Embrace the Symbolism of a Fresh Start

A new home represents a blank canvas—a chance to redefine your environment and lifestyle. Think of it as an opportunity to shed the clutter, habits, and routines that no longer serve you. As you unpack, focus on what you truly need and love. Let this be a chance to align your living space with your aspirations for the year ahead. Perhaps you envision a home office that boosts productivity, a cozy corner for relaxation, or a kitchen designed for healthier eating. Whatever your goals, your new home is the perfect place to make them a reality.

Finding the Right Moving Company

A smooth transition to your new home begins with choosing the right moving company. Partnering with professionals who are reliable, efficient, and experienced like Big John’s Moving can make all the difference.  Look for strong reviews, transparent pricing, and services that match your needs. Taking the time to research and select a reputable company ensures your belongings are in good hands, giving you peace of mind to focus on the excitement of starting fresh in your new space.

Declutter and Organize

One of the first steps to feeling at home is unpacking, but it’s also an excellent time to declutter. As you sort through boxes, ask yourself: “Does this item add value to my life?” If the answer is no, consider donating, recycling, or discarding it. Starting with less will make your new space feel more open and peaceful.

Once you’ve pared down, focus on organization. Use storage solutions like bins, baskets, and drawer dividers to keep everything in its place. Label boxes and containers to make finding items easier. A well-organized home reduces stress and sets the stage for a more productive and enjoyable year.

Establish Routines

The New Year is the perfect time to set up new routines that align with your goals. In a new home, you can design systems that work for your lifestyle from the ground up. For example, establish a designated spot for keys and mail to prevent clutter. Create a morning routine that energizes you or an evening ritual that helps you unwind. Small habits can make a big difference in how your home feels and functions.

Personalize Your Space

Adding personal touches can help your new house feel like home. Hang artwork or family photos, display meaningful items, and incorporate colors or textures that resonate with you. You don’t have to rush to decorate every corner; start with the spaces where you spend the most time, like the living room, bedroom, or kitchen.

Consider incorporating elements that inspire you for the year ahead. For instance, add a vision board in your workspace or a gratitude jar in the kitchen. These small touches can keep you motivated and focused on your New Year goals.

Connect with Your New Community

A fresh start isn’t just about your home; it’s also about the people and places around you. Take time to explore your neighborhood and introduce yourself to neighbors. Look for local events, community groups, or classes that align with your interests. Building connections can help you feel grounded and create a sense of belonging in your new environment.

Cleanse and Refresh Your Home

After the hustle and bustle of moving and the holidays, a deep clean can do wonders. Start with a clean slate by scrubbing down surfaces, washing windows, and vacuuming carpets. If you’re looking for an extra touch of renewal, consider smudging with sage or using essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.

Set Goals for Your Home

As part of your New Year’s resolutions, think about what you want to achieve in your home. Maybe it’s finally organizing the garage, planting a garden, or hosting more family dinners. Break these goals into manageable tasks and work on them throughout the year. Not only will this keep your home evolving, but it will also help you feel accomplished.

Celebrate Your New Space

Don’t forget to celebrate this milestone! Host a small housewarming party or have a quiet evening to reflect on your new journey. This is your space, your sanctuary, and the start of an exciting chapter.

Starting Fresh in Your New Home in the New Year

Moving into a new home at the beginning of the year is more than just a change of address—it’s a chance to start fresh and create a space that aligns with your dreams and goals. By finding the right moving company like Big John’s Moving, decluttering, and setting up routines, you can turn your new house into a home. Take this opportunity to embrace the new year and the possibilities it brings, one box at a time.

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Pre-Move Resolutions

Moving Resolution 1: Make a checklist/schedule for your move.

There are obviously many things that need to be done before you and your family can move from your current home into a new one. Not only do you need to pack or get rid of every item in your current home you may also need to perform other tasks. Some non-packing, pre-move tasks may include buying packing supplies, booking movers, filling prescriptions, switching doctors, finding baby/pet sitters, and more. You should make a resolution to put all of your pre-move errands onto a single list, with set deadlines to make your move go smoothly.

