The NYC downtown cityscape, with the Empire State Building, representing renting vs buying in NYC.

Ah, New York! There’s really no city quite like it, is there? No place on Earth has quite the same dynamic, vivid lifestyle. Really – who doesn’t want to live here? This is truly the city of opportunity, in every way imaginable. But if you’re going to make it in the Big Apple – you should start wondering where you’re going to live. And this issue takes you to one of the most hotly debated topics – renting vs buying in NYC. How should you form your stance when it comes to your new NYC home? Don’t worry – we’ve got a few tips for you right here!

Why buy a home?

So, if you plan on moving to New York – you should figure out how you’re going to live there. For starters; is renting the best idea? Now, let’s be realistic here – if you’re a broke college student, this dilemma isn’t something that you really need to solve right now. In the beginning, almost everyone rents their New York home. But if you’ve been here a while, or you’ve got money you can invest in real estate; should you do it? Renting vs buying in NYC is a big question for a reason – is home-ownership really worth it? This is something you need to answer before calling for local movers NYC.

There’s a reason why people are willing to invest a lot of money into owning their homes; especially in New York! After all, think about it – home-ownership is an essential part of the American Dream. Work and study hard, and prosperity is just around the corner; which only truly manifests itself once you’ve got a home to your name. Let’s face it – few people actually view renting an apartment as an end goal in their New York careers. Instead, most try to envision a future where they’ll be paying a mortgage instead of monthly rent.

A stylized apartment living room, with a gray couch and black chairs on a white carpet. — Having your own apartment is great – but does it make financial sense?

Buying means a bigger net worth

Okay, sure – on an emotional level, we all know what we think of renting vs buying in NYC. Really, there are no two ways about it – we would all like to purchase a home of our own. But the question is – is this a good idea, financially? If you’ve got the means, should you actually invest money in real estate in New York City?

Well, in a lot of ways – yes. Remember – while even just a down payment for a New York home may set you back quite a lot; you’ll actually be increasing your net worth. If you’re unsure – your net worth is the sum of every kind of financial asset you own, minus all of your current liabilities. So why is this number important? For example, a higher net worth means you’ll be able to borrow more money at lower rates. Plus, instead of paying rent for an apartment you’ll never own – each month you’ll be paying a mortgage on something you truly own.

A street view of a downtown area with glass skyscrapers. — While buying your own place is expensive – it’ll also increase your net worth!

Renting vs buying in NYC – the other side of the coin

By now you must be wondering – so far, it seems that buying is a much better option than renting; so is the dilemma of renting vs buying in NYC even real? Well, as you’re about to see – it’s painfully real. Because while home-ownership may have its boons; there are really good arguments for renting as well. These are all kinds of things to remember when moving, but also before deciding for any living arrangement – so pay close attention.

Your money is tied up

While investing in real estate may seem like the only logical option if you have the money – you’ll find that not all people do that. Which makes the question of renting vs buying in NYC all the more difficult. For example, you can see many people with top salaries living in great rented apartments instead of buying their own; so why is that?

Well, to put it simply – buying your own home ties up your money in a big way. First of all, a mortgage payment is a lot less flexible than rent; and it’s something constantly hanging over your head. Plus, it’s not just the mortgage – there are all kinds of other secondary costs people don’t always think about. For starters, you’ll have additional maintenance costs the entire time you own that home. And all of the money you invest in your down payment and maintenance could be better invested elsewhere. While real estate is a more secure investment – it’s also less liquid. And the returns you may get on the stock market can be both bigger and quicker – so this is a legitimate dilemma.

A living room area in an apartment with white couches and an exposed brick wall. — Investing in real estate is secure – but your money is also more tied up.

You’re forced into a bigger commitment

Sure, owning a home is nice – but it’s also both expensive, and a constant chore. Because if you think of renting vs buying in NYC, and you end up buying; it’ll be awhile before you get a return on that investment. Realistically, you’ll have to live in that home for at least five to six years before you reasonably make your money back. And it’s not just about the money – if you’re someone who’s unsure whether they’ll have to move for work, this may be a bigger commitment than you can manage.

