11 Top Tips for Moving In New York City

There are few experiences in life similar to moving and relocation. Moving has been ranked as one of the top 5 stressful situations we encounter in our lifetime. The initial stages of moving into your new NYC home are fun. The researching of neighborhoods, the dreamy apartment search, and the visions of what is to come.

Moving to New York City is probably one of the more difficult moves anyone could take on, but what about moving within the city? Moving within New York City, a few blocks away, or entering the city anew, can be a logistical nightmare and disruption. Also, you have to deal with all that packing and lifting. The average American will make over 11 moves in their lifetime; the average length of moving; is subjective, but it takes two weeks to settle into a new home for most people.

Honestly, that is not so easy, either. Moving in NYC from one apartment to another presents various logistical issues, including spatial challenges and time constraints. When moving across town, from the Upper East Side to the Upper West Side, I had no idea how tough it would be to haul my belongings a few short miles. But just as real estate is a different world in NYC, other mundane tasks, such as moving, come with their own rules.

Tips for Moving To New York City

Whether switching one of the five boroughs or merely hopping apartment buildings a few avenues west, keep these tips and moving checklist in mind to make your moving day run like a well-oiled machine.

1. Develop a Packing Plan Before Moving

Moving will ultimately be easier if you can control what can be. Of course, unexpected headaches may appear, but if everything else feels smooth, it will only be a hiccup. Packing and unpacking should be mapped out and planned. Whether by color or number (room or contents), consider this a time to re-catalog everything you own, sorting things in their desired future spaces. Give yourself ample time to pack in advance; you’ll thank yourself later.

2. Store It or Sell it

It is inherently human to keep and value material possessions; be sure this doesn’t become an excuse to hold onto everything. We all have controls we can’t seem to, nor want to, part ways, whether furniture, shoes, collectibles, or books! Now is the time to save them or purge them. You are either moving your belongings (with the help of family and friends) or paying for them to be moved by item/weight. You’ll only benefit by lightening the load.

Storage units are widely available globally; consider storage (long-term or temporary) as an option for the big things you; cannot dispose of; For the other stuff you can part with, consider selling. Look around for items that may be overworn and overlooked that you’ll consider replacing soon—no need to move stuff you may not need. Many sites make finding a buyer for your “junk” an actual reality – Poshmark for Clothing, eBay for Vehicles, and even Facebook Marketplace for almost everything else.

3. New Essentials

There’s no need to haul old worn-out home goods like decor, furniture, or mattresses. Consider now the time to refresh and revamp your in-home essentials – I am sure you have a dream aesthetic you seek for the new space, fill up your online carts and take advantage of having these items shipped. We often make impulse purchases in-store because it’s a great deal, or we need/want it now. Instead, we shop ahead online and go after the items that will transform your new space.

This saves you weight in the moving load, but you can also have all those new at-home-must-haves delivered on (or around) unpacking day. Today, the internet can be used strategically to provide products and convenience in these shopping situations, from cleaning supplies and a stocked pantry of food delivered that same day. To a quality foam mattress (bed-in-a-box), air sealed to a fraction of the size, packed, and given right to you.

4. Utilities & Service Calls

A close second to packing, scheduling service appointments is a nightmare. When all you want is wifi, but the next available date is weeks out – it becomes hard not to become frustrated. Consider doing these things ahead (depending on various necessary lead times). If you call in advance and plan accordingly, you can schedule these appointments before your move. Preparing ahead will help you best plot these service visits, maybe all on the same day or staggered across the days you already have planned for unpacking.

• Con Edison – 1 (800) 752-6633 – (Gas & Electricity)
• Verizon – 1 (800) 922- 0204 – (High-Speed Internet)
• Spectrum – 1 (833) 586-0114 – (Internet & Cable)

5. The In-Betweeners Survival Kit

We all know that living out of boxes and bags is only posh when we’re on vacation. The transition phase is challenging; waiting for the keys and crashing on couches (hotel rooms) is sometimes an impatient reality. Depending on the length of your different transitions, pack all the everyday essentials—no need to spend excess money on things you already own but can’t seem to find. Pack a last overnight or weekend bag with the necessary paperwork, valuable possessions, technology, chargers, medication, and toiletries.

6. Hire Efficient New York City, Movers

First and foremost, hiring the right movers is essential. I made the mistake of going with movers not accustomed to moving an apartment filled with furnishings and personal belongings in a few hours. They were antique movers in NYC, so they weren’t familiar with working on a tight schedule and transporting many boxes, but instead carefully moving large pieces of expensive furniture or art.

You won’t have unlimited time to move to New York City, so hiring an experienced moving company to do the job well is as important as the moving truck itself.

Top Moving Companies in New York City

Moving is stressful, but the one thing you can do to provide yourself some pressure relief is to use the best movers in NYC. Hiring a highly rated, affordable, and reliable mover that is also insured and bonded is a must—and there are hundreds of movers in NYC who meet these essential criteria. So how do you choose the best movers to transport your belongings door to door safely and who are also friendly and accommodating in the process? We’re here to assist!

