The Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

moving in New York City

The Big Apple is one of the most iconic cities in the world. With everything it offers, this city of many names provides the perfect backdrop for thousands of dreams coming true. Thus, it is no surprise that NYC is one of the most densely populated cities in the US. Its five boroughs are further portioned into myriads of neighborhoods, catering to the lifestyle preferences of just about anyone. Many newcomers flock to NYC daily, and many often change address within this electric megapolis. With that said, the challenges of moving in New York City are numerous. Navigating the moving process successfully calls for solid professional assistance. Besides, knowing what to expect in terms of the major strains of moving in NYC will make your experience easier. Here is all you need to know on the matter.

Aerial view of New York City

The Challenges of Moving in New York City

With a population of nearly 8,250,000 residing on a mere 300 square miles, NYC is among the most populous urban areas globally. Everyone is constantly on the go in the City that Never Sleeps. This concrete jungle pulsates with an electrical vibe, and daily life unfolds at a fast pace. Hence, you will encounter multiple stumbling blocks when moving in The Big Apple. 

While landing a job here should be relatively quick and easy, the high cost of living presents a significant challenge for most people. Of course, mindful budgeting will help you overcome the strains of NYC living expenses in the long run. But, what exactly should you brace for when planning a relocation in New York City? Here are the biggest challenges that will undoubtedly come your way.

Finding an Apartment in NYC

One thing is for sure – you should not plan a move in NYC unless you have found an apartment first. Remember that you are competing with 8 million other people! Whether buying or renting, the prices are sky-high. Besides, you will have to put down a hefty deposit to secure the place. This alone is one of the significant challenges of moving in the Big Apple.

The best way to tackle it is to have a solid housing budget in place and to know exactly what you are after. So, determine the size of the apartment and the specific location you want to live in. With this hitch out of your way, start looking for a dependable moving professional to help you coordinate your interstate move and clear all other difficulties of moving in NYC.

Traffic on the streets of NYC

Heavy Traffic and Limited Parking Space

While public transport is effective in helping New Yorkers commute daily, the streets of the city are nevertheless busy. Gridlocks are not uncommon in peak hours, and heavy traffic is expected at any time of the day when NYC is in question. Although you may consider the traffic as a variable and hope for the best come moving day, it is better to count on the fact and be prepared to face one of the most common challenges of relocating in New York City. The traffic often causes delays and consequently an increase in moving expenses. You may consider short-term storage to facilitate your transfer in the Big Apple.  

Another thing closely related to the notorious lack of space in NYC is the lack of parking space. You will have to coordinate the parking spot with your mover in advance. This will help you avoid paying penalties for pulling up at an unpermitted place.

Moving to Manhattan is among the Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

The five boroughs that make up New York City are all unique in their own way. But the one that stands out from the rest in many regards is Manhattan. This small island with 75,000 residents is the most densely populated county in the US. On top of that, thousands of tourists crowd the most famous NYC borough daily. So, the challenges of moving in the Big Apple are especially prominent if you plan to make Manhattan your new home. After all, this is the beating heart of the City that Never Sleeps, and moving to Manhattan is not for the faintest of hearts.

Apart from adapting to the ever-present crowds, you will have to be smart about managing your budget as well. Where the competition is high, so are the prices, and Manhattan is no exception. So, be diligent in your research, and have yourself steadily on your feet long before your target move date. Needless to say, choose a reputable moving company to lead the way of your transfer here. Like so, you will swiftly overcome some of the greatest strains of moving in New York City and cut unpredictable costs and unforeseen mishaps.

Part of Manhattan, NYC

Old Buildings and Few Elevators

New York City is built on 400 years of history. While many of its elegant buildings are beautiful architectural gems, they represent a range of challenges when we talk about moving. Many of NYC’s buildings are walk-ups with no elevators. Besides, a lot of them have narrow hallways and staircases. And, as you may expect, squeezing bulky furniture through them is a tricky task. 

So, hiring experienced movers is the right way to simplify these hurdles of moving in NYC.

Besides, consider benefiting from mobile storage solutions to make it easy and convenient for yourself. It is of utmost importance to do your due diligence and hire a top-rated moving company you can fully depend upon. Opting to handle your NYC move otherwise puts you at high risk of further complicating the hindrances of transferring in NYC. Therefore, make it easy on yourself from the very start. Do not settle for dubious movers in hopes of saving money. Give priority to reputable relocation businesses and the quality of services instead. This way, you will stay safe from costly damages and moving accidents.

