Category: Uncategorized (Page 1 of 12)

Minnesota is a wonderful place to live. The people are genuinely kind. The summers are spectacular. The outdoor culture is unmatched. The food scene is surprisingly excellent. And moving here will introduce you to a number of experiences that nobody mentioned in the moving brochure.

1. The First Winter Will Redefine Your Understanding of Cold

You’ve been cold before. You’re not prepared. Minnesota winter cold is a category of experience that exists outside normal human reference points. -20°F with wind chill means you feel this cold in parts of your face you didn’t know had nerve endings. On the bright side: after your first Minnesota winter, all subsequent winters feel manageable. You will say ‘it’s not that bad’ to people from warmer climates and you will mean it.

2. ‘Minnesota Nice’ and ‘Minnesota Goodbye’ Are Both Real

Minnesota Nice is the genuine friendliness and courtesy of people here — real and immediately apparent to newcomers. Minnesota Goodbye is the phenomenon where leaving a social gathering takes 45 minutes of incremental departures, each accompanied by additional conversation. You will experience both within your first week. Embrace them.

3. The Roads Are Not Labeled Conventionally

Minnesota uses both highway numbers AND names AND cardinal directions AND local names simultaneously. ‘Take 169 North to the Crosstown’ means something specific to locals and nothing to newcomers. Your navigation app will help. Local friends will help more. You will eventually learn what ‘the 494-694 interchange’ means and you will feel a small but genuine pride about it.

4. Garage Sales Are a Contact Sport Here

Twin Cities garage sales are serious, organized events often listed in detailed online databases. On Saturday mornings in spring and summer, dedicated garage salers are in motion before 7 AM. Your new neighborhood will have sales. Your new neighborhood HOA may organize a community sale. This is a feature, not a bug — you can furnish an entire home from Twin Cities garage sales.

5. The Lakes Are Everywhere and the Rules Are Complex

The Twin Cities has 900+ lakes within 30 miles of Minneapolis. Each lake has its own rules, access points, and character. Some lakes allow motorboats; some are non-motorized. Some have public beaches; some are private. Your new community likely has at least one nearby lake. Find out which one is yours and what the rules are. Then go there constantly, because it is wonderful.

Moving is stressful — but it’s also one of life’s most exciting transitions. Cheep Cheep Movers is here to make the logistical part easy so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Minnesota is a wonderful place to live. The people are genuinely kind. The summers are spectacular. The outdoor culture is unmatched. The food scene is surprisingly excellent. And moving here will introduce you to a number of experiences that nobody mentioned in the moving brochure.

1. The First Winter Will Redefine Your Understanding of Cold

You’ve been cold before. You’re not prepared. Minnesota winter cold is a category of experience that exists outside normal human reference points. -20°F with wind chill means you feel this cold in parts of your face you didn’t know had nerve endings. On the bright side: after your first Minnesota winter, all subsequent winters feel manageable. You will say ‘it’s not that bad’ to people from warmer climates and you will mean it.

2. ‘Minnesota Nice’ and ‘Minnesota Goodbye’ Are Both Real

Minnesota Nice is the genuine friendliness and courtesy of people here — real and immediately apparent to newcomers. Minnesota Goodbye is the phenomenon where leaving a social gathering takes 45 minutes of incremental departures, each accompanied by additional conversation. You will experience both within your first week. Embrace them.

3. The Roads Are Not Labeled Conventionally

Minnesota uses both highway numbers AND names AND cardinal directions AND local names simultaneously. ‘Take 169 North to the Crosstown’ means something specific to locals and nothing to newcomers. Your navigation app will help. Local friends will help more. You will eventually learn what ‘the 494-694 interchange’ means and you will feel a small but genuine pride about it.

4. Garage Sales Are a Contact Sport Here

Twin Cities garage sales are serious, organized events often listed in detailed online databases. On Saturday mornings in spring and summer, dedicated garage salers are in motion before 7 AM. Your new neighborhood will have sales. Your new neighborhood HOA may organize a community sale. This is a feature, not a bug — you can furnish an entire home from Twin Cities garage sales.

