Moving During The Holidays

Moving can be stressful, and this time of year can be stressful; put them together, and you've got a lot on your plate. But that doesn't mean you should be overwhelmed or cancel plans! With the right plan and positive attitude, you can ring in 2015 all moved in to your new home.

To avoid emotional distress, be sure to pack the belongings that mean the most to you first; pack the lights and holiday decorations in the last box. If you have children in your family, assure them that moving into a new house doesn't mean the holidays are canceled.

If a big holiday meal is important to your family, you can uphold traditions by having the big feast at another relative's house. Bringing a tin of festive cookies or a bottle of sparkling wine is a warm gesture that doesn't entail stressing over preparing an elaborate meal. Of course, you always have the option to postpone moving in the middle of the festivities. Pack up and leave the house in containers or a storage facility while you relax and enjoy your holidays.

Happy moving, and happy holidays from all of us here at the Bulwark Moving Company!

Life in Greater Phoenix is Great!

We think living in Phoenix is at the top of the charts because it has so much to offer. But don't just take our word for it. Check out this local's list of why she loves Phoenix and what makes this city so special. Find out the five things she loves most about living here.

1. I enjoy spectator sports. When I first moved to the Valley of the Sun, the Phoenix Suns were the only game in town. High school and college sports were prominent, but being from New York I didn't have a school allegiance here. Now we have pro basketball, baseball, football, hockey, NASCAR, golf, beach volleyball, marathons and more.
2. I no longer have to travel to Los Angeles or New York to see quality theatre productions. We get all the big name concerts here, as well as touring Broadway productions, Cirque du Soleil and other professional companies. We also have many local professional and semi-professional theatre, dance and music organizations including symphony orchestras, ballet and opera. People who say there is no culture in Phoenix are silly.
3. There's so much to do. I am always amazed at the number of people who come here and tell me that there's nothing to do here. There are parks and hiking and biking and shopping and movies and shows and concerts and clubs and thousands of restaurants and pools and rec centers and festivals and sporting events and tennis and golf and ... okay, I'll stop. There are also hundreds of volunteer opportunities where you can meet others and do some good. When people tell me that there's nothing to do here, I always ask them what they did for recreation where they came from. I usually get a blank stare. (Yes, if you're a surfer you'll have have it rough here!)

Read more reasons that make Phoenix such a great place to live...

— Judy Hedding

Professional Phoenix Movers

Never trust your belongings to a company that moves this way! At Bulwark Moving we take moving seriously. Your valued belongings deserve the best service and moving process to ensure their preservation. That's what we deliver! Our local Phoenix moving trucks are clean and well maintained. They come equipped with furniture pads, hand trucks, dollies, stretch wrap and straps.

Free Estimate

Are you looking to move near the Phoenix area or within the state of Arizona? Fill out our free online form to get an estimated quote for your big move. Whether you're moving your family or your business, we're here to help. At Bulwark Moving we strive to exceed our customer's expectations. Call us for more information and to discuss your free quote today!

Tips for Finding the Perfect Rental

After the financial meltdown of 2008, renting became a much more common practice among Americans. At Bulwark Moving, we help families in the Phoenix area relocate to new rentals quite often. We thought it would  be great to share a few tips for choosing the right rental to make your search a little easier. Check out this article for helpful tips on renting the perfect place for you!

Before beginning your search, decide what kind of rental best fits your needs. Renters with pets, for example, should consider leasing from private owners rather than multi-family property managers. Finance writer Michelle Schroeder gauged practicality before deciding which lease to sign. “We knew we wanted a house so that we could have a dog. I was a naive 18 year old, but luckily a family member was looking for a reliable renter,” she said. You should also pay close attention to amenities and exterior features before making final decisions. Rand Owens, vice president of marketing at Happy Inspector, says high rises and rentals in noisy environments, or rentals with close proximity to freeways or train tracks were all eliminated from his search.

— How to Find the Perfect Rental

Phoenix Skylines

Image Credit: City Data

Phoenix, Arizona is home to some of the most beautiful skylines ever witnessed. This picture highlights the essence of natural beauty in Phoenix. Capturing a subtle blending of reds, yellows pinks hues set as the background of floating clouds. Wouldn't you love to live here?

There's Something for Everyone in Phoenix, Arizona

 The downtown Phoenix area is a highly sought after location for young professionals looking to advance their careers or start a business while enjoying a vibrant nightlife. Great transportation systems and highway networks conveniently linking neighboring cities makes commuting very popular. Phoenix is also a great place for families to settle offering a number of unique communities to fit a wide range of preferences.

The Phoenix Metropolitan Area includes several cities that are right next door to each other and extend over 80 miles from east to west and 40 miles from north to south. When we talk about Phoenix and The Valley of the Sun, the area includes Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Carefree, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, Peoria, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Paradise Valley, Sun City, and Surprise, all within Maricopa County.

