New York City’s iconic Statue of Liberty has always been a symbolic beacon for immigrants from around the world. Whatever your reason may be, moving to NYC can be one of the most exciting endeavours in a lifetime, but it can also be stressful. Luckily, we’ve got some great tips that can eliminate stress if you’re looking to make the move to the Big Apple.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Move to New York?
Your first consideration should be to find a cost-effective yet efficient moving solution. Shipping across the pond can be quite expensive, and depending on how much you plan to ship, calculating the cost of shipping, as well as the logistics, can be time-consuming and complex. See the below chart for a ballpark figure of how much a shipping container will cost when moving to New York:
| House Size | 20 ft Shipping Container | 40 ft Shipping Container |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 Bedroom Flat | £1,650 - £1,824 | £3,135 - £3,569 |
| 3-5 Bedroom Hosue | £2,038 - £2,583 | £3,327 - £3,927 |
Get a Quote for Your Move to New York City
Moving to New York from the UK can be complex and time-consuming. It makes sense to let trusted and reliable movers look after you. Let us help save you time and money by finding the most efficient and cost-effective plan for your move. Our quotes are free of cost and obligation, so don’t hesitate to fill out our quote request form and begin comparing your best options.
The Big Apple Awaits. Explore NYC Moving Quotes.
Transatlantic Shipping: By Sea or Through the Skies?
When it comes to moving your prized belongings across the pond, ultimately, there are two options for shipping: by sea or by air. Let’s dive deeper into these transport methods:
Sea Freight
Shipping by sea is by far the more affordable choice but be warned that it can take around two weeks to arrive from the UK. The good news is that New York City boasts the largest port on the East Coast and that you won’t need to worry too much about inland shipping after your stuff has arrived. Here are your major choices with sea shipments:
1. Shipping Container Sizes
If you’re considering shipping by sea, you’ll need to consider what type of shipping container you’ll need for your belongings. Luckily, shipping containers have been essentially standardised, so you’ll have two main options available: 20ft or 40ft containers.
2. Full or Group Container
Furthermore, you’ll need to assess whether you’ll require a full container load (FCL), where you’ll be paying for the entire shipping container, or a less-than-container load (LCL), which can contain your belongings next to other goods and cargo.
Air Freight
If you need your items shipped right away, air freight may be a more convenient solution. Be advised that this option is far more costly and should only be considered for smaller packages. Expect to pay anywhere from 5-10 times as much for air freight compared to by sea. Estimated shipping time can be as little as 1-3 days.
Land Transport Method
You’ll also need to consider land transport. While port-to-port shipping will be covered by air or by sea, you’ll need to arrange for your belongings to arrive there from your home in the UK and be forwarded to your new home in New York.
Why Hire a Removal Company?
Organising all of the logistics involved in shipping is a lengthy and complicated process. You would probably rather be reading about the best restaurants or city walks than perusing through volumes of import duty documents or disassembling furniture all day.
1. Comprehensive Services for a Stress-Free Move to NYC
If you’re planning on moving to the USA and shipping all of your belongings, you should use a specialised service that understands all of the processes involved and can find you the best prices and quality available. Not only will they arrange for the shipping, but they can also provide numerous ancillary services as well so that you don’t have to worry about the cleaning or furniture assembly if you don’t want to.
2. From Packing to Piano Moving: Your All-In-One Solution
Shipping your belongings involves a lot more than simply packing them into a shipping container. You’ll need to make sure that everything is taken care of if you want your move to New York to be as stress-free as possible. This includes services such as packing, storage, cleaning, hiring a handyman, and handling delicate and fragile items such as a piano. From start to finish, the international relocation experts in our large network of professional removal companies offer all these services and more.
Moving internationally to NYC doesn’t need to be stressful or complex if you let trusted and reliable professional movers assist you. By requesting your quotes with us, you’ll be able to compare prices of international removal companies and pick the best options for moving all of your belongings to New York. Peace of mind and a smooth transition await.
Start Your NYC Adventure Now!
Tips for Preparing for Your Move to New York
1. Have all your Paperwork in order
Moving overseas naturally also means a lo of administrative tasks. It is important to start on time with things like obtaining your visa, getting your Social Security Number, opening a bankaccount and figuring out what to do with healthcare. Read more about these first essential steps in our article on Moving to the USA.
2. Conduct an In-Home Assessment
It’s essential to have a specialist check out your place in the UK to understand your unique moving requirements. Once you’ve picked your favourite removal company, just ask them to come over for an assessment and take a look. This way, they’ll know exactly how they can serve you best.
2. How to Choose Your International Mover to New York?
Go with a removal company that’s a certified member of the trade, such as the National Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS) or the British Association of Removers (BAR). This certification means that the company meets its standards and has a proven track record of providing quality services.
3. Compare Quotes and Services
In addition to comparing prices, you can also compare some of the pros and cons of each international relocation company in your quotes to ensure that you’re getting the right service for your needs.
Facts and Figures: United States of America
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States Dollar |
| Population | 327.2 million (2018) |
| Capital | Washington, D.C. |
| Language | English |
| Government Type | Federal Republic |
| Unemployment Rate | 4% |
| Country Code | + 1 |
Land of The Free
The United States is a great place to call home. New York City, in particular, is a big and bustling metropolis with over 8.6 million inhabitants. With such a large population, the arts and culture are just as vibrant as its diverse and multicultural mosaic.
American Culture
Americans tend to be outgoing, at least compared to us Brits. Don’t be surprised to get engaged in small talk with strangers. We do share quite a bit in common. Of course, you’ll need to get your ears and eyes used to American English, and that includes dropping u’s and spelling with more z’s (zee, not zed). But overall, you won’t find it to be radically different culturally from London or Birmingham, for example.
Foods of the World
Owing to its rich history of immigration, New York City has a staggering number of restaurants with authentic cuisine from all corners of the world. Furthermore, it boasts some of the world’s top chefs in truly world-class restaurants.
If you’re after a quick coffee and sandwich and are feeling nostalgic for the UK, you may be surprised to learn that Pret A Manger has a strong presence in the Big Apple.
Of course, it’s worth noting that American food can be found all over. Whether it’s Brooklyn-style pizza or Harlem’s vibrant soul food restaurants, American-inspired twists on some of your old favourites make for a fantastic dining experience.
Experience All Four Seasons
You can expect to see snow and sub-zero temperatures during the winter as well as hot and humid summers. Consequently, be sure to bring a good coat and scarf for the colder winter months.
Part of New York City’s charm is Central Park. The stark contrast between a major metropolitan city and serene greenery and tranquillity is a great way to remind oneself of nature and the changing seasons amidst the business of Broadway or 5th Avenue.
A Well-Connected and Convenient Hub
Not only is moving to New York exciting on its own but it’s also located relatively close to many other major U.S. cities. As a major transport hub in the Northeast, NYC offers good bus, train, and airline connections to cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Like New York itself, these historic U.S. cities boast well-preserved monuments and museums showcasing the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.