And if you’re thinking about subletting as a way of maximizing profit – that’s not a bad idea. But if you’re living in a co-op, you’ll have a board to answer to. Also, you’ll see that there are more rules about subletting than you can imagine – and they’re pretty strict. So before you buy your own home – think about all of this long and hard!

Only when you start living in NYC will you realize how big it is. From the Bronx to Brooklyn, you can experience many diverse neighborhoods. All of them are special in their own way, and each of them has their style and vibe. And while it can be interesting for a young, single person to move to NYC and explore it, having a family tends to change things. In order to have peace of mind and raise your kids in a normal environment, you need to know which are the NYC neighborhoods for families. But first, you need to be familiar with what makes solely suitable for a family.

With a bird's-eye view of New York like this one, finding NYC neighborhoods for families will be easy. — Finding NYC neighborhoods for families is something that you need to do carefully.

What makes a neighborhood suited for a family

“All happy families look alike, while the unhappy ones are unhappy in their own way.” While Tolstoy was quite right when writing this, he failed to mention that the crucial part if what makes a family happy and functioning is the environment. No family can thrive if they are in a wrong neighborhood. Therefore, just as happy families share numerous similarities, all family oriented neighborhoods are similar. Here is how to find one so you can move there with your family.

Safety

This is, arguably, the most important aspect that all NYC neighborhoods for families must have. And just like finding full-service movers, you need to know how to look. If your family is not safe you cannot function properly. You need to know that if your child goes out on the street that nothing will happen to it. It is true that no one can foresee the future and that a bolt of lightning can strike at any time. But, that doesn’t mean that you should be reckless. When you look for an NYC neighborhood for you to raise your kids in, you need to look at safety first and then look at other things. The safer a neighborhood is the more relaxed you will be.

Keeping your kids safe should be your number one priority.

Education

Next thing that you need to take into consideration is education. Proper work ethic and education are the best predictors in life success. Therefore, you need to make sure that your child gets the best education possible. Beside safety, there is nothing that is more important than this. Look into which schools are close and consider visiting them. Check out their staff and try to figure out how they teach their kids. If you think that their curriculum is to free and political, stay away. Schools are there to educate our kids about facts, not political ideologies. That is something many schools seem to have forgotten. Therefore, it is your job as a parent to keep in mind.

Other families

Another thing that will have a great impact on your child are its peers. Friends that you child makes during its development will greatly influence how it turns out. Therefore, you need to make sure that your kid is surrounded by good, intelligent people that will help it grow into a capable, honest individual. But, how do you find such people? Simple. Go to NYC neighborhoods where there are a lot of highly educated people. There you will be able to meet them and, which is more important, you will be able to organize play dates. During which your child will be able to meet competent peers that will influence them in positive ways. The more you consider the environment in which your child grows up in as a vital part of its development, the better you will be able to raise them.

Two little girls crossing a wooden bridge in a park. — Kids thrive when they have other kids to play with.

Some of the best NYC neighborhoods for families

Now that you know what makes an NYC neighborhood suited for a family, its time to give you our list of top NYC neighborhoods for families. Keep in mind though that we are solely basing this on numbers and facts. Much more then that is needed to make a valid judgment about something as important as finding a place to live in. What we recommend is that you check out these neighborhoods first before you move there. By doing so you will have a much better idea of what you are getting yourself into than any online guide could tell you.

Spuyten Duyvil

When it comes to top NYC neighborhoods for families, Spuyten Duyvil is a good place to start. Here you will find good schools, nice neighbors, and a safe environment. It is located in Bronx City and it currently has around 10.000 residents living in it.

Murray Hill

Murray Hill has a bit of a different feel to it. Here you can come if you want to have a more family lifestyle, but still want to remain close to the outgoing, young professionals. Most out of 28.000 people in Murray Hill rent their homes. This doesn’t mean that you have to, but it will be a bit harder to find a place to purchase at a reasonable price. But, if you do, you will be able to enjoy a safe environment that has a distinctly urban feel to it. Plus, you will share it with many young, liberal, educated professionals.

