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Moving from Queens to Manhattan – How to Make the Move Successful

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Whether you are relocating your household, business, or vehicle, moving is a stressful process. It usually involves a lot of details and there is a great chance that you will get overwhelmed by everything you need to do. That’s exactly why you need to arrange the tasks involved in a moving process according to priority. When moving from Queens to Manhattan, the most important tip is to find trustworthy movers who are thoroughly experienced in both boroughs. And Roadway Moving is Yelp’s #1 professional moving company in NYC.

two moving trucks
The most important thing when it comes to moving from Queens to Manhattan is finding an experienced and trustworthy moving company.

Each neighborhood has its own unique set of challenges, and you don’t want a small mover who might hold up the process on your big day. As representatives of the best and most trustworthy moving professionals, we’re a good place to start for your free quote. If you decide to make your move from Queens to Manhattan, we’d love to share with you some universal tips and bits of info that will help to make it easier. After all, we believe every moving day should be a celebration.

What We’ve Learned – Experienced Movers from Queens to Manhattan

So you have decided to make the leap from the largest borough in New York City to the “center of the universe,” Manhattan. While there are a ton of reasons to want to move and live in Queens – the incredible diversity, amazing food choices, the Mets, Flushing Meadows Park, Astoria, and more – there is something equally as special about Manhattan.

Your move from Queens to Manhattan might be to experience a new borough, or as the result of a job change, raise, or promotion. Most New Yorkers dream of ending up in Manhattan one day, and there are many reasons why.

Why consider Moving from Queens to Manhattan?

When people say “The city that never sleeps,” they are talking about Manhattan. Here you will find world-class restaurants and the top chefs in the industry. You’ll bask in the shadows of the most amazing, glistening skyscrapers of any city. And you’ll be energized by the bustle and liveliness of the 24/7 wonder that is Manhattan.

Whether you’ll be renting a flat or apartment or you are buying and moving into your forever home, there are going to be some steps to take to make a move to Manhattan worry-free. Every neighborhood has its quirks whether you’re moving to the Upper West Side, Midtown, Tribeca, West Village, Chelsea, or the Upper East Side. There’s a quick pace in this borough and you’ll want to be one step ahead of it on moving day. Organization and good communication with your local moving companies will save you time and money.

Start Preparing for the Move

As you already may be aware, moving consists of various stages. This means that any action in the moving process should have a time frame. If you want your move to go as smoothly as possible, organizing is the key.  You should categorize the tasks from the most to least urgent. It would be best if you could complete them in the time frame you set because otherwise, tasks will pile up, and you may not be able to finish them before moving day arrives. So, the best way you can divide your tasks is to put them into categories such as:

  • Tasks that should be done as soon as possible – for example, finding a moving company is essential when it comes to moving from Queens to Manhattan
  • A couple of weeks before the move – you should focus on preparing your possessions for the move
  • A week before the move – it’s best that you check the moving regulations for your building to avoid any surprises on moving day
  • On moving day – do a final check on your boxes and make sure you didn’t leave anything behind

a cardboard box
Make sure you start preparing for the move on time and place each moving task in a time frame.

Make a Checklist for Moving Tasks

It would be best if you could create a checklist of all the moving tasks that you need to complete. Take a piece of paper and write down everything that you need to do. Keeping in mind the categories we mentioned above, write down anything you can think of. This way, you won’t forget anything important.

You can even create a folder on your laptop just for moving. Put all the details in that file so it’s all in one place. Put the receipts, important contacts, house documents, personal documents, etc. You’ll see how important it is to keep those files organized. You can even put your checklist here to make everything easy to reach. To help you out, we’ve written and explained some of the most important moving tasks. So keep on reading.

Searching for Available Moving Companies to Help You with Moving from Queens to Manhattan

Searching for available residential moving companies falls into the immediate action category. It’s something that you need to do as soon as you decide that you are going to move. That way, you can book a moving date that will ideally be eight weeks later. That way you can be sure you will have enough time to complete the moving preparations.

