Moving from the Suburbs to the City? How to Make Your City Move a Success

Moving to any new location can come with its own unique set of headaches and pitfalls, but moving from the country or suburbs to a city can come with its own brand of stresses. Upon your initial move, you’ll have to deal with traffic, parking, smaller hallways, and a lot of staircases, never mind having to adapt to a space that will most likely be more compact than what you’re used to.

However, there are always ways to ease your initial moving pains so you can focus on getting used to the ins and outs of city living. The following are some tips and tricks to make your move as easy and stress free as possible.

1. De-Clutter and Downsize

When moving anywhere, and especially to a city, the last thing you want to do is give yourself a bunch of extra boxes to carry – especially if you don’t use or wear the items in them.

Before packing, make sure to comb through your closets and rooms to determine what you’ll actually need and use, and what you can do without, or don’t even use currently.

If half of your closet is full of clothes you don’t wear, bring them to a donation center, consignment shop, or list them on Depop or an online shopping site to get rid of your clutter (and maybe make some money while you’re at it!). If you’re in a hurry, you can always list items for free on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

2. Make Sure You Know the Layout of Your New Apartment

Before showing up with a huge moving truck to an apartment building full of tiny stairways that can’t fit your couch, make sure to familiarize yourself with the building’s layout before moving day. If you’re moving into a home in the city, the layout can also differ from that of the country and suburbs, so smaller stairways or hallways are still a big consideration.

Make note of the size of hallways and doorways in your new building, and make sure you’re aware of any stairs you’ll have to lug items up. Talk to your landlord or building manager – they may have some tips or advice for moving certain things into your new location.

3. Plan Out Parking and Routes Ahead of Time

Especially when moving into a city, whether using a moving service or moving yourself, it’s important to take note of the parking situation around your new home or building. In some cities, you might have to apply for a permit to block off a parking space or street for your move.

Research parking online or visit the neighborhood ahead of time to figure out what you may have to prepare for on moving day. Figure out how to navigate street parking, permit parking, or if you have to block off a street for smaller or narrower back streets.

Make sure to plan out the route you’ll be taking from your old home to your new digs. This will save you time headaches, and will make sure you avoid tolls, one-ways, or streets too small to accommodate whichever type of vehicle you’re using (or the truck your movers may be moving). If you’re moving long distance, use Google Maps or talk to your new landlord to get some information about the area.

Moving to the city is very exciting, but can be very stressful if you’re unprepared. Make sure to plan ahead, weed out any items you don’t need or use, and familiarize yourself with the area before moving day. If you plan things out, you’ll spend less time on your move and more time on exploring your new home!

Best of luck!

-Hollander