Up until the beginning of the twentieth century, travel between the coasts was something more unusual. Obviously, there were people who would still embark on a journey like this. However, they were a large minority. Industrialization and development enabled us to travel long distances more affordably. Therefore, moving from NYC to LA became something that takes place more frequently today than it ever had in the past. However, the sheer fact that you need to relocate is one thing. Another thing is making sure that you are entirely ready for it. Are you certain that you know what you need to do to prepare? Is this the right move for you? There are many questions, and Verified Movers are here to give some answers. In order to help you do it the right way, we have decided to share with you the most important pieces of advice.
What are the benefits of relocating from NYC to LA?
Any relocation has its pros and cons, and you don’t need us to tell you that. But, we’re here to introduce you to the benefits of this coast-to-coast relocation. Of course, we aren’t forgetting about the downsides either, but we’ll get to that a bit later. For now, let’s focus on the positives. First of all, no matter where you’re moving from, even when leaving a city as great as the Big Apple, Los Angeles is never a bad idea. This Californian gem has too much to offer, and there are very few people that instantly don’t fall in love with it. But, let’s get into more detail and show you why moving from NYC to LA is a great decision.
Is there anything that suggests this is not an ideal move?
Yes, there are some downsides to this move, but all things considered, they don’t seem big enough to write Los Angeles off. It’s too good of a city for something like that to happen. But, we are here to show you both sides of the coin, so here are a few negatives. Crime rates are slightly higher in LA than in NYC. By using a widely-accepted safety metric, LA was 1% worse than NYC in this category, which isn’t a big difference, but also we can’t say that it’s a negligible one. In terms of entertainment, NYC is probably the only city where you can move from to LA and have fewer entertainment opportunities. But, don’t worry, LA is still easily one of the most entertaining cities in the nation, even in the world for that matter. Truth is, in most categories, LA matches, or even surpasses NYC, so this relocation is definitely worth a shot.
New Yorkers who are leaving the Big Apple are always keen on giving LA a chance
Despite the distance of almost 2,500 miles between this city, despite it being one of the longest cross country moving trips you can take, this is a very common relocation. In fact, it is one of the most common cross country relocations in the United States. And, this isn’t only about NYC to LA. Moving from New York to California in general is such a popular choice. The fact that slightly more than 30,000 people relocated from NY to CA last year tells you about enough. And, of course, the most common route between these states is moving from NYC to LA. Around 7,000 New Yorkers opted for a move to the City of Angeles, and we see similar numbers every year.
It’s interesting that a vice-versa move is not done by so many people. There were almost twice as fewer residents going in that direction than from NYC to LA. Angelenos simply aren’t as keen on Big Apple as New Yorkers are on LA. The important thing is, many people are moving in this direction so you’re far from being alone. Who knows, maybe some of your friends have decided, or they’re about to decide, to do the very same move.
Cost of living comparison
Now, we already spoke of some differences between LA and NYC, but have only mentioned the cost of living once, and the financial side of the move in general. We did this on purpose because we wanted to cover this topic separately simply due to its importance. We want to give you a whole picture of the expenses, so you can understand exactly what to expect once you complete this move. Well, as you saw earlier, NYC is 24% more expensive than LA in general, but we’re going to break this difference down into several categories.
What you need to take into account when moving from NYC to LA
Moving is a wonderful opportunity that everyone should try and make the most of. Moving from NYC to LA is no different. While it may prove to be slightly more complicated a feat to achieve given the distance, it can really be a walk in the park with the help of the right long distance movers LA. Still, there are other issues and topics to focus on regardless of whether you are moving on your own or with the help of moving professionals.
Today, we are going to address the four most important issues in regard to moving from NYC to LA which is the following:
- Prepare your moving inventory
- Choose the correct moving company
- Plan ahead and plan well
- Get the paperwork in order before you leave
- No matter whether you are packing by yourself or you may be getting help with it, pack professionally
Moving is a process that can come down to you like a sledgehammer. However, if you do well in the above-mentioned four bullets, you will be on the right track to move silkily. Therefore, let’s take a more in-depth look at each of them.