Moving Quotes

The best way to look for a moving company is to read the reviews of the customers. Nothing can tell you more about a business than satisfied customers. However, don’t book the first Manhattan moving company you come across. The best idea would be to get moving estimates from at least three moving companies. You need to carefully select movers and ensure that you found someone with the best recommendations and years of experience. Once you select the companies, narrow down your search by comparing the prices of their services.

man holding a blue heart advert
We recommend getting moving estimates from at least three professional moving companies before you choose which one to hire to help you with your relocation.

Once you set the moving date, you will need to get the estimates, see the terms and conditions and take care of other details. Moving quotes are usually provided for free by the experts from the moving company you choose. Make sure your expectations and needs are clear before you sign any contract with the movers. There are several types of estimates so ensure that you get information about them first. You will be able to find it on the company’s official website.

Plan Your Moving Budget

The best idea for creating a moving budget would be to consult your accountant or insurance agent. You’ll find it very helpful to know how much money you have at your disposal. By selecting an amount for moving, you’ll be preparing mentally for the cost of the move. And more importantly, if you have a moving budget, you will know whether are going to get additional moving services like packing, storage, or white glove moving NYC. If you need any of them, you should inform the movers as soon as you set a moving date.

Researching Your New Neighborhood

We imagine you’ve already found a new home for yourself. And if you haven’t had the chance to research your new neighborhood yet, now is a perfect time. You should take the time to find out where you are going to get your essentials, groceries, and more. Also, it would be a good idea to look for schools, a doctor, a vet, etc. Don’t forget that you should transfer your records as soon as possible. When you find the places we mention, don’t wait to transfer your school records and doctor records. It’s easy to forget these things so it’s best to do it right away.

picture of NYC at night
Take the time to get to know your new neighborhood since it can help you settle in better after the move.

You may as well look for places to practice your favorite hobbies. It doesn’t have to be online, you can have some fun exploring in person by visiting your new neighborhood. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite place to hand out sooner than you may think. And last but not least, try to meet some of the neighbors. It will help you to adapt to the new surroundings easier and maybe make the period after the move less stressful.

Organizing Your Belongings for moving from Queens to Manhattan

This is something you should begin doing a couple of weeks before moving day. You will need to make a plan about how you are going to move your possessions and whether you are going to need all of them. The best way to start is by decluttering. That may as well be one of the most important stages of moving. A good idea would be to make a list of the things you are going to move to your new home and the ones that you are best to leave behind. You wouldn’t want to take something you don’t need and clutter the new house immediately.

preparations for moving from Queens to Manhattan
It’s best to start preparing your belongings a couple of weeks before the move. Declutter, sort and organize!

A fun way to declutter would be to have a yard sale. It’s a good way of getting rid of anything that you no longer need. You can even make some money that you can use to pay the movers later on. Don’t forget to throw away items that can no longer be fixed or are completely useless. If it turns out that you have something that can still be of some use but you don’t want it anymore, consider donating it to the Red Cross or any other type of charity.

Creating an Inventory List for Moving from Queens to Manhattan

Then, when you finish selecting the things you are going to take with you, consider making a catalog that will serve as an inventory list. Of course, you don’t have to write down each and every item you own. Creating an inventory catalog can be as simple as taking pictures with your phone. And it’s an even better solution than an actual list. Because if you have pictures, you will have proof of the condition your belongings were in before transportation to your desired destination. It can really come in handy in case there is any damage to your belongings. The catalog will save you time if you need to collect insurance.

Don’t Forget the Items That Need Special Attention

When preparing your belongings for the move, you mustn’t forget about the ones that maybe need a different kind of approach. Some of your belongings may be more valuable and fragile than others. Therefore, they require a different treatment. Something that you might need to provide is special packages or different methods of transportation. This is why it’s important to plan their move in advance. And when it comes to things that are perishable, keep in mind that you cannot relocate them. If you have any vegetables, fruit, or other groceries, it’s best to finish them or give them to someone in need.

Buying Packing Material

It’s always best to start early on. If you decided not to hire moving and storage Queens professionals to help you with packing your belongings, it is a task that you will have to complete yourself. When you start packing early, you are most likely to avoid any surprises later on. That is, it would be best to prepare everything before your movers arrive. It means that you should sort your possessions by room or by category to make it easier for the movers to load your stuff onto the truck. And don’t forget to label the boxes!

