Moving is a stressful situation under the best circumstances, but a move to New York City can become especially complicated. It’s a densely populated city with millions of visitors adding to that congestion, and the cost of living is one of the highest among all U.S. cities. This can all add up to create an overly frustrating experience, especially if you haven’t spent much time in the city. Fortunately, some New York City movers have offered a few helpful tips.
1. Don’t Delay Your Apartment Search
There are a few reasons you will want to start your apartment search several months before your move date. First, premium rentals are hard to find and, when they do hit the market, they go fast. Working with an NYC real estate agent may help you get an advantage in locating new rentals. Secondly, you will need time to adjust to the sticker shock. Apartments in the Big Apple are some of the most expensive in the country. You can expect to pay a minimum of $2,300 for a studio apartment, and the prices go up from there.
2. Research Hostels in the City
It’s not uncommon to experience delays or other problems with your new rental in New York. Before your move date, search online for hostels near your apartment, so you’ll have a place to sleep at night. Unlike apartments, hostels are fairly cheap, and you can get a bed for as low as $25 a night.
3. Set Aside an Emergency Fund
Above and beyond your moving budget, be sure you set aside a small fortune to help you get on your feet. This sum should be large enough to support you and your family for a minimum of two months. Apartments aren’t the only overpriced expenses in New York.
4. Sell Your Furniture
This is going to save you a great deal as far as the actual moving costs, but there’s another reason for selling your big items. Your new place will probably be smaller than your current home, which means everything won’t fit in your new apartment. There are plenty of resources for getting high-quality furniture at a discount, once you make it to New York.
5. Double Check Your Locations
Since you’ll probably be apartment hunting remotely, you may feel inclined to trust what rental ads are claiming. This can be a big mistake and, if you commit to the apartment online, you may be stuck in a bad situation. Use Google maps and other resources to make sure the apartments really are in the neighborhoods the property owners claim. Many landlords misrepresent locations as being in more desirable neighborhoods to attract tenants.
6. Save Money on Your Move
The more cash you can save on your move, the more funds you’ll have once you get to the Big Apple. You can start by selling off items you really don’t need any longer. Once you’re down to the bare essentials, get as many free moving supplies as you can muster. Get free boxes from grocery stores, ask your employee about donating packing tape or plastic wrap, and hit up friends for unused bubble wrap.
7. Take a Few Photos
It’s a lot less stressful to hire professional moving companies than it is to try driving a rental truck across the country, but that’s not to say you can throw caution to the wind. As you pack, keep a running inventory of everything you’re taking, tracking which items are going into which boxes. Also, take photos of any expensive or fragile items in case you need to file a claim for damages down the road.
While moving to New York City can be an exciting adventure, it will also be a frustrating experience. By taking the time to plan ahead and hire the right professionals to help you, that move will be a little easier. Following these steps and doing your due diligence will help ensure your New York City home is everything you hope it will be.
