Unsurprisingly, spring is a popular time for moving. After all, temperatures increase, days get longer, and you don’t need to worry about snow anymore. With that said, moving during any season is a long and complicated process. Luckily, with the right planning and professional NYC moving company in your corner, it doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re planning on making a spring move in NYC, check out the tips and tricks below to help navigate any moving challenges that might arise.
Start Early
You’re not the only person planning on moving during the spring. In fact, spring is a popular time to move in NYC due to the milder weather. As such, there’s a lot more competition for pretty much everything moving-related, whether that’s finding a new apartment or hiring professional movers. Ideally, you should start the moving process at least a month before your move-out date. That way, you have plenty of time to research moving companies and look for a perfect apartment.
NYC Spring Moving Timeline (Start Early Focus)
| Time Before Move | Recommended Actions | Notes / NYC Context |
|---|---|---|
| 4+ Weeks | Start searching for moving companies | Spring is peak season → book early |
| 4+ Weeks | Begin apartment hunting and schedule viewings | High competition for apartments in NYC |
| 3 Weeks | Research moving quotes & compare services | Secure the best rates before schedules fill up |
| 3 Weeks | Create a detailed moving checklist | Break down tasks into manageable steps |
| 2 Weeks | Start initial decluttering & sorting | Easier to manage when started early |
| 1 Week | Confirm moving company & finalize appointments | Avoid last-minute issues |
| 1–2 Days | Review checklist & finalize packing plan | Ensure essentials and high-priority tasks are ready |
And speaking of starting early, make sure to create a moving checklist to keep track of all the tasks you need to get done. Break it down into small and easy-to-manage tasks so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.
Declutter
Before you even start packing, take some time to downsize your apartment. Even if you live in a studio apartment, chances are you have things that you don’t need anymore. So take this opportunity to do some spring cleaning. Go through everything you own and sort it into two or three piles to keep, donate/sell, and throw out. Get rid of anything that you haven’t used in the past six months to a year. Better yet, use the three-second rule. If you can’t decide where to put an item for more than three seconds, you probably don’t need it. The less stuff you have, the less you will need to pack, saving you time. You’ll also save some money in your budget!
Pack Smart
After you’ve decluttered everything, it’s time to start packing. Don’t leave this to the last minute! Packing is one of the more time-consuming tasks in the moving process when done right. Leaving it to the last minute doesn’t give you enough time to properly take stock of everything you’re bringing with you, organize your boxes, or protect your fragile items. Start packing as early as possible and do a little at a time. Start with areas and/or items you don’t use often. That could mean packing a cabinet above a fridge or even packing seasonal clothes away. When packing, pack my category instead of the room. For example, you should pack things like your pet supplies together.
Packing Priority by Category
| Category | Examples | When to Pack | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Items | Winter coats, holiday décor | 3–4 weeks before move | Start with rarely used items |
| Storage Items | Attic boxes, garage tools | 3 weeks before the move | Inventory and label clearly |
| Non-Essentials | Books, décor, extra linens | 2–3 weeks before move | Group by category, not room |
| Kitchen Backstock | Extra plates, appliances not in use | 1–2 weeks before move | Wrap securely |
| Essentials | Toiletries, daily clothing, pet items | 1–2 days before move | Keep accessible for move day |
While you’re packing, make sure to create an inventory of everything you’re putting away and take pictures of each item to record its condition. Once you’ve packed everything up, label your box appropriately, including what’s in the box and whether it contains fragile items or not. Also, when packing, make sure you seal all your boxes properly to avoid any pollen or dust getting inside!
Do Some Laundry
Before you pack up your towels, clothes, and bedding, give it a good wash beforehand. You want to be able to set up your bed as quickly as possible once you’ve moved into your new home. While it might take up a lot of time, you’ll be happy to have clean sheets to sleep on and clean towels to use after the first shower in your new home.
Check the Weather
While you probably won’t have to worry about snow, spring weather is unpredictable in NYC. A sunny day might turn into a rainy slog. While you can’t accurately predict the weather a month beforehand, you should take a look a few days before your actual moving date. If it looks like you’ll be getting rain, make sure to prepare accordingly. This might even mean repacking some of your more valuable items to be more weather-resistant. After all, you really don’t want to have your expensive electronics or paintings/pictures water damaged, right?
NYC Seasonal Weather Considerations for Moving
| Season | Typical Weather in NYC | Moving Tips | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Rainy, unpredictable | Check the forecast 3–5 days before the move; use weather-proof bins for valuables | Watch out for sudden showers |
| Summer | Hot, humid | Move early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat | Keep electronics cool |
| Fall | Mild, occasional rain | Use plastic bins for sensitive items; cover furniture | Leaves can make surfaces slippery |
| Winter | Cold, snow/ice possible | Schedule snow removal; use insulated covers for items | Protect floors and walkways |
Consider renting plastic bins from whatever moving company you end up hiring if you do see heavy rain in the forecast. These bins are both dust and weather-proof, so you can store your expensive electronics without worrying about them getting wet.
Disassemble Your Furniture
While many professional NYC moving companies offer basic furniture disassembly and reassembly, it’s a good idea to do it yourself, as it will save you money. Most local movers charge by the hour, so the more time the movers take, the more you’ll have to pay. Plus, doing it yourself also means you know exactly where all the tools, screws, nuts, etc., are once you’ve disassembled a table, for example. While the movers will generally tape these items to the largest, solid piece of furniture, there’s still the possibility that the tape could come loose or the crew could accidentally leave it behind.
Check Your Building’s Moving Requirements
While many buildings don’t have any requirements, there are some that might require a certification of insurance with specific coverage amounts and reservations to use the elevators. You should always ask beforehand so you can get all the necessary information and pass it along to the moving company. They will handle everything from that point, including providing all the necessary paperwork and permits. Ask the movers to cc you on the emails sending over the documentation so you have a copy. That way, if there’s an issue on moving day, you can show the guard or property manager the email.
Prepare for Allergies
Spring is notorious for allergies. On top of that, moving kicks up a ton of dust. When you combine dust and pollen, you get a recipe for horrible allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, consider wearing a mask when packing and unpacking, and keeping a window closed during high pollen days. You should also stock up on allergy medication. And be prepared to clean your new apartment before unpacking! You can get rid of any standing dust or settled allergens to reduce potential triggers. There’s nothing worse than having to deal with a horrible allergic reaction right after you’ve settled into your new place.
Make Your Spring Move with NYC Great Movers
Moving is never easy, but these steps should make it a little less overwhelming. If you want to make it even less stressful, give NYC Great Movers a call! We’ll help you plan out the entire process and find a plan that matches your needs and budget.
FAQ
Should I clean my old apartment before moving?
Yes! In NYC, your landlord may even withhold your security deposit if you don’t clean your old apartment before you move.
Should I wash my dishes again after a move?
Absolutely! Dust might have gotten inside the box and all your glassware, dishes, etc. were probably packed in some kind of packing paper, bubble wrap, etc, all of which are not necessarily sanitary!
