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How To

How to Plan a Successful Small Move in New Jersey

How to Make a Small NJ Move

While most people might hire professional NJ movers to handle a full house relocation, that doesn’t mean you can’t hire them if you only have a few boxes and some furniture. Sure, you could rent a truck and go the DIY route, but that means you have to deal with everything that comes with it, including lifting and carrying heavy items and driving a large truck through New Jersey traffic. It might save you money, but you could end up hurting yourself or even getting in an accident because you’re not used to driving a large vehicle.

Luckily, plenty of NJ moving companies do provide small move services. So before you decide to rent a van or truck, consider hiring a reliable NJ moving company to do the work for you. Whether you’re making a local or long-distance move, working with an experienced moving company will definitely make things a lot easier for you.

What Qualifies A Small Move

Generally speaking, a small move means you’re relocating fewer household items than what you might typically associate with a full house move. Typically, it means you’re moving less than 2,000 pounds or the contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Of course, a small move can also mean that you’re moving a few pieces of furniture or appliances. Either way, you will probably only need one trip in a moving truck to relocate all of your things.

A small move isn’t just for local relocation. It can still be labeled one even for a long-distance move or cross-country move since the term is based on the amount that you’re moving, not necessarily the distance. Regardless of how small your move is, you should still perform due diligence on the NJ movers you hire to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. Make sure you also get a quote beforehand to ensure the price is within your budget.

When Would You Make a Small Move

Outside of moving from a small apartment, there may be other reasons you would need to make a small move. This includes:

  • Moving temporarily due to business or personal requirements
  • Moving from or to a dorm room
  • Relocating large items like furniture or appliances
  • Transferring items from a storage unit to your new home
  • Leaving a shared house situation

If you don’t feel like packing, you can always ask the moving company you hire if they provide that service. It will cost extra money so be prepared to increase your budget if that’s something you need help with.

Planning Your Small Move

Just because you’re not moving a lot of stuff doesn’t mean you can skimp on the preparation. Sure, you might not be dealing with as many items, but you’ll still need to complete all of the tasks like packing, researching NJ moving companies, transferring your utilities, and so on. Like regular moves, you should try to start the process at least a month before your move-out date so you’re not scrambling a few days before. Nothing is more stressful than having to do a last-minute move, even if it’s small.

When planning your move, take into consideration the distance as well. Local moves require less planning and fewer resources than longer ones. You’ll also want to pack your boxes a bit differently to make sure they will survive long transit times. 

To make your small NJ move easier, make sure to follow the steps below:

  1. Declutter – before packing, sort through everything you own and determine if you want to bring it with you to your new home. The less you have the faster and cheaper your move will be
  2. Pack – pack room by room and category to make unpacking easier. Use good-quality boxes and other materials to ensure the boxes don’t collapse while being loaded and unloaded
  3. Hire professionals – hiring a moving company will make everything a lot easier as you won’t have to deal with the logistics of driving, parking, figuring out traffic, loading and unloading the truck, and so on.
  4. Transfer all necessary information, which includes things like utilities, credit card billing, pet information, child’s transcripts, etc.

Cost of a Small Move

How much a move costs depends on a few factors, but the important ones are distance and how much you are moving. You are typically charged an hourly rate for local moves, and many companies will have at least a two-hour minimum. Naturally, the more stuff you need to move, the longer it will take to load and unload the truck. Still, if you have a couple of extra boxes, it won’t affect your final bill.

On the other hand, if you are making a long-distance move, you will be charged based on the volume and weight of what you are moving. So when you get the actual estimate, it means that the price is exactly what you should be paying at the end. There tends to be a bit of wiggle room when it comes to weight differences, so you can always have a little more or less than without changing the cost. It’s only if you add several boxes or a piece of furniture that the price will change.

Besides that, additional services will increase the cost of your move. That means if you want packing, unpacking, storage, or anything else, you will incur an extra fee on top of the standard move price. It’s a great option if it’s something you can afford and/or need, as you can go through the moving company for everything.

