What to Know About Moving to NYC During the Pandemic and Beyond

Plenty of people still want a bite out of the big apple. According to data from Orbital Insight, a company that tracks people’s movement, the three most popular destinations for household relocations between March and September of 2020 were Tampa, Phoenix, and (yup!) New York City. If you’re wondering how to move to NYC — in any year, but especially during a pandemic — fret not. We polled experts for their insider tips.

“From a financial standpoint, pull the trigger now — there has been no better time to rent or buy in New York City,” says Kimberly T. Hastie, real estate salesperson for Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales. “Rents are at the lowest we’ve seen in years, and many buildings are offering incentives on top of that.” Talk about enticing!

Plus, New York City is, well, New York Citayyyy, the hometown of everything from The Metropolitan Museum of Art to Lincoln Center. It’s America’s most populous town for a good reason. “The pandemic has brought New Yorkers together in many ways. The subways and buses are cleaner. Rent is more negotiable than ever. And buyers have an amazing inventory of apartments to choose from and have the opportunity to become homeowners at a price much less than a few years ago,” says Angela Mannino, licensed real estate salesperson for The Bizzaro Agency. Here you find everything you need to know about how to move to NYC right now.

How to Move to NYC Stress-Free

Mannino has an excellent tip for how to move to NYC without (much) stress: “The least anxious way to move to New York City is to first move into a furnished short-term apartment in an area you like. The unit can be a sublet,” she says. “It is a great way to discover if a neighborhood works for your lifestyle, without the commitment of a year-long lease.”

There are so many apartments out there, so choosing one can feel overwhelming. Working with a real estate agent can help, offers Hastie. “Experienced brokers know the ins and outs of every neighborhood, including price trends and local amenities. They can also help you secure a beautiful apartment within your budget.” 

 

What is the Cost of Moving to New York City?

Every apartment is different, so there’s no fixed cost for moving to NYC. “There are many variables that will influence a moving service cost,” says Najah Ayoub, Growth Manager Piece of Cake Moving & Storage. “On average, moving a local studio or one-bedroom apartment within NYC costs roughly $500 to $800. Prices based on apartment size go up from there. Hiring professional movers to move the contents of a home located out of state will cost significantly more.

 

DIY Tips for Moving to NYC

Before diving in, Hastie recommends hiring a mover rather than DIY-ing whenever possible. “Most people just think of the physical labor of moving, but you have to think about driving a moving truck in NYC traffic, too,” she says. “Also, many NYC buildings require insurance related to potential moving damages, which almost all moving companies have.” 

And here’s a pro tip: Many professional moving companies are now offering entirely remote moves you won’t need to attend (a blessing in a pandemic). “We offer our clients’ contactless moving services. They have the option of overseeing their move via Facetime,” says Ayoub. “Many of our customers appreciate this service. It allows them to take part in the process without being physically present.”

If you’ve weighed your options of how to move to NYC and would rather DIY, we have plenty of tips for you to make your move less anxiety-inducing:

Confirm the best days to move 

Some buildings ban weekend, early morning, or evening moves, so it pays to get up to speed before moving your stuff

Book your truck 

As soon as you know your moving date, make arrangements for a van or truck. Self-serviced truck rentals are a hot commodity that book fast.

Pack a bag filled with essentials

A day or two before the move, put together a bag with all the essentials — toiletries, underwear, socks, a change or two of clothes, plus all your vital paperwork and documents. (This means lease agreements, moving and insurance paperwork, passports, social security cards, some cash, etc.) Putting everything you need to get by, and everything you can’t afford to lose, in one place, will keep you from saying later, “Where did I leave that?”

Label your moving boxes

Ideally, when you label boxes, the info should include the box’s contents and the room it’s intended to go in when you get to your new home. Opt for detailed descriptions to maximize organization — it’s better to include more information than semi-unhelpful titles like kitchen stuff.

Make your bed

Consider this a sanity-saving step that will prevent a “where’s-my-sheets!” meltdown when you’re exhausted later.

How Much Should You Tip Movers in NYC?

Some factors for you to consider are the size and distance of the move. Also, how much stuff did they have to carry? If you moved to a walkup, how many flights of stairs did the movers climb? Did the move happen in the middle of a heatwave, rainstorm, or blizzard? That said, there are a few tipping rules.

“The short answer is 15%-20% of the total value of your move,” says Ayoub. “It is common practice to recognize movers for their work and extra effort on the day. For example, a $1,000 medium-sized move would justify a $200 tip shared between 2 movers if they’ve shown a genuine commitment to your needs throughout the day.” It also helps to show appreciation during the move. Buy the team coffee, soft drinks, and maybe a pizza — moving, after all, is grueling work!

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Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.