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Moving From Los Angeles To NYC Complete Guide 2024

What's it like to move from LA to NYC? We talked to real people who made the move and here's what they said about it. We also discussed some neighborhoods and all you need to know moving between the two cities.
Moving From Los Angeles To NYC

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When you’re moving coast to coast, it takes time, commitment, and a team of professionals you can trust. Fortunately, Moving APT did the research for you. We used our 22 years of experience in the moving industry (and authentic customer feedback) to create a guide for moving from LA to New York – complete with insider information you can’t find anywhere else.

At Moving APT, we know a thing or two about moving from LA to New York. We do face-to-face businesses with national movers on a daily basis, and we know how they operate – right down to the routes they take and the prices they charge. We’ve got an inside look at how movers work, and we’re here to share what we know.

In this article, we’ll talk about how you can make it in the Big Apple, and we’ll mention a few of our favorite movers, too. Read on to learn more about how to get started with your move from LA to NY:

At a Glance: Our Top 3 Recommended LA to NYC Movers

Roadway Moving - Best Movers from LA to NYC

Roadway Moving

4.9
4.7/5
Rockstar Pro Movers - Best Movers from LA to NYC

Rockstar Pro Movers

4.8
4.8/5
Native Van Lines - Best Movers from LA to NYC

Native Van Lines

4.7
4.7/5

New York City is everyone’s dream home. It’s a city filled with diversity, opportunities, and a wide range of cultures. But when people actually start looking into making the move to NYC from LA, they start to wonder if it’s even a good idea – and they start thinking about how much their lives will change.

Don’t worry: You’ll fall in love with the Big Apple. New York and Los Angeles may be on opposite sides of the country, but they both draw in people from all walks of life. You’ll find lots to appreciate when you make the move, and parts of your new city will feel pleasantly familiar.

Moving to New York City from LA means a new start, and you should learn all you can before heading east. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make the move from Los Angeles to New York, starting with what you can expect from your new home, and what you can expect from your cross country movers.

There’s a lot to do before moving from LA to NYC, and we’ve got the perfect guide for you. Read on to get started.

The Cost of Moving from LA to NYC

Based on the number of belongings being moved and the services being rendered, a cross-country relocation to New York from Los Angeles could cost around $5,000 to $8,000

Pricing is calculated by the actual distance of the move, weight of belongings, and extra services like packing and unpacking.

Type of Service 1 Bedroom 2-3 Bedrooms 4-5 Bedrooms
DIY/Truck Rental $1600 – $2400 $2200 – $4100 $3500 – $5200
Moving Container $2000 – $2900 $2500 – $5200 $4500 – $8200
Full Service $2200 – $3900 $3400 – $8700 $7200 – $16650

Budgeting your move is an important first step. If you’re trying to get an estimate before booking a mover, get a free quote here – and check out these articles for more info about what goes into the price of your move:

How Long Will an LA to NYC Move Take?

An LA to NYC move will take anywhere between 7 and 21 days, and sometimes more. Like the final price of your move, an LA to NYC move depends on how much stuff you’re hauling and how far everything needs to travel.

Delivery TypeETA
Standard9-21 days
Expedite7-14 days
Straight5-7 days

Most people assume that a smaller move will get sent sooner. However, this isn’t always the case. Movers don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the country. It’s not very efficient on space or fuel, so instead, they’ll wait for a truck to be filled with multiple moves.

If your studio apartment doesn’t take much space in a moving truck, you may have to wait while the truck picks up (and drops off) other people’s moves on the way. On the other hand, if you manage to fill a moving truck with just your stuff, it may get shipped immediately.

A move can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Moving APT put together a few helpful guides to make your LA to NYC move as smooth as possible:

Moving DIY vs Hiring Professional Movers

Moving from LA to New York City means making a cross country trip with all your stuff. Although you can do it yourself, DIYing a move comes with a lot of risk, and it’s usually not as cheap as people expect. The last thing you want when you’re moving long distance is a ton of stress. Fortunately, coast to coast movers can help.

