When it comes to the ordeal of moving to a new apartment, most if not all of Manhattan’s residents utter a collective, frustrated sigh as they ponder the various inconveniences that go hand-in-hand with this undertaking. This could of course be due to the fact that in New York City a host of extra complications arise, whether one is moving into a new luxury rental or a condominium, including but not limited to: street-cleaning restrictions, regulations concerning the use of the apartment building’s elevator, and of course, the oft encountered, always dreaded narrow doorways, most often associated with pre-war buildings. As Susan Stellin explains in her NY Times article, moving has, if anything, become even more complicated, transforming what had previously been an annoyance into an almost full-fledged problem.
They creep. They crawl. They bite...even if, before bedtime, we wish our loved ones a safe journey into the land of dreams. Bed bugs have become an issue in NYC, but there are in fact precautions one can take when in the process of moving. Wrapping your mattress and bed-spring in plastic is an excellent way to combat these pests. Another option is doing a search on the website for American Moving and Storage Association, which provides information concerning the practices of a variety of moving companies within Manhattan.
There is, however, an even larger issue pertaining to the moving process. Rogue movers, aided by internet marketing, are popping up almost daily, offering to help those moving into new Manhattan apartments but in reality scamming them out of their money. Once again, turning to the American Moving and Storage Association is the prudent move, as they have a “pro-mover” certification program which entails rigorous background checks. Delving deeper, the legitimate movers within New York must obtain licenses from the State Department of Transportation, and checking with their website can also aid in the selection process. In other words, do not simply do a web search with a moving company’s name; it can be effective, but checking with one of the above organizations is the type of due diligence that will most likely make your move easier. When in doubt, trust the professionals. The risks outweigh the rewards of saving a few dollars on a cheaper mover. Potential damage, including but not limited to scratches and dents in the hallway will cost far more than the money saved on an unprofessional company. Furthermore, many of these fringe operations find ways to charge customers extra, and in some cases have even been known to hold people’s possessions hostage while demanding more money.
Of course, aside from picking the right moving company, it is also important to learn the various rules of your new Manhattan apartment building. Many, if not most have a host of restrictions as pertaining to the times in which one is allowed to move in, the amount of weight permitted within the elevator, and even the parking outside. Parking can be a huge problem, as different neighborhoods themselves may have specific rules. Chelsea, for example, may have very different regulations than, say, The Upper East Side. Research is key, and is nearly if not just as important as safely packing your belongings. Moving into a new home is already tough enough, so one should make sure they have all of the facts before undertaking this endeavor. After all, why make an irritating process any more difficult?