Moving Resolution 2: Declutter your home before moving day.

Decluttering is a New Year’s resolution that many people struggle to fulfill every year, but moving allows you to achieve it. There is no reason to use precious time and money transporting the possessions you do not want or need. Take this opportunity to sell, donate, give away, and throw out any unwanted items that will make your move easier.

Moving Resolution 3: Learn how to pack correctly.

If you commit to learning how to pack correctly, you will protect your possessions and make unpacking less stress-inducing. Some rules for correct packing include putting heavier items at the bottom of boxes, not leaving empty spaces in boxes, using detailed labels, properly taping boxes closed, and not packing items from different rooms in the same box.

Moving Resolution 4: Start packing early and do a little bit each day.

If you make and keep a resolution to start packing early, and gradually, it will save you a lot of stress. It is a lot easier and less stressful to pack up your home, and accomplish all of your other pre-move tasks over a month than it is to do so in just a few days. You will be very happy you made this resolution when moving day finally arrives. 

Resolutions For Moving Day

Moving Resolution 5: Make sure your kids and pets are prepared for moving day.

Moving can be stressful for anyone, but it can be particularly hard on children and pets. You should make a resolution committing yourself to giving your kids and pets extra love and attention during the packing process, on moving day, and in your new home. Both kids and pets also benefit from their routines being maintained before, during, and after the move as much as possible. 

Moving Resolution 6: Have an essentials bag. 

Another potential moving resolution you can attempt to achieve is to create an “essentials bag” and add any items you may need during or immediately after the move. Items to put in an essentials bag include daily medications, a change of clothes, toiletries, pet supplies, your child’s favorite toy, phone chargers, and other similar items.

Moving Resolution 7: Take a family photo in your old home and your new one. 

While this resolution is not necessary to have a stress-free move, it can be fun and meaningful. You may have had some great memories in your old home, and you may want to look back on your last days there at some point in the future. On the other hand, you may want to look back on your first day in your new home. Commemorating your move with family photos is just a good way to mark the occasion. 

Resolutions For After The Move

Moving Resolution 8: Create an effective unpacking system.

Creating an effective unpacking system will make the process of getting settled in your new home much easier. Unpack your boxes methodically, in order of importance to you and your family. It can make sense to start with your essentials bag and then move on to the kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, living areas, and finally the garage/attic.

Moving Resolution 9. Keep in touch with friends and family.

Moving can be emotionally difficult, especially if you are moving far away from friends or family. It is emotionally and psychologically beneficial to keep in touch with friends and family, no matter how far away they live. Thanks to the internet, maintaining long-distance connections is easier than ever. Take advantage of this technology and stay in touch with the people that matter to you, whether you are just moving to a new neighborhood or across the country.

Moving Resolution 10: Make an effort to meet your new neighbors.

While maintaining social relationships after a move is important, it is also important to make an effort to meet your new neighbors. When people move, they can often feel socially isolated. To combat social isolation, you should make an effort to introduce yourself to your new neighbors. 

Moving Resolution 11: Explore your new neighborhood.

The world is an interesting place and you are getting the chance to live in and explore a new slice of it. Make a resolution pledging to take advantage of this opportunity. Walk around your new neighborhood to get the lay of the land. Take note of nearby restaurants, stores, parks, and other points of interest.

The Most Important Moving New Year’s Resolution

The most important of all potential moving resolutions is promising yourself that you will call Big John’s Moving to assist you with your move. Big John’s Moving offers professional moving and storage solutions for residential and commercial customers throughout New York City. Fulfill this resolution and call us today!

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Moving in the winter, and moving during a snowstorm on top of it, is no easy feat, but there are some pros that you can read about in our last blog here! Keep reading to learn some tips and tricks that make moving in inclement weather as smooth as possible!