Hire Professional NJ Movers for Your Small Move

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. Reach out to NJ Great Movers for all your small moving needs. Our team of dedicated movers provides excellent service at affordable rates. No job is too small for us! When you work with us, you can be sure your belongings will reach their destination with no issues.

FAQ

Do I need to pack everything in boxes for a small move?

Any loose items should be placed in boxes. However, you can get creative and avoid using boxes for everything. For example, leave your clothes in a dresser and use plastic wrap to prevent the drawers from opening during a move. You can do the same for anything with drawers, like cabinets, desks, and entertainment centers.

Is a small move a special service I need to request?

No, a small move is not a special service; it is just a descriptor for the type of move and will largely inform the movers on how many people need to help and the size of the truck they need to bring.

 

 

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Moving Tips

5 Important Steps to Take When Relocating for a Job

5 Important Steps to Take When Relocating for a Job

Moving for a new job can be both exciting and terrifying. After all, it might mean moving to a new neighborhood or state! On top of that, you might not have much time between when you move to when you start your new job. Understanding the steps required for your relocation can simplify the process, which can make it easier for you and your family to adjust. So if you’re planning to move for your job, below are some important steps you need to take.

Seriously Consider the Effects of a Move

Whether your company is asking you to transfer to a new location or you’re looking for new opportunities, it’s important to create a list of considerations before deciding to relocate. While an increase in salary or benefits may sound like a great opportunity, there’s a lot more to think about before you make the move such as:

  • Relocation expenses – do you have enough to actually purchase a new home and hire professional movers? 
  • Cost of living – a decent salary in a more affordable neighborhood might not go as far is you end up moving to a large city
  • Impact on your family – will your kids have to start in a new school?
  • Back up plan – what happens if the relocation doesn’t work out?

You should also write up a list of pros and cons of moving and then discuss the plan with your family. See how everyone feels and explain why you are considering a move.

Calculate Costs

While some companies offer relocation reimbursement, many do not. Before you sign the offer letter, always ask if the company can cover some relocation expenses. For example, some might pay for house-hunting trips before you move while others will provide a lump sum to encompass all moving related expenses. Not all companies offer help, but it never hurts to ask if there’s room for negotiation.

Your best bet is to research and calculate costs associated with your move and create a budget. That means reaching out to several different moving companies and getting a quote, complete with any add-on services you might need like storage, packing, unpacking, and so on. You can then present this amount to your company for help with reimbursement or, at the very least, as a starting point for your moving budget. Don’t forget to include other costs such as packing materials and new furniture.

Research Locations

Before deciding to move to a new neighborhood, take some time to actually check it out. What might seem good on paper might not be a great option in real life. Try to spend a few days if possible with your family and really get to know the area. Figure out how far away important places are such as your new job, your kid’s school, and the grocery store. You should also check for other amenities like parks, libraries, and museums.

If you can’t visit, do as much online research as possible. Check out the city government website or community forums to learn more about the nearby attractions. You can also check out the city’s social media page to see what happens daily. As well, check Google Maps and do a search for places of interest. 

While you’re doing research on the city, don’t forget to look up the cost of living of the area. After all, an average salary in the midwest might not get you very far in a larger city in the northeast. You can generally find average costs for almost every location in New Jersey to see if your salary will be enough for the area you want to live. If you’re being transferred to a more expensive location, make sure to see if you can get an adjustment to your salary to match the cost of living.

Create a Budget

Whether your company helps with your NJ relocation or not, a budget is always a good idea to ensure you don’t overspend. When creating your budget, make sure to include everything including the cost of your closing fees, any repairs to your old house to make it more attractive in the real estate market, repairs to your new house, packing materials, new furniture, and more. While seeing such a large number might be daunting, it’s best not to leave anything out. Drill down as much as possible so you’re not blindsided by surprise costs.

Once you have a relatively accurate budget, find ways to offset the costs. Maybe you can host a garage or yard sale to sell some of the items you don’t plan on bringing with you. Or you can also find ways to get boxes for free. The more you can reduce your costs, the better!