5. The Lakes Are Everywhere and the Rules Are Complex

The Twin Cities has 900+ lakes within 30 miles of Minneapolis. Each lake has its own rules, access points, and character. Some lakes allow motorboats; some are non-motorized. Some have public beaches; some are private. Your new community likely has at least one nearby lake. Find out which one is yours and what the rules are. Then go there constantly, because it is wonderful.

Moving is stressful — but it’s also one of life’s most exciting transitions. Cheep Cheep Movers is here to make the logistical part easy so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Electronics represent some of the most valuable and most easily damaged items in any household move — yet they’re often packed with the least care. From laptops and desktop computers to gaming consoles and smart home devices, here’s how to pack electronics safely for your Twin Cities move.

The Original Box Rule

If you kept the original boxes for your electronics — TVs, computers, monitors, gaming systems, printers — this is the moment they were made for. Original packaging is engineered precisely for the device it holds.

If you’re someone who keeps original boxes ‘just in case,’ moving day is the just in case.

When You Don’t Have Original Boxes

Wrap each electronic device individually in bubble wrap — enough layers to fully cushion any side.

Place in a box with crumpled packing paper on all six sides: bottom, top, and all four sides. The device should feel snug with no ability to shift or rattle.

Mark all electronics boxes ‘FRAGILE’ and ‘THIS SIDE UP.’

Protecting Screens and Monitors

Screens — TV screens, computer monitors, laptop screens — are the most fragile component of any display device.

Wrap screens with a soft cloth or a non-abrasive moving blanket first, then bubble wrap. Transport screens upright — never face down.

Keep screens away from sharp corners, heavy items, and anything that could press against the screen during transit.

Cables, Cords, and Accessories

Use cable management: coil each cable neatly, secure with a velcro tie or rubber band, and store in a labeled zip-lock bag.

Keep cables for a specific device together in one bag: ‘TV Cables,’ ‘Computer Cables,’ ‘Gaming Console Cables.’

Photograph complex cable setups before disconnecting — it takes 30 seconds and saves significant setup time at the new home.

Temperature Sensitivity

Electronics are sensitive to temperature extremes. In a summer move, electronics should not sit in a hot, closed moving truck for extended periods.

Ideally, transport laptops, external hard drives, and other sensitive electronics in your air-conditioned personal vehicle, not the moving truck.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Last-minute moves happen — job opportunities that require an immediate start, unexpected lease terminations, a family emergency, or simply a moving timeline that got away from you. While the ideal scenario is booking weeks in advance, it’s absolutely possible to pull off a successful last-minute move in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities with the right approach.

Call Moving Companies Immediately — Don’t Wait

The moment you know you need to move quickly, start calling moving companies. Every hour you wait reduces your options.

Cheep Cheep Movers and other Twin Cities moving companies occasionally have last-minute availability due to cancellations. Call 612-234-6605 directly — explain your timeline and ask what dates are available. You may be surprised.

Be flexible on timing: a move starting at 6 AM, a late-afternoon start, or a Sunday may have availability when a preferred Saturday morning doesn’t.

Aggressive Triage: What Actually Needs to Come

In a last-minute move, there’s simply no time for thoughtful decluttering before the move itself.

Instead, do emergency triage: essentials first (clothing, electronics, important documents, medications), furniture and large items second, everything else if time and truck space allow.

Items you can’t take in the first move can be picked up in a follow-up trip or donated/disposed of.

The ‘Quick Pack’ Method for Last-Minute Packing

Don’t overthink last-minute packing: room-by-room, box by box, label as you go.

Use large garbage bags for bedding, clothing, and soft items — it’s not ideal, but it’s fast and functional.

Kitchen basics: a few plates, essential cookware, and pantry staples. The rest can follow or be replaced.

Skip the Storage Search for Now

If you can’t take everything, use a trusted friend’s garage or a family member’s space for a short-term hold rather than a last-minute storage unit search.

Storage unit contracts and setup take time you may not have. A short-term informal arrangement while you stabilize is often faster and cheaper.

Get to the New Place Functional ASAP

Priority at the new home: make your bed, set up basic kitchen function (coffee, a few dishes), and get internet connected.