— Phoenix Arizona Information

North Tempe: Top 5 Phoenix Neighborhoods

 Cookie cutter homes just not your style? North Tempe is definitely the place for you. If you're looking to relocate  in Phoenix this article places a spotlight on the top five neighborhoods to choose from. Each neighborhood has a unique culture and feel to its area. Read more about the North Tempe community below... 

If a subdivision where all the houses look the same doesn't appeal to you, check out north Tempe, near Arizona State University. Maple-Ash, a historic Tempe neighborhood just southwest of Mill Avenue and University, is a funky, fun area with older houses on large, irrigated lots. There's also a great local bar, Casey Moore’s. Maple-Ash has the most varied architecture in the area; homes were built between 1900 and 1950 and range from farm cottage to ranch house. More manageable is University Park, east of Mill, where the homes are a little newer and the lots are larger. Several new condominium complexes have sprouted near ASU, including The Vale, an ultra-modern loft complex designed by celebrated local architect Will Bruder, and Orchidhouse, luxury lofts right on Mill Avenue, ASU’s main commercial thoroughfare. The area is served by the Tempe public school districts.


— North Tempe

North Central Phoenix: Top 5 Phoenix Neighborhoods

  Looking for an uber ritzy Phoenix neighborhood? Here's your match.  If you're looking to relocate  in Phoenix this article places a spotlight on the top five neighborhoods to choose from. Each neighborhood has a unique culture and feel to its area. Read more about the North Central community below... 

Anything along the old bridle path that runs up Central Avenue north from about Camelback Road past Glendale Avenue is considered prime real estate. John McCain’s former mansion is here. There are several older, nice subdivisions, and good schools. The city's highly regarded Catholic high schools, Brophy and Xavier, are here, and the public schools are in the strongly ranked Phoenix school district. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon lives in Windsor Square, a historic neighborhood that winds around the northeast corner of Camelback and Central. The first homes were adobe territorial style, built in the 1930s; building continued until the 1950s. Neighbors take great pride in this 'hood, and the annual home tour is a popular event.

— North Central Phoenix

Verrado: Top 5 Phoenix Neighborhoods

 This section of Phoenix comes complete with good food and great vibes.  If you're looking to relocate to  in Phoenix this article places a spotlight on the top five neighborhoods to choose from. Each neighborhood has a unique culture and feel to its area. Read more about the Verrado community below... 

If you’re looking for a master planned community, and you don’t mind being on the far, far, far west end of town, Verrado’s a good option. A few years ago this spot just off the I-10 near the White Tank Mountains in Buckeye was empty desert. DMB, a Scottsdale developer, created Verrado, an instant town in the New Urbanism mold. The homes come in a variety of architectural styles and all feature porches and proximity to parks. There's also a Main Street with a retail district that includes a good pizzeria, and Mokarabia coffee, live jazz performances and other homey touches.

— Verrado

Agritopia: Top 5 Phoenix Neighborhoods

 Phoenix is bubbling with great neighborhoods and small towns. If you're looking to relocate to an agriculture focused environment in Phoenix this article places a spotlight on the top five neighborhoods to choose from. Each neighborhood has a unique culture and feel to its area. Read more about the Agritopia community below... 

Agritopia perches on the city’s southeast corner in the town of Gilbert. Future residents can choose a home style -- Craftsman, Spanish Revival, Arizona Ranch or Northern European Revival -- modeled on homes built in the Phoenix area in the 1930s and '40s. All houses are available with basements. True to the development's name, there’s an emphasis here on agriculture. An urban farm sells locally grown produce and a farm grill serves food made with ingredients grown right there. The community is in the Higley School District.

— Agritopia

Arcadia: Top 5 Phoenix Neighborhhoods

Phoenix is bubbling with great neighborhoods and small communities. If you're looking to relocate in Phoenix this article places a spotlight on the top five neighborhoods to choose from. Each neighborhood has a unique culture and feel to its area. Read more about the Arcadia community below...

This east Phoenix neighborhood tops the list for a simple reason: LOCATION. Arcadia offers urban dwelling with a rural feel, and it's 15 minutes or less from the airport and downtown Scottsdale. Bordered by 44th and 68th streets to the west and east, respectively, Camelback Road to the north and the Arizona Crosscut Canal to the south, Arcadia was once home to orange and grapefruit groves. Lots are relatively large and irrigated, dotted with some of those original citrus trees. Many of the Arcadia's original 1950s homes have been flattened to make way for McMansions, but some of those low-slung old ranch houses still stand. They're a good deal if you're looking to live in this pricey area and can't afford a big mortgage. Arcadia's streets are wide and the schools in this part of the Scottsdale School District are exceptionally good.

— Arcadia