The importance of quality moving equipment is a given. Professional packers know this. And if you are going to buy the supplies yourself, it’s something you should be well aware of too. You can order the supplies online or find another way to do so. A good idea would be to ask your local supermarket if they have some cardboard boxes to spare. It’s a good way to save a couple of dollars wherever you can. When buying moving supplies, it’s best to stick to the essentials. Those would be cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper. Other supplies you definitely need are markers, labels, scissors, and duct tape, but you don’t have to buy them. Everybody has them lying around somewhere around the house.

Change the Address for Utilities

You need to make sure that you change the address for the internet, phone, cable, water, electricity, trash, and other utilities. If you don’t notify your provider’s company on time, you won’t get your bills. And you may have trouble later on because of that. Since you are moving from Queens to Manhattan, you might be able to use the same providers, but you will have to notify them either way.

a person holding bills
It may be a small task, but informing your utility providers about the relocation is one of the most important things you need to do before the move.

Building Moving Times

As moving day approaches, the first thing you’ll want to figure out is what the moving policies are for the building you are leaving and for the building you are moving into. Most management companies have set moving times where the dock and/or doors are open and moving trucks and residential or commercial movers NYC are allowed. Contact the management to set the date and time for your movers to either load or unload. Keep in mind to consider the amount of time it will take to load the truck in Queens, travel to Manhattan, get through traffic, and make it to your next residence.

Parking Moving Trucks in Queens and Manhattan

Consider that Manhattan is also the center of the universe when it comes to traffic and limited parking. Most reputable movers will leave the driver in the truck to avoid getting parking tickets. While this means one less person actually on the ground helping, it helps you not have to pay any parking fines. This is because movers are allowed to ask the client to pay if they receive parking tickets. So, learn the parking regulations for your neighborhood in Queens and your new neighborhood in Manhattan. It’s critical to be able to get the truck to access your buildings efficiently. Make sure your movers have a good understanding of New York’s Local Truck Route Network as well. These are the roads designated for truck use throughout New York City.

a parked moving truck
It’s crucial that you check before moving day where your movers can park their trucks.

Building Setups for Moves

The next piece of information you’ll want to gather is what is available to you inside of the buildings for moving. If there is a service elevator, let your movers know. Also, let them know if it’s a walk-up and how many flights of stairs there are. Sometimes buildings have dollies you can use for larger items or they want you to lay down cardboard to protect the floor. Find out the rules so you don’t have any building fines to deal with on your way out of your old place, or when trying to make a good impression in your new spot.

Other Tenants Moving In and Out

Ideally, you can find a moving day where there are no other tenants moving in and out. Space is always at a premium, and that means pivoting a couch in a stairwell (like the famous Friends episode) can cause a serious moving traffic jam. Since some movers charge by the hour, that can mean more money out of your pocket or the possibility of going past the allowable moving time for your building. Then you might need to pay for storage and for the company to come back with the rest of your stuff at another time.

Ensure You Apply for Your Leaves on Time

If you aren’t going to quit your current job, you may want to apply for a 2-3 day leave from work in order prepare for moving day and settle in at your new home. It’s a quick and simple task, but if you forget to do it, you might not be able to move without losing your job. It’s best to have a day off on moving day so you can do it without any additional stress. That way, you will have more time to concern yourself with packing, transportation, moving, and setting up everything at your new place. And if you forget to ask for leave in advance, it’s not likely any boss would deny you a few days off, but it’s basic manners to ask beforehand.

Last-minute Tips for Moving Day

When the moving day comes, make sure everything is appropriately packed and loaded onto the moving truck. Check every room to se whether you left anything behind. Next, you’ll want to sign the inventory forms and confirm the new address and contact details with your movers. And last but not least, make sure you pack an overnight bag with the thing you will need for the first night at your new home.

a purple moving truck
On moving day, check everything to make sure you loaded all of the boxes onto the moving truck and didn’t leave anything behind.

Best Movers for Moving from Queens to Manhattan

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be fully prepared to handle your moving from Queens to Manhattan. We know how things can get when it comes to moving days in New York City. That’s why you need to work with someone experienced to make moving from Queens to Manhattan hassle-free. In fact, make it fun! Make it a celebration. It’s what we do at Roadway Moving. We hope you get in touch with us today to hear how we can help.

 

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