Moving can be very stressful and overwhelming for most people. What could make moving anxiety worse is not knowing where to start especially if you're moving to a different city. Unfamiliar territory means new everything which can get scary at a times. Moving to a busy city such as NYC is definitely “one for the books”. You should have an idea of the cheapest time to move to NYC.
The city is very busy, there are people everywhere all the time from tourists to students, residents and of course MAJOR traffic.
Do proper research regarding everything about your move, the area, commuting, the moving laws of NYC, and the best and the most affordable times to move. This will help prepare you mentally so you aren’t overwhelmed once moving day comes. We will be discussing the cheapest/ most affordable times to move to NYC and hopefully help you save money.
Plan your move ahead of time
It is advisable to start planning your move once you find out what the best time to move is or rather the cheapest time to move. Planning will help relieve anxiety in a long run. Making sure you plan has many benefits and helps you get more organized. You will be prepared for the move.
Once you know your moving date, start asking friends and/or family to avail themselves to help you pack when you officially start packing everything. Extra hands are always a good idea.
It may be hard to plan as understandably sometimes when someone needs to move, they will do so anyway no matter the season. Moving companies will most likely help with answering questions about the best and worst times to move. That’ll help give you somewhat of a guide to gauge your move.
Always be careful about choosing the time of year and/or season when making moving plans, but if you're trying to save some money then winter would be the best and cheapest time for you to move to NYC.
Do not dismiss winter as an option to move
Winter is very cold in NYC and may be very unpleasant, to say the least, however, this is the best time to move as it has a few advantages. This season is the off-peak season for moving companies. This means you will save some money and will be able to get the best moving company of your choice without worrying about the company being fully booked.
We understand that you may have doubts or concerns about moving during winter, but also keep in mind these few points:
- Moving in winter may not be such a bad idea as it doesn’t snow every day. You may be lucky and get a sunny day on the date of your move.
- Daylight is shorter in winter which is a good thing because most moving companies recommend starting off the move early to avoid traffic all year round.
- Be very cautious on the roads. This is because of snow and ice which make driving challenging and may require your moving company to be extra vigilant. This may take a little bit more time to get to the location, however, it shouldn’t discourage you. A professional moving company will know how to best handle the situation.
If you decide on moving by yourself, you need to be extra careful and make sure you have enough time to go back and forth during traffic. We wouldn’t advise this because winter weather is not ideal. Moving companies are great for this reason. They will handle all the logistics so you don't worry about the back and forth. If your budget doesn’t “allow” you to hire a moving company, then ask friends for extra transportation to avoid multiple trips and traffic.“For those looking to find an apartment, you’re actually in luck. February is seasonally the cheapest month in New York” the RentHop study said. “Rental prices start to increase in early May and peak around June/July/August. Rents start to taper again starting in October, before reaching a low in February” RentHop says.
Move mid-month
This could ultimately be the best thing to do to save money during the move. Most people will probably opt to move on weekends and at the end of the month. So if you can, avoid that at all costs.
The best time to move is in the middle of the month. This is because fewer people are moving in the middle of the month. If you’d rather move at the end of the month, start packing your stuff into boxes during the month. This will help you not forget the most important things. Also, take note of public holidays during the month as you don’t want to plan a move and end up disappointed. Most moving companies are usually closed on public holidays.
Another great tip is to move early morning to avoid NYC traffic. Early morning during winter is typically still dark outside, that's great because a lot of people are still probably sleeping or just got up to get ready for the day. This is why it is best early. Take advantage of the cheapest time to move to NYC.
Moving around fall and spring
Fall and Spring season time is the next “best” times to move if you’d rather not move in winter. We know snowy days and cold aren’t ideal conditions to move for most people because let’s face it, who wants to be out in the cold, moving furniture and worrying about the weather?
The great thing about moving around this time is that the market is usually down meaning renting and moving will be much cheaper compared to summer. So taking advantage of this is advisable. This applies to both moving in and out of NYC.
Apartments usually stay on the market longer during the off-peak season. Always try to negotiate the price with your landlord or leasing officer. To do this successfully, make sure the place you want to move in has been on the market for a few weeks. It's not advisable to negotiate for a newly listed apartment/house as it is unlikely that you’ll be successful at that. Remember landlords are trying to fill the apartments and make money at the same time, so don't expect a “free for all” when negotiating.
Also, find out if you can get rent-free months during the off-peak season and a longer lease. Always negotiate to get the best price that’s within your budget. Negotiating could also get you your “desired” apartment
Work with a realtor/ agent
If you can’t or don’t want to deal with the stress and anxiety of searching for the perfect place for you, use a trusted agency to help guide you. This helps a lot especially if you don't have time to be looking around. Hiring an agency will make things easier because you can tell the agent exactly what you want and your budget. They will always make sure to find something that suits your needs.
Agents are not free so you’ll have to pay a certain fee. If you can’t afford one, then best to search for listings online and filter out exactly what you need. That’s the great thing about the internet. You can narrow everything down to exactly what you need. If you do go for an agent, make sure you find a reliable one. Asking for referrals from friends and family would be the best option.
The next best thing would be to read online reviews. Do your research just to make sure you find a reliable agency. Finding an agency could be the best decision especially if you’re not familiar with the area. Agencies know exactly what and where to look for the best prices and places within your budget.
Conclusion
Apartments in New York City generally stay on the market longer so negotiating may work to your advantage. New York City is a beautiful, busy city to live in. Despite all the beauty, we understand that it can be very stressful and difficult to find the perfect place to stay, especially a budget-friendly place. We hope this article gave you a bit more insight into planning your move for the wintertime. It is not the most ideal time and season however, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Moving to a city like New York requires compromise if you want to save.
We also hope that you now have a clearer idea of the cheapest time to move to NYC. Make sure the moving company you decide to get meets all your needs. Always remember to research and ask questions before you make that move.
Capital City Movers are always available to answer any questions you may have. For a moving quote, with a guaranteed quick response from Capital City Movers, please visit our website or give us a call at (718) 619 4881.
Get a FREE Quote Today!
Send Us An Email
High-Quality Services
Local Moving
Moving you across town with care, like family.
Long Distance
We proudly state, we are the best choice for your upcoming move!
Commercial Moving
Heard about us before? Join the club and enjoy the benefits.
International Freight Solution
We post weekly content, make sure to check it out!
Storage
Let’s get in touch and solve your moving needs.
White Glove Service
Browse a plethora of services we can provide you with!
Handyman Services
We proudly state, we are the best choice for your upcoming move!
Packing & Unpacking
We post weekly content, make sure to check it out!