The following are our top picks for the best of the best local NYC movers.

LIFT NYC

Lift NYC has been in business for more than 30 years and; provides moving services from Greenwich Village to The Hamptons. LIFT is a family-owned business with a small business model and offers exceptional service at affordable rates.

All-Star Moving and Storage

I’ve used them half a dozen times. All-Star, moving guys are quick and efficient and can carry twice their weight in your furniture, clothes, and other stuff with belts strapped to wardrobe boxes full of your belongings that they load on their backs. I’ve never even had to empty or remove drawers from file cabinets or dressers! And they are affordable as well.

Movers, Not Shakers!

Mover, Not Shakers! This green moving company has trucks fueled by biodiesel. Their trademarked GothamBoxes are reusable plastic bins they drop off before your move and then recycle. It takes exceptional care of your belongings and also offers terrific customer service.

Oz Moving & Storage

The wizard of NYC movers. Aside from offering superior service, the company invests in the community. From their Oz, Moving Scholarship, and special offers for veterans and active-duty military members. Oz supports Toys for Tots, NY Cares Coat Drive, MS Walk New York City, and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure; Oz is a community member. They are also highly recommended for moves in and around NYC.

Rabbit Movers

Rabbit movers is a Brooklyn-based collective comprised of artists, writers, and other creatives living and working in NYC. Their website proclaims, “We aim to do this [moving] with the grace and confidence of a Beatrice leading Dante from the Moon to the Sun, and the same quirky cuteness of a Rabbit leading Alice to Wonderland.” How can you beat being moved by a poet?

FlatRate

Flat Rate bills itself as NYC’s most recommended moving company. And with their, yes, flat-rate guarantee, you can see why. The FlatRate folks take an inventory of your home and then provide you with an all-inclusive rate that won’t change, even if there is a traffic snarl during your move, an underestimate of time, or any other factor.

JP Urban

JP Urban Moving is a highly-regarded company that promises bright and continuous communication throughout your move. Small enough to give personalized attention, JP Urban Moving will contact you immediately if any issues arise and send you updates by text.

Imperial

Respect, transparency, and honesty are the three pillars of Imperial’s interaction with colleagues and clients. If New Yorkers say they’re right – they must be great! It’s also lovely that Imperial voted best movers again and again.

Clean Cut

A Tri-state local and long-distance operation moves people and their stuff 365 days a year. Expect a clean-cut, professional, reliable, and affordable choice with flat-rate pricing and service.

In addition to perusing moving company websites, you should always compare shops and get bids from at least three companies. And to lessen your stress about moving and choosing the right mover for you, look at online reviews and testimonials on Angie’s List and other sites, and ask your friends and colleagues for their recommendations.

Moving is stressful, and there’s no way around it so. So, give yourself a break by hiring one of the best movers in NYC.

Companies to AVOID in NYC

Dumbo Moving and Storage

7. Reserve Enough Time for Your Move

If you live in an elevator building, the protocol is to reserve your elevator for a block of time so you can move out. That’s to ensure that no other residents choose the same day and time; hopefully will keep the elevator vacant so you can move in and out more efficiently. Typically move in’s or outs are not allowed on weekends. Hiring an experienced moving company in NYC comes in handy here too. Do not exceed the amount of time allotted for your move-out. It happened to me because my movers didn’t experience many moving items in a few hours.

8. Pack as Many Items as Possible

This point might seem like a no-brainer; packing most of your items will keep the moving process from becoming a nightmare filled with excess tchotchkes. Boxes take less time to load and unload than single pieces, so get organized before moving day. Your possessions are also less likely to be damaged when appropriately boxed.

9. Keep Your Old Apartment for a Few Weeks or 30 Days if You Can

Overlap time isn’t always doable, but if it is, I say, go for it. If you have the budget to pay for an extra month or two weeks in your current residence, you might want to spring for it. You can move some of your more valuable belongings into your new apartment ahead of the movers. You can opt to paint; clean up, and tweak the apartment before the moving boxes arrive. Once everything you own is sitting in your new one-bedroom apartment, you can barely walk, let alone disco dance, to celebrate your new place.

10. Scout Out Your Street in Advance

Figure out where your moving truck will be able to park, or more than likely, in Manhattan, double park. The moving truck; will have to be stationary for several hours, depending on how moving goes. The last thing you need is for the movers to show up; you have no spot for them to stage and select a prime day or time for your move.

You cannot control factors like weather or traffic; if you can move in the middle of the day rather than rush hour, you’ll be ahead of the game. Avoid moving on holiday weekends if you live in a tourist-laden part of the city. Double parking in a moving van will be extra tight with the excess traffic.

11. Check the Street Closure List.

The city shuts streets down regularly. Map your route to your new apartment, and be sure you don’t head down a closed road. For instance, Fifth Avenue is the parade route; you’d want to avoid this street and other streets surrounding it. Or better yet, schedule your move on a different day to avoid the parade chaos.