Customer Reviews

Smooth Moves: The Relocation Guide for Families on the Move

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I want to like this little (thin) tome, but it's not much help for the rent-a-truck self-mover, the family planning to rent in a new town, or the family planning to keep (and rent out) their existing home. It's a by-the-numbers book: Selling Your Home, Buying a New One, Working With the Movers. In fact, this book could have been written by your average relocating consulting firm - groups that have a lot of advice unless for people such as the author, less so for those preferring to relocate frugally. The chapters on family adjustment are informative, but with few new tips for those who've already brushed up with the much advertised online sites for relocation.

I did my original review below in 2001. The year is now 2006 and we have ordered literally hundreds of copies of this book for our relocating employees. As long as this book is available, we will be ordering it long into the future. The advice is priceless.

Moving is a stressful life experience under any circumstances. Ellen Carlisle, with her delightfully easy to implement tips, has shared advice from her own life that will make the transition of moving not only easier but enjoyable for the whole family. Ellen's conversational style eases the reader through the phases of relocating--from the initial realization to the actual move and everything in between. There are even chapters to guide the caring parents as they help their teenagers and younger children through this exciting yet scary life change. Ellen deals with the necessities in a simple straightforward manner and tops everything off with encouragement that "Yes, you can do this and have fun too!" We were so impressed with Ellen's book that we ordered 200 to implement into our company relocation program. The feedback from our relocating employees has been very positive. They were thankful to have the book to guide them through the ins and outs of relocating. I would advise anyone making a move to read Smooth Moves.

I found "Smooth Moves" to be a wonderful handbook for moving. It is refreshing to find a book that is written well and interesting to read on the subject of relocation. As someone who dreads packing up, but loves the thrill of a new place, I found a friend in "Smooth Moves". The information is categorized chronologically and guides the reader gently through some emotional situations. Mrs. Carlisle shares great ideas about how to handle the trauma moving can sometimes cause with ease and a whole lot of heart. Her obvious gift of optimism has given her the opportunity to learn and share the joys of moving a family. Her suggestions about including children in the move and how to make the sensitive decisions that will shape their lives are obviously heartfelt and sincere. It is calming to know that her ideas have stood the test of time with her own family. It seems to me that years of research and happiness were the catalyst for her book. I would recommend it highly to anyone who is planning to move, be it once or once a year. Happy trails!

This book hits the nail on the head. It is a MUST READ for anyone moving with children (or without) The authors real life experiences make the book entertaining as well as educational!

Just got to read a copy of your new book "Smooth Moves." Well done. At one point we did 9 moves in 12 years. Your insight is square on the money.

David D. Carriker, Director of Development