What to Expect when you Move to the City

Moving to the city or an urban area can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience all at once. The lure of the metropolitan areas is attracting many people to flock to the city, so you aren’t the only newbie in town. Moving into the city can be a difficult experience for those who are not used to moving or living in an urban environment. There are a lot of different logistics to consider in a city compared to moving in any other area, and the purpose of this article is to alert you to these differences.

Where you will reside and what you will do for work are the two primary decisions you must make when relocating to any community. Although there are more possibilities in a big city, switching to a new way of life involves many day-to-day changes that you might not be aware of. These adjustments may be significant and have a substantial impact on your actions and where you go.

For instance, moving to the city can require downsizing to an apartment from a larger home. Losing parking spaces, washers, and dryers are just a few of the changes that might occur when you move into an apartment. It takes a lot of time to do these tasks. Considering the limited space in city apartments, utilizing portable storage units can be a lifesaver for keeping your belongings organized during the move.

Parking is an Issue

As you may have already gathered, parking is a big deal in the city. You will need to check with the city about where the car and moving van can park when you are unloading the moving van. Usually, cities will accommodate the needs of people moving in, but how they do so varies largely between cities. Some cities even have official days when tenants are supposed to move in.

Plus, you really do not want to end up with a fine or parking ticket on a moving day, so taking this precaution will save you a lot of tears and curse words. P.S. Parking is not a detail that you can overlook when you are hiring movers, but consult with a particular moving company to check what their normal procedure is with urban moves.

Watch out for Rush Hour

Welcome to the city, traffic is terrible here! Obviously, you are really not going to want to try to attempt moving during rush hour unless sitting in traffic is a hobby of yours. Moving during the weekends is one of the best times to do it. You can do it really early in the morning, but this is not advisable if you want to make friends with your neighbors who probably all have varying schedules. Late at night can also work, but in some cities, it is illegal to do so, so check with the city first before going this route.

Interestingly, the cheapest time to move to the city is often during the off-peak season, which is late fall to early spring, when moving companies are less busy and more likely to offer discounts

Rent an Elevator

Obviously, every apartment building has a limited amount of elevators, so this can become an issue if you aren’t aware of it in advance. You will need to schedule elevator time in order to get all of your stuff up to your apartment. All you need to do is talk to the property manager to reserve a time if they haven’t contacted you about renting the elevator.

Most of the time, this means using a utility elevator that is designed just for the purpose. P.S. You probably should check that all of your furniture will actually fit in the elevator beforehand by measuring out the entrance doors.

Meeting New People

Once you’ve taken care of the needs, it’s time to live it up and take advantage of all the wonderful things the city has to offer, even though it might occasionally seem difficult to meet people and establish friends there. Think about volunteering for a nonprofit, joining a community group, or joining a reading club. Knowing a lot of people is something you might take for granted in small towns, but in cities, anonymity is somewhat of a luxury.

Larger cities also have much denser populations surrounding residents. More diversity results from more population, thus you can discover that you are learning more about previously unknown civilizations.

Get a Look-Out! 

All of your precious belongings unattended in an open van in the middle of the street really isn’t that smart of an idea anywhere, but during the process of a move in an urban area, it is downright crazy. Either bring someone along who wouldn’t mind keeping an eye out for you, or take turns watching it with whoever is helping you move in.

Another thing to keep in mind is if you have multiple people helping you move, you’ll need to bring things up in groups. Propping the door open is considered a major neighborly no-no, because then just anyone could walk into the building.

People are Watching and Listening

If you are moving into an apartment building, you are making a first impression on a lot of people at once. These are the people that are about to be your new neighbors, so it is important to not ruin your chance at a good first impression. Although it is a moving day, do try to keep your temper, language and volume in check. People are trying to go about their daily lives, and they will remember you if you are especially loud and obnoxious when moving in.

Holy Carryout 

Yay, you have finally moved in all of your belongings into your new apartment, condo, house or whatever. Now that you live in an urban area, start taking advantage of it. There is carry-out just about everywhere. Make your first meal in your new home a reward, so that you can start enjoying the benefits of city living on your first night!