Prospect Heights

On the other hand, you have Prospect Heights. Here you can find a comparably calmer lifestyle. Keyword being comparable, as you are still living in NYC. And as such, you shouldn’t expect to live in a quiet neighborhood, no matter how timid it’s residents are. Here you will find good schools, safe streets, and a healthy environment. Numerous young families have moved here over the years, so you should have little trouble with finding a playdate.

Battery Park City

Finally, we come to Battery Park City. Battery Park City is often cited as one of the best NYC neighborhoods for families. And for a good reason. Here you will find awesome schools, great extra curriculum programs, safe streets, and helpful neighbors. People of Battery Park City really like their neighborhood and commit time into making it as good as it can be. Therefore you can easily expect that your child will grow up properly if you decide that Battery Park City is the right place for you.

Establishing A Functional Timeline For Your Move

When you’re planning a move, there are going to be dozens of large and small tasks ahead of you. If you ask people what they think is the most important part of your move, you’ll likely get all kinds of answers. However, professional movers will tell you that it’s creating a functional timeline for your move.For a good move, you should create a “moving checklist”. This will keep you focused and save you a ton of time.

Moving advice- Add this to your pre move plan. keep screws and bolts safe.

Basically, your moving checklist will just be a glorified “to do” list of what to do and when to do it. While there are some common elements to all moving checklists, keep in mind that each person’s situation will be unique so some customization will be required. Thankfully, most items can be easily modified to fit your needs.

Planning is the key for smooth move

Since not all moving tasks have the same priority, it’s very important to identify and highlight those items that are extremely important so they’re not lost in the hustle and bustle of everything that will be going on. For example, cleaning your bathroom has a somewhat lower priority compared with decluttering the house. This is true because making your house clutter-free is a much larger, more time-consuming task that must be done before considering allowing potential buyers to walk through your home. A bathroom can be made clean and presentable fairly quickly.

You alone will decide the prioritization of your moving tasks, so be sure to leave enough time to complete the tasks that need the most time.

Around 8 weeks before your move, you should:

Create your moving checklist.
Call Divine Moving & Storage and reserve your moving team.
Take an inventory of everything in your home, especially furniture, expensive items, and oversized items.
Consider selling, giving away, or throwing out any items you no longer need.
Create a folder of all your important move-related documentation and keep it handy.

Around 6 weeks before your move, you should:

Gather pet records, school records, and medical/dental records.
Purchase any needed packing supplies.
Complete your change of address form either online or at the post office.
Begin looking for new healthcare providers at your new destination and book any known needed appointments so you’re not waiting too long after you move.

Around 4 weeks before your move, you should:

Begin packing if you’re not using our full service packing options.
Find out which items cannot be packed or transported by our movers.
Begin preparing an “essentials” box.
Label any boxes you’re packing so you know what they contain when it’s time to unpack them in your new home.
Cancel any subscriptions, services, and memberships that can’t be transferred to your new address. Put in your change of address for the others.

Around 3 weeks before your move, you should:

Arrange termination of phone, electric, cable, internet, gas, water, and any other utility services for the day after you move.
Arrange to have these services started or transferred to you at your new destination so they’re ready on the day you move.
Make sure your oil change is up to date and complete any needed repairs or maintenance to your car.

Around 2 weeks before your move, you should:

Reach out to us and confirm everything is still good to go and update us to your status and packing progress.
Make sure your children and pets will be taken care of on moving day.

Two days before your move, you should:

Mentally review your plan for moving your valuables.
Empty, clean, and defrost your refrigerator and freezer. Dry them out and leave the doors open.
Complete any last-minute packing if needed.
Complete any other tasks you might be forgetting.

On the day before your move, you should:

Take any last-minute apartment photos.
Say your goodbyes with neighbors and friends.
Get a good night’s sleep.

