Many people are afraid to move during the winter months in New York City, which is completely understandable. After all, how are you supposed to lug around boxes while wearing mittens? What if a snowstorm hits right on moving day? Won’t it take movers longer?
Those are certainly legitimate concerns about winter moving, but they shouldn’t deter you from planning a move to a new home during winter in NYC. With a little effort and some helpful tips, you’ll find that winter moves can actually have its advantages and be much less stressful than another time of year.
So to help ease your anxiety and get you excited about moving in the winter, here is a list of winter moving tips NYC to keep in mind when planning your next move. Follow these tips for moving in winter to ensure a smooth moving experience.
Why Moving In Winter Is A Smart Decision
One of the main reasons that people decide not to move during the winter months is because they’re worried about how it will get done. Unfortunately, the weather can be a major obstacle to even the most prepared movers, and many people have had to delay their move or reschedule entirely because of rain, snow, or other bad weather.
But moving in winter can actually be easier than moving during any other time of the year. As long as you prepare for the worst weather situations and take the proper precautions, you shouldn’t have any problems moving during the cold winter months. There are more than a few reasons why moving in winter can be a smart decision.
For one, fewer movers are available in summer. Moving companies are often flooded with job requests and it can be difficult to find a moving company with availability on your preferred dates.
However, since moving companies are less likely to be busy during the winter, it’s often easier to find a moving company that can accommodate your schedule during the slow season. This helps you avoid the stress of trying to find a moving company that’s available to move on your requested date.
You’ll also benefit from less traffic on the roads during winter in NYC, which is potentially easier for a moving truck to navigate. Since the weather is colder in the winter, many people choose to stay at home instead of going out for recreational activities such as shopping and sightseeing. This means that less people are out on the roads, making for a faster commute when moving trucks pass through residential neighborhoods.
This also makes it easier to get your items loaded onto the truck, saving you both time and money.
Speaking of money, winter moves often have lower prices than other busier moving seasons. Since the winter season is slower for most moving companies, they tend to offer lower prices in order to attract new customers. In some cases, you can get 10% or more off your moving costs simply by booking your move during the off season.
This is especially useful if you have a lot of items that need to move from one place to another.
Is It Okay To Move During Winter?
Yes! Even though winter might seem like an inconvenient time to move, it’s actually a great time to relocate. No matter what season you move in, there’s always a risk of inclement weather.
Just like any other aspect of a move, getting your winter move right just takes a bit of planning for considerations that specifically apply to the winter season. You’d be doing the same thing during spring, fall, and summer, just for different seasonal challenges.
What To Know About Moving In The Winter?
Though winters in New York can be brutal, it’s still an excellent time to make a move – you just have to know what to expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning a move during the winter months to give you some peace of mind:
You’ll need to anticipate the weather and plan accordingly. Cold weather isn’t unusual in New York City, so be sure to pack extra blankets, coats, gloves, and other warm clothing so you’ll feel comfortable while on the move. Also, keep in mind that snow and ice will slow down the loading and unloading process and cause minor delays. If you do run into problems with the weather during your move, your movers will work with you to try and find a solution that fits your schedule.
20 NYC Winter Moving Tips
1. Take Advantage Of Discounts
During the wintertime, many moving companies will offer special discounts to lure in potential customers. Do your research and compare the different rates offered by different professional movers before making a final decision. Compare services between companies too, don’t just look at the price.
2. Call Your Moving Company Ahead Of Time
Try to plan your move as early as possible to minimize the risk of being affected by bad weather or traffic. Sometimes last minute moves are unavoidable, but making arrangements ahead of time can ensure that your move goes smoothly and on time.
3. Make Sure All Items Are Safe For Transport
When you’re packing moving boxes for your move, make sure you label them carefully so that any fragile items will be properly handled. Take extra care when packing fragile items and don’t be shy with the bubble wrap. It never hurts to double wrap your items! A professional moving company can also help you with packing for a truly stress-free experience, just check with them about specific moving services.
