[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-moving-to-nyc\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-moving-to-nyc\/","headline":"How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Moving to NYC","name":"How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Moving to NYC","description":"Tens of thousands of people move to New York City every year. After all, if you can make […]","datePublished":"2022-03-22","dateModified":"2025-10-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Moving-to-NYC.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Moving-to-NYC.jpg","height":704,"width":1344},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-moving-to-nyc\/","about":["Moving Tips"],"wordCount":1519,"keywords":["common mistakes to avoid","Experienced movers","Experienced NYC movers","living in NYC","move to New York City","Moving Companies","moving horror story","moving mistakes","moving tips","moving to nyc","NYC Movers"],"articleBody":"Tens of thousands of people move to New York City every year. After all, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere! Living in the city certainly comes with its own challenges, with the high cost of living, job competition, and fast-paced lifestyle. However, many people end up struggling even before they have made their mark. Yes, living in NYC might be hard, but moving to NYC isn\u2019t a walk in the park either!Luckily, you can learn from other people\u2019s moving mistakes. Distance doesn\u2019t necessarily play a role in how successful your move will be. If you want to avoid a moving horror story of your own, check out these moving tips.Visit the Apartment Before You MoveA two-bedroom in NYC is different from a two-bedroom in West Virginia. You might be expecting two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, but in many cases, a two-bedroom in NYC is a converted one-bedroom. In NYC, a bedroom must satisfy the following requirements to be considered legal:Be a minimum of 80 square feetHave a minimum width of 8 feet in any dimensionHave a minimum ceiling height of 8 feetAt least one window measuring no less than twelve square feet Average NYC Apartment Sizes by TypeApartment TypeAverage Size (sq ft)Typical LayoutNotesStudio400\u2013550Open living + kitchenette + bathroomIdeal for single residents, limited storage space1 Bedroom600\u2013800Separate bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroomMost common for couples or single residents wanting extra space2 Bedroom800\u20131,200Two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, 1\u20132 bathroomsGood for small families or roommates3 Bedroom1,200+Three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, 2+ bathroomsSpacious option for larger families or shared livingLoft \/ Studio Loft700\u20131,500+Open concept, high ceilings, sometimes split levelsPopular in trendy neighborhoods; can be expensive per sq ft As you can see, there aren\u2019t too many qualifications to be considered a bedroom in NYC. That\u2019s why you need to be extra careful when apartment hunting. If you\u2019re moving from a different state, rent an Airbnb so you can actually visit each apartment before making your choice. If you can\u2019t visit, ask the broker as many questions as possible and ask for an accurate floor plan. Even if they don\u2019t have dimensions, you can at least see the layout, which can go a long way in helping you decide whether you want to move into a place or not.Hire Experienced NYC MoversThere are dozens of movers to choose from, but if you want to make sure your move goes smoothly, you\u2019ll want to find one that has years of experience moving in New York City. Experienced movers will know and understand the quirks of moving in New York City. For example, things like double parking, maneuvering furniture through tight spaces, navigating traffic, etc., should all be second nature. Cost of Hiring Experienced NYC MoversType of Moving ServiceDescriptionTypical Cost RangeNotesHourly Rate MoveMovers charge by the hour, usually based on the number of movers and travel time.$120\u2013$200 per hourIdeal for small moves or short-distance local moves. Extra charges may apply for stairs, long carry, or heavy items.Full-Service MoveMovers handle everything: packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and sometimes unpacking.$600\u2013$2,500Cost depends on apartment size, distance, number of items, and additional services like packing materials or furniture assembly.Packing Services OnlyMovers pack all your items while you handle transportation.$200\u2013$800Useful if you want professional packing but have your own truck or storage arrangements.Specialty Item HandlingMovers handle fragile, bulky, or valuable items like pianos, artwork, or antiques.$150\u2013$500 per itemRequires extra care and sometimes specialized equipment.Long-Distance NYC MoveMove beyond the city, including other states.