Everything else can happen over the following days. The goal of a last-minute move is to get you in the new space and stable — perfection can wait.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

July is one of the busiest moving months in the Twin Cities — and for a limited time, Cheep Cheep Movers has special availability for local moves booked this month. If you’ve been on the fence about when to schedule your move, this is your moment. Summer dates are limited, and our July schedule is filling up quickly.

Why Move Now?

• July weather is ideal for moving — long days, warm temperatures, and no ice or snow
• Multiple lease turnovers and home closings happen in July, making this a natural moving month
• Cheep Cheep Movers is offering competitive pricing for customers who book before the end of July
• Book now and lock in today’s pricing — no risk of last-minute premium charges
• July moves benefit from peak-season crew availability — our best and most experienced teams

Our Moving Services

Cheep Cheep Movers provides full-service moves, labor-only service, and specialty item handling for all types of local moves in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities metro. Our professional trucks are fully equipped, our crews are trained and reliable, and we stand behind every move with transparent pricing and excellent customer service.

How to Book

Getting a free estimate from Cheep Cheep Movers takes just minutes. Call 612-234-6605 or visit cheepcheepmovers.com/get-free-estimate/ for a transparent, competitive quote with no hidden fees. We serve the entire Twin Cities metro.

Claim your July moving date before it’s gone. Call 612-234-6605 or visit cheepcheepmovers.com/get-free-estimate/ to get your free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll confirm your date and put together a plan for a smooth, efficient summer move. Don’t wait — July is flying by.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Commercial and office relocations present challenges that residential moves don’t: sensitive electronics and data equipment, ergonomic workstations, server infrastructure, and the critical need to minimize downtime. Cheep Cheep Movers provides professional office moving services throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities metro. Here’s what makes a commercial move different — and how we handle it.

Planning: The Most Important Phase

A successful office move starts with detailed pre-move planning, ideally beginning 4-6 weeks before the move date.

Key planning elements: floor plan of the new space, inventory of all items being moved, identification of sensitive or high-value equipment, IT infrastructure disconnect/reconnect plan, and employee communication about their responsibilities.

Minimizing Business Downtime

The most important goal of most commercial moves is minimizing downtime — the time your business is non-operational.

Options for reducing downtime: phased moves (moving departments one at a time over several days), weekend moves (completing the physical move over a Saturday-Sunday), and after-hours moves (starting the move at 5 PM and working overnight).

Handling Office Technology

Desktop computers, servers, monitors, printers, and phone systems require specific handling protocols.

Best practice: IT team disconnects and labels all cables before movers arrive. Computers are packed in original boxes when available or padded boxes when not. Servers are handled with extra care — some companies choose to transport server equipment themselves.

Workstations, Ergonomic Chairs, and Modular Furniture

Modern office furniture — modular workstations, ergonomic chairs, sit-stand desks — often requires partial disassembly for transport.

Cheep Cheep Movers crews are experienced with standard office furniture disassembly and reassembly. Complex modular systems may benefit from the manufacturer’s installation service at the new location.

The Employee Communication Element

Employees need to know: what to pack themselves (personal items, desk decorations), what moving provides (workstation equipment, furniture), and what to expect on moving day.

Clear communication reduces confusion, speeds up the process, and gets everyone back to work faster.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

If you’re planning on moving to Apple Valley MN, you’re making an excellent choice. Apple Valley is a Dakota County community of approximately 56,000 residents and one of the Twin Cities metro’s most desirable places to live. Apple Valley is a well-established Dakota County suburb that offers outstanding family amenities, excellent schools, and that rare combination of suburban spaciousness with a genuine community feel. Home to the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley consistently ranks as one of the best places to raise a family in the Twin Cities metro. Local Apple Valley movers teams like Cheep Cheep Movers help hundreds of families make this move every year.

Why People Choose Apple Valley

Apple Valley offers outstanding quality of life, safety, and community. Families, professionals, and retirees alike are drawn here for excellent services, beautiful surroundings, and easy metro access.