Oh Freaking No, There’s Snow!

You wake up, it’s moving day morning, there’s a chill in the air and your knee feels as though it’s going to burst through your skin like “Alien,” and if you don’t get that reference, are you even old enough to be moving or buying a home? It’s snowing, you think to yourself “Great! Now I have to reschedule the move!” Or do you? Big John’s Moving knows how to create a successful, niveous move. 

Top Tips For Moving In The Snow:

Safety First:

Obviously, we do not encourage moving during a snowstorm, if it becomes a dangerous situation with road closures and low visibility. However, a light dusting or mild snowfall will not need to delay a move. If there is accumulation of snow on the ground, you should make sure to clear a pathway from the door to the driveway by shoveling and then salting or sanding the ground to help prevent ice and slipping hazards, as well as, damage to your items.

Snow Should Fall, Not People!

When snow and moisture is trekked in and out of the home, it starts heating up your floors causing a hazard for anyone entering or exiting. We recommend laying down sheets, blankets, towels, or moving pads. This will reduce the risk of falling people, dropping your goods, or ruining hardwood and carpeting!

Managing Your Expectations

Snow, sleet, and rain are going to delay the moving process. One tip we have for you is to practice being patient and kind! We’re working hard, so you don’t have to, but we must also slow down the process. We take full precautions to prevent injuries to not only our staff, but you and your home!

Be Kind

It’s cold out here! Do you see the snow?? An area in your home with warm beverages and water is a great way to show your appreciation. It is also best to set up a portable heater so the members of the crew can heat up a bit! It goes a long way to show your appreciation for moving during these treacherous conditions. We want to finish the moving process as fast as you do, so having the proper tools and setup makes it go that much faster!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Now you know our top tips and guidelines for making your move during a snowstorm as safe, efficient, and painless as possible. It is time to hire the best company to help you move, even  when there’s snow! Big John’s Moving is available for hire 365 days a year, snow, rain, or shine. You can call us at (212) 734-3300 for fast and free estimates. You can also visit our main site for more information on all of our services.

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The Cons

Ok, we’re not going to lie, some parts of moving during the holidays aren’t very fun. Let’s get them out of the way, rip off the band-aid!

• Winter weather like snow, rain, wind, and the cold aren’t optimal, but that’s why Big John’s Moving is here, to risk the cold, snow and ice so you can stay warm while moving.
• The holidays like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are a time for rest, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends. If you can’t bear to be away from the family party or miss the whimsy and wonder of the season, this may not be for you.

With very minimal cons, it’s not ideal to move during the holidays, but keep reading to see the massive perks.

The Pros

Here’s the meat and potatoes, or should I say the turkey and the stuffing, or the ham and mashed potatoes, or–actually let me stop while I’m ahead. 

• Nobody moves during the holidays! There’s going to be an abundance of services available to you on your schedule, not whenever the movers can fit you in. 
• Many members of your household are likely to be off for the holidays and even have extended weekends, especially the kids. Everyone will have spare time to pack up their things in time for the big move.
• Avoiding the in-laws. Nobody, and we mean nobody, likes their in-laws. (Right? Just us?) Skip meemaw’s dry turkey and homemade concoctions, tween cousins, prodding aunts and uncles, and that random family friend that shows up and never leaves.
• Appease the buyers! They want to move in as soon and as easily as possible. Both parties moving in and out during the same holiday time frame can speed things up and make everyone happy to be done with the big move.
• Bonus perk: If you’re not particularly festive or religious, you have an excuse to not rock around the christmas tree because it’s in a box, on a truck, on a bridge en route to your new home. Putting up Christmas or other holiday lights and decorations is a hassle, so move during the holidays and avoid it!

The Conclusion

There are some cons, but mostly pros. If it’s true that people move every 7 years, you have quite a few excuses to miss the family get together or the hassle of decorating! This is why moving during the holidays is kind of the best. For reliable movers, Big John’s Moving is available 365 days a year for all of your packing, boxing, storage, and moving needs! Visit our website for more information on all of our available services.

