Tag: move to New Jersey

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How to Choose the Best Moving Company in NJ

best moving company in nj

Are you planning on moving to a new place in New Jersey? A cursory Google search will turn up dozens of options which can lead to analysis paralysis. The more options you have, the harder it can be for you to decide which one to choose. While this might not be an issue for non-pressing purchases, choosing a reliable NJ moving company is crucial if you want a seamless transition to your new home. After all, you’re trusting them with your belongings! In order to find the best moving companies in NJ, it’s important to set aside some time to do proper research and vetting if you want to avoid potential issues and scams down the line. Not sure how to start? This handy guide walks you through how to choose the best NJ movers.

Ask People You Know

Word-of-mouth is still king. Before you even look online for NJ moving company reviews, ask your friends, family, and coworkers for their first-hand experience. White you don’t need to give them the third degree, you should ask them about what it was like working with the moving company. Were they communicative, on time, and professional? Did they damage anything and if they did, how did they resolve the issue? Did their initial quote match the final bill? All of these can help you narrow down your choices before you start doing your own online research.

Of course, just because one of your friends had a good experience doesn’t mean that other people felt the same way. Even bad moving companies can get it right sometimes! But asking for referrals is a good start so you can narrow down your choices.

Check for Licenses and Insurance

All professional NJ moving companies must have the appropriate licenses and insurance in order to legally operate within the state. These include mandatory registration with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to receive a USDOT number, a unique identifier that allows the government and consumers to Current and new address

  • Estimated size of move it or access the company’s compliance, inspections, crashes, etc. In order to receive the USDOT number, companies must have proof of up-to-date insurance. On top of this, NJ movers must be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs, which supplies standards that companies must abide by including minimum insurance coverage, fitness standards, contract requirements, and claims procedures.

Most reputable NJ companies will display their USDOT number on their website so you can easily look them up. If they don’t have the information, you can call them up and ask or you can call the NJDOT or New Jersey Warehouse and Movers Association for updated details on the company.

Hire Local Movers

Experienced NJ movers can make the process seem easy. They will know exactly how to navigate the crazy New Jersey traffic as well as all the laws for parking and moving into apartment buildings and/or homes. Need to deal with a flight of stairs? The best NJ moving companies have got you covered. More importantly, hiring local movers means you’ll be less likely to be tricked into a scam. On top of that, if you can find something local to either your new or old address, you’ll also save money. Local moves charge by the hour and they start charging you the minute they leave their warehouse and will stop the clock once their trucks are back on site. That means the further away they need to drive in either direction, the more you will need to pay and the more chances there will be for the movers to run into traffic or other issues. Narrowing your search to more local companies can save you a hundred dollars or more!

Do Your Research!

Even if you get recommendations from other people you still need to do your due diligence. Luckily, you can perform most of this online by looking at various online review sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. If a company has been in business for a long time, they will have hundreds of reviews from satisfied and not-so-satisfied customers. Read as many as you can and pay special attention to the negative reviews to see if there is a trend in the complaints. If a lot of people are complaining about poor service, damaged belongings, or surprise fees you might want to move on to the next company.

In addition to online review sites, check out the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has a report. Check out the letter grade and read any complaints, reviews, and government actions. You can also review the company’s complaint history on the USDOT website by entering the USDOT number in the search bar.

Call the Company

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to three options, give them a call to discuss their services and rates. Do NOT send them an email as the purpose of the call is to assess their professionalism and communication skills. Pay close attention to how they answer their phone when they pick up. They should say the company name, not their name. From there, walk them through what you need for the move including things like:

  • Moving date and time
  • Additional services
  • Bulky furniture/times
  • Flights of stairs they will need to walk up
  • Your budget

The more information you can provide the more accurate the mover’s estimate will be. While talking to them, don’t forget to ask questions! This could be from terms they use that you aren’t familiar with to the types of services they provide including providing packing materials, plastic bin rentals, and so on. Trustworthy NJ movers will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and will work with you to find a way to match your needs and budget. If the person on the other end seems annoyed, avoids your questions, and/or tries to pressure you into handing over your credit card information, move on. It’s a clear sign that the company is not professional.