Even if you’ve moved before, a long distance move is a different story. Taking the wheel of a moving truck and driving it for thousands of miles is no cakewalk. Plus, you’ll have to pack and load everything yourself. It’s not a fun vacation by any metric.

Fortunately, professional cross country movers can disassemble, pack, and haul your furniture for you. They’ll get everything shipped to your new home (or business), and with their help, you can start fresh in NYC without missing a beat.

Rather than hauling everything yourself, hiring a professional NYC Los Angeles mover is your best bet. They’ll make the whole process quick, efficient, and easy, and you won’t have to drive the truck yourself.

Are You Moving Specialty Items From LA to NYC?

Hiring moving professionals is a great way to keep your move as smooth as possible, and you won’t get stuck in traffic with all your stuff, either. Your moving team can also help you with specialty items that you’d risk breaking by moving yourself.

No matter where they’re moving from, people usually have special (but bulky, large, or fragile) items. This can include pianos, large works of art, and pool tables. These are worth moving: They’re often the heart and soul of a room, and it only makes sense to bring them with you to your new home.

If you’re moving to NYC with your piano, pool table, sectional, or antiques, you should hire the pros. Specialty items require specialty packing, and full service movers can provide extra care and attention to keep your valuables safe.

Finding Where You’ll Live

New York offers a whole range of options when it comes to choosing a home. It’s easy to find a neighborhood that fits your financial and social needs. Everyone can find the perfect fit, whether you’re a singleton or in a family; whether you’re an entrepreneur or an artist.

However, when you’re shopping for housing, it’s best to come and check out New York City in person. Traveling to the city and exploring different neighborhoods and boroughs is key, and we recommend exploring and imagining yourself as a resident in every area you see. Online research is a great place to start, but it’s hard to beat firsthand experience.

Here are some options that always attract new arrivals:

1. Dumbo

Nicknamed “The center of the Brooklyn tech triangle” due to its concentration of technology startups, Dumbo (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is close to Manhattan. Buyers with deep pockets take note: Dumbo’s luxury housing makes it the most expensive part of Brooklyn.

Dumbo is one of the leading art districts of New York City. Washington Street is a famous Instagram spot, and visitors can capture photos of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan Bridge together when looking up from the cobblestone street.

2. Battery Park City

If you’re not trying to live in the heart of downtown NY, Battery Park City might be the perfect fit. This neighborhood is situated on the southernmost tip of Manhattan, and it’s calmer and more relaxed than the rest of the city.

It also has a low crime rate and convenient transportation hubs for getting to work. As an added bonus, Battery Park City offers plenty of space to enjoy walks on the waterfront and a lot of public parks.

3. Tribeca

This beautiful and spacious Lower Manhattan neighborhood provides you with the urban feeling of NYC, but without the stress of the city center. A lot of luxurious houses in Tribeca were formerly industrial buildings, and the whole area is a favorite for celebrities. (Tribeca Film Festival, anyone?) Tribeca also has a low crime rate, which is a reassuring sign that this neighborhood is a safe place to call home.

Finding a Job

If you’re moving from Los Angeles to New York City to look for work, you may be able to move  first before landing something stable – but make sure you have enough money in your savings account. You should have enough money set aside to keep you supported until you secure the right job.

It’s also a good idea to hit the ground running. If you don’t have a job lined up, check for job adverts, and apply to as many jobs as possible so you have opportunities to work right after your move.

On the other hand, if you’re moving from Los Angeles to NYC together with your business, it may be a good idea to look into commercial moving professionals. They can handle your office move safely and quickly, and you’ll be able to get down to business immediately after you reach New York City.

Exploring The City Before Moving From LA to NYC

You may have been to the Big Apple before, but a vacation is a different experience than actually living there. It’s a good idea to spend some time exploring the city to get to know its good and bad sides before you commit to a move.

List out a few neighborhoods you’re interested in visiting, and take a walk. Check out the shops, offices, parks, and restaurants in the area. Is it easy to get around? How are the people? You’ll meet New Yorkers (for better or for worse), and you’ll get a better idea of what New York’s like for locals, rather than tourists.