Final Thought on The Biggest Challenges of Moving in New York City

Organizing a move is always tricky, but NYC comes with additional considerations. However exciting this event might be, it is a massive project requiring detailed planning and solid moving support. It only makes sense to hire reliable moving professionals who will help you jump through the many hoops safely and with no issues. And, it goes without saying that the substantial expenses are one of the biggest challenges of moving in New York City. Hence, plan your move with time to spare and team up with the most dependable NYC movers you can find!

Tips for Getting Organized During a Move

Staying organized is quite a task. This is especially true during a hectic time in your life where you cannot tell up from down. Coordinating an interstate move can certainly make you feel this way. It’s challenging to know what you should be doing, when you should be doing it, and if you’re doing it correctly. You must focus on getting organized during a move to make the process as easy as possible. However, no matter how organized you are, the last few hours of the relocation can be hectic. You have come to the right place if you’re wondering where to begin.

Write notes for yourself

What better way to stay organized during the relocation process than writing important information down? Notes you can refer back to can give you peace of mind. Knowing all the information you have gathered so far is in one place will be highly beneficial for your sanity.

You can write these notes in a planner, binder, notebook, notepad, or any digital form. The medium you use for this task is not important. However, the contents very much are. Make sure to write notes about the different rooms you will have to pack, decisions you have to make, or that you made. Be sure to organize these notes as best as possible. A great tip is to start from plans, goals, decisions and then write about each and every room you have to pack. Note down all the items in these rooms that have to be moved. Additionally, make a box index and write down things you’ll store in each box. This way, you will know where everything is, and unpacking will be a breeze.

A woman taking notes while sitting at a desk

Consider getting professional help

If this is your first move, things can get quite overwhelming. But do not worry. Most people have been in your shoes before. In these sorts of cases, you can alleviate stress by hiring some professional help. If you’re, for example, moving from New York, there are many long-distance moving companies you can choose from. Be sure to explore your options thoroughly. Reliable long-distance moving companies can help by giving you a hand in all sorts of tasks you will have to achieve before, during, and after the big move. Do not refrain from getting help if you feel you need it.

Declutter as much as possible

Decluttering can and will help you when getting organized during a move. Once you have fewer items to think about, pack or put away, you will feel a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. Take the time before the move to categorize your items. The categories you choose can depend on your needs. The ones we recommend are items that should be:

  • Thrown away
  • Donated
  • Gifted
  • Sold

Once you realize which items you wish to take with you, everything will be easier. You can organize your notes and plan what you should pack and where. The process of decluttering can be quite tasking. However, with proper preparation and mindset, it is very much doable. If you can, enlist the help of your family or friends during this part.

A woman packing a suitcase

Start packing as early as possible

Now that you have made a plan, decluttered, gotten help, and planned the transportation, you are ready to start the process of packing. You should start this as soon as possible. By doing this, you will avoid the stress and time crunch. With the help of your trusty notes, you can figure out how many boxes you need. However, be sure to have more boxes than that. Start packing items such as holiday decorations or kitchen items you do not reach for often. Of course, make sure to pack these items in appropriate boxes.

 

As time progresses, start packing more and more until the last days before your big move. While packing, think which items you will want to have on hand right after you move in. You should place them in a separate box from everything else so you may access them easily. Be careful how you pack delicate items. Opt for bubble wrap or any type of cloth such as clothes or kitchen towels to lessen the chances of breaking. Depending on if you hired professional packers or you’re packing yourself, label everything! Label all the boxes and furniture depending on their box index and what room you’ll place them in. Once you move in, all the items will be in the right places. This will make unpacking as easy as it can be!

Local packing Services

Do the best you can

The most important advice for getting organized during a move is to know you’re only human. Mistakes happen, and you cannot be ready and organized for everything a challenging relocation throws your way. You can try and plan a stress-free DIY move. However, there will be some things you cannot expect, from expenses to decisions – be ready to not be ready. If you have decided that professional help is what you need, this will lower the chances of things going south. And finally, remember – we can lessen the stress by organizing, but not completely eliminate it.