Book Your NJ Movers

Finding a moving company can be daunting, but with these tips you should be able to narrow down your search. Always get an estimate from each of the companies to compare the prices and services they offer. If one seems significantly cheaper than the others, chances are you’ll be hit with a lot of hidden fees at the end. Most companies should be around the same price give or take a few dollars. If it’s still out of your budget, ask if they can provide some kind of discount. This is especially effective if you’re moving between October through April as fewer people move during this period. Once you’re happy with your research and the estimate, make sure to book as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your preferred date and time.

If you’re looking for a reputable company, give NJ Great Movers a call! We have an almost 5-star rating on all review platforms. Our crew will work with you to make your move as easy as possible.

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General

Local vs. Long Distance Moves – What to Expect

Local vs. Long Distance Moves - What to Expect

If you’ve worked with professional NJ movers at all, you’ve probably heard the term local or long distance moves. While the words might seem obvious, there’s a bit of nuance to it when it comes to the moving industry. More importantly, a local and long-distance move can change a lot in terms of pricing, consumer protection laws, moving crew, and more. So what makes a move local or long distance? Below is a breakdown of their differences.

Distance

The main difference between a local and long-distance move is the distance between your old home and new home. Local moves typically are within a 50 mile radius and anything over that would be considered long-distance. Of course, some moving companies are happy to make a concession if the move is just outside the local range and some even consider any move within the state to be local. Before you sign any paperwork, make sure to know how the NJ movers qualify a local move. Since New Jersey is 166 miles long and 65 miles wide at its widest point, some companies might consider a move from North New Jersey to South Jersey a long-distance move.

And what about interstate moves? While it might seem obvious that moving to another state would be considered a long-distance move, that’s not always the case. For example, if you’re moving from Brooklyn to Hoboken, most NJ moving companies would consider that a local move. Similarly, a move from Stamford, CT to Jersey City might also be a local move. Not all local moving companies work between states, so you should always ask beforehand.

Pricing

In general, most local NJ moves will be charged based on the number of hours it takes to complete the move. This includes loading, transportation, and unloading. For the most part, you can expect to pay for at least 4 hours of work depending on how much stuff you have to move and whether you decide to add-on a packing and/or unpacking service. The hourly rate starts when the crew leaves headquarters and ends when they bring the truck back to the parking lot. That means any delays due to weather or traffic during this time will be added to the final bill so you could end up paying more than you expect. However, the benefit of an hourly rate is that you can include a couple extra boxes or items without significantly changing the final bill.

Long-distance moves, on the other hand, are typically priced based on the weight of your belongings and the distance of the move. The more you have, the more expensive your move will be. To reduce your financial burden, get rid of as much stuff as you can, especially heavy items like furniture. Only keep items that are in good condition and you know will survive the long trip. And remember, any additional boxes or items that you bring with you after the quote will increase the price of your move so triple-check you have included everything you plan on bringing with you. You don’t want to be surprised by a much higher bill at the end of your move.

Speaking of saving money, if you have a tight budget opt for consolidated shipping. As the name suggests, you will be sharing space on the truck with other clients. It’s a perfect option if you don’t mind getting your items delivered between a time range of 6-10 days. Just make sure to look over your inventory carefully to make sure there are no boxes missing once the long distance movers deliver your belongings.

Packing

You can get a local move done in a few hours, which means your belongings are only in a truck for a short time. While you shouldn’t just toss items into a box, you don’t need to be super vigilant when it comes to packing. Of course, you should make sure to protect fragile items during your move as any little bump could lead to broken glassware or plates. 

However, with long distance moving to NJ, your boxes will be in the truck for several days or even weeks. That means more opportunities for your boxes to get jostled and its contents to suffer from damages. To avoid that, you should definitely take your time and pack everything with the utmost care. Invest in higher quality packing materials like boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. Or, better yet, see if the NJ movers you hire offer packing services. If they do and you have the money for it, hire them. 

The benefit of having professionals pack for you, besides saving you time, is that if your belongings are damaged during transit it will be covered by the valuation coverage you choose. Our suggestion – spring for the full valuation option. It will cost you money, but if an item is lost or damaged, the movers will have to pay to repair, replace, or pay a cash settlement for the current market value of that item. If you pack yourself, the movers are not liable for any damages unless you can prove that they were negligent in the handling of your boxes.

