving and getting there than you think you need.
posted by blnkfrnk at 3:33 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by blnkfrnk at 3:33 PM on March 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jkent at 3:01 PM on March 19, 2020 [1 favorite]