‘The Smiths’ had lived in their Oregon home for nearly 25 years. Transplants from California, ‘Dick’ and ‘Jane’ had moved north in their fifties to be closer to their grandchildren and fallen in love with their one-acre property and its stunning views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. (On especially clear days, they could even glimpse Mt. Rainier.)

Now in their mid-seventies, maintaining their home and yard had become a challenge. Dick was facing knee replacement surgery, and Jane’s back pain made gardening almost impossible. With 3 levels and 4,800 square feet to manage, the couple decided in early 2025 that it was time to downsize to a single-level home with a simpler yard... Read the rest

I’ve always loved to read. Good thing, too: I ended up majoring in English in college and later writing novels, so reading became both a passion and profession. But during the parenting-of-young-children years, most of my reading took place when I was dog-tired: bedtime stories with my kids (and sometimes nodding off mid-sentence, only to hear a small voice chirp, “Daddy, why are you saying funny words?”) or a few pages before falling asleep myself. More often than not, I’d wake up with a book sprawled across my face. 

After I joined The Move Makers—and after many occasions of packing boxes and boxes of books—I realized it was time to cull my own unwieldy collection... Read the rest

Recently, I had coffee with my friend David. David’s mother had been living in Alabama, close to David’s sibling, but when that sibling moved out-of-state for a new job, Mom decided she’d like to move closer to David and his family. The plan: to move to a senior living community.

David was fortunate that, in his work as a CPA for the nursing home industry, he had intimate knowledge of what to look for in this particular situation. Here are the steps he took in his research to find the best living situation for his mom:

Step One: Start with Reliable Research:

David went online and used the Medicare website (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/.. Read the rest

Last month on the blog, we featured professional organizer extraordinaire, Jill Viglione. Jill’s recommendation to reduce belongings before a move, and her motto of “space is money,” got me thinking about the importance of ‘editing’ our belongings, and I threw myself into research!  

Below is my shortlist of books, websites, tools, and ways to shift your mindset to support you on your journey—from inspiration to action (and maybe even joy. Wouldn’t that be grand?)

Books to Get You Started

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo became a sensation after the 2014 publication of this title... Read the rest

Moving day has arrived! Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or transitioning to a retirement community, moving can be a big — and often emotional — undertaking. For older adults, the process is about much more than boxes; it’s about memories, comfort, and confidence in your next chapter.

That’s where senior move management comes in. At The Move Makers, we support seniors and their families every step of the way. On moving day, our guidance can turn stress into success.

Here are our Top Tips for Moving Day:

1.      Keep Everyone in the Loop

From coordinating movers to communicating with family, we act as the central point of contact... Read the rest

Let’s be honest: for many of us, the garage is basically where stuff goes to disappear. One day you’re tossing an extra folding chair in there, and the next thing you know, you’re knee-deep in mystery bins, half-deflated soccer balls, and that rake you swore you lost two years ago.

Good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. With a little time, a few smart moves, and maybe a motivational playlist (trust me — it helps), you can turn your outdoor storage into a space you’re actually proud of. Imagine pulling into a garage that isn’t playing a game of Tetris with your car... Read the rest

At The Move Makers, we are mindful of sustainable practices. We try to reuse and recycle as much as possible, and we also encourage clients to pack as much as they themselves want. When we count up the boxes we use during the move, we make a special tally of those boxes labeled “Packed by Owner.” Our philosophy is always to save you time, money, and also save the planet.

(In fact, we are always experimenting with best practices, and are currently testing labels that use less tape, as well as plastic bins in which we’ll pack plates, mugs, bowls and other heavy fragile kitchen items that can be packed and unpacked the same week, saving on cardboard boxes... Read the rest

You’ve sold your house and are downsizing, with the help of The Move Makers. There are lots of decisions about what to keep, and what to give to family or friends. But once those decisions are made, what about the items that no longer fit your new space, yet still have value?

Consider donating, recycling, or consigning them through one of Portland’s many non-profits and sustainable organizations. Whether it’s household goods for Community Warehouse, furniture for Habitat for Humanity ReStore, books for the Children’s Book Bank, or electronics for Free Geek, your gently used items can find a second life while supporting a good cause... Read the rest