Let’s be real: moving in New York City is never not a production. Add kids, a double stroller, and the emotional support goldfish named “Waffles,” and suddenly you’re directing your own Broadway show—“Les Misérables: U-Haul Edition.”
But don’t worry, mama. You’ve got this.
Whether you’re upgrading from a one-bedroom in Astoria to a brownstone in Brooklyn (hello, exposed brick!) or just shifting a few blocks to get closer to your kid’s school, here’s the no-fluff, mom-approved guide to surviving NYC moving day without spiraling.
1. Start Planning Before the Pizza Boxes Pile Up
The average New Yorker packs two weeks before their move. Moms? Start four. Kids have a magical ability to stash things in weird places—like 37 plastic dinosaurs behind the radiator.
Mom hack:
Use color-coded bins by room (or by kid). Let your little ones decorate their own box. Bonus: it keeps them busy and gives them a tiny bit of control (read: fewer meltdowns).
2. Don’t DIY This One—Hire Movers Who Know NYC
You may be Wonder Woman, but even she needed backup.
Between parking restrictions, steep walk-ups, and the joy of 4th-floor apartments without elevators, hiring a professional NYC moving company that understands short-distance moving service is worth every penny—and possibly your marriage.
Look for:
- Local companies with good reviews (like My Piece of Cake Moving & Storage—yes, actual name, actual lifesavers)
- Movers who are insured and used to working around school zones and tight stairwells
- Teams that offer storage options if you’re in between places (or just want to Marie Kondo your life)
3. Create a “Mom Sanity Kit” for the Day
Trust me, you’ll need this.
What goes in it:
- Snacks (for kids and grown-ups)
- Charging cables (your phone will be your lifeline)
- Baby wipes (even if your kids are 12)
- First aid stuff (moving injuries are real)
- Markers, tape, and labels
- A change of clothes for the kids. And maybe you.
Also: designate one bag as your “open first” bag—it should have toilet paper, pajamas, favorite toys, toothbrushes, and anything else that prevents a 9pm meltdown.
4. Bribe with Bodegas and Pizza
Moving is exhausting. So reward everyone.
Tell the kids that after the last box is in, it’s bodega treat time (chips + juice boxes = tiny joy). Then order a giant pizza and picnic on the floor.
NYC pro tip:
Ask your movers for their favorite slice spot in the neighborhood. They always know.
5. Know What Not to Do on Moving Day
- Don’t forget to reserve the building’s elevator if you’re in an apartment.
- Don’t park your car in a loading zone “just for 5 minutes.” NYC will ticket you in 4.
- Don’t assume your stroller will fit in the moving truck. Plan ahead.
- Don’t pack your kid’s comfort object at the bottom of a box. (Learned this one the hard way.)
6. After the Last Box: Let It Be Messy
Unpacking will take days. Possibly weeks. You’re not behind—you’re just living the full New York experience. Let the kids jump in bubble wrap. Use takeout containers for breakfast. Laugh when you can, cry when you must, and remember—you did it.
You moved your entire life, with kids, in one of the busiest cities on Earth.
That deserves a mom trophy. Or at least a second glass of wine.
Final Words from a Fellow NYC Mom
No matter how many boxes, hiccups, or toddler tantrums come your way, just remember: you’re not alone. We’ve all been there—elbow-deep in packing tape, asking ourselves why we own 300 tiny shoes and exactly zero clean spoons.
But in the end? You’ll get through it. And the best part?
You’ll look around your new place, your kids playing in a pile of wrapping paper, and think: “Yeah. This was worth it.”
For my fellow wonder-women out there in NYC getting ready to move and shake, here is a quick checklist, compliments of me and my team of fellow moms. Enjoy!
