An important life transition, like moving from one city to another, requires careful preparation and an understanding of what to expect along the way. Fortunately, you don’t have to make this move alone! Here are seven tips to help make your move to New York City safe, affordable, and stress-free.

1) Have your new apartment prepped

Moving day will come sooner than you think, so start prepping your new apartment! Doing so will ensure that your first few days in your new home are as smooth as possible.  Put all the boxes into the rooms they belong in and find furniture for each room before the movers arrive. If you can’t find furniture, put boxes of personal items in these rooms until furniture arrives. Also, label everything with an idea of where it should go and pack it accordingly!

2) Make sure you have everything you need packed

If you are considering Moving from Los Angeles to New York City, there are several things you should do to make the move easier. First, before anything else, call your phone and internet providers in both cities and have them set up your service before you move. Ensure you have everything packed up and labeled well, so unpacking time is minimal after the move. Pack spices in containers or plastic bags, so they don’t take up valuable space in your suitcase.

3) Rental Trucks Cost Money!

Planning ahead of time will help you save money when moving. The rental trucks can be expensive, so start by asking friends and family if they have any trucks sitting around. If not, research and find out how much it will cost to rent one that can carry the number of items you need to be moved. Moving companies are also an option, but they may be pricey, so don’t go with them until you’re sure you want to shell out the cash for convenience!

4) Consider shipping boxes instead of renting trucks

Many people moving from Los Angeles to New York, or vice versa, believe that the only way to move is by renting trucks and driving them cross-country. While this is certainly an option, it can also be time-consuming and costly–not to mention potentially stressful if you have any pets. Plus, there are always some extra things that get left behind! Consider shipping boxes instead of renting trucks: These can be delivered straight to your new place. You just need to make sure you label all of your boxes with what’s inside before they’re loaded on the truck or ship so that you don’t get lost in translation once they arrive at their destination.

5) Choose who comes with you carefully

Moving from LA to NYC is an important decision and not one you should make lightly. This is why you must choose who comes with you carefully. Whether it’s friends, family, or significant others, there will always be people who don’t want the move for their reasons.  You need to decide if these relationships are worth keeping in your life or if they need to go away. It might seem like you’re abandoning them by moving, but in reality, they will be more than happy to visit.

6) Having fun helps—a lot.

When it comes to the move, it’s important to maintain your sense of humor and not get discouraged. It’ll all be worth it in the end.  Your current life will start a new one, and you can create something new with all the available resources.

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