If you’re planning on moving to New York City shortly, you are likely filled with excitement. The pizza, Central Park, art galleries, museums, and the shows on Broadway will send your imagination soaring.
But long before you’ve booked your NYC moving company and start getting excited about everything The Big Apple has to offer, there are many logistics to take into consideration. One of the top questions on your mind is likely, when is the best time to move to NYC?
When determining the very best time to move to NYC, below are just a few factors to think about and plan for. (Once you’ve considered them all, reach out to learn more about our local NYC movers and long-distance moving services — we’re the most trusted name when it comes to moving people to, from, and around the state!)
NYC Weather
What sounds like a better prospect to you: trudging back and forth from the curb to your new apartment carrying boxes amidst drifts of snow, or having a clear pathway as the sun shines above?
Does the idea of soggy cardboard and water-damaged heirlooms bum you out? Would a blue sky day make it seem like you made the right decision to move? All of these questions are important when determining the best time to move to NYC for you.
On the East Coast, winters can be harsh and hurricane season can be a doozy. Weather can be unpredictable from late September through March (and even into April):
- Rain and snow are possible on any given day
- Temperatures fluctuate dramatically
- Ice can make sidewalks and streets treacherous
Once April showers turn into May flowers, however, the sun is out more and the thermometer heats up, making a spring or summer the best time to move to NYC. Spring or summer is a much safer bet, weather-wise if you can swing it.
This graph gives a quick snapshot of the average monthly temperatures and rainfall levels for NYC, which should help give you a broad idea about what to expect depending on when you move. Use this graph to help determine the best time to move to NYC:
Apartment Cost and Availability
One caveat to a summer move, however, is the fact that summers tend to correlate with higher rents in the city. New York is already known for its sky-high rents. If you’re looking to save a few dollars the best time of year to move to New York may not be summer. According to Curbed New York:
“Renters would be well-advised to sign a lease in February, the cheapest month to rent in New York. Rental prices begin to increase in early May and reach their apex in the summer months, peaking in July. They begin to decrease again come October, reaching their low in February.”
And then there is the concern about availability. The best time to move to NYC can be heavily dependent on the real estate market. Those who keep up with the real estate market know that it ebbs and flows throughout the year, with more available in some months as opposed to others.
If you’re coming to NY in search of new living arrangements, you might want to look into this a little more closely. In general, apartments tend to open up most often in July (when rental prices are highest, of course!).
If you’re looking for options and have an extra bit of cash, July could be the best time of year to move to New York. According to StreetEasy:
“Rental inventory levels are higher than usual from May through August, and dip through the fall, reaching their lowest levels in December. Renters can expect to see 11 percent more listings in July versus 12 percent fewer in December. This means that in any given year, summer renters have access to nearly 6,000 more units than winter renters…”
RentHop provides some great information on “Relative Seasonal Rent Differences” in NYC, and their data proves that moving in the summer comes at a bit of a cost compared to the off-season:
When trying to find the best time to move to NYC, it’s a gamble between cost and availability. Both are important to consider depending on your personal needs and circumstances.
When is the Best Time To Move to NYC?
February is likely the best time to move to NYC or move in NYC.
- According to Curbed New York: “Renters would be well-advised to sign a lease in February, the cheapest month to rent in New York.”
- New York City apartment rental prices and broker fees are less expensive in the winter.
- It’s best to avoid the holiday rush too, making February ideal for a Big Apple move.
- NYC renters are more motivated to rent in the winter, giving you more bargaining power when signing a lease.
Considering School Enrollment For Your Little Ones
While pricier, a July move might be the best time of year to move to New York, if you have school-aged kids in tow. Why is July the best time to move to NYC if you have children? Well, the timing would give children a month or two to acclimate before the school year begins.
Once you know where you’ll be living, you can look into which school your child or children will be eligible to enroll in. Make sure to call ahead to make sure they have space.
If you are moving mid-school year, you’ll need to make sure the school has room for a transfer student since the term will already be underway. For kids in daycare, many programs fill up fast and even have waitlists for months (or even years!) to come.
Do your research and call several programs in the area to assure there is a place for your child well before the moving trucks have arrived. Finding the proper school and ensuring they have space, is key to finding the best time of year to move to NYC for your family.
Off-Season and Winter Moving: What You Need to Know
Peak moving season runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This period is when the weather tends to be the best and most predictable. However, off-season moving, particularly in winter, offers benefits that make it worth considering.
Winter moves in NYC come with advantages:
- Lower demand means easier scheduling and more flexible booking dates
- Potential cost savings with fewer people moving
- More bargaining power and availability
But winter also brings unique challenges that require preparation.
Winter Moving Challenges and Preparation
NYC Department of Sanitation rules require property owners to clear sidewalks after snowfall. Uncleared sidewalks delay moves because crews cannot safely carry items when paths are blocked or icy. Confirm with your landlord, property management, or building super that sidewalks will be cleared before moving day.
Federal highway data shows that snow and slush can reduce traffic speeds by 30 to 40 percent on city streets. Travel times can increase by 15 to 50 percent. Build buffer time into your move. Winter moves work best when you expect them to take longer than a summer day.
To make a winter move smoother:
- Reserve service elevators early, especially in co-ops or condos with strict move windows
- Protect your floors with tarps, towels, or mats to catch water, slush, and salt
- Pack electronics and fragile items with extra insulation against cold
- Make sure heat and electricity are turned on at your new home before move-in day
- Have a backup date ready in case severe weather requires rescheduling
For comprehensive guidance on winter moving, including NYC sidewalk laws, weather impacts, storage options, and tips for moving in the snow, read our complete guide: Moving in the Winter: The Complete NYC Guide to Cold-Weather Moves.
Holiday Season Considerations
Choosing to move around the end of the year is not the best idea. While New York might seem welcoming and most exciting around this time of year, the holidays are not the best time to move to NYC. This is the time when New York City is lit up and decked for the Christmas holiday with tourists clogging the streets.
Moving during holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah) adds complications:
- Some co-ops and condos restrict move-ins on major holidays
- Expect gridlock around shopping hubs and parade routes
- Movers may have limited staff during holiday weeks
If you can, avoid a move from Thanksgiving until a week or so after New Year’s to avoid this hustle and bustle.
If your move falls near a holiday, book well in advance and confirm your building’s policies. For more details, see:
(Of course, if you hire FlatRate’s professional team of local movers, winter challenges won’t be an issue. We’ll brave the streets and traffic so you don’t have to! We do our best to ensure your move feels like the best time of year to move to NYC.)
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