• Minnesota Zoo: a world-class zoo right in your backyard — one of the Twin Cities’ premier attractions
• Cobblestone Lake: beautiful community lake with trails, waterfront access, and excellent quality of life
• ISD 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan): one of the largest and most respected districts in Minnesota
• Cedar Avenue/Hwy 77 BRT bus rapid transit connecting directly to the Minneapolis metro
• Excellent parks system throughout the city with numerous neighborhood parks and trails

Neighborhoods in Apple Valley

Each area of Apple Valley has its own distinct character — from established tree-lined streets to newer communities with modern amenities.

• Central Apple Valley: Established single-family neighborhoods near the city’s commercial core. Convenient access to schools, parks, and the Cedar Ave corridor connecting to Minneapolis.
• Cobblestone Lake area: One of Apple Valley’s newer and most desirable neighborhoods, centered on the beautiful Cobblestone Lake. Newer construction homes, waterfront access, and strong community character.
• Quarry Point area: Near Quarry Point Park and the city’s eastern section. Mix of established and newer homes with strong park access.
• Lebanon Hills border area: Southern Apple Valley near the 2,000-acre Lebanon Hills Regional Park border. Nature access, trail connections, and spacious lots.

Schools and Community Life

Apple Valley is served by Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan), consistently one of Minnesota’s highest-performing large districts. Apple Valley High School and Eastview High School both serve Apple Valley residents with strong academic and extracurricular programs.

Apple Valley has well-maintained parks, recreation facilities, and community events that help new residents feel at home quickly.

Getting Around

Apple Valley is primarily served by Cedar Avenue (Hwy 77), which connects north to I-494 and Minneapolis (about 25-30 minutes) and provides access to I-35E. The Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line provides transit service to the metro without a car.

Tips for Moving to Apple Valley

• The Minnesota Zoo is extraordinary — buy a family membership immediately after moving in, you’ll use it constantly
• Cedar Avenue/Hwy 77 is Apple Valley’s primary artery — confirm the commute timing for your specific destination before finalizing your home selection
• Apple Valley’s neighborhoods are family-oriented — a strong community typically means active neighborhood associations and events
• Cobblestone Lake area has a particularly active community — expect neighborhood activities if you choose that area

Your Professional Moving Team

Cheep Cheep Movers serves Apple Valley and the entire Twin Cities metro. We know the neighborhoods, access requirements, and best routes for an efficient, professional move. Get your free estimate today.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Pets are family members — and they experience moving stress in ways that can be difficult to recognize and manage. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds all pick up on the chaos of packing, the presence of strangers, and the disruption of their familiar environment. With the right preparation, you can help your pets navigate a move with minimal stress. Here’s how to manage moving with pets in the Twin Cities.

Start Acclimating Your Pet to Changes Early

Pets notice changes long before the actual moving day. Moving boxes, the removal of furniture, and changes in your behavior all register as signs of disruption.

Start acclimating pets early: allow them to investigate moving boxes, maintain regular feeding and play schedules, and keep their rest areas intact as long as possible.

Moving Day: Keep Pets Out of the Action

Moving day is genuinely unsafe for pets — doors constantly opening, heavy items being carried, and strangers moving through every room.

Options: board your pet for the day, arrange for a trusted friend or pet-sitter to take them, or secure them in a single quiet room with food, water, litter/a bathroom area, and their favorite items. Post a note on that door: ‘Pet Inside — Please Don’t Open.’

Transporting Your Pet

If your pet travels in a carrier, take the carrier out weeks before the move and leave it accessible with bedding inside so they associate it with comfort, not just vet visits.

For longer transport (if crossing the metro), bring water, familiar toys, and minimize stops. Keep the car at a comfortable temperature for the animal.

Never transport pets in the moving truck — the environment is inappropriate and potentially unsafe.

Setting Up a Safe Space at the New Home

When you arrive at the new home, set up a safe room for your pet before the chaos of unpacking begins: food, water, litter box or designated bathroom area, and familiar bedding.

Allow the pet to explore the new home gradually — room by room over the first few days, rather than a flood of new spaces at once.

Signs of Moving Stress in Pets

Loss of appetite or excessive eating, hiding, changes in litter box use, excessive vocalization, and unusual aggression or withdrawal are all signs of moving-related stress.