Get Organized

Organization is important if you want to keep the moving process on schedule. Of course, there are the main tasks like selling your current place, finding a new home, packing, and so on. However, there are dozens of smaller things you’ll need to do like forwarding your mail, transferring your child’s school records if you’re moving to a new district, getting your utilities turned on at your new home, and more. Make a list of every task you need to do and put them in your calendar so you don’t forget them!

Besides creating a to-do list, make sure you also go through everything you’re keeping and create a detailed inventory. That includes jotting down a general description, total quantity, and a picture showing their condition. Most moving companies will require an inventory, but even if they don’t it’s good for you to have. That way, if anything gets lost or damaged, you have proof.

Choose a Moving Date

Obviously, you’ll want to choose a date before you start at your new job. If you plan it out just right, you should hopefully have a window of time between leaving your old job and starting your new one. Give yourself at least a few days or maybe even a week so you have time to unwind, unpack, and get used to your new home. 

When choosing a moving date, consider the current season and how it might affect your schedule. Moving during the winter or early spring could mean you might have to deal with heavy snow, which can affect your move. This is especially important for long distance moves as inclement weather could add a day or two to the estimated delivery.

Move With NJ Great Movers

If you’re ready to relocate for a new job, let NJ Great Movers help you with all the moving related tasks. Besides loading and unloading the truck, we also offer other services like packing, unpacking, and storage. All you need to do is reach out to us and we’ll get in touch for more information. 

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Moving Tips

The Best Up and Coming NJ Places to Move to in 2025

The Best Up and Coming NJ Places to Move to in 2025

While mortgage rates might have leveled off, housing prices are still going up in New Jersey, especially in locations where people can easily commute to NYC or Philadelphia. Since 2012, New Jersey’s overall population has increased by 4 percent with some locations growing by more than 20 percent! Of course, the cost of houses in these popular areas are also going up significantly. Before the prices get too out of control, you might want to consider looking at these New Jersey towns.

Westwood

Known as the Hub of the Pascack Valley, Westwood offers easy commutes to New York City. In fact, you have multiple forms of public transportation to choose from. Hop on the NJ Transit line at Westwood station to get you to Penn Station or transfer at the Hoboken Terminal for access to other transportation options including the PATH, New York Waterways, or the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. You can also catch a NJ Transit bus that will take you to Port Authority Bus Terminal. 

But you don’t need to leave Westwood to enjoy some amenities. The Downtown area is a regional hub that offers plenty of shopping and dining options. Go to Westwood Cinema and enjoy a movie or check out Fritz Deitl Ice Rink to brush up on your ice skating. Otherwise, go to the community center to check out the many events happening throughout the year. 

While Westwood is by no means cheap, it is more affordable in comparison to its neighbors. Median home prices are around $650,000 and expected to go up in the next few years.

Barnegat Township

Located along the Southern shore of New Jersey, Barnegat Township population has steadily grown since 2000. This is due in part to the town’s focus on building 55-plus housing. In fact, two of the largest builders in this field – Lennar and D.R. Horton – have constructed nearly 600 age-restricted luxury homes, adding to the already 3,000 homes available. Besides 55-plus housing, the town is also building certain areas along the waterfront to encourage more professionals and young families to move in.

This is a great town if you love the outdoors. Even with all the new construction, the area still has a fairly rural feel with the majority of the township being taken up by the Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area to the east and Greenwood Forest Wildlife to the west. Both locations offer extensive hiking trails, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy some nature. Manahawkin is one of the few remaining salt marsh and transitional woodland coastal habitats in New Jersey. On the other hand, Greenwood Forest is the largest tract of land preserved by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife with over 95,000 acres.

So long as you don’t try to get a home close to the water, you can easily find a nice home here for under $400,000.

Griggstown

At just under 50 miles away from NYC, Griggstown is in that sweet spot where it’s a bit too far away to be considered an easy daily commute to NYC but just close enough to still have access on the weekends. As such, it’s not seen as an attractive option for people who want to work in NYC, but it’s definitely a great place for young professionals and families as the town is very safe and, for those with kids, great schools!