Planning

Moving requires a whole lot of planning and organization. Even for a local move you have to stay on top of a lot of little tasks like scheduling and transferring your utilities, planning your travel arrangements to get to your new place, getting your kids and pets ready for the move, packing, changing your mailing address for all your bills, updating your IDs and so on. If your kids are changing schools, you also have to notify the schools of the move and transfer their records. It can be overwhelming, which is why it’s a good idea to schedule some time to get all of these little things done. Set aside 30-40 minutes every day in the lead up to the move to check off one or two items on your list. By the time moving day rolls around, you should have everything moved over to your new address.

A lot of the same principles apply to moving long distance moves, just with double or triple the amount of tasks you need to do. In addition to everything mentioned above, you also have to change your driver’s license to a new state, transfer any professional licenses, cancel or transfer all your memberships, and more. Getting everything in place might take longer so make sure to set aside at least a month and a half to get through everything.

Moving to New Jersey

Whether you’re making a local or long distance relocation to New Jersey you’ll want to hire professional NJ movers. NJ Great Movers can help you with every aspect of your move whether that’s providing you with high quality boxes or packing and unpacking your possessions. Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you! Reach out to us once you’re ready to make your NJ Move.

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General

Pros and Cons of Living in NJ While Working in NYC

Pros and Cons of Living in NJ While Working in NYC

Many New Yorkers might consider NYC the best city in the world, but not everyone feels the same way. Sure, there are plenty of perks to living in The Big Apple such as world-class restaurants, storied cultural institutions, and hard-to-beat convenience. However, access to everything New York City has to offer doesn’t come cheap. Renting in NYC is expensive for the size you get and overall cost of living is significantly higher than other parts of the United States. On top of that, you have to pay extra tax for living in NYC!

Instead of staying in NYC, many people have opted to move to New Jersey for the cheaper rents and larger living spaces. In fact, around 320,000 people commute from NJ to NYC on a daily basis! Before you decide to take the plunge you should first familiarize yourself with all the aspects of living in NJ and working in NYC beforehand.

Pros of living in New Jersey while working in NYC

There’s a lot to love about live in New Jersey and more people are starting to leave the city for greener pastures. Here are some reasons why people are making the decision to live the commuter life.

Location

New Jersey has access to several large cities: New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. No matter where you live, you’re not far from a major highway and there’s also many public transportation options that can shuttle you between NYC and Philadelphia.

If you want more time in nature, New Jersey offers plenty of outdoor options from hiking to skiing to camping. It’s also home to Wharton State Forest, which is the largest single tract of land within the NJ State Park System with over 120,000 acres spread across three counties. During the summer you can enjoy the many beaches New Jersey has to offer. While the Jersey shore might have gotten a bad rep due to the reality TV show, there are plenty of towns that boast beautiful beaches such as Wildwood Crest, Cape May, Stone Harbor, and Ocean Grove.

If you plan on commuting to New York City for work, you’ll want to focus your search on the northern part of New Jersey. The popular locations in New Jersey tend to be those that have direct access to the PATH trains which can take you into Manhattan in about 15-20 minutes. Of course, due to its proximity to Manhattan, you can expect to pay higher rents but it’s worth it if you don’t want to waste 30+ minutes on your morning and evening commute. In some cases, commuting from Hoboken or Jersey City might actually be faster than commuting from some of the outer boroughs, especially if you work in Midtown.

Speaking of location, New Jersey is also home to Newark International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world just behind Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The airport is easily accessible by the NJ Transit system and you can find a direct flight to almost anywhere in the world. It’s perfect for people who travel a lot either for business or pleasure.

Lower Cost of Living

One of the biggest reasons why people choose to move to New Jersey while still working in NYC is because it’s cheaper. Sure, cities like Hoboken and Jersey City might see comparable prices, but you’re probably getting more indoor and, in some cases, outdoor space. Heck, it might even be feasible to buy an actual house in New Jersey for the price you would pay for a co-op or condo in NYC. With that said, New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the United States, so if you do choose to buy, make sure you know what you’re getting into.

Your salary also goes a lot further in New Jersey. The cost of everyday necessities such as food, gas, and utilities tend to be lower. Plus, your paycheck will go further in New Jersey because you’re dealing with fewer taxes. Say goodbye to the New York City income tax and hello to a lower income tax. While you will need to file two tax returns if you live in New Jersey and work in NYC, you will receive a tax credit for any taxes that you paid for New York. That prevents you from being taxed on the same income by both states. Just make sure to file your New York State tax return first to receive the tax credit.

