How Can I Move Cheap in NYC? 7 Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move

New York City is known for its ethnically diverse population, sophisticated culture, state-of-the-art buildings, billionaires, lavish nightlife, boundless opportunities, and much more. You will find it hard to run out of niceties to describe the sublimity of this world-class metropolis.

In short, it is indeed The City of Dreams.

But for the average person, there’s only one word to describe New York City: expensive. It’s only natural that a city of great wealth would demand a higher price tag for everything. However, this shouldn’t stop you from finding ways to save money on your upcoming relocation. So, here are seven budget-friendly tips when moving in NYC.

1. Find the Right Time to Move

If you can, try to avoid moving during the summer. The pleasant weather makes it everyone’s favorite time of the year. Expect to deal with horrible traffic as people hustle their way to the beaches or go home for vacation. Moving companies usually have their hands full during these months. Demand is high; therefore, prices can skyrocket.

On the contrary, it’s cheapest to move during winter. More convenient too. However, prepare to face unfavorable weather conditions. That’s why it’s best if you relocate during the fall season when the weather’s still nice, and you can still negotiate for lower prices. Lastly, schedule your move out sometime between Monday and Thursday. People generally have more free time on weekends causing increased demand for moving companies.

2. Hire a Professional Moving Company

It’s not surprising if this is the last thing you have in mind. Hiring movers can be quite expensive. That’s undeniable. But before you skip this tip, think about the challenges you have to cope with when moving, such as:

• Lifting heavy objects

• Driving against traffic

• Transferring unique furniture

• Availability of moving equipment and materials

• Loading large appliances to the truck

• Accidents and injuries

You can eliminate these risks with movers helping you out. Just make sure to hire the right company. The money you spend might just be worth it for the time, energy, and stress you save. On top of that, it might be more cost-effective in the long run. For example, you might have to fork over extra cash for medical bills if you sustain a serious injury when lifting heavy boxes. Leave the hard work to the pros!

3. Declutter, Sell, and Donate

Organize your stuff and separate the stuff you won’t need or use in your new home. Unnecessary belongings will only add up to the overall weight of your cargo. This can either consume precious space inside your moving van or increase the price if you’ve hired movers.

After you’ve sorted everything out, purge non-essential items by selling them on social media or hold a garage sale. It’s an easy way to make money and cover some of your moving expenses. For those things that nobody wants to buy, you can donate them to charity.

4. Arrange Everything In Advance

This tip mainly applies when you’re working with movers. Since their rates are usually charged per hour, you want them to finish as soon as possible. That’s why you should prepare whatever you can before they arrive. Pack up small to medium boxes and leave the difficult items like pianos and appliances to them. Try to stay out of the way during the whole process so they can operate without interference.

5. Save Up on Boxes

Boxes are integral to a moving operation. One box doesn’t cost much, but it can get quite pricey since you’ll need a lot. Try to buy in bulk from local Facebook bargain groups or find free boxes from nearby grocery stores.

6. Recycle Home Materials

Making good use of available resources can significantly reduce your moving cost. Here are some ways to do it:

• Suitcases are great for holding books and bulky items.
• Leave your clothes as-is and pack them in their drawers.
• Instead of buying packing paper, use old linen and towels to protect breakables.
• Tag boxes with colored paper according to their content instead of labeling them one by one.

7. Ask for Help from Your Personal Circle

There’s nothing wrong with asking for assistance from close friends and relatives. They might even be more than happy to extend a helping hand. Additionally, mundane tasks become fun and engaging when you’re doing it with people you love!

Final Word of Advice

Moving is a phase in life where research becomes your best friend. Whether you’re relocating independently or hiring movers, it’s always wise to familiarize yourself with the logistics. It will help you save money by avoiding scams and unnecessary expenses.