When it comes to activities, Griggstown is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a scenic walk along the Princeton Highlands/Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve Trail. It’s a lovely trail during all seasons and you get to enjoy a shallow wading brook if you head south or a wide open meadow if you head north! If you prefer a more structured outdoor activity, Griggstown is home to the Bunker Hill Golf Course where you can practice your swing. After a game, head over to Griggstown Farm to buy some seasonal produce.

Griggstown is a great area and as such has a pretty high price with homes selling for almost $500,000. But, if you want to live in a quiet area but still be close enough to a big city, it’s a great option.

Hackensack

While it might not be the most populated city in New Jersey, Hackensack is the most populous municipality in Bergen County with a population of over 45,000. As such, it’s a great place for people who want to have ‘city’ amenities without paying city costs. And, at just under 15 miles away from New York City, it’s the perfect place for young professionals to move to if they want to save some money.

Hackensack is served by three train stations on the NJ Transit Pascack Line with two of them going to Hoboken Terminal. There are also multiple buses that take you to Port Authority Bus Terminal and still more that take you to other major hubs such as Newark and Jersey City. Downtown Hackensack has plenty to offer from delicious restaurants to bars and clubs. If you want to relax a bit, you can enjoy views of the Hackensack River at Foschini Park.

Despite all of these perks, Hackensack is pretty affordable with home prices averaging under $350,000, that is if you can find it. Hackensack has more renters than homeowners, and average rents are high with one bedroom apartments going for around $2,200.

Bayonne

Bayonne has become more popular as Jersey City continues to grow and expand. With more affordable housing and rent, Bayonne is attracting young professionals who don’t mind commuting a little longer for work. As such, the area has seen a huge growth in restaurants, bars, cafes, retail shops and more! It’s a perfect place for young professionals who want to stretch their dollar.

Despite its proximity to NYC, Bayonne was not on many people’s radar until around the early to mid 2000s due to it being designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone. This allowed businesses to hire locally while also encouraging shopping thanks to the reduced sales tax. Thanks to this, more businesses started moving to the area and now there are over 200 businesses that make up the Bayonne Town Center. The revitalization of the downtown area, Bayonne has brought back popular attractions including the Bayonne Hometown Fair which was revived in 2015.

Home prices and rents are expected to increase, especially once a ferry terminal gets built, but for now you can find houses for under $450,000 and one-bedroom apartments renting out for under $2,000. Prices won’t stay this low though as more people realize how convenient the area is!

Prepare for Your NJ Move

Whether you choose the locations listed above or find a place that suits your needs better, NJ Great Movers is here to help with your transition. Our trained team can walk you through the process so you get a better understanding of what we offer and what you need. From there, we’ll make the move as easy and stress-free as possible. So reach out to us for your free estimate!

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How To Moving Tips

Moving for Work How to Manage a NJ Job Relocation

Moving for Work How to Manage a NJ Job Relocation

Moving for work can be both exciting and stressful. There are so many details you need to consider especially if you’re moving across state lines. But even if you’re making a local move, the point remains that you want to be as organized as possible. After all, moving for work is different from your standard move where you will likely have more time to pack and unpack. With a job lined up first, your timeline is a lot shorter since you’ll need to find a place before you start at your new job. Whether you have three months or three weeks for your NJ move, the guide below can help make your transition as easy as possible.

Ask Your Company About Relocation Assistance

If you didn’t get a chance to negotiate relocation assistance during your job offer, it’s not too late to do so even after the fact. Simply reach out to the HR representative that you have been talking to and see if they can reimburse you for some moving expenses. While not all companies will offer you something, many will provide between $20,000 to $100,000 to help make your move easier. After all, they are the ones who want you to move to a new location! Even if they say no, you can simply thank them and move on. Your job is still yours!

If you’re still uncomfortable about broaching the topic, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways you can reduce your moving costs. It all depends on how far you’re moving and how much elbow grease you want to put in yourself. While a completely DIY route might end up being cheaper, it will take you longer and could lead to damaged belongings or personal injury. For that reason, you should hire professional NJ movers. While it might cost you more, it will save you a lot of time and reduce your overall stress.