Most pets adjust within 1-2 weeks. If signs of stress persist beyond three weeks, consult your veterinarian.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Moving to Minneapolis or the Twin Cities from out of state is an adventure that comes with its own set of unexpected discoveries. The weather is more extreme than you imagined. The people are warmer than you expected. The driving is different in ways that take years to fully understand. If you’ve recently moved to the Twin Cities — or if you’re planning to — here’s what you’re in for.

1. Winter Is Not What You Think

You thought you understood winter. You have been to cold places. You own a coat. You are not prepared. Minneapolis winter is not cold — it is a different category of experience, one that requires dedicated boots, a quality down parka rated below -20°F, and a philosophical acceptance that February will be long. That said, most Twin Cities residents handle it with remarkable equanimity. You will too, eventually.

2. ‘Minnesota Nice’ Is Real and Slightly Confusing

Everyone is extraordinarily friendly in a way that takes some adjustment if you’re from a more abrupt culture. People hold doors for each other. They apologize when you bump into them. They say ‘Uff da!’ When they genuinely dislike something, they say it’s ‘not for everyone.’ This is how you know it’s actually not good.

3. The Lake System Is Completely Unnavigable at First

Minneapolis has 22 lakes. The surrounding metro has approximately ten thousand more. They all connect to walking paths. People run around them. It’s beautiful and completely disorienting until your mental map of the city is organized around which lake is where.

4. ‘The Cities’ Means Minneapolis and St. Paul Specifically

When locals say ‘the Cities,’ they mean Minneapolis and St. Paul — not the entire metro. If you live in Bloomington, you live ‘in the suburbs.’ If you live in Minneapolis proper, you live ‘in the city.’ This distinction matters more than you’d expect to people who’ve been here a long time.

5. Garrison Keillor References Are a Cultural Currency

A Prairie Home Companion is a load-bearing cultural artifact in this region. References to Lake Wobegon, where all the children are above average, will be understood immediately by nearly everyone over 40. You don’t need to have listened to the show. Just know it exists.

6. The Drivers Will Baffle You

Minnesota drivers are courteous to a fault, which means they sometimes stop for no clear reason to let you in when you have no reason to expect it, creating more confusion than a simple refusal would have. Traffic on I-35W on a regular Tuesday afternoon is also inexplicable and will test your new zen attitude.

Moving is stressful — but it’s also one of life’s most exciting transitions. Cheep Cheep Movers is here to make the logistical part easy so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →

Stairs, narrow hallways, tight turns, and low-clearance doorways are where moves get genuinely difficult — and where the difference between experienced professional movers and everyone else becomes very clear. Cheep Cheep Movers handles these challenges on every single job in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. Here’s how we do it.

Pre-Move Assessment of Challenging Spaces

Before the first box moves, our crew walks the entire move path at both the origin and destination, identifying every potential challenge.

We measure doorways (anything under 32 inches may require furniture disassembly or creative maneuvering), note staircase widths and turn angles, and check ceiling heights in stairwells.

Staircase Moves: The Technique

For standard furniture on stairs, our crews use a tandem carrying technique with one mover above and one below, communicating every step.

Moving straps are often used on staircase carries — they allow the upstairs mover to use leg strength to support the weight while the downstairs mover guides and supports.

We go slowly and deliberately on stairs. Rushing a staircase carry is how injuries and damage happen.

The Disassembly Option

Many furniture pieces that appear stuck can be moved by partial disassembly: removing legs, detaching the back panel from a sofa, disassembling bed frames.

Our crews carry the tools needed for basic furniture disassembly as standard equipment. If an item can safely be taken apart to fit through a doorway, we’ll do it.

Narrow Hallways: The Cantilevering Technique

When a sofa or dresser won’t fit straight through a narrow hallway or around a tight corner, the solution is often ‘cantilevering’ — tipping the item at an angle to reduce the effective width.

This works for sofas, box springs, and many other items that can be safely tipped without damage. It requires experience to know which items can be handled this way.

When It’s Not Possible

Occasionally, the honest truth is that a piece of furniture simply cannot go through a specific path without dismantling or leaving it behind.

Cheep Cheep Movers will always tell you honestly if a route isn’t feasible and discuss your options before proceeding. We don’t force things that will cause damage to your furniture or your home.

Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.

At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →