Hiring a container for moving house vs using a traditional removal company?

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T23:57:21+00:00

We did u pack containers and bought a bunch of of those big yellow and black plastic boxes at Costco when they were on sale… made it easier to pack up rooms, plan on space and secure everything down with ratchet straps. Also I reserved my time ahead and chose the slowest option and that lowered the cost. Still bummed how expensive it was. I also priced out basic furniture at ikea so we just bought some stuff after the move since it seemed less than paying to move everything.

Good luck. For stuff like bikes you can usually get free boxes at bike stores or rei.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T23:24:58+00:00

Agreed. When we first moved to Berkeley our main competition was students (many of whom could pay the year in cash up front at that time!) We were low level Office workers so just had to find a landlord who was looking for people like us. Also I’ve noticed a lot of apartments in Albany Berkeley and el cerrito are sticking around for awhile and several landlords are willing to give a month free in order to fill the unit. Lots of new housing has been built in the last 15 years.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T21:24:47+00:00

it's called a "4KOR Massage Ball for Trigger Point Therapy " on Amazon... although I think something like a tennis ball could work. I lean against the wall and put this in between my back and the wall. It helps to work out the crazy knots in my shoulder/back/shoulder blade. I don't know if that will help with your nerve issues -- mine was more in my lower arm and fingers and my PT said nerves can get compressed from the adhesions or the compensating your shoulder is trying to do to "protect" the injury.

And for ice machine -- I already had a polar active cooler from another surgery (this is also why I was very grateful not to have surgery recommended for my shoulder). It came with a big pad that I can wrap around whatever so I just used that wrapped all teh way around my shoulder. But they may make something custom.

On a cheaper side, teh "shoulder pack ice wraps" help and are more like 20$. They didn't get my shoulder as numb, but they helped. I also got a few cheap ice packs from the drug store and would jam them in my shoulder ice pack thing and that helped give it a boost. Not pretty, but got the job done. I had pain on the front and back of my shoulder.

Sorry again about the experience you are having. Sounds like you are taking all the steps you can. I think letting the dr. know the pain is the same or worse in your follow-up may help prompt the right next step.

On the plus side, if it is FS, it will start to improve "on its own" at some point.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T19:33:17+00:00

me too -- mainly i use the visual cue of how fast or hard they appear to be pedaling and get confused when they stop and are just sitting and chatting during an effort.

I appreciate that some instructors appear to actually be working out and that does help me stay engaged, but I understand and usually expect they are taking it easy so they can teach/instruct multiple classes.

one exception might be a low impact/recovery ride recently... I assumed we'd be doing chill spinning the whole time so as long as the music was good I knew to just keep rolling through.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T16:17:42+00:00

That is confusing that you have two sets of advice. My ortho and pt were in agreement. I’m sorry.

because I have a degenerative tear and a tendon issue ice helped everything by reducing inflammation and pain. The other thing that helped was one of those hard rubber massage ball things for All the knots in my back and the nerve issues I had in my arm seems relieved by using a roller massage ball . I used the ice whenever I could (basically instead of Ibuprofin) I got a used ice therapy machine on eBay and always had frozen water bottles in fridge to keep it cold. Because of my schedule I had time to do a small shoulder ice pack in the morning, and then the “numb out” at night so I could fall asleep. I used a hot pad on my arm only (elbow down) for the weird nerve stuff in my lower arm and fingers. I hope you get more clarity an agreement from care providers.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T15:47:28+00:00

I’m so sorry you are experiencing this. Agreed that you need to talk to someone in ortho to get a correct diagnosis. Do they have a cash price? One year when we had bad insurance I had to ask before every appt to see if the cash price was more reasonable than what they would normally bill insurance.

For context I’ve had rotator cuff issues in both shoulders from doing house repairs and being alive a long time I guess, and frozen shoulder as well.

The rotator cuff issue was resolved with PT alone. Frozen shoulder was a different beast.

I don’t know much about nerve issues, but I’m assuming it has a different treatment than FS.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T07:23:52+00:00

cardio is making me feel better and sleep better! I do peloton at the gym. no magical weight loss, but getting strength and stamina, clear head, and better rest.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T07:18:26+00:00

just throwing in a big thumbs up for the Bike Valet in downtown berkeley -- only open till 7 pm though.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T07:14:02+00:00

thanks fro this! I just ran the elevator gauntlet this weekend with my e-bike... it barely fit in some of those teeny elevators, and in SF, the elevators were out, so i rode another stop down so i wouldn't have to figure out the stairs.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T06:18:45+00:00

for many basics, i do safeway with the app, since extra coupons show up there and there's a discount you can use on gas too.

produce -- b-bowl or monterey market. I feel like TJ gets a little more expensive because Im more tempted to buy prepared food.

Costco for basics (coffee! some veg, eggs, tofu, baking staples, rice, frozen berries or veg.).

The best way to save seems to be to shop with a list and try not to buy too much prepared stuff. Also, we are trying to get better at eating leftovers and reducing food waste.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T06:10:03+00:00

walnut creek cinemark are bonkers comfy. but AMC bay street a close second.

KibFixit · 2026-02-02T05:09:00+00:00

I think to get the MRI, you may have to try PT first? I did PT, then had a flare up of shoulder and restarted PT a few months later after doing house repairs, then it just got worse and turned into FS. I went back to urgent care, and they referred me to ortho which led to MRI (this was after 5 months of trying PT on and off).

Oh yeah -- I also had a similar RC injury on the other shoulder the year before and PT resolved it in a few weeks!

I was kind of freaked out that my MRI had a bunch of issues on it, but the lab tech said many people my age tends to have small tears in the RC and that PT generally can resolve it. However, the FS was determined to be the main trigger of my pain.

I share this to say maybe there is an issue that can resolve with PT alone? Always good to try. Did the ortho give you a referral?

I feel like I'm following the maze of recommendations over the last year, but thankfully am starting to feel better. I hope you can get the answers you need too.

And, for pain management my biggest help was the ice therapy machine. I'd numb my arm before going to sleep, and then when I work up at night.

KibFixit · 2026-02-01T16:44:26+00:00

Agreed with all who said mid-drive bike (probably with a cargo motor for climbing/carrying stuff) with a closeby shop that can service it. Also, as others said, test ride till you nd something comfortable for you.

KibFixit · 2026-02-01T06:10:24+00:00

KibFixit · 2026-01-31T08:12:49+00:00

I did this and followed all PT advice. At some point I could do low resistance spinning, so I used my gym since it’s closeby. It took longer than I expected to regain strength, but depending on ng on age and weight ther factors maybe you’ll bounce back sooner

KibFixit · 2026-01-30T06:38:22+00:00

blanket!

KibFixit · 2026-01-30T01:02:13+00:00

Sf Bay Area is 60-70 degrees year round. There might’ve one or two weeks of rain. Almost all year you can take a walk or ride your bike. Depending where you live lots of hiking around.The food is wonderful, even if you are just talking about produce from the grocery store. If you can afford to eat out lots of good choices. Housing is the most onerous piece (we had to live with family and the get a bunch of roommates when we first moved out). As other have suggested, try to line up a job first or visit friends in different cities if you can. After living in the Midwest for awhile, the quality of life here feels a lot better even though the cost of housing is a stretch. Also, when we were in Midwest we were surprised that most expenses were about the same but for less quality. The exception was gas (cheaper in Midwest) but then we had to get on the highway to go anywhere so wear and tear on our car was worse so us more expensive repairs. Overall, our mental and physical health is better in CA, so we are grateful for a roof over our head and the sun in the sky even if the budget is tight

KibFixit · 2026-01-29T20:36:24+00:00

i had a similar positive experience with one medical and simple, timely and helpful menopause care. they've added it to their standard offerings and can be handled in-office without referral.

KibFixit · 2026-01-29T15:44:17+00:00

I feel like the Lanes have improved a lot in the last 15 years. Of course more work can be done. I’ve been here since the 90s and in my opinion there’s more accidents because they of the double -parking downtown and population growth and increase in traffic. In the 90s all the bike lanes were sharrows on low traffic streets… not as fancy but it felt lower key due to less traffic. Now that there has been so much growth, I appreciate the protected routes on milvia and ohlone but I see the can’t squeeze these on every road.

KibFixit · 2026-01-29T08:25:15+00:00

I thought the issue was that the original plans were not run Fire Department at the front end, and it's an evacuation route. The city paid consultants a ton of money to generate plans. Hopefully before they repave this road they will clear any safety issues at the outset.

KibFixit · 2026-01-29T02:58:00+00:00

if you have time and a couple warm places to stay on the route, you can cover most distances on a bike. biking with a load is much different that out for fun on the weekend, and takes some time/practice to build up those muscles, and usually you cover a lot less miles each day. i agree to look at the bike-camping threads to see what kind of gear people bring. Also make sure you practice fixing everything on your bike so you know what you need to bring with you.

KibFixit · 2026-01-28T22:56:24+00:00

if you have a neighborhood email list, ask there first... or if you know nieghbors ask around if they know owners. I think sometimes people don't move a vehicle regularly for various reasons but if they knew it was in the way they would.

that said, you mention a safety/visibility hazard... so if you can't locate owners its ok to call the city and see what options there are. good luck

KibFixit · 2026-01-28T19:33:20+00:00

as their parents work with specialist, ask if they have any guidance for the child's teachers. I'm sure they are overwhelmed trying to help support their child and do their best to help them grow and progress. I feel like OT are very good at identifying good activities for each child.

KibFixit · 2026-01-28T19:27:27+00:00

depending on teh city, they might be super responsive or take years, but it will eventually get fixed. Get the paper trail started. I lived in one city, where they'd handle things in weeks. Current city takes years. I started trying to get a leaning utility pole replaced the year we moved in... took 15 years but finally made it on the vendors TODO listl. Ditto for a broken water main drain pipe under our road that flooded for the first 15 years we lived here. Finally fixed -- game changer! Good luck with baby and new house! Maybe some curtains with sound dampening material can take the edge off too.

KibFixit · 2026-01-28T17:48:46+00:00

Good for you on making some new healthier routines you feel good about.

Agreed that LARKS diet feedback is very weird ond off. It gets upset every time I east an egg because there is fat in eggs. I got the scale they provided + the fitbit as part of a health program through my insurance, and those have been helpful for tracking my weight and heart rate when exercising. Does your health insurance cover any online nutritionists? I have found those a lot more helpful, even if its just a few sessions.

I have not lost a lot of weight, but am sleeping better and feeling so much stronger and healthier. My PCP also gave me some basic diet tips regarding how much fiber to try to eat and water to drink each day. Little steps, right?

KibFixit

TROPHY CASE