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Here are our top 5 tips of moving during the fall:

1. Learn To Let Go Of The Past

The bathing suit you’ve had since that spring break trip your sophomore year of college, the broken lawn furniture hanging on by nostalgia and a dream, or that obscure kitchen appliance still in its box since your wedding shower–it all needs to go and not with you. Most moving companies charge by the amount of space used on the truck or by the box, so even 5 less boxes or 3 less miss matched lawn chairs is a great way to save.

2. It’s Fall, Be Seasonal!

Make sure to pack all of your similar items together. Coats, long-sleeves, hats, etc. should be packed together and be easily accessible for unpacking! Holiday decorations and attic oddities, forks and spoons, pillows and blankets, make it make sense! It’s tempting to throw everything where it fits and deal with it later, but this is a set-up for disaster.

3. Be Ready For Inclement Weather

After all, the perks of a Summer move are great weather and long days. The fall can put a damper on your moving crew, so make sure to start early in the morning to maximize sunlight, keep a broom and plastic sheets ready for leaves, dirt, and debris, and dress well for the weather. 

4. Take Advantage Of The Holidays

For people moving with children, the schools are closed a bunch of days in the early months of the school year. Take advantage of that downtime to pack up the house, call utility companies, buy last minute necessities, and anything else that comes up as you’re moving in the fall. Bonus– these are days you may be able to rope in your friends and their platoon of children to come over for pizza, beers, and a fun game of packing up the house!

5. Why Do It All Yourself? Don’t Be Afraid To Hire Help!

Big John’s Moving is a full service moving company based in NYC. From packing, to moving, to storing–we’ve got you covered. We are a company of professionals that have your best interest in mind, we don’t overcharge, we’ve got flexible schedules, and we handle each move with precision, speed, and care. Visit our website for more information on our services.

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Be sure to check out our other posts about moving during the summer, winter, and fall!

Benefits of Moving During the Spring

1. Ideal Weather

Wintertime brings with it snow and frigid temperatures. Summers can have heavy rains and sweltering heat. Springtime is usually mild, and even when it rains, the rainfalls are more like showers rather than monsoons. If you’re looking for a meteorologically ideal time to move, spring would be it! It’s comfortable to be outside in just a light jacket, which means lugging heavy boxes and bulky furniture from your home to the truck and from the truck to your new home is easier without breaking a sweat.

2. Improved Roadway Conditions

With the nice weather comes safer roads. You won’t have to worry about snow or ice, and roadway repairs begin as soon as the winter is over, so potholes and other damaged areas will likely be covered. Additionally, traffic is usually pretty mild during the spring–there are fewer accidents due to better road conditions, and it isn’t vacation season yet.

3. Movers Are Readily Available

Since you will be moving during a less popular season, moving companies will have more dates available, which means they can more easily accommodate your desired moving date. You may also get lucky with lower prices, since competition for movers is less. You may even be able to negotiate a better price, as movers will be eager for your business during this slower time of year.

4. Garage Sale Season

Spring is the perfect time for a garage sale! It’s naturally a time when everyone is busy cleaning out their homes, so packing up your things for moving fits right in with the trend. Your spring cleaning might be more thorough than others, but that makes it a great time to sell or donate the items you don’t want to bring with you. With the nice weather, people will enjoy spending time at your garage sale and may be even more likely to buy something, as they won’t be rushing off due to uncomfortable heat or cold.

Whether you are moving during the spring or any other season, Big John’s Moving is here to support your needs and make your move a success. Our team offers packing services, and we provide short- and long-term storage options, too. No matter what, our team is here to make sure every aspect of your move is taken care of!

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1. Check the Weather in Advance

The more aware you are of the weather conditions on moving day, the better prepared you will be. Keep a constant eye on the weather forecast, as it tends to change as your selected date gets closer. Checking the weather will also inform you if you need to postpone your moving date, so you are less likely to be surprised by a last minute change of plans.