On the day of your move, you should:

Make sure your alarm clock is working properly and is set for an early rise.
Take one last look around for any items you may have forgotten to pack
Greet your movers, keep communication open.
Be sure you give the correct address to your movers and include any special instructions related to driving or parking there.
Lock up when you leave.
Take pictures of the hall ways and floors to show you left everything scratch and damage free.

When you arrive/shortly after you arrive:

Begin your unpacking, unless you’ve hired us to a full-service move with unpacking and trash removal.
Register your vehicles at your new location.
Get to know your new home, surroundings, and neighbors.

Divine Moving and Storage in NYC is a full-service moving company that’s been operating in New York City since 2000. As New York’s premier moving and storage company. Divine Moving and Storage handles local moves as any storage needs for short or long term. Satisfaction is our number one priority, and we’ll treat you like family. Divine Moving and Storage is fully licensed, certified, and insured, so contact us at 212-244-4011, toll-free at 866-668-7666.

The Value-Add Of Selecting A Full-Service Moving Company

Moving is a physically, mentally, and emotionally exhaustive process. In fact, it’s typically thought to be one of the top five most stressful life events one can experience. Aside from all of the stress related to closing one contract and opening another, there are the many, many checklist items that must be accomplished. That, of course, is in addition to the actual gathering, boxing, storing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking of all of your family’s possessions. It’s quite a daunting task to complete on your own.

Most moving companies will do the basic tasks of picking up, moving, and dropping off your boxes, furniture, and household items. While this is certainly a valuable service and one that’s usually well worth the money, there’s still a tremendous amount of work in packing up all of your items into boxes. Then, of course, everything will need to be unpacked at your new residence before you can truly relax and resume your life.

A better solution, however, is to select Divine Moving and Storage a full-service moving company in NYC. It makes the entire process much easier and far less stressful, since most of the hard work is performed by our movers and not by you. This gives you time and energy to focus on the other important tasks related to your move, as well as your family and any pets who may be coming along to your new destination.

Often, when sellers are faced with the task of relocating, one of the major issues is finding a place to put all of your current stuff prior to the move. Prospective buyers will want to do a thorough walk-through of the home that’s being sold, so you’ll likely want to make it look more spacious by moving large items, personal photos, and other lesser-used items into our temporary storage.

A good full-service moving company like Divine Moving and Storage is able to offer short- and long-term storage options in a secure, temperature-controlled facility. Then, when it’s time to move, those items are accounted for and ready to go.

However, perhaps the biggest value-add of a good full-service moving company is the ability to come into your home on the day of your move and pack up everything you own into boxes by themselves. With companies offering this service, very little packing needs to be done by you prior to the move. The movers will literally do almost everything for you on moving day. It really is quite amazing!

With a consultation or two over the phone in advance, we’ll take measurements of your rooms and large items. With this knowledge, we’ll know how many boxes to bring, the exact sizes needed, and how much space everything will need in the truck. It all comes together in a fascinating, Tetris-like way and you’ll be left wondering how they did that so efficiently.

When you arrive at your new destination, you probably won’t feel like unloading furniture and boxes. You definitely won’t feel like unpacking all of your items from those boxes or reassembling and placing your heavy items up or down flights of stairs or all around your house as soon as you get there.

One of the best parts of hiring a full-service mover is letting us do all of this work for you. All you have to do is tell us where you want things unpacked or set up and we will do the job quickly. In just a few hours, your new home will be all ready for you and your family to live in. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Moving in New York City has many unique challenges that are not a part of most moves in other cities

Divine Moving and Storage in NYC is a full-service moving company that’s been operating in the city since 2000. As New York’s premier moving and storage company. Divine Moving and Storage handles local moves as well as storage relocations. We’re fully licensed, certified, and insured to perform the moving job you’re trusting us to perform and we’ll treat you like family.

Many moving companies will undoubtedly try to gouge you with fees. Some unscrupulous movers may even try to hold onto your items and jack up prices after the fact, forcing you to pay ridiculous fees just to get your own belongings returned to you and delivered to their destination.

