moving in NYC

How to Manage Moving Anxiety

Feeling anxious about your upcoming move? Don’t panic—you’re not alone! Moving home is often referred to as one of the most stressful events a person will experience in their lifetime. In fact, studies show that moving is commonly ranked as the #1 most stressful event in a person’s lifetime. According to Science Daily, moving takes a bigger toll on a person than previously thought.

A recent survey polled 1,000 Americans who had moved in the past three years and found that many reported moving to be the most stressful event they had experienced—more stressful than going through a breakup or divorce, getting married, or having children! Whether you’re moving down the hall or across the globe, moving is stressful.

“Moving is an overwhelming endeavor that can easily activate many of our emotions, including stress, exhaustion, and anxiety,” says Hillary Schoninger, LCSW. “Although moving may be a happy change, it is still change which can be challenging,” she tells Very Well Mind.

Key stress factors that reported to be the most difficult to handle during a move include finding a mover, and packing. Science Daily reports that, of the respondents surveyed who did their last move on their own, 43% said they would never do it again, while 94% of respondents who hired a moving company for their last move said it was well worth the money.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to reduce moving-related stress and anxiety.

Choose a Reliable Moving Company
Moving to a new place can be an exciting adventure, but let's face it: the process of packing, lifting heavy furniture, and transporting all your belongings can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Some people may consider moving by themselves or relying on friends and family to lend a hand, but there are compelling reasons why hiring a professional moving company like Brownstone Brothers Moving & Storage is the better choice.

Experience and Expertise
Professional movers are called professionals for a reason. They possess the necessary experience and expertise to handle all aspects of the moving process efficiently. From packing fragile items securely to navigating tight corners and narrow staircases, their knowledge and skills ensure a seamless move without any damage to your valuable belongings. Their familiarity with different types of properties and the challenges that can arise during a move make them better equipped to handle any unexpected situations.

Time and Efficiency
Moving requires a considerable amount of time and effort. By hiring professionals, you can save yourself valuable time and use it more wisely on other important tasks associated with your relocation. Experienced movers work efficiently and have the necessary manpower to complete the job swiftly, reducing both your physical and mental stress during this hectic time, allowing you to settle into your new home much faster.

Equipment and Resources
Moving involves more than just packing and lifting boxes. It often requires the use of specialized equipment and resources to handle large, heavy furniture and delicate items. Professional moving companies possess all the necessary tools, packing materials, and equipment to ensure a safe and secure move. From dollies and ramps to furniture pads and moving blankets, professionals come equipped with everything needed to protect your possessions during transit.

Insurance and Liability
Accidents can happen, regardless of how cautious we are during a move. When you hire reputable moving professionals, they usually offer insurance coverage to protect your belongings in case of unexpected events. This means that if any of your items are damaged or lost during the move, the moving company will bear the financial responsibility for their replacement or repair. On the other hand, if you rely on friends or family, you risk bearing the full liability for any accidents or damages that may occur.

Click here to read our blog How to Choose the Right Moving Insurance!

Leave the Packing to the Professionals
When it comes to moving, packing can be an overwhelming task. That's why hiring professional movers to handle your packing can make the entire process smoother and more efficient.They possess the experience, skills and materials to properly pack fragile and valuable items, ensuring their protection throughout the journey. Moreover, professional movers can save you valuable time and energy, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move. From disassembling furniture to organizing and labeling boxes, they handle each step with utmost care and precision. Although it can be uncomfortable to allow someone else to handle your personal items, hiring professionals to take care of packing can save a significant amount of stress during your move. Professional movers have the expertise and experience to pack your belongings safely and securely, minimizing the risk of damage during transportation—and they will accomplish this much more quickly than average person would. Skip the headache of packing yourself and trust the professionals to deliver a stress-free moving experience.

Need advice about moving delicate items? Check out our blog about moving delicate or valuable items!

Make the smart choice and enturst your move to the experts at Brownston Brothers Moving & Storage. Let us help reduce the stress of moving. Call or email us today!

Phone: (718) 665-5000

Email: info@brownstonebros.com

Is Moving to NYC Still a Good Idea?