2. Dress for the Weather

This may seem obvious, but make sure not to pack away the proper coats, boots, umbrellas, hats, gloves, or whatever attire you may need to stay comfortable during the move. The last thing you want is to get soaking wet because you can’t access (or find) your umbrella or rain boots.

3. Garbage Bags Are Your Friend

Garbage bags have multiple uses when the weather is bad, from impromptu ponchos to adding an extra layer of protection over cardboard boxes, furniture, and other items you don’t want to get wet. It’s a good idea, anyway, to have garbage bags at the ready on moving day, because, somehow, trash always ends up multiplying when you are clearing out a space. When there’s any kind of precipitation outside, it’s even more useful to have garbage bags around–so get yourself a box of them just for the day of your move!

4. Stay on Main Roads

Even if the route is a bit longer, it’s important to stay on main roads when it’s snowing or heavily raining outside. Main roads are much more likely to be plowed, plus the heavier traffic helps melt the snow quicker than the less-used side roads. The last thing you want is to get stuck in the middle of your move!

5. Make Sure Your Destination Has a Clear Parking Spot

If it’s snowing out, make sure the moving truck has somewhere to park and that the spot is plowed. You (and your movers!) don’t want to have to climb over mounds of snow or have to shovel or plow when you get to your new home. If need be, you can head to your destination ahead of the movers so that you have time to get a parking spot ready right in front of your new house or building.

6. Protect Your Floors

Put down mats and towels in your new home so that your floors are protected from everyone’s wet and dirty shoes, as well as from any wet boxes or other items. Mats and towels also provide a safety measure, as they prevent the floor from becoming slippery and potentially causing a fall.

Moving in bad weather requires a bit of extra preparation, but it’s nothing we can’t handle! At Big John’s Moving, we will make sure your move happens the way it should, no matter what’s happening outside. Rain or shine, wind or snow, we’ll work with you to ensure your moving day is set up for success.

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1. More Helpers Are Available

With schools closed and people taking off from work, you’ll have many more helpers during your move than if you moved during a different time of year. Between packing, organizing, and checking many other moving tasks off your to-do list, your kids, neighbors, and family will likely be more available to help you and ease some of your stress.

2. Less Holiday Pressure

This is the perfect year to lower your holiday stress. Moving during the holidays means you can turn down any holiday party invitations guilt-free because, of course, you’re moving and need to focus on that (right?!). No need to go all-out on decorating or cooking (but if that’s your thing, there are ways to do it, even during a move!). All in all, you can make this holiday season whatever you want it to be, and if you don’t want it to be as intense as years’ past, you have a great excuse to scale back!

3. Built-In Vacation

Since it is vacation season anyway, now is a great opportunity to turn your move into a family trip! Whether you are moving far away or nearby, take some time together as a family to explore your new neighborhood and act like tourists. Even if you don’t do anything super vacation-y, the ability to more easily take time off of work during the holiday season means you can take care of moving and unpacking with less stress about missing work.

4. Workplaces Have Slowed Down

In the same vein, when you do take off work during the holiday season, chances are you aren’t missing much. Unless you work in retail, it’s unlikely that your job is having a busy season. If anything, most workplaces slow down during the holidays, making it an ideal time to focus on your family and your move.

5. Off-Season Prices

Moving can be expensive, so any way to save money can be helpful. Since the holidays are not a popular time to move, moving companies will likely be offering off-season prices compared to if you move during the spring or summer. They will also be more likely to accommodate the moving date you need as they won’t be as booked up, but there might be some closures around the actual holidays themselves, so make sure to book in advance to make sure your schedule can be accommodated.

At Big John’s Moving, we’ll help your move be a success, no matter what time of year it is. At first glance, the holiday season may not be your top choice of time to move. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see just how many benefits of moving during the holidays there are.

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