Divine Moving and Storage values your trust and your business, so our one-time, flat rate fee includes everything. That’s right, you won’t pay extra for fuel, hourly labor, licensing and insurance, supplies, or equipment. It’s all included at no additional cost to you.

Above all, your satisfaction is the number one goal of Diving Moving and Storage. Our company thrives off of repeat customers and referrals. It takes a lot to earn a great review, so your happiness with our final result is taken very seriously.

If a New York City move is in your future, you can count on Divine Moving and Storage to handle all of your moving and relocation needs.

How to Have a Stress-Free NYC Moving Experience

Moving can be an overwhelming and demanding process. This tension can manifest in very obvious ways, or in more subtle and subconscious ways. Whether you’re moving across the city, or across the country, change is change and can be uncomfortable for anyone. There are many ways to help relieve and reduce this stress.

Plan ahead. This cannot be emphasized enough when one is moving in New York City. There are countless steps, big and small, that go into a NYC move. There more of them that you have written down and a time to tackle each one, the less bumps in the road you will hit.

Things to consider in order to have a stress-free NYC moving experience :

Shutting off utilities
Submitting address changes
Finding the right NY moving company
Choosing the right moving date

Have a back-up plan. The world is an unpredictable place, and you can’t let it ruin your big plans when it throws you a curveball. If your moving date is hit with a storm, or you suddenly fall ill, have a rain date. If there’s construction or a detour en route to your new home, make sure that you have an alternate route that is doable for your moving trucks. There’s also a rare, but possible, chance that your moving company doesn’t show up if you hired an unlicensed mover.

You can avoid any added frustration or (further) delays by having your Plan B laid out, and ready to be put into action.

Say a proper goodbye. Whether you have lived in your current place for a year, or 10 years, you called that place home. Take the time to bid adieu to it. Your transition to your new home will be a happy one if you create a positive memory of your old one.

There are many ways to do this. Take strolls through your neighborhood every day and spend time outside of your home to cherish its appearance. Think about the memories you have in your home, and even throw your home a goodbye party with some of your friends. You don’t need to “leave it all” behind just because your moving into a different place- you can take those positive thoughts and memories with you.

Go with the flow. Life is unpredictable, and if everything goes in a straight trajectory, then something must not be right. Allow yourself some breathing room when you need it. Moving in New York City can be emotional and you can slip-up during it. Apologize when it’s due, and move forward from any mistakes you might make. The tension and chaos of packing, hauling, unpacking, logistics and other countless factors can be overwhelming, so don’t put so much pressure on yourself for things to go perfectly for a stress-free NYC moving experience.

Get enough sleep and eat well. With so many things to plan and consider, moving takes a lot of energy, focus, and dedication. We can often forget to take care of ourselves and make sure that we’re getting some of our most basic needs. Compromising our health to get through the moving process as quickly as possible can actually make the journey that much harder.

Don’t skip meals and listen to your body when it’s telling you it needs rest. The more alert and refreshed you are each day of your move, the more you can expect it to go smoothly resulting in a stress-free NYC moving experience.

Treat yourself. To reiterate, your health and wellbeing is a key component to a successful move. Aside from giving your body what it needs, you need to provide yourself with something for your soul. If you need to take time to get your favorite comfort food, make the trip. If you need to take a couple of hours to see a movie, or get a spa treatment done, delegate that time for yourself.

Even simple things as maintaining some of your regular or routine activities each day will give you a sense of normalcy that you need when you are changing one of the largest parts of your life. If you can conjure up the energy for your morning jog or gym session, or read a book for an hour each morning, take that time to clear your mind and focus on something you enjoy doing. After all, you are the most important moving tool for a stress-free NYC moving experience.

Turn to support when you need it. We often find ourselves having trouble asking for help; however, in stressful periods of time, it’s important to seek support from friends and loved ones. Even if you have a moving company hired, sometimes its best to ask a friend or family member to help you out as well, for moral support.

