Moving to a new NYC apartment is no easy feat. It can start months before your lease ends as you start looking for and visiting new apartments to find that perfect match. The actual act of moving requires a lot of planning even if you end up hiring professional movers as you will need to pack, research moving companies, and more.
With all of these tasks, it’s no wonder that so many people don’t don’t think about what happens once they have moved into your new place. A successful relocation is cause for celebration, especially in NYC. Once everything is moved in, you should take some time to celebrate your new NYC apartment in style!
Don’t Unpack Everything Right Away
It might be tempting to get everything out of the way as soon as possible, but that’s a recipe for burnout. Chances are you’ve spent weeks preparing for the move by gathering all the necessary supplies, packing, and all the miscellaneous small tasks. Now that you’re finally in your new place, take the time to relax.
That doesn’t mean postponing all unpacking. You should take some time to set up your new home with the essentials like toiletries, cookware, bedding, etc. Hopefully, you packed those away in clearly labeled and easy to access boxes! For everything else like decor, books, and extra pantry items, unpack them another day. Much like packing you can stretch out the process over a period of time. Not only will this reduce your stress, it will also give you the time to really consider how you want to organize and decorate your new place.
Take a Short Vacation
Since you’re already taking time off of work for the move, why not take a few extra vacation days to actually relax? It might be tempting to plan this mini-vacation once you’re fully settled, but a brief break away from your new place can leave you refreshed and ready to take on any new challenges.
When choosing a place, don’t plan on going anywhere too far away. This time off is meant exclusively for rest and relaxation so you want to avoid as much stress-inducing things as possible. Instead, visit a place nearby. Maybe that means taking Metro-North to a cute, nearby town or taking the LIRR and hitting the beach. If you don’t want to travel that far, you can always visit the amazing museums, parks, and beaches in NYC. Whatever you choose, make sure you are in vacation mode. Don’t think about everything you need to unpack and make sure you turn off your phone so you’re not checking your work emails!
Play Some Games
A great way to make your new NYC apartment feel more lively is to play some games. If you are moving with roommates or a partner, set aside some time to have some fun. If you have a lot of board games, pull out your favorite and play a few matches. Games are also a great way to keep your kids entertained and happy during this transition period. It keeps their mind off all of the changes that are happening and keeps them tied to the present. Plus, having a lot of fun in your new place will help them associate good times with your new NYC apartment.
If you live alone, fire up your PC or game console and play your favorite comfort game. Or invite some of your close friends over for a lowkey game night/housewarming party. Ultimately, there’s no limit to the games you choose, just so long as you’re having fun.
Organize a Housewarming Party
While you don’t want to have this right after you move, a housewarming party is a great way to celebrate moving into your new apartment. It symbolizes not only a successful move but a new chapter in your life. Plus, a party is just a great way to reconnect with friends and family who you might have not been able to hang out with in the months leading up to your move.
When planning your housewarming party, keep it informal and small. You don’t need to put up any fancy decorations or cook a bunch of food. Instead, ask the guests to bring something with them whether it’s a bottle of wine or some snacks. You can still provide some food, just don’t go overboard. Remember, this is meant to be a fun and enjoyable evening, so don’t stress about it too much. Besides, if you’re inviting your favorite people, it will be fun no matter what!
Buy Something Special
Moving isn’t cheap so you might already be tightening your belt in order to recoup the costs. However, you’ll still need to buy some new things for your apartment anyway, so why not purchase an item that adds an extra bit of charm or flare to your place? What you choose depends on your tastes and budget, but popular examples include:
- Cute throw pillows or blankets
- Painting from your favorite artist
- Some cute magnets
- House plants
- A statement lamp
If you’re not into home decor, consider purchasing something for yourself. Consider it a reward for getting through the hardest part of the move. A gift to yourself can be anything that you can afford like a piece of jewelry, watch, bag, shoes, and so on. It can even be an experience like a spa day or massage. Just make sure that whatever you get for yourself is something that you will actually enjoy.
Eat Out at a Nice Restaurant
There’s no shortage of amazing restaurants in NYC. If there has been a place you have been dying to try, then why not celebrate by finally trying it? Depending on where you want to go, you might have to plan ahead as some of the more popular restaurants require you to reserve several months in advance. Still, if you know you are moving then why not book a table?
An expensive dinner is nothing to sneeze at, so make sure you budget the cost in advance. Depending on where you can, you can expect to pay at least $250 per person or more for a really nice restaurant. Of course, you don’t have to drop a lot of money to have a good experience. If you’re moving into another borough, why not have one last meal at your favorite place in your old neighborhood?
Explore Your New Neighborhood
Even if you’re only moving from the East Village to the Lower East Side, there will still be a lot of changes you’ll need to face. So why not get accustomed to your area by taking a walk around your block. You’ll be getting some much needed fresh air and also finding some cool new places to check out later. More importantly, a small walk around the area will allow you to become familiar with the location of places like grocery stores, pharmacies, laundromats, doctor’s offices, and so on.
And while exploring, don’t forget to neglect ‘exploring’ your actual building. That means knowing where to put the trash and recycling, finding the fire escape and exits, knowing where and how to contact your super/landlord, and locating the mailroom. You should also take some time to introduce yourself to your neighbors. The better relationship you have with your neighbors, the happier you will be in the long run.
Enjoy Your New Apartment
Moving into a new apartment is exhausting but also exciting. There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating and designing your new living space. So make sure you create a place you enjoy coming home to.
If you want to enjoy your new apartment faster, ask your moving company if they provide unpacking services. Many of them do and it will make the settling in process that much more enjoyable. Once you’re ready to make the move, give NYC Great Movers a call. Not only do we help move your things, we can pack and unpack your boxes, too!
FAQ
What if I can’t move into my new apartment immediately?
You’ll still need to move out of your old place unless you are able to negotiate a month-to-month deal with your previous landlord. Chances are they already have someone lined up for our old apartment. In that case, you will need to find a storage solution for your belongings. You can either rent a unit from storage companies or see if the movers you are using have their own storage units. If they do, they will move your belongings into and out of storage.
Can I paint my apartment walls or put up cabinets/shelves/etc?
It depends on your lease. For the most part, you should be able to paint your walls so long as you paint them back to the original color before you move out. When it comes to items that you need to install, you should ask your super/landlord beforehand.
I don’t have any money after my move, but I still want to celebrate. What can I do?
There’s plenty of things you can do for free to celebrate. You can: Binge watch your favorite show, Check out the events calendar for free concerts or shows, Get to know local shop owners.