$1,200\u2013$5,000+Cost varies with distance, weight of items, and whether full-service or partial service is chosen. Experienced NYC movers will also have relationships with various building managers. They likely will know whether the building will require a certificate of insurance and the timeframe for when they can move. Of course, you should still verify this information and pass it along to the movers. That way, you won\u2019t run into any moving day issues.Pack Everything Before the Movers ArriveUnless you\u2019ve opted for the full-packing service, you\u2019ll want to make sure all of your items are properly packed before your movers arrive. That includes small items like your toiletries, tchotchkes, etc. When doing your own packing, make sure that you provide the best protection to your items and label the boxes with their contents and room designation. If you have fragile items, don\u2019t forget to include necessary handling instructions so the movers know to handle them with extra care.If you are not ready when the movers show up, most moving companies will have some supplies handy to help you complete the job. If you choose to accept their help, they will charge you extra for the materials and their time. Even if you decide to pack yourself, you\u2019ll still be charged for any additional time the movers spent waiting for you to finish packing. Either way, you\u2019ll pay more, so make sure you get everything done beforehand.Pack Your Necessities In a Separate BoxThe last thing you want to do after you\u2019ve moved is rifle through your boxes to find the essentials you\u2019ll need for your first few days in your new place. By packing everything together, you\u2019ll have less stress to deal with and can focus on slowly unpacking in the coming weeks. In general, you should pack the following separately:Clean bedding and pillows – there\u2019s nothing better than sleeping on familiar sheets and pillows in an unfamiliar place. If you have time before your move, take the time to wash these items.Cleaning supplies – you\u2019ll want to do a deep clean of your new apartment before you start unpacking. Not only are you tracking dirt and dust into your new home, but you might have to deal with a few dirty areas from previous tenants. Some basic cleaning supplies include sponges, dish soap, hand soap, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner, rags, toilet paper, and a broom. Essential Items to Pack Separately for Your First Days in NYCEssential ItemWhy It\u2019s ImportantTips \/ ExamplesClean Bedding and PillowsProvides comfort and familiarity during your first night in a new placeWash sheets and pillowcases before packing; pack extra blankets if neededCleaning SuppliesAllows you to clean your new apartment before unpackingSponges, dish soap, hand soap, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner, rags, toilet paper, broomToolkitHelps reassemble furniture and set up your new home quicklyScrewdrivers, hammer, wrench; check if movers provide basic assembly\/disassemblyPhone & Laptop ChargersEnsures your devices are ready for work and communicationPack chargers for all essential electronics in the boxOvernight BagKeeps you prepared for the first night and the next few daysInclude pajamas, medication, toiletries, toothbrush & toothpaste, clothes for 2\u20133 days, shower curtain if needed Toolkit – Sure, you might not be ready to hang up artwork after you move, but if you have disassembled furniture for the move, you can put it back together immediately after you move. Some movers provide basic disassembly and assembly, so check with them before you start reassembling your furniture.Phone and laptop chargers – Most phones and laptops last around a day before they need to be recharged. So if you depend on both for work and home, make sure to keep their chargers in your box of essentials.An overnight bag – An easy way to feel put together during a move is to pack a small bag like you\u2019re going on an overnight trip. You won\u2019t have the energy to unpack immediately, but you\u2019ll still want a change of clothes and to take care of basic hygiene (brushing your teeth, showering, etc). Pack your overnight bag with what you definitely will need. This includes things like pajamas, medication, toothbrush and toothpaste, shower essentials, and clothes for the next few days. If you can, include a shower curtain.ConclusionEveryone makes mistakes, but moving mistakes can make your experience go from stressful to downright hellish. Taking these extra precautions can help make your move a lot simpler. If you really want to reduce stress, hire experienced and professional movers like NYC Great Movers!FAQHow much money does an NYC move cost?It depends on how much you\u2019re moving, what services you need, and from where, but a local move for a one-bedroom apartment tends to run anywhere between $250-$700. .Is there a good day or time to move?While you should choose the day and time most convenient for you (and works for both your buildings) generally speaking you should move either Monday or Thursday in the early morning to avoid traffic.What if I need to store my items?Many moving companies also provide storage solutions and will drop off your belongings to a secure unit and move it to your new place once you\u2019re ready."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Moving to NYC","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-moving-to-nyc\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]