Changing locations in NYC may look like an easy task. Even though you might be relocating just a couple of blocks, there are plenty of things that can go wrong when moving in NYC. My goal is to inform you and prepare you, so you can have a safe, easy, and quick relocation!

Things that can go wrong when moving in NYC

I’m not trying to frighten you here, but understanding the reality of the situation is crucial. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the more common things that can go wrong when moving in NYC:

  • taking the move lightly
  • hiccups when selling your old place
  • rental issues
  • not hiring a good moving company
  • not knowing your moving budget
  • failing to explore the neighborhood beforehand
  • moving during a rush hour
  • taking too many things with you
  • failing to get moving insurance can be one of the serious things that can go wrong when moving in NYC
A drawing of a person who multitasks.

When relocating on your own, it might seem like too much to take for a single person. Mistakes are bound to happen.

Let us see each of these problems in more detail.

Taking the move lightly

Short relocations only seem to be quick and easy. No matter where you are moving, you should never take lightly the preparation process. There are plenty of things that can go wrong when moving in NYC. With that in mind, planning and organizing your relocation in NYC is always a priority. Everything from deciding on a moving date, sorting and packing your belongings, and planning the moving route requires an equal amount of attention. If you allow yourself to relax before everything is ready, mistakes are bound to happen.

Hiccups when selling your old place

Even though New York is a hot location for everyone, sometimes it’s not so easy to sell a place. The cost is usually high, and it can happen that you must wait for some time to find the buyer for the price you want. That can cause a problem if you counted on that money as a part of your moving budget. However, there are plenty of tips for selling your NYC apartment that will speed up the process.

Rental issues

If you are moving to a rented apartment, you should be aware of the problems you might face as a rental tenant in NYC. Making this change is often something people must do when facing a financial issue. If you are in a tight spot with money and preparing for a move, you probably won’t even think about issues that await after the relocation.

Nevertheless, every problem has its solution. The key factor is to be aware of what can happen!

Not hiring a good moving company

Even though you might be moving just around the corner, finding a good moving company is of utmost importance. Even a short move can cause a lot of issues. With that in mind, it is good to have someone do all the hard work for you.

With quality movers, you don’t have to think about packing, loading and unloading boxes in and out of the truck, and much more. However, there is another problem that might arise here.

Not calculating your moving budget

Even if you go with quality movers, you must always think about your moving budget. It is easy to spend more than you initially planned. With that in mind, always know where your spending limit is, and plan accordingly. Prioritize when spending, and decide what can you do on your own, and what requires professional help.

A drawing of a person calculating financial budget.

Not calculating your budget is just one out of many things that can go wrong when moving in NYC.

Avoid fraudulent moving companies

Hiring expensive movers might damage your budget. However, out of all the things that can go wrong when moving in NYC, if you accidentally run into a scammer company, that can be even worse. The safety of your entire family might be in jeopardy. Always check if your chosen movers have proper licensing. Even better, check testimonials and recommendations from previous customers. That is the best way to make sure you’ve picked the right company for you.

Failing to explore the neighborhood

Moving to another neighborhood in NYC might give you a false feeling of knowing the city. If you never went there before, it is smart to explore it before the move. Learning the layout of the streets and where major important buildings like grocery shops and hospitals are is crucial for every relocation.

People usually plan only the move, but one of the smartest things you can do is plan a few days after the move. That will help you in settling in.

Moving during a rush hour

New York is a busy city. Streets are always crowded with people, and rush hours are common during the day. When changing neighborhoods, carefully plan the timing of the move, so you avoid being caught in one. Otherwise, you are risking that a short relocation turns into a tedious drag that never ends.

Taking too many things with you

When moving within a city, it often seems that you are staying in the same place. Sure, you are moving to a different apartment, but everything else stays the same. Short relocations often don’t look like a big change. Thanks to that, you will probably pack all of your belongings for the move, even those you don’t use any longer.

A drawing of movers packing boxes to a moving truck.

Packing all of your belongings to a moving truck is not always smart, first, get rid of what you don’t use.

Any relocation is an opportunity to declutter and get rid of unwanted things. Even more, if you are downsizing to a smaller apartment. You won’t realize that you have less space until it’s too late.

Always stay alert when moving in NYC!

And there you have it! With so many things that can go wrong when moving in NYC, it is smart to always stay alert. Do not take the move lightly. It is better to overprepare than to miss a couple of important steps and pay the hefty price later. With that in mind, I wish you happy planning and a safe move!