Virtual Addresses and Accepting Packages

[Douglas Krofcheck]

I'm about to start my house hacking career and will be self-managing my properties (no LLC yet too). I don't want to need all the tenants, services, and family to update my mailing address each year so I've begun looking into virtual mailing services such as Traveling Mailbox. My primary requirement is to have one address able to receive bills and regular mail while I physically move state to state.

My secondary nice-to-have is to also be able to pick up packages or receive them securely. My soon-to-be first property isn't located in an area where packages can be left by the door and not be randomly stolen. I know you can buy secured boxes to put near your door or use an electronic door lock (there's an enclosed porch) and provide shipping companies with the codes. I tend to buy a lot online and I don't see that stopping. Occasionally I buy oddly shaped items which won't fix in a secured box, such as a dolly I just ordered. I haven't asked the existing tenants what they usually do nor if they'd welcome 3rd party access to the front common area. I plan to ask after I move in.

Do you guys have any experience using special delivery instructions? How often do shipping companies follow them?  Perhaps I should use two virtual address services: one in any location and one within driving distance for packages, though I'd rather not pay for two addresses if I don't need to.  Has anyone found a virtual address service which most online companies will ship to and lets you change the physical location without change the shipping address?

(I assume I'm going to use Google Voice for virtual phone numbers but I haven't started researching that yet. Additional email addresses are trivial to get.)

Thanks in advance for your advice.