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8 Things to Know About Moving in the Winter + Pros & Cons

November 9, 2021

Moving in the winter is sometimes inevitable. While it might seem like a less than ideal situation to be in, having to move around in the cold, it’s important to remember it does come with its fair share of advantages as well.

In this article, we’re going to provide tips for moving in the cold winter and address some of the pros and cons of making a move this time of year.

It’s important to remember, though, that these tips vary depending on the distance of your move and the way you’re moving (car vs. plane).

1. Pay Close Attention to the Weather

Winter weather is often sporadic and can change at the drop of a hat. Keeping this in mind, you’ll need to pay close attention to the weather leading up to your big move.

As a rule of thumb, you should check the weather weekly in the months leading up to your move. Then, the week of your move, you should check the weather at least once daily.

If your move includes any areas that may be prone to road closures from weather or you see inclement weather on the radar, you can always reach out to your moving company to see if they have any concerns.

Although moving delays can be costly and frustrating, it is always better to delay your move than to get stuck in the middle of a blizzard.

2. Set Up the Utilities at the New Place

There’s nothing worse than getting to your new apartment and realizing that the utilities have not yet been set up. This issue becomes significantly worse in the wintertime, especially in areas of extreme cold.

If you’re moving somewhere cold, ensure that you have heat setup as soon as possible. Before moving in, make sure that all the utilities have been turned on and working correctly.

We recommend having your utilities up and running at least two days before you intend on moving in. Having a couple of extra days allows for a cushion if any delays occur from the utility companies.

3. Check the Snowplow Schedule

If you’re in a snowy area, stay on top of checking the snowplow schedule if you’re planning a winter move, especially if you’re moving in a car. The last thing you want is to be ready to go and come outside and realize your vehicle has been completely covered in snow.

Alternatively, if your moving truck arrives and there is a massive snowbank in front of your current living situation, it’s going to make it nearly impossible to get things loaded onto the truck.

Make sure there is ample parking for movers that isn’t on the route of the snowplows for the day you schedule your move. Otherwise, you’ll need to ensure you have enough time to clear a path for your movers if it absolutely must happen on the same day.

4. Pack or Rent Snow Chains

If you are moving with a car or using your vehicle for transport in any way, make sure you have snow chains readily available. Even if you are moving from an area that does not get snow, keep this in mind, but your new location does.

Another thing that some people don’t consider is the transit between the two destinations. If you’re moving across the country during the winter, more than likely, you will come across a snowy area.

Always have snow chains easily accessible, and make sure you know how to put them on properly before you need them.

5. Double Pack Fragile Items

Fragile items can become more brittle in the winter with cold weather. Do yourself a favor and double pack fragile items if you’re moving during the wintertime. Double packing will help prevent the breaking of delicate and fragile items.

For extra fragile items, consider their time spent on the truck. If you’re moving across the country (which will take a few days), try to pack as much fragile stuff on you as you can. Fragile things that are forced to sit in trucks overnight can get colder and be more susceptible to damage.

6. Give Yourself Extra Time

Moving in the winter can make the process twice as stressful as it already is. With the added unpredictability of weather, it can be challenging to stick to strict timelines during the winter.

Since it can be almost impossible to tell if snow or rain will delay your travel, always make sure you give yourself extra time to make your move.

7. Bring Blankets Just in Case

Keeping all of your winter essentials on you is a good idea. Just in case you have delays with your movers, you want to make sure you have access to blankets, winter coats, etc., should you need them.

Also, if you get to your new apartment and find that your heat doesn’t work as well as you initially thought, blankets are going to be absolutely necessary to help you survive the cold.

8. Buy Quality Winter Gear at the New Place

Stores typically carry the types of clothes that are best suited for the area, so if you’re moving to a colder environment, you’ll be more likely to find these kinds of clothes in the new place.

Pros of Moving in the Winter

While many people are quick to avoid moving in the wintertime, a handful of benefits come with making this sacrifice. Let’s take a look at some of the pros of moving in the winter to see if it makes sense for you.

Typically Lower Rent

One of the biggest perks of moving in the winter is cheaper rent. Because most people aren’t interested in dealing with moving during the winter, the competition is limited. When the competition is limited, you can anticipate finding reasonable rates for rent and great move-in specials during this time.

Can Use Vacation Time for Moving

Since there are so many holidays during the wintertime, you can often line up your work schedule with your move. In some instances, you might be able to get away with an entire move without having to take any days off work.

Movers are More Available

Again, since people aren’t as interested in moving during the winter, it is often a slow season for moving companies. Since it is not peak season, trucks and labor will be more readily available.

Much like rent rates, you may even find that movers offer discounted rates through the winter.

Cons of Moving in the Winter

While there are plenty of benefits to moving during the winter, as you can imagine, there are disadvantages as well. Winter brings cold, unpredictable weather that can make moving very difficult.

Weather is More Temperamental

One of the primary reasons most people avoid moving during the winter is because of inclement weather. Most areas in the country experience wet and snowy conditions that increase the probability of slips and falls.

May Miss Out on Holidays

Winter is a fun and festive time of year filled with back-to-back holidays. Most people enjoy spending the holiday season with family and friends, which is why most people avoid making moves during the winter.

If you choose to move during the wintertime, you risk missing out on holidays with your loved ones.

Initially, Your Heating Bill Will be Expensive

As you acclimate to a new climate, it’ll take time for you to adjust to temperature changes. For example, if you move from San Diego to Brooklyn in January, you’re likely in for a shock when dealing with actual winters.

You can anticipate high heating bills when you first move in the wintertime. Thankfully, over time, you’ll adjust and become acclimated to the cold. Hopefully, by the same time next winter, you’ll notice that your heating bills aren’t quite as expensive as they once were.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the decision to take advantage of lower rent prices and move in the winter and the cold comes down to several considerations, each of which you have to make on your own.

However, if you decide to leap and are interested in moving this winter, now might be a good time to start looking around at your options. First, find out more information about the true cost of renting an apartment. Next, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in your area!

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Emily Kho
EMILY KHO
Emily is a professionally trained writer who covers a wide range of topics associated with the rental market and real estate industry. With over a decade of professional writing experience, Emily comes from a strong background in the field backed with a Bachelor of Science from the world-renowned William F. Read More

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