4. Bring A Snow Shovel
Do yourself a favor and bring a large snow shovel with you so that you can clear a path on walkways for your belongings outside if necessary. This will come in handy especially when it’s snowing or raining. Also, it’s always handy to have a few ice scrapers for your car and the moving vehicle.
5. Stay Hydrated
Make sure to keep plenty of fluids on hand during the moving process to avoid dehydration. It’s especially important to keep yourself hydrated when the weather is cold and the weather conditions make sweating more difficult.
6. Pack A Warm Lunch
Keep a hot meal ready in a separate container to eat when you’re feeling drained and cold. This will replenish your energy and keep your body warm throughout the move.
7. Warm Up With A Hot Drink
Take a break from the cold by warming up with a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. If you’re feeling a bit chilly, this is a great way to warm up before finishing off your moving day.
8. Dress Appropriately (Layers!)
It’s important to dress appropriately in warm clothes for wintery weather when you’re moving in order to avoid getting sick or injured. Wear warm layers of clothing and ensure that your shoes have adequate traction to prevent slips and falls on the ice. Remember to wear gloves to avoid getting frostbite and protect your face from the elements with a scarf or face mask, especially when you’re doing any heavy lifting.
9. Never Leave Children Unattended In The Car
Never leave children unattended in the car during the winter. The temperature inside a car can quickly drop below freezing. Ideally, family members can help watch them while you move.
10. Buy Tarps And Plastic Sheets
Keep some tarps and plastic sheets handy to cover your stuff if the weather turns bad during your move. This will allow you to keep moving no matter what the weather is like outside.
11. Check Your Vehicle Before You Go
Make sure you don’t forget to check your vehicle before you head out on your next drive to ensure that everything is in good working order and that the tires have plenty of tread to prevent skidding in the snow.
12. Turn The Heat On In Your New Home
Make sure that you have the heat and other utilities set up and ready to go before you move in so that you don’t arrive at your new house cold and uncomfortable. If that’s not possible, at least have a space heater you can use in the meantime.
13. Pack All Essentials In One Bag
Keep your essential items together in one bag so that you have easy access to them in case your bags are lost or stolen during the move. Store all of your important documents in this bag as well and make sure that the bag stays with you at all times during your move. It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand just in case, as well as flashlights.
14. Make A Plan
Plan your move. Think about all of the different variables that could affect your move and then come up with a plan to minimize the impact of these variables on your move. For example, if the weather is rainy or snowy on your moving date, make sure you have a backup plan such as an indoor storage unit where you can store your furniture and belongings until the weather clears. The last thing you want is to have something come up when you’re long-distance moving that could’ve been avoided.
15. Expect Things To Take Longer
Moves are complicated enough without having to worry about winter weather and wintery conditions. You may need to set aside extra time to complete your move when the weather outside is inclement. Try to plan ahead so that you can minimize the impact of the winter weather on your move and make the entire process as smooth as possible.
16. Look For High-Quality Packing Supplies
Make sure that all of your packing supplies are high-quality and strong so that they will hold up well to the winter elements.
17. Clear Snow From Driveways And Parking Areas
Be sure to clear the snow from the driveways and parking areas around your old home before movers arrive so that it will be easier to pick up and move your belongings from the building. This will make it less likely that your belongings will be damaged in the snow or that you will have any issues getting into your new home.
18. Plan For Your Pets
If you have pets, be sure to plan for them. If you have a dog, you will need to make arrangements for them while you are moving so that they can be taken care of while you relocate, especially when it’s cold outside.
Check out our guide on how to plan a move with pets.
19. Protect Your Belongings From The Cold
During the winter months, temperatures can get very low, which can make your home very cold if you have moved during the winter season. Be sure to protect your possessions from damage from the cold temperatures by wrapping them in blankets or thick plastic and moving them into the home as quickly as possible.
20. Think About Storage Options
If it’s not possible to get all of your belongings into your new apartment right away because of the cold weather, you may need to think about using storage options temporarily while you wait for the weather to improve and your belongings to be delivered.