Preparing your moving inventory
Since relocation is mostly about transporting your belongings from one place to another, preparing your moving inventory should be at the top of your to-do list. Of course, the first thing that you need to do is to separate the items that you are planning to transport to Los Angeles from junk. And by junk, we mean all the things that you do not need or use regularly. Also, since all the top movers in Los Angeles that provide long distance moving services charge according to the weight of your moving inventory, you should also consider removing the heaviest items as well. Prepare a pile of excess items and depending on your time and will you can:
- Organize a yard sale
- Sell your items online
- Sell your items to a used item retailer in your vicinity
- Donate to charity
- Recycle
- Call junk removal service
Create a moving inventory list
Once you get rid of the excess items, you should create a moving inventory list. This list should contain as many details about your items as possible. Start with your items’ names, dimensions, weights, all the way to describing their condition, listing serial numbers, and taking photos. This list will be of much help when you start asking for free moving estimates from your movers, you will have a clearer picture regarding the number of packing materials that you will need to prepare., and you will use it to check your items upon delivery.
Choose the correct moving company for moving from NYC to LA
Moving companies in the USA are abundant. There are reliable ones and the ones that you should make sure to avoid doing business with. Also, there are some of them that specialize in one particular type of move. Which one among the many California long distance moving companies you should choose is going to depend on your needs, budget, and ability to notice the difference between trustworthy movers and bad ones. Now, the real question is how do you do this, right?
Well, there are certain things to look out for. First of all, you need to make sure to choose the best moving offer. How do you know which offer is the most affordable for you? You are going to need to get in touch with a few moving companies. In any case, three is the minimum. Prior to that, make a shortlist of potential movers. Get in touch with all of them and ask them to conduct a free moving estimate. Then, according to the results, you should make sure to choose the offer that will best suit your needs.
Plan ahead and plan well when moving from NYC to LA
The next thing that we need to talk about is planning your relocation. One of the most important things about planning is doing it at the right time. So, what is the right time to plan my move, you ask? The sooner the better is the best answer that you will get.
Moving is complicated. Plenty of stuff can come up. You should be ready for them and make sure that you have the time to deal with whatever may come up. Therefore, you should start coming up with the moving plan right after you have found a place that you will be relocating to. This is the moment to contact potential NYC long distance movers and ask for information that you require in order to move easily.
Ultimately, you need to divide your plan into segments. Create a timeframe for every batch that you need to complete. Know how fast you have to be. Ultimately, do whatever you can in order to remain within the set timeframe.
How much will it cost to hire movers for this coast-to-coast relocation?
Well, no matter which option you choose, you’re going to have to spend some money too from coast to coast. So, why not do it with professionals to ensure the safety of your items in the process? Now, knowing the exact price is impossible until finding out all the details about the move. However, the average cost of this relocation is $3,900 when assisted by professionals. But, try to not make too much out of this price, because it really depends on a whole variety of factors, so it could be way more or way less. We put this here simply to give you an idea of what to expect.
Get the paperwork sorted out prior to the moving day
Sorting out the paperwork can turn into a real nightmare. After all, we have all been there, Dealing with public administration is a thing that everyone would like to avoid. However, avoiding it is simply not possible every time.
So, given the fact that you cannot escape it, tackle it as early as possible. It may require a few visits to arrange everything. So, do not let this discourage you. Be patient and give your best. Ultimately, you will be done with it.
Pack professionally in order to successfully complete moving from NYC to LA
Next, we need to talk about packing.
The essence of protecting your items from suffering damage while moving lies in making sure that they are well-packed. You are going to have two options when it comes to this:
- You can invest in the packing materials and pack by yourself.