Speaking of taxes, you’re also paying less in sales tax overall. New York has a sales tax of 8.875% while New Jersey has a sales tax of 6.625%. If you shop in an area that is designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone, you will only have to pay half the standard sales tax rate. You’re saving money while you shop!

Great Quality of Life

If you have kids or plan on having them, one of the most important choices when choosing your home location is its school system. Luckily, New Jersey has some of the best schools in the nation. In fact, New Jersey has the second-highest high school graduation rate with around 90.6 percent of students graduating and the state’s public school has been named one of the best in the nation. Of course, that depends on where you live. If you have children, you might want to move to the following school districts:

  • Millburn Township
  • Princeton
  • Ridgewood
  • Tenafly
  • West Windsor-Plainsboro
  • Livingston

New Jersey is also home to the prestigious Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and Seton Hall University.

You’re also not missing out on too much even if you don’t live in the heart of NYC. New Jersey has plenty of cultural institutions, entertainment, restaurants, and other amenities to the point where there’s no reason to really go into NYC. If you’re a lover of the arts, then you’ll be thrilled to know that New Jersey is home to 700 arts organizations. Sports fans can head over to the MetLife Stadium to watch both the NJ Jets and NYC Giants play. Afterwards, you can grab a bite at some of the delicious restaurants that dot the state. Speaking of which, if you’re looking for some of the best NY pizza slices, they’re in New Jersey!

Cons of living in New Jersey while working in NYC

Living in New Jersey isn’t all sunshines and rainbows. There are some downsides to consider before you decide to make your move.

It’s not New York

There’s something about New York City that is enticing to people from around the world. For some, it’s the possibility of making it big in their field whether that’s as an actor, tech innovator, or investor. For others, the convenience of NYC is the biggest draw. Everything you could possibly want is at your fingertips and can probably be delivered to your door. And since the public transportation system is fairly reliable, you don’t need a car in NYC. In fact, about 50 percent of NYC residents don’t have a driver’s license.

While you can get a lot of those same benefits in certain areas of New Jersey, the further away you get from the city, the fewer amenities you can expect. Plus, places like Hoboken and New Jersey City might be busy, but even it simply doesn’t have the same energy as NYC. Some people thrive off that buzz. If that’s you, it can be hard to find that anywhere else.

Commuting

The PATH train might not be horrible, but if it goes down you don’t have too many other transportation options to get into the city besides a ferry and maybe a bus. In the worst case scenario, there might not even be any alternative transportation options. This issue becomes worse the further away from NYC you move so if you have to depend on NJ transit buses or trains, you might not be able to make it into work.

Unless you work directly off the PATH or NJ Transit stops in Manhattan, your commuting costs will be higher than if you live in NYC. Sure, the PATH train costs the same as a fare, but since you cannot use your monthly Metrocard for the PATH, you’re effectively paying double the price if you need to take the subway to your job. It’s the same for the NJ Transit trains and buses. The fares aren’t too expensive, but it adds up when you combine it with your subway fare.

The unreliability of public transportation is one of the reasons why many New Jersey residents opt to drive to work. This comes with its own costs, of course. You’ll have to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, and more. Plus, you’ll have to deal with horrible traffic during rush hour. What should be a 20 minute drive will often take over an hour during the morning and evening commute. You’ll also have to pay high tolls to get into NYC.

Property Taxes

In almost every other aspect, New Jersey is cheaper when it comes to taxes. That is until you get into property taxes. New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the United States. If you plan on buying a home, you can end up paying a very high tax rate depending on the area. In most cases, the cities/towns with the best schools tend to have the highest property taxes.

While property tax rates tend to change over the years, the average property tax for a home in New Jersey (2.42%) is nearly three times the amount as in New York City (0.88%). Of course, you might end up paying more in actual tax in NYC versus New Jersey as your rate is calculated by multiplying the taxable value of your property by the current tax rate for your property’s tax class.

And while you have the benefit of owning your home instead of renting, it also comes with more costs. In general, when you rent you don’t have to pay for heat or hot water. However, when you own your home, you have to pay for everything! That means extra bills on top of your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees, taxes, etc. This can really eat into your savings.

Moving to New Jersey

Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of living in New Jersey and commuting to NYC it’s up to you to decide whether you want to relocate or not. If you do decide to make a move, make sure to call up qualified NJ movers to help you out so you can get started on the right foot.