By now, chances are, you’ve heard plenty of stories about New Yorkers fleeing the city to Connecticut, The Hamptons, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. When the pandemic first hit New York City, many residents were eager to leave, seeking more space, and fewer crowds. For anyone who has considered moving to the city, you may be wondering, is moving to NYC still “a good idea”? As a local moving company with 50 years of service in NYC, Brownstone Brothers has the inside scoop.  If you are on the fence about moving to NYC, here a few factors we recommend you take into consideration before you decide whether to take the plunge.

Rental Prices Are The Lowest They’ve Been in Years 

At the height of the pandemic, many New Yorkers fled the city, and vacancy rates skyrocketed. As a result, rental prices have plummeted. “Rent prices sunk to lows in the third quarter of 2020 not seen since 2011,” writes Natalie Campisi for Forbes.com. For the first time in nine years, the median asking rent in 2020 was less than $3,000. We haven’t seen rentals this low in almost a decade.

Real Estate Is More Affordable

Not only is it a great time to rent in NYC, it’s also a great time to buy. Real estate prices have fallen more than 50% in some areas of the city! For those who are in the market, this drastic reduction in housing prices has been one bright spot during the pandemic. For anyone who has fantasized owning a NYC apartment only to be deterred by exorbitantly high real estate prices, this is your chance! No one can predict how long this price drop will last—real estate prices were 10% to 20% lower between March and May, but since businesses have reopened, listing discounts are closer to 8% to 12% (Forbes.com). So, don’t wait long to make your move!

Suburban Real Estate is More Expensive than Ever

For suburban property-owners considering a switch from suburban to urban, you may be aware that this is a golden opportunity for you. While prices in the city have dropped, prices in the suburbs have climbed 25% or more over the last year. According to The Harris Residential Team, this is the perfect time to “sell high and buy low”.

Space in places like the Hamptons, Greenwich, CT, and Westchester was already limited before the pandemic. Now, it’s even harder to come by, and real estate prices have skyrocketed.  So, take advantage of this opportunity, and everything NYC has to offer! 

New Yorkers Are Resilient

The strain of the pandemic has been particularly evident in densely populated areas like New York City. But New Yorkers are no strangers to crisis. We saw New York’s resiliency back in 2001. After the attacks on September 11th, many businesses and residents joined together, survived and came out stronger than ever. Despite hurricanes, blackouts, and floods, we’ll be here long after the pandemic is over.

Contact us today about your New York City move!

Phone: (718) 665-5000

Email: info@brownstonebros.com





Protect Yourself From Covid During Your Move

Unfortunately, most of the knowledge of covid relating to household moving is anecdotal or based on rumor.  The method of transmission and prevention of infection is not precisely known.  We do know that covid-19 is airborne. Masks (N95, possibly others) and social distancing (though the length of distance is now questioned) have been found to be effective. Curiously, most of the time all masks are considered equal, but, of course, they are not. Social tracing proceeds on the supposition that covid is most likely transmitted by a 10 minute close, verbal interaction between two people. There is not much else known for certain about scientific particulars.  For example, whether the disease can be transmitted by viruses  picked up from household objects is not clear, is becoming, at least anecdotally, accepted.

Moving company websites have advertised that their men wear masks and gloves, and try to maintain “social distance”.  This is fine but not really enough.  Masks vary greatly in effectiveness, and many moving companies, just like committed joggers,  are now ready to admit that under physical duress, it is simply impossible to be always wearing a mask. Men should be encouraged to take short breaks after heavy exertion. What is not often pointed out is this: the customer should always be wearing a mask and that mask should be N-(95), or KN95. Brownstone Brothers Moving will supply such masks to customers if they need them. It would be helpful to work with smaller moving crews rather than moving crews larger than 6 men, for example.  To summarize:

  •  The proven facts about covid transmission are few.

  •  The standard techniques many other moving companies use presently are insufficient and inconsistently carried out.

  •  The customer should depend on his own personal safety measures.

  •  These measures should include an N-95 mask and  also social distancing whenever possible. 

In fact, Brownstone has been working right through the pandemic with no cases reported of infection among movers or customers.

Still have questions or concerns? Get in touch!

Phone: (718) 665-5000

Email: info@brownstonebros.com