[NurseNancy]

i'm looking for any referrals to an MS dr in the st. augustine/jacksonville area. anyone know of someone good. i read that the mayo clinic is there. any good?

does anyone have a referral for interstate movers?

what do you do for home insurance?

thanks
Judy

[braingonebad]

Interested to see any replies.

I dread the doc search. Good luck.

[Judy2]

I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to wish you all the best in your move. Hope you have lots of help being moving can really bring on the stress!! Take care of yourself and many years of happiness in your new home!

[braingonebad]

Right back at ya! Hope everything goes smooth. I love that area - we were all set to move there until dh's job got moved to Sanford. But we won't be far. I can see getting up that way now and then.



Maybe we can meet for lunch at the Gypsy Cab Co.

[Kitty]

If you use an Interstate mover use a well known company (United, Allied, Mayflower) and get a binding not to exceed estimate before you move. It's free and the relocation consultant can give you lots of advice.

Are you doing your own packing? If so, the company you choose to go with should offer you free used boxes. Just be aware that anything that is PBO (packed by owner) will not be covered under whatever valuation you might purchase. It will be listed as just that, PBO, on the inventory.

Also, if you do choose a moving company make sure to take a look at the inventory as it's being written up on loading day. Make sure they don't take too many exceptions on your furniture (such as excessive scratches or damage) 'cos this is an indication that they'll challenge any claim you might file. Normal wear and tear is expected but excessive notations on all furniture should be pointed out to them. Let them know you're watching. Owner operators are very meticulous about their claims ratio and don't want their driver rating tarnished with claims filed. They'll try and rectify the situation themselves.

If you have a small shipment (3,200# or less) make sure they don't plan on setting your shipment off at a local agent's warehouse to be delivered out to you at destination. This is where most losses occur. Let them know you don't want your shipment coming off the truck until it's delivered to your new residence.

I used to work for a major Interstate moving company......can ya tell?!

[SandyC]

Judy. We use State Farm for our home owners insurance. If you have a major car insurance carrier like State farm, chances are they also have home owners insurance.

[freeinhou]

We have State Farm for insurance, and Citizen's for windstorm coverage (the state default). They just changed the law on condo's - we now have to have the condo association named as co-claimant up to $2,000.

We had Allstate on the house but got dropped a couple years after Hurricane Andrew and ended up with Citizen's.

Florida insurance is expensive. Actually, so is Texas. We live in Texas but have a condo in St. Pete area.

Tom

[Kitty]

Judy, Johnson Moving & Storage (a United agent) is in Denver, Centennial, Boulder and Colorado Springs, CO. They've been in business forever and I had good results when I used them for origin and destination services with moves I coordinated. I think as far south as they have agents is in Louisiana but they can handle moves all over the U.S.

If you have appliances to move you can save money by disconnecting them yourself (washer, dryer, icemaker). The only benefit to having a third party come in to do the work is you pass on the liability to them and if anything is damaged (residence or appliances) they are responsible. If the agent sets this service up for you they'll charge a pretty penny for it, too.

If you do your own packing it's a good idea to make an "inventory" for your own reference so that you know what's in each box. That helps at unpacking time. Don't let them talk you into unpacking services. All they are obligated to do is unpack it and set it on a flat surface. Putting it away is considered maid service and you'll be charged for that.

One thing.....if you are moving to an apartment or somewhere that you can't accumulate boxes (either on your balcony or in the breezeway) make sure you tell the estimator that you want a debris pickup at destination so the cost is figured into your quote. The local agent will come and pickup any boxes and packing material (paper, used tape, etc.) that you don't want. This is good for them because they can reuse the boxes on other C.O.D. moves.

[SallyC]

I remember visiting St Augustine, long ago, and attending a German Beer Cellar, singing German drinking songs all night and drinking much beer out of steins..Hic!

I also remember, the driving was slow, because we had to dodge many giant crabs, crossing the road. I think it was high tide time......But, I didn't fancy my cracked crab that way.

[braingonebad]

When I was there, I spent the day by myself walking down St George st. It's all pedestrian, all little shops. Had lunch at the Florida Cracker, looked up my family coat of arms and history at the Coat of Arms shop, and ahhhhed at the pretties in the crystal store. Loved the Irish store and the old pharmacy.

Bunches of other things too, you have to see it. It's a perfect place for a girl's day out, seriously.



There's a margarita bar right on the main drag. I did not go, because was alone, didn't seem like a good idea. Plus I knew once I got started there, I'd never leave and see the rest of town. But I'll get to that one day...


Another day I talked dh into doing the lighthouse. We climbed all 215 ( I think) steps. That was way cool and even he was glad we went. I forgot to bring the camera, so only got shots with cell and don't know how to do anything with them. But it's a beautiful lighthouse with a great view from the deck. I felt so sore, but really proud that I made it all the way up.

Dh and I went to the Gypsy Cab Co a couple times for dinner. You hafta try the blackened shrimp nachos.



I did not get to do any of the tours, but you can get a 3 day pass for the trams for about $16, they pick you up at hotels and pick up/drop you off at all the locations through town, drop you back at hotels. Did not get to the old churches or fort or Ripley's museum. Lots for me to go back to see.

(Wow, I remembered a lot, for as bad as my brain is!)

BTW - dh did not get the OH job he bid on. So he's not coming back here anytime soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me, okay? I want to have a party to burn my snow shovel!