- Alternatively, you may seek help from long distance moving companies NY
In the end, the choice is all yours. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that your items are ready for relocation.
Getting from NYC to LA
The last thing that you need to think about is getting to LA yourself. Remember, you need to cross nearly 2,800 miles. Luckily, you have many options at your disposal. You can catch a flight, combine it with a train, take a train directly to LA, travel by bus, or you can drive there on your own. Of course, the simplest and easiest solution is traveling via air. Furthermore, it is the cheapest option as well. Still, it all comes down to your preferences. To help you make a decision, we have prepared a list of available options when you are traveling from NYC to LA:
- Fly from Newark to Los Angeles – 7h 56m – From $106
- Flying from New York JFK to Los Angeles – 8h 19m – From $141
- Fly from New York JFK to Burbank – 9h 25m – From $157
- Train to Philadelphia, fly to Los Angeles – 9h 32m – From $133
- Fly from Newark to Santa Ana, train – 10h 51m – From $147
- Flying from Newark to San Diego, train – 11h 24m – From $160
- Fly from New York JFK to Santa Ana, train – 11h 15m – From $162
- Bus (Greyhound) – 2 days 16h – From $270
- Train via New Orleans – 3 days 7h – From $312
- Train – 3 days 14h – From $338
As you can see, you have many options available. However, if you are planning to take this trip via plane, train, or bus, you need to find a long distance relocation company that deals with auto moving as well. Of course, if you own a car that needs to be transported from NYC to LA.
Driving from NYC to LA
If you own a car, and you are feeling adventurous, maybe you can consider driving from NYC to LA. Of course, this is a difficult journey. You need to be an experienced driver and you need to make sure that your car is in perfect condition in order to be able to cross nearly 3,000 miles in a few days. Visit your mechanic before you go.
Also, driving coast to coast will be costly. Only for gas, you will need somewhere between $275 and $400, depending on your vehicle’s fuel consumption and your driving habits. You will need somewhere around $350 and $500 for accommodation along the way. Somewhere between $300 and $400 for food (depending on the number of people). And a couple of hundred for different tolls along the way.
One of the possible routes that you can take when driving from New York City to Los Angeles
Another thing that you need to think about if you choose to drive from NYC to Los Angles is the route. Of course, you have many different roads that you can take. And it all depends on the sites you want to visit along the way. Here is one of the available routes:
- Drive from New York to Ann Arbor, MI. You will need approximately 10 hours to cross 630 miles. Visit Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, or Gallup Park to relax.
- After a good night’s rest, continue from Ann Arbor to Des Moines, IA. For this part of the road, you will need around 8 hours for these 557 miles. Visit Adventureland Park, the Science Center of Iowa, or Blank Park Zoo while you are there.
- Start early and drive from Des Moines to Cheyenne, WY. With minimum stops, you will need around 9 hours to cross 629 miles. Visit Wyoming State Museum, Terry Bison Ranch, or just relax in Curt Gowdy State Park.
- Next, drive from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City, UT. For this part of the trip, you will need 7 hours of driving to cross approximately 441 miles. Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah while you are there, stroll around Red Butte Garden, or take a 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour.
- Finally, get from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, CA. If you do not make long pauses, you will probably need around 10 hours to cross these final 688 miles.
Of course, we do not need to tell you about the attractions that you will have an opportunity to visit after moving to LA from NYC. You will discover the place on your own. Still, one thing is for sure – you will a lot of exploring to do.
Carefully assess the pros and cons, and if you’re still up for it, enjoy your move to the City of Angeles!
As we saw, moving from NYC to LA is probably not as complicated a thing to achieve as you may think. Especially if you manage to hire some of the top movers in NYC to assist you along the way and plan your relocation properly. Remember, the devil is in the details. Therefore, remain focused and you will be fine. Otherwise, you will definitely have a lot of fun after relocating to LA. After all, it is one of the best cities in the USA. We wish you many happy memories on the West Coast!