Brick Underground's best advice on moving in New York City

By Mimi OConnor | May 2, 2018 - 9:00AM

There are few experiences more loathed by New Yorkers than moving. Moving anywhere is never fun, moving in New York City is its own particular hell. And that comes after the often challenging part of finding a place to move. To help ease the pain, expense, and stress, we've rounded up all of our best advice on how to move in New York City.

Get tips from people with experience

Like everything in New York, it's best to mine the collective wisdom of the city's residents who have actually achieved what you are trying to do. For ideas that save you time and broken stuff, and tell you about the mistakes they made so you don't have to, get started with this collection of advice and then check out these 16 tips for an almost stress-free moving day.

Don't wing it

On the one hand, there's never enough time to prepare for a move. On the other, planning—and planning well in advance can save you a lot of grief. To keep things sane, we suggest starting eight weeks out. Check out our smart moving schedule here.

Move for a fair price

When it comes to moving, hiring a company with the lowest bid may not be the best strategy (after all, they are transporting all your worldly possessions), but that doesn't mean you have to get a rate that will bankrupt you. Educate yourself on when and why moving companies can be open to offering a discount.

Don't get scammed

Moving is stressful enough without having to deal with con artists and losing a lot of money. Be aware of possible scams, and make sure you're hiring a reputable company.

Try not to annoy the movers

Any good moving company will provide you with instructions, guidelines, timeframes, etc. This is to make your life and their lives easier. Arm yourself with our roundup of movers' top pet peeves.

Don't forget to tip

If you hire movers and the job is well done, make sure you express your appreciation in a language all New Yorkers speak: cash. Read our interview with a New York mover here for tips on tipping and more.

Image of different people in New York City looking for no-fee apartment rentals

The Search The best websites for finding a no-fee rental apartment in NYC

Improve 6 things to do before you move

couple moving into apartment surrounded by moving boxes

The Market Planning a move in NYC? Here are 10 strategies to avoid being a victim of a scam

Mimi OConnor

Contributing Writer

Mimi O’Connor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York.

SEE MORE BY Mimi OConnor »

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.