Planning a long-distance move to (or from) NYC? Here's what you need to know

Moving from one borough (or block!) to another in New York City is one thing. Moving to the city from across state lines—often spanning hundreds or even thousands of miles—is on a whole different level. 

If this describes your situation, you'll need to do some careful planning to make sure your long-distance relocation comes off without a hitch. 

First, it helps to know that people are moving back to the city (post-pandemic) in droves—and more newcomers than ever (it seems) are heading here from as far as California and Texas. 

“We are seeing shifts in people moving to NYC," confirms Dejon Reid, vice president of sales at FlatRate Moving, a full-service company that established the all-included flat-rate pricing model in NYC and shifted the way people relocated locally and worldwide. 

"During the pandemic, we saw a large movement of people from NYC to Florida," he says, adding, "In the last 12 months, however, we have noticed the number of New Yorkers moving to Florida  is below pre-pandemic levels, and the number of people moving from Florida to NYC is more than double what it was before.”

So you'll want to lock down a qualified company as early as possible to ensure you find one that can accommodate your target move dates. 

But first, you need to understand the potential obstacles that can derail a long-haul transaction. Read on for the brass tacks from pros with experience in these multifaceted moves.  

What makes long-distance moves more complex

Murphy's law goes into overdrive when it comes to cross-country and interstate moves. Here are the most common concerns to be aware of:

• Higher costs: Because most companies base the fee largely on miles, long-distance moves are by their very nature more expensive. 
• Longer duration: They often take more than one day (and up to a week) to complete, meaning there's more chance something can go wrong along the way (and you'll be paying for the extra time).
• Larger crews: Moving the contents of an entire house, including heavy furniture and other items, calls for a larger team—again raising labor costs.
• Subcontractors: The same goes for needing an electrician to remove light fixtures and/or a carpenter to break down custom bookcases or other millwork. 
• Safety: These moves always require much more durable boxes, as they are going to be handled by more movers along the way. That's why FlatRate has packing expatriates on the team to ensure your items won't be damaged during the long trip. 
• Specialty requests: Pianos, expensive artwork, and rare antiques call for more protective crates and care—including temperature control—during transport. 
• Multiple stops: Without proper planning by the company, moves involving more than one stop have a greater risk of missing items (for example, your favorite sofa ends up sitting in a storage facility rather than in your new living room). 
• Open-ended start and end dates: In general, companies don't commit to a specific delivery window, creating uncertainty about when your belongings will arrive at their final destination. Upcharges: Beware of any shuttle fee—most long-distance trucks can't fit on narrow roads, and companies will need to change trucks, which might come with additional costs.

How a qualified company can help avoid the hassles

The success of any move (even short ones) starts and ends with finding a company that's up to the task. But this first step is even more essential when moving long distances—see above for the reasons why. Not every firm has the know-how or equipment to handle these complicated jobs, so do the necessary due diligence. (Check out "How to troubleshoot your move in advance" for guidance.)

• Cost-savings: Rather than relying on a giant (gas-guzzling) truck for the entire door-to-door operation, FlatRate can help save money by using a small truck to pick up everything and then consolidating your contents with other moves in a bigger truck for longer distances—no hidden shuttle fees. 
• Added protection: The longer the distance, the harder the boxes and crates must work to keep your belongings safe and sound. Find out if the movers take extra precautions and use sturdier materials for these kinds of relos. 
• The right team: What you don’t want is for your move to be on-the-job training for novices. Ask how many people will be on your team, what their level of experience is, and whether a supervisor will be on site and trailing your goods at all times. 
• Predictability: If you have a strict move-out and move-in date, make sure to ask for "direct" or "express" delivery options.
• Convenience: Even if the above doesn't strictly apply, it's worth looking for a company like FlatRate that lets you lock in an exact move-in time rather than the usual three-day window. 

And here's a final handy DIY tip: "Declutter and sell or donate things you don't need, especially before a long-distance move," Reid says. "You may also want to unload larger furniture pieces, which will typically cost more to move than buying replacements."

Providing high-quality service and all-inclusive guaranteed pricing, FlatRate Moving Company has been trusted by more than 200,000 customers for over 30 years. The nature of FlatRate’s quality service lies in our prepared staff, team of moving experts, detailed logistics, and timeliness. Ready to get moved? Call (212) 988-9292 or visit our website for an instant free quote—satisfaction guaranteed.