Don’t be afraid to call a parent, or a friend, if things don’t go as planned and you need to vent. Your circle is there to support you and get you through troublesome situations. Especially if you are doing a long distance move, they will cherish whatever time they will have with you.

Most importantly, take a deep breath. You have a new chapter ahead of you in NYC and an adventure to look forward to.

212-244-4011

How your NY storage unit can freshen up your living space

Maybe you can identify with the following scenario: You found the perfect New York City apartment right in the center of our favorite neighborhood. The moment you stepped inside, you fell in love. And to get it, you had to move quick. You submitted the application quickly to beat out the competition, and jumped for joy when you signed the lease.

But, sometimes, the perfect location comes with sacrifices. This place just isn’t as big as your apartment in the outer borough, and you have some tough choices to make. Do you really get rid of the desk that got you through college? Can you really part with half of your wardrobe, or weed out your shoe collection? And what would your mom say if that quilt that’s been passed down three generations is suddenly missing?

If you’ve ever found yourself in this bind, you know the struggle. Do you keep a cluttered apartment just because you can’t bear the thought of getting rid of some things? Do you try to loan out your items to friends so that you can decide to bring them back when you miss them enough?

For most people in this situation, a NY storage unit is the perfect solution. It will keep your belongings safe and sound until you’re ready to bring them back to your space. And if you’re still on the fence about whether you should invest in a NY storage unit, here are a few of the benefits our clients have shared with us about why they chose to go the storage route.

I can’t use this now, but I might want it later.

This is definitely the reason we hear most often from people who use storage services. It can be particularly difficult to make a decision about whether or not to keep an item if you’re facing something like a move, in which you have to make tough decisions quickly. Yet, it’s important to remember, too, that if you’re on the fence about whether to get rid of something, it’s because it has personal or monetary value to you. You don’t want to be flippant about getting rid of things that were important to you in the past.

With a NY storage unit, the pressure to make a decision is taken off you. Because, once you see your items after they’ve been in storage for a while, the decision will become clear. You’ll either still feel connected to that item or your indifference will tell you that it’s time to say goodbye. Having this buffer prevents you from making a snap decision that you might regret later.

I like to switch things up, but that’s not exactly cost-efficient.

We love New York because it is a city of change, Changing trends, Changing seasons, Changing fashions.

And with all of this newness around us all the time, you may feel inspired to shake up your own style, especially when it comes to your home. That’s where having a storage unit comes in.

Because, when you find new furniture, accent pieces, paintings, or other decor that is perfect for the current season or latest fashion, it’s always kind of a bummer to get rid of last season’s items. So, instead of purging your place of all those older pieces, put them in a storage unit instead. After all, styles are cyclical, and you might be happily surprised the next time you pull out that lamp you thought had gone out of fashion.

I feel more zen in a clutter-free space.

Alright, as much as we love this city of change, we also know that it can be a hectic place to live. Using a storage space is a great way to minimize clutter and make your apartment a more relaxing space.

And don’t worry. If you have a sudden use for one of your items, we provide 24-hour delivery to your home. So it’s as if all of your items are just on stand-by without being in your way.

I know I’m going to be moving a lot in the next few years, and I am so sick of packing and unpacking the things I don’t use all the time.

Moving is one of those things that most New Yorkers have to undergo, and all of us absolutely hate. If you know that you might be moving around once or twice within the next few years, having a NY storage unit takes off so much of the pressure on moving day.

When you only have to move the things that you use on a regular basis, you’ll feel much freer.

It’s a way to keep my belongings safe and in good condition.

There’s a misconception about storage units as a place where items get old, dusty and molded, but that’s simply not true. As long as you find a storage place with climate control, you can actually ensure that your belongings are safer from damage than they might be in your own home. Plus, the less you move your things around, the less exposed they’ll be to damage or wear.

Those are just some of the ways that having a storage unit can spruce up your home and allow you to take good care of your things!