Advantages of Moving from LA to NYC

The city never sleeps, and as Sinatra put it, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, ideas, and all walks of life, and people come from all over the world to chase their dreams in the Big Apple.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced lifestyle, New York is the place for you. It’s a city for dedicated and ambitious climbers and strivers to pursue their goals.

This fast pace is one of the main differences that sets New York apart from Los Angeles: California is more laid-back, and New York is anything but easygoing.

Apart from the hustle and bustle of the big city, NYC is overflowing with great food, international entertainment, lots to do, and unlimited job opportunities.

Take a look at some of the other benefits of living in New York City:

1. Public Transportation

Transport is one of the biggest differences between Los Angeles and New York City. Angelinos love their cars, and public transport in LA has always been a little lacking. On the other hand, New York is pretty much the opposite. New Yorkers have reliable public transport, so owning a car isn’t even a requirement.

Hopping on the subway or train can get you anywhere you need to go within about 45 minutes. Aside from the easy public transport, New York is super walkable: No more sitting in traffic, and no more searching for overpriced parking spaces. Plus, you get some exercise and a better sense of community.

2. The Seasons Actually Change

If you’re moving to NY from LA, you’d better pack a coat. The weather on the East Coast is way different than what you get in California. Get ready for snow and much colder temperatures, but think of it as a way to experience something new: seasons that actually change.

Los Angeles has great weather, and it’s rare for LA to get anything worse than a slight drizzle. On the other hand, living in New York allows a whole range of winter activities like hockey, ice skating, and snowball fights – and that’s just during the coldest months. New York gets four distinct seasons, which can be a welcome change from the monotony of West Coast weather.

3. Highly Affordable Suburbs

Even though Manhattan is (unsurprisingly) the most expensive place to live in the United States, there are some NYC suburbs that are downright affordable:

  • Old Mill Basin, in Brooklyn: While the average home is $765,000 in the surrounding area, Old Mill Basin’s average is just $231,000. Although access to public transit can be difficult, the extra hike might be worthwhile for the lower cost of living.
  • University Heights, located in the Bronx: Residents of University Heights get the urban vibe of a big city, but with average home prices at about $195,000, the cost of living is much more affordable.
  • Grant City, in Staten Island: This is another affordable suburb, and Staten Island’s distance from New York City gives it a different pace of life. There’s still easy access to the big city, so it’s the best of both worlds.

4. Job opportunities

A job search can be difficult, but in a city like New York, there are almost unlimited opportunities. Many large companies in the United States are headquartered in New York, such as:

  • JP Morgan Chase & Co.
  • IBM
  • Dior
  • PepsiCo
  • ABM Industries
  • Icahn Enterprises
  • Citi
  • Pfizer
  • Verizon

The list goes on, and there are work opportunities in every professional field. Law firms, tech giants, fashion companies, financial gurus, logistics companies, and a whole host of other industries offer employment all over New York.

5. There are things to do

No one ever gets bored in New York City. There are unlimited things to do – and we mean more than just catching Broadway shows and eating at great restaurants. You may have seen tourist attractions like Times Square before, but New York offers a whole range of sights to see and places to go, and you’ll need an entire lifetime to fully enjoy it all.

Central park, museums, nightlife, shopping… you’ll always have something to do in the city that never sleeps. Now all you have to do is get there.

Get Started on Your Move from LA to NYC

If you’re about to commit to a move across country, your first step is to get in touch with Moving APT to explore your options. We’ve been moving customers for over 22 years, and have a whole network of certified, licensed, and professional movers who are ready to help you make the switch to the East Coast.

Ready to get started? Get budgeting and find the best prices for long distance movers. Get a free quote, and pack your bags for the Big Apple.

Joey Sasson

Joey Sasson

Joey Sasson is an executive and author with over 30 years of experience in the moving industry. As president of sales and logistics at Moving APT, Joey’s been a driving force behind our company’s success. He’s known around the office for his expertise and dedication, and he’s probably working on another article right this moment. Joey has a lot to say about the moving industry, but he also writes about other elements of business, leadership, self-improvement, and more.
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