[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/move-in-winters-in-nyc\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/move-in-winters-in-nyc\/","headline":"How to Move in the Winter in NYC","name":"How to Move in the Winter in NYC","description":"How to Move in the Winter in NYC. There\u2019s no better time to move to NYC than in […]","datePublished":"2019-01-14","dateModified":"2025-10-29","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\/2019\/01\/movers_nyc.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/movers_nyc.jpg","height":600,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/move-in-winters-in-nyc\/","about":["How To","Moving Tips"],"wordCount":1149,"keywords":["movers","movers nyc","Moving","NYC","winter movers nyc"],"articleBody":"How to Move in the Winter in NYC. There\u2019s no better time to move to NYC than in the winter. As the temperatures drop, so do the prices. Between January and March, most rental properties are at their lowest price point due to lower demand. And, of course, there are several other benefits to moving in the winter, such as:Low or no broker fees \u2013 since there are fewer prospective renters, brokers are more willing to reduce their fee to move a unit, or the owner of the unit is more willing to pay the fee.Flexible move-in \u2013 during peak season, you generally have very little time between signing the lease and moving in, which often means you\u2019ll have to pay rent on two locations for one month. During the winter, move-in dates can be more flexible, so you can push your date to when it is most convenient for you (within reason, of course). Average NYC Winter Moving Costs (by Apartment Size)Apartment SizeWinter Move CostPeak Season Cost% Savings Compared to SummerStudio$250 \u2013 $400$350 \u2013 $550\u2248 25% \u2013 30%1 Bedroom$400 \u2013 $700$550 \u2013 $950\u2248 20% \u2013 25%2 Bedroom$700 \u2013 $1,100$900 \u2013 $1,400\u2248 15% \u2013 20%3+ Bedroom$1,200+$1,500+\u2248 15% \u2013 20% Of course, a move in the winter in NYC comes with its own set of challenges. However, this handy guide should hopefully prepare you for the worst that New York can throw at you. Preparation is the key to success in moving, whether in the winter or warmer months. While hiring movers definitely makes things easier, you should still keep the following in mind: Your Move-in Date. Generally, during the winter months, movers won\u2019t be as busy as during peak moving season. With that said, if you\u2019re planning to move on a holiday, such as January 1, it might be difficult to find a company that will be available very early in the morning. With that said, you\u2019ll want to start as early as possible, as days are much shorter in the winter. Make sure you have everything packed and ready to go before the movers arrive. While some can pack for you, for a smooth move, it\u2019s easier on .0everyone to have everything completed. Some buildings, including most with doormen, might not allow moves during the holidays. Before setting the date with a moving company, make sure to contact building management to ensure you can move in. The Weather in New York City experiences a variety of weather, but winter tends to be the hardest as you need to contend with snow, freezing rain, and slush. All of this leads to dangerous road conditions. Even if it doesn\u2019t snow on moving day, a large snowstorm a few days later can still make for a challenging environment, even for professional movers. Although you can\u2019t control the weather, you can take measures to make the winter move go as smoothly as possible:Make sure that your sidewalks are safe. Talk to your builder.0ding management the day before and make sure that they are clear of ice and snow.Keep an eye on the traffic flow and plot out a few routes to get from your apartment to your new place. While movers will have GPS, often these provide the most direct route and don\u2019t necessarily take into account recent construction or accidents.Put some plastic runners or some other protective item on the floor in your old and new apartments. While you might not be able to completely avoid muddy footprints, you can at least reduce them.Cover your boxes and furniture to ensure everything stays dry. If you expose your items to moisture for a long time, they can get moldy, and you\u2019ll need to throw them out. Take the time to double-wrap everything. You should take these precautions even if the movers you use provide materials and supplies. Better safe than sorry! Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Movers in WinterFactorDIY MoveProfessional MoversAverage Cost$250 \u2013 $400 (truck rental, supplies)$500 \u2013 $800 (full-service)Time Required6\u201310 hours3\u20135 hoursPhysical EffortHigh\u2013lifting, packing, drivingLow \u2013 handled by trained crewInjury RiskHigh (slippery sidewalks, heavy lifting)Low (professionals with equipment)Equipment AccessLimited (rental dolly, straps)Full (ramps, blankets, trolleys, truck lift)Winter SafetyLow \u2013 no liability insuranceHigh – insured and experienced moversStress LevelHighLowBest ForSmall local moves on clear daysLarger or long-distance winter moves Self-Preparation Even if you don\u2019t have to deal with the snow, the one thing you do need to manage in the winter is the cold. Although cold weather doesn\u2019t directly affect the circumstances around the move, you do want to make sure that you have your utilities set up in advance. That way, you can turn on the heat once you reach the new home rather than waiting a few days in the cold. Dress appropriately for the weather with a warm jacket and some layers. More importantly, make sure that you\u2019re flexible. Depending on the conditions, the movers might take longer than expected, so make sure to keep that in mind. You may end up at your apartment before your movers, so be sure to have some necessities on hand. Of course, there might be times when your items arrive before you. In that case, make sure you have a storage unit available for them so that the movers are not waiting for you. Ideally, you should keep in contact with the movers so you know where they are in the process. This way, you can arrive at the same time or slightly earlier to ensure you can let them in. Don\u2019t DIY There aren\u2019t too many people who enjoy the actual process of packing and moving everything. If you are one of the rare few who do, it\u2019s still a good idea to hire a professional to move. Besides ensuring all of your valuables are packed and wrapped properly, they will also handle all of the logistics for you. This could include:COI for buildings that require themMoving insurance coverage for lost or damaged property \u2013 just make sure you have an inventory sheet listing and evidence of the previous conditions of your goodsLiability insurance in case of damages to the property \u2013 while landlords can come after you should the movers damage your old or new apartment, the movers you use should be insured, which means you can legally have them cover the damages.Besides this, there are also the mental and physical problems that arise from moving. Many people injure themselves trying to move heavy boxes and furniture, and this issue only increases during the winter months, as you then need to deal with slippery sidewalks and poor road conditions. So, save yourself the headache and hire a professional who can handle the challenges that winter throws at them. Moving in the winter in NYC doesn\u2019t have to be a hassl,e so long as you prepare properly. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0"},{"@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 Move in the Winter in NYC","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/move-in-winters-in-nyc\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]