Affordable New York City movers should not require Sherlock Holmes to find. With one quick call to Divine Moving & Storage’s Relocation Specialists you’ll find out just how easy moving in NYC can be! With all inclusive moving packages relocation your home is as easy as 1, 2, 3: Just call, book, and move. Moving on with your life has never been so easy. Call today to speak to your personal Relocation Specialist and receive your free estimate in seconds.

Congrats! You’ve landed a big job, in the Big Apple, and with that comes a big NYC move… to a much smaller space. But you have an entire house full of things that you you’re dreading even hauling with you, let alone trying to fit into your new, NYC apartment.

How do you sort through it all without feeling like you’re throwing part of your life away? How do you fit it in something that’s one-fourth the size of what you live in now here are some secrets for a successful NYC move-

It’s your lucky day. We’ve put together this list of strategies to make your downsizing efficient and painless for your upcoming NYC move.

Start Planning Your NYC Move Early

If you know that your new means of living are going to be much tighter than your current situation, it’s best that you plan ahead and with ample time before you have to move in.

Moving in NYC is stressful as is, and just as how you were told in college, procrastinating on a project of this scale is not recommended. You can devote only 20-30 minutes/day leading up to your move to get things done efficiently and without causing any added tension.

Start by measuring out the rooms in your new apartment or home. This will allow you to determine how much furniture, décor, and all other belongings will fit comfortably. Planning this ahead will also avoid you desperately searching for someone to buy your sectional sofa from you the day before you end up having to leave it behind on the curb.

Planning, sorting and packing early on and gradually before your actual NYC move also prevents you from making rushed decisions that could result in you tossing something you actually need or hold dear.

Give Serious Consideration to Your Clutter

When you’re forced to a compressed living space, it comes down to what’s important and imperative in your everyday life. You can start in all the nooks, drawers, and closets that have things stuffed and stacked into them.

If you’re finding little tools, knick-knacks, clothes or any items that you haven’t seen in months, odds are you don’t actually need it.

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

You don’t have to actually “toss” things you no longer want or need into the garbage. When you are sorting through your things, put them into piles: to keep, to throw out, to donate, and to sell.

Gently used books, toys no longer in use by your kids, clothes that are a gently worn, and other items one could take for granted and consider throwing away can be saved and donated to someone who needs them. Setting up donation pick-ups is free, and odds are, there are countless donation centers and charities in your areas who are always in need.

If you have some clothes that don’t fit you anymore, just aren’t your style, or that you won’t wear again, chances are that there is someone out there who will buy it off of you. You can take bags of gently used clothing to thrift or resale stores and get some cash for your items. It’s also incredibly simple to set up your own ebay page to sell and ship out your items yourself. Make room in your new apartment AND make some extra cash? Win-win.

The same goes for furniture and decorations around your home. You can easily sell these items online or at resale stores for some money to help alleviate those moving costs. Let us reiterate, don’t wait until last minute do try and sell these things!

Hit a Wall? There’s a Solution for That

So you’ve gone through your clutter and tossed just about everything you could possibly imagine. You’ve sold some of your furniture, gave your young family members some hand-me downs, and bargained your old denim jeans and shoes for some cash at your local thrift store. Still have too much stuff to fit into your new place? Don’t sweat.

Lucky for you, Divine Moving and Storage has many storage options, It is here with us that your furniture, décor, clothing and personal, sentimental items are given the same TLC and attention that you would give them. With a climate controlled facility, 24 hour security measures, and a meticulous inventory control method, you can be assured that your possessions are in safe and caring hands of Divine Moving.

Optimize Your Space

Once you’ve chosen what to keep, sent out what you don’t, and stored what you don’t need immediately, it’s important that you take what’s left and make the most of the small space you have.

Find organization systems for your closets, maximize your minimal floor space by adding shelves to your walls, and take advantage of multifunctional furniture pieces. Don’t put it past you to use the storage compartment of an ottoman or under-the-bed drawers and sliding containers.

The good thing about downsizing is that your life is now a little simpler and a lot less cluttered. Your home is now filled with only the things you’ve found to be the most important to you, and you’re ready to take on a new chapter in your NYC life.

