Moving in New York City is a different kind of experience. Whether you’re crossing the street or crossing a few boroughs, it’s helpful to keep some basic NYC moving tips in mind. Keep reading for moving best practices.

1. Get Everything Organized

Getting through a move efficiently requires one to be organized. With all of the to-do’s you have to take care of before actually packing up and leaving your old place, you’ll never be ready to move if you don’t have a proper plan of attack. Do this by putting together a moving checklist.

In this checklist, organize your to-do’s by their level of importance. Put the top priority activities at the top and be sure not to forget anything. Then, break every task down into smaller projects, as this will allow you to stay on top of everything.

2. Don’t Overspend on Moving Boxes

Lucky for you, gently used cardboard is easy to find in New York City. While larger boxes can cost upwards of 100 dollars, you can comb the sidewalks and find cardboard boxes in perfectly good condition.

Similarly, don’t hesitate to ask local businesses in your area for their empty boxes. If there is a liquor store nearby, consider asking them for their old boxes as these boxes will be better suited to protect your glassware.

3. Lighten Your Load by Donating Unwanted Items

As you sort through all your belongings, be sure to make piles for everything you no longer need. Instead of carrying these things with you to your new home, put them in a box for donated items.

Whether you donate to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or a local nonprofit, you should be able to enjoy tax deductions in addition to having a lighter load.

4. Label All Boxes and Take an Inventory

Getting your belongings into their boxes is only half of the battle. While you may have your items all packed up and ready to go, if they aren’t labeled properly, you’ll get confused.

Keep track of everything by taking inventory of all of everything before you pack it away. Then, clearly label all boxes so that it will be easy to tell what is inside the box.

Moreover, if you hire a moving company, having your boxes clearly labeled will help the movers know how best to move your belongings. Instead of packing your dishes below very heavy furniture, they’ll be able to move everything more efficiently.

5. Get Creative with Protecting Your Breakables

When moving, the cost of supplies can get a little pricey. If you’re trying to cut back, you can ditch the bubble wrap in place of clothing.

Consider wrapping your glasses, plates, and any other breakables in clothing. This creative method will help to eliminate any additional shifting during the move.

6. Avoid Taking on Unnecessary Work

Save time and energy where you can. The best way to avoid unnecessary work when moving is to hire a team of professional movers to do the bulk of the moving for you. Moreover, when moving things like clothes or drawers, keep everything as is.

With the clothes on their hangers and your belongings already in their drawers, you won’t have to go through the hassle of setting everything up again.

Moving to New York City can be particularly challenging. Take some of the stress out of the process by following these strategies.