Benefits Of Mobile Storage Containers

Even though many people are familiar with this topic, let us begin by explaining what mobile storages are. The name is pretty much self-explanatory. Mobile or portable storage containers are storage solutions that you place on your property, fill with whatever you need, and then transport to your desired location. What is more, you do not even have to relocate them – you can keep them in your yard to protect your belongings while you are redecorating, planning some major DIY, having a yard sale, etc. The best part is that mobile storage units come in all shapes and sizes and with many features, so choosing one that suits your needs and budget is not going to be hard. Today, we will talk about some of the benefits of mobile storage containers, so keep on reading.

Keep Your Possessions Close and Safe 

Many people find the idea of keeping their precious belongings in a storage unit far away dreadful and terrifying. Well, who can blame them – in recent years, there have been many storage unit break-ins. But, when you have a storage container in your backyard, you will not have to worry. Everything will be right where you can see it. So, if safety is your concern, mobile storage units are a great solution

Moreover, you will not have to worry about whether someone will break in and steal all your belongings, and you will also be free from rodents, insects, climate conditions, etc. If you get a climate-controlled mobile storage unit, you can control the temperature, humidity, and airflow.

Have an Easier Move 

Moving is a stressful and complicated process. Besides taking care of your family matters, finding a new home, selling the current one, etc., you also have to think about your belongings. The process of packing, storing, and relocating them from one address to the other can be long.  However, if you have a mobile storage unit, this entire process becomes much simpler. 

If you rent a mobile storage container, you can fill it with all your belongings. All you will need to worry about then is where to find the best options for your possessions to keep them even safer – the boxes, packing peanuts, and other packing materials. With a mobile storage unit, you will not have to crowd your home with boxes and other packing items. Most importantly,you will not have to rush your move.

Have a More Practical DIY Project or Renovation

If you are handy with the things around the house, you are probably DIY-ing all the time. It is a great hobby that can save you a lot of money you would otherwise give to contractors and various other handymen. If you have a garage, basement, or some other room in your home that functions as a workshop, great! But, if you do not, you probably use your living room to keep your tools and do all the work, right? 

Luckily, you can stop making all the mess inside your home, and (most importantly) you can stop irritating the rest of your household members by simply relocating your ‘workshop’ to a mobile storage container. You can use it as an extra space for working on your DIY projects. Moreover, this new workshop will cost you a lot less than building a new one from scratch. 

Declutter Your Home or Your Business 

We live in a material world that makes us continuously buy material things for our home or office. We have all become hoarders in already crowded areas where we live and work. But, there is an easy solution for that, too. You can donate, give away, sell, or discard some of the things that are crowding your home or office. However, we understand that that is not always an option as we are sometimes too attached to our possessions. And, that is okay; you do not have to get rid of them by force. 

So, if donating or selling is not an option, then a mobile storage unit is. You can store anything you desire – from an old couch and household knick-knacks to all the paperwork that await sorting out someday. Portable storage units can be as big as a room, so if you put one right next to your home, you get a fantastic (and cheaper) alternative to building an entirely new space just for storage.

Have a Stress-free Yard Sale 

Mobile storage containers do not have to be used only when packing and moving or for renovations and DIYs; you can also use them when having a yard sale. If you store all of your ‘for-sale’ items in there, you will not have to worry about weather conditions or constant cleanup. You can keep your belongings in there for days, weeks, and even months. That way, your yard sale can last even longer than a weekend without you worrying about the mess and the stuff scattered around your yard. 

So, the next time you plan a garage sale to declutter your home and earn some extra cash, consider getting a mobile storage unit. It will save you a lot of time and energy as you will not have to move your items back and forth continually.

Mobile Storage Units Will Give You a Peace of Mind 

As mentioned before, some people hesitate to place their precious belongings into storage units because they are worried about their safety. Of course, many storage unit providers claim top security, but let us be real, the only maximum-security you can achieve is on your property. Moreover, many people are also worried about the well-being of their sensitive and fragile belongings, and that is why they do not want to leave their piano or their old photo albums somewhere where humidity and rodents reign. When you have a storage unit in your yard, this is something you can always control.

Always having a storage unit on hand is not a luxury anymore. Anyone can afford one. When you look at it, a mobile storage unit is not only that – it is also a peace of mind. Not only will you not have to worry about the safety of your belongings, but you will also not have to worry about whether you will have a place for storing something in your home.