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Moving into a Boston apartment or condo can be very different from moving into a suburban home. Elevators, loading zones, narrow staircases, building rules, limited parking, and busy streets can all affect how smoothly moving day goes.
Whether you’re relocating within Boston or moving from Wellesley, Newton, Needham, Natick, or another Greater Boston community into the city, a little extra preparation can save hours of frustration.
Here are the biggest things to consider before your apartment or condo move.
Check Your Building’s Moving Requirements
Before scheduling your movers, speak with your property manager, landlord, or condominium association.
Some buildings have specific rules regarding:
- Approved moving hours
- Elevator reservations
- Loading areas
- Certificates of insurance
- Protective elevator padding
- Weekend moves
- Building entrances that movers may use
Don’t assume you’ll be able to simply pull up and begin unloading.
Getting these details several weeks in advance gives both you and your moving company time to prepare.
Reserve the Elevator
If your building has a freight elevator, you may need to reserve it for a specific window.
This can significantly affect your moving schedule.
If you only have the elevator from 9:00 a.m. until noon, for example, your moving crew needs to plan loading, transportation, and arrival around that window.
Ask whether the elevator reservation applies to your old building, your new building, or both.
Figure Out Parking Before Moving Day
Parking is often one of the biggest challenges when moving in Boston.
A moving truck requires considerably more space than a passenger vehicle, and parking several blocks away can add significant time to a move.
Depending on your location, you may need to arrange for temporary parking or a moving truck space ahead of time.
Confirm exactly where your movers will be able to park at both addresses.
Measure Large Furniture
That sectional sofa that fit perfectly in your previous home may not fit through your new apartment doorway.
Before moving day, measure:
- Doorways
- Elevators
- Staircases
- Hallways
- Tight corners
- Large furniture
Pay particular attention to oversized couches, bed frames, armoires, desks, dining tables, and exercise equipment.
In some situations, furniture may need to be partially disassembled before it can be moved.
Protect Common Areas
Apartment and condo moves often involve traveling through shared spaces.
Professional movers typically take extra precautions around:
- Hardwood floors
- Elevator walls
- Hallways
- Doors
- Stair railings
- Building entrances
This protects not only your belongings but also the property itself.
Label Boxes by Room
Condo and apartment spaces can fill up quickly.
Instead of creating one giant stack of boxes near the entrance, clearly label every box with its destination:
Kitchen
Primary Bedroom
Office
Bathroom
Living Room
This allows movers to place boxes directly where they belong and makes unpacking much easier.
Pack an Apartment Essentials Box
Keep one box or bag separate containing everything you’ll need immediately after the move.
Consider including:
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Coffee supplies
- Paper towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Bedding
- Basic tools
- Important documents
- A change of clothes
You don’t want to search through 40 boxes at midnight looking for your toothbrush.
Work With Movers Familiar With Greater Boston
Boston presents moving challenges you don’t encounter everywhere else.
Traffic, older buildings, narrow streets, parking restrictions, elevators, historic properties, and congested neighborhoods all make local experience important.
An experienced moving company can help identify logistical issues before moving day instead of discovering them after the truck arrives.
Planning an Apartment or Condo Move?
Whether you’re moving across Boston or relocating between Boston and the MetroWest area, preparation makes all the difference.
Wellesley Moving helps homeowners, apartment residents, and condominium owners plan organized moves throughout Greater Boston and surrounding communities.
Contact Wellesley Moving today to request a free moving estimate and start planning your move.