NYC trusts Divine Moving & Storage’s premium White Glove relocation service to take care of all their moving needs. Our professional moving specialists have years of experience packing up priceless works of art, antiques, crystal, china, and even musical instruments. With Divine, you never have to worry about damage because we take the time to ensure your valuables are protected and safe for the entire time they’re in our care. For a luxury move without the luxury price tag, for your next NYC move call Divine 212-244-4011

When people move for the first time in New York, they often make all the classic mistakes. They wait until the last minute to get all of the packing done. They ask their flaky friends to help them carry the larger items down the stairs. And they often call the wrong moving company. The one that charges ridiculous fees only to throw all of furniture in the truck without proper padding. Or the that expects a hefty tip the minute all of those boxes have been stacked sloppily on the curb.

Whether you’ve never moved within NY or you’re a seasoned apartment hopper, it’s good to know how to find the right moving company. Because with all the stress that moving entails, handing over the reigns to the movers, even for a bit, should be the most relaxing part.

Here’s our guide to choosing the best moving company in the five boroughs.

Look for someone local.

You don’t have to be in the city long, or even have a driver’s license, to you realize that it is not easy to navigate our NYC streets. Parts of the city are on a grid, the other parts are a historical maze. It’s tricky to know which streets are one-ways, and it takes just the right balance of aggressive honking and smooth driving to get anywhere in any neighborhood.

When you look to a national moving company, then, you might not get someone who has the knowledge, and, let’s face it, the patience to deliver your belongings quickly and safely. Only the local movers can do that.

Check the reviews.

We live in an age in which we have quick access to a company’s successes and missteps. By reading online reviews, you can easily see how other people have experienced the service. Read ours here.

Our recommendation is not that you should try to find a company with no flaws. After all, it’s New York. Things often don’t go perfectly. But instead, look for a company that makes an effort to correct any mistakes and offer positive solutions.

And, don’t underestimate the value of good reviews. After all, the internet is filled with angry people, and customers who have had a good experience will rarely write about it. Only when the service was exceptionally good will the average person sit down to write a positive review.

Remember: Experience Means Success.

Businesses come and go at such a rapid rate in this city that even restaurants that have been around a few years start to feel like institutions. So, if you come across a moving company that has been doing this for a while, that’s a great sign. Plus, older companies will also be more versed in how to deal with any issues that come up, so you’ll feel taken care of on moving day. Divine Moving have been servicing NYC since 1999

Give them a call.

How an employee interacts with you on the phone is a pretty good indication of how you’ll be treated on moving day. If the person on the other end of the line is forward and willing to answer your questions, you can trust that they’ll communicate well on-site.

And, this isn’t always easy advice to follow, since we live in an age where an app can circumnavigate any requirement to speak. But when it comes to a good moving company, you want to be treated like a realperson with belongings that have real sentimental value. So calling them up will give you a sense of whether they can think of you as more than just another job.

Ask for the specifics.

While you have an employee on the phone, make sure to ask for the specifics like,

What do you charge for a deposit?
How can I contact your employees throughout the move?
How they might you deal with damaged items?
Are there extra fees if I live in a walk-up?
What is the time range you think the job will be done?

Also, don’t be shy to ask for an estimate. What a moving company charges is an indication of the service you’ll receive. Something too high and you might worry you’re getting overcharged. Something extremely low and you can probably expect to be charged hidden fees later. You’re really looking for a price that is slightly lower than the middle of the pack.

And again, don’t feel bad about asking all these questions. A tried-and-trusted company will be patient and should have all your answers at the ready.

Most importantly, start looking early!

This is a huge city, and people are constantly moving around. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to vet a mover and iron out the details. Even a few months in advance isn’t too early to start getting the ball rolling.

Once you’ve found the perfect moving company, you can check it off your list and start focusing on what’s important: like scoping out the best coffee shops in your new neighborhood.

Divine Moving & Storage is the best licensed and insured moving company in NYC. We specialize in quick, efficient, and easy packing, moving and storage. Call today for a free quote! 212-244-4011

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