Make a Budget

Whether you get relocation assistance from your company or not, creating a budget for your move is imperative. There are a lot of little things you might need to purchase for a move and it’s all too easy to just put the charges on your credit card and forget it. However, this can lead to a huge sticker shock when you get your statement for the month. Creating a budget gives you the opportunity to really break down the costs and decide what you can afford to buy now or later. Make sure to create line items for every aspect of the move including:

And so on. Get as granular as possible and do your research by going online and finding prices on basic goods at nearby groceries and shops. Once you have your total, add an extra 15-20% on top of that for the first month as there are always things you’ll forget. If you’re moving from overseas, plan a larger bump, around 50 to 100% more than you would for a domestic move.

Make Lists for Everything

Lists are a great way to keep track of everything you need to get done for your move. There are so many large and small tasks you need to complete, you really don’t want to rely on your memory as you’ll definitely forget something. Much like your moving budget, get specific. Break down every task into smaller items. For example, instead of just listing out packing, you can separate it by room. Some other items to include are:

  • Declutter (by room)
  • Send out change of address for post office, financial institutions, health insurance, friends and family, etc.
  • Transfer utilities
  • Fill out transfer request information for kids 
  • Get all necessary health documents for everyone in your family
  • Research and book movers

And so on. A great complement to lists are spreadsheets. For example, an item on your moving checklist might be to turn off all of your utilities at your old house. That could link to a spreadsheet listing out every utility, the appropriate url or phone number to call, and even the billing cycle. On that same spreadsheet, include the same information for your new house to ensure you have everything working when you move into your new place. 

And speaking of spreadsheets, make sure to keep a well-maintained inventory of everything you plan on taking with you. This is especially important if you plan on hiring a NJ moving company as you want to ensure all of your boxes arrive safely. The inventory should include the type of item you are moving, quantity, a brief description including any current damage, and pictures especially of fragile and/or high value items. That way, should anything be damaged or go missing, you have documentation.

Locate the Essentials

The last thing you want to do on your first day of work is be late. So take some time to figure out the best driving route from your home to your new job location. Do a couple dry runs to see what the easiest and fastest options are. If you have public transportation nearby, see if that might be a better option than driving. Don’t depend on just one route to get to work! There might be heavy traffic due to an accident so you find alternative routes that might allow you to avoid potential traffic jams. While you’re driving around, keep your eyes peeled for other essentials like a grocery store, gas station, shopping centers, and so on. 

Speaking of essentials, make sure you can pack moving essentials into a separate box from the rest of your belongings. Pack your essentials bag or box like you would for a two to three day hotel stay. You want things like your toothbrush, clothes, toiletries, etc. easily accessible. If you’re going to work immediately after a move, make sure to have your work clothes in a garment bag to prevent wrinkling.

As well, stock up on staples before your first day in the office. Coffee, milk, eggs, cereal, and lunch items are a great option to have on hand to keep your costs down. And don’t forget to pick up a favorite bottle of wine or beer so you can relax after a long day.

Set Up Necessary Appointments as Early as Possible

Whether you need to go to the DMV to update your license or stop by your child’s school to make sure their enrollment is in order there are plenty of post-moving tasks that will require you to be away from your desk. As much as you can, arrange for these appointments to happen as early as possible and all at once to avoid being out too many days in a row. That way, you can avoid being off the clock too often during your first month. 

Of course, life doesn’t always go as planned and some things may end up getting delayed. As much as possible, give your manager and team a heads up so they know your whereabouts and availability as soon as possible. This will reduce stress on both sides!

Plan Your NJ Move

There’s a lot involved with job related relocation and you don’t always have as much time as you might like. With that said, there are plenty of ways to stay organized and, if you need more help, you can always reach out to NJ Great Movers. We can help you with almost every moving task such as packing, unpacking, and more. Reach out to us and we’ll go over how we can best suit your needs and budget.