JULIAN MACIAS
The Big Apple might seem like an inconvenient and almost terrifying place to live in. But once you get there, you pretty much never want to leave. Most people move around the city quite a few times before they finally find the perfect place to settle in. Thus, knowing the tricks of moving in this gorgeous city is a must.
According to Nancy Zafrani, the General Manager at Oz Moving & Storage in New York, moving in this city is much different from moving anywhere else. That’s why we decided to ensure you don’t lose your patience (or your belongings) by giving you some useful tips that will make your moving experience hassle-free.
How Much Does Moving In New York City Cost?
New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Even if you think you have everything figured out, it always has a few surprises in store. One of the main difficulties a city so bustling and big presents is the cost of moving.
There are a lot of variables to consider when figuring out your moving expenses. In most cases, the cost of moving depends on how big your place is. Moving out of studio apartments costs up to $700. The price goes up steadily the more rooms you have and reaches $1,500 and up for three or four-bedroom apartments.
Moving Supplies
Your expenses will depend on the moving supplies you’ll need. Boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, bags — you will probably need all of these. You’ll figure out how much of it you need by looking at how much stuff you have to pack. Though you can get some of these items for free at local supermarkets, you will still have to pay for most of them.
Hiring a Moving Company
Your moving costs will also depend on whether you hire a moving company. If you don’t have a lot of stuff and aren’t moving too far, asking family and friends to help you move is a good solution. But if you have a lot of things and if the distance between your new and old place is great, you’ll need a moving company.
Hiring one will ensure your belongings get to your new home safely and quickly. It will also save you money and countless trips you would need to make in order to move it all by yourself.
What Should Your Moving Steps Be?
After you’ve figured out your budget and whether you need to hire a moving company, it is time to start the process of moving.
Get Organized Quickly
Most of the time, moving is quite hectic. That’s why making to-do lists and prioritizing your tasks might be a good idea. The better organized you are, the easier the whole process will be.
Creating a moving checklist is a good place to start. You can list everything you need to buy, where everything should go, and so on. Breaking bigger tasks into smaller ones will make you feel less overwhelmed as you go through your lists. Remember to take breaks as well, and stay hydrated whatever you do.
Pack Smart
Packing does not have to be the most stressful experience of your life. If you do it methodically and mark where you pack which item, you’ll ensure you know exactly where everything is.
Packing is also a great opportunity to decide what you no longer need. If you’re moving to a smaller place and don’t need as much furniture or houseware, you can donate it. Many organizations in New York City accept clothes, books, electronics, and almost anything you could imagine. It is a win-win situation: you get rid of everything you don’t need and help someone along the way.
Clean Everything
Getting your security deposit back is notoriously difficult in NYC. However, if you make your old place spotless before you leave, you should have nothing to worry about. You can always hire someone to clean the place for you. But if it’s not too big, we suggest that you do it yourself. You’ll save up on money and make sure everything is in its place yourself.
Make Sure You Clear Your Move-In With Your Landlord
An important tip for moving in NYC that a lot of people forget to follow is clearing their move-in with their building. Notifying the building management and your landlord is important because that way, you can book the elevator for your move-in. Elevator reservations are always in high demand, especially in bigger buildings. Thus, booking it well in advance is a good plan.
Even if your new building doesn’t have an elevator, notifying the building about your moving in is still necessary. It is something you need to do if you want to move in on time.
Once You’ve Moved In…
Since you did everything in your power to bring your belongings to your new home safely, continuing to protect them is the next rational step. Getting renters or homeowners insurance is a great way to ensure everything you own will be safe. In NYC, the cost of insurance of this kind isn’t a lot, so you can pay about $5 a month and be at peace.
In Conclusion
As you have read, moving in New York City is no easy feat. However, we hope that our tips and tricks help you make that process as seamless and as easy as possible.