NYC Moving Tips For Manhattan Families
Meta Description: Looking to move within New York City but have no idea how? No problem! Here's a handy guide with several moving tips that will make your relocation easier
Moving to, from, or within Manhattan can be a daunting task, even for the most organized individuals. All the hustle and bustle, coupled with the tight hallways, buildings with no elevators, and terrible parking, are enough to make you dread moving day. But fear not! This guide will assist families like yours to relocate to NYC’s concrete jungle. Learn everything from hunting for an apartment to the items you should pack, average moving costs, and more!
Make A Game Plan
A plan is crucial when moving. Before the truck even arrives at your driveway, map out everything you need so things can proceed smoothly with little to no hiccups. Here are some ways to outline your plan:
Create a checklist. This checklist will serve as your guide on the tasks you need to accomplish to complete your move. Try to come up with reasonable expectations to meet your timeline and budget.
Write down all possible moving expenses. Obtain truck rental quotes, mover rates, gas prices, and costs of the supplies to give you an idea of the overall cost and help you stay within budget.
Prepare a list of questions to ask your movers. Of course, you'd want to make sure you can trust your moving company. The best way to do this besides checking their license is to ask the right questions.
Divide responsibilities. Don't try to do everything on your own. You have a family, your very own personal team, remember? Give assignments to everyone. You can give the kids simple tasks like keeping the dog busy on moving day to avoid distracting the movers.
Enlist Professional Help
Moving on your own can be difficult, especially in the chaos of New York City. Hiring a moving company is the best decision you can make. Find one that has a proven track record and with years of experience in Manhattan relocation. Not only will they be able to take care of your possessions, but they will also keep things on schedule to avoid delays or problems during moving day.
If you think hiring movers is too expensive, you might want to think again. The only time you're going to have to pay a hefty amount is when you need special services like piano moving or last-minute relocation. Other than that, their prices are pretty reasonable for the convenience and assurance they provide.
Help Your Kids Understand The Situation
The ones most affected by your relocation are likely your children. This transition may not be easy for them. They have to say goodbye to friends, prepare for a new school environment, and adapt to another lifestyle. That can be too much for a child to take.
So before moving day arrives, sit down with your kids and tell them about the situation. Be transparent and explain everything. Answer their questions. Reassure them about any worries they might have. Let them understand that this move is for the family’s benefit.
More importantly, you can let them help out during the packing process to put their minds at ease. This will make them feel like they are an essential part of this transition too.
Hunt For A New Place Ahead Of Time
Whether you're moving in or out of Manhattan or to another city, looking for a new home is always a challenge. It's hard to find the right balance of affordability and access to the city amenities. But here's one tip: make sure to visit your potential neighborhood ahead of time. Get a feel of the atmosphere, the people, and the nearby establishments. Is it lively? Is it safe? Is this a place you're willing to live with your family for years? How are the schools? What about the commute times?
Are you still stumped about where to live? Check out this great article on the best family-friendly neighborhoods in the city.
Declutter and Sell
As much as you love your things, don't try to bring everything with you. Doing so will only increase the number of things you have to pack and the overall cost of your move. Do yourself a favor by packing only the things that are most important or beneficial to you. Take time to go through your inventory and purge duplicates and items you barely use.
For the things you plan to leave behind, you can still make good use of them. Sell them online to help offset your moving expenses or buy packing materials. You can also choose to donate them to your neighbors or a local charity. Either way, you get to rid of your extras while making others smile. It's a win-win.
Average Manhattan Moving Cost
Now you know most of the things you need to know in moving to a new place seamlessly. Congratulations! However, before you get to know the estimated costs, keep this in mind: Manhattan is never cheap. The price tag for everything here is way above the national average. That said, it typically costs about $1000–$1500 to move a 2-bedroom apartment locally in New York. If you're moving from out of state, you can expect prices to be between $5000-$10,000.
The idea of moving might be daunting at first, but don't let the fear of the unknown get to you. It should be a smooth experience as long as you make ample preparations, do your research, and enjoy the process with your family.