The Ultimate Guide on Moving to New York


Moving to New York? Find out more information about My Baggage – our convenient, affordable and reliable door to door shipping service that could help you to save time and money on transporting your worldly possessions to NYC.  

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Luggage Shipping » Luggage Shipping USA » International Removals » How To Move To America: Ultimate Guide » The Ultimate Guide on Moving to New York

Relocating To New York


Moving to New York? Find out more information about My Baggage – our convenient, affordable and reliable door to door shipping service that could help you to save time and money on transporting your worldly possessions to NYC.

You’ve grown up watching American films and TV series, and now you’re getting ready to move to New York City.

But before you move to the city that never sleeps, you’ll want to know everything about NYC.

From little known facts, to visas and what to expect, we’ll help you prepare for your big adventure.

And most importantly, you’ll want to know how to get all of your possessions over to New York safely and quickly.

That’s because moving to a new country can be as terrifying as it is thrilling, so getting your baggage there safely means you’ve one less thing to worry about.

You can also read about how our new approach to international removals compares to traditional international removals companies to decide which is best for your big move.

So, whether you’re moving to New York from the UK, Ireland, France, Asia, or somewhere in between, here’s everything you need to know.

About New York

New York, commonly known as ‘The Big Apple’ and ‘The City That Never Sleeps’, is the most populated city in America.

And with so much to see and do, it’s no surprise that 8.4 million people call New York their home.

Famous for yellow taxis, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Yankees, and the Guggenheim Museum, NYC is diverse, fast-paced and exciting.

New York Quick Facts


Language: English

Population: 8.4 million

Currency: U.S. dollars ($, USD, US$)

Time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-05:00)

Date Format: month/day/year

Dialling Code: 212, 646, and 332

One of the world’s major financial, cultural and commercial centres, New York, comprises five boroughs.

Densely populated and a cultural melting pot, the city is home to the world-famous Central Park, Broadway and Times Square.

Things to do in New York


Want some Insta-worthy selfies? Visit the incredible Statue of Liberty, where French ingenuity meets American democracy.

Fancy an air-raising adventure? Take to the skies with a New York Helicopter Tour and see Manhattan in a whole new light.

Fan of great heights? Say hello to Fifth Avenue’s massive Empire State Building, an eye-watering 102-story building with views across the city.

Love the great outdoors? Take a walk through Central Park’s 843-acre green space.

Science and history buff? You’ll love the American Museum of Natural History, one of the world’s greatest museums.

20 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About New York

  1. The famous Times Square in NYC is named after The New York Times Newspaper. It was originally called Longacre Square but changed its name in 1904.
  2. New York was originally called New Amsterdam.
  3. A staggering 200+ different languages are spoken in New York, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world.
  4. Honking your horn is illegal in New York unless it’s for an emergency-related reason.
  5. New York was the first capital of the United States of America.
  6. The Empire State Building gets hit by lightning dozens of times each year.
  7. The Federal Reserve Bank in New York contains the most gold reserve globally, with over 6,000 tons of gold bars.
  8. One person in every 38 Americans lives in New York.
  9. The world-famous Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America in 1886.
  10. The name ‘The Big Apple’ was coined in the 1920s by sportswriter John J. Fitz Gerald, but the name went mainstream in the 1970s after a tourism campaign.
  11. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein’s eyeballs are stored in a safety deposit box in New York City.
  12. New York is home to nearly 100 billionaires.
  13. The New York Public Library is home to more than 56 million items, including DVDs, books and e-books.
  14. The first pizza restaurant in America – Lombardi’s – opened in New York in 1905.
  15. The New York Marathon is one of the biggest in the world.
  16. Central Park in New York had 42 million visitors in 2020.
  17. The United Nations (UN) is headquartered in New York.
  18. New York attracts over 60 million tourists every year.
  19. There are over 25,000 restaurants in New York.
  20. Over 300,000 people visit Times Square every day.

Why Should I Consider Moving to New York?


Alongside London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney and Beijing, New York is one of the most iconic and popular cities globally.

And true to its nickname, the city doesn’t sleep; there’s entertainment, food and arts available to suit everyone’s tastes.

With a thriving economy and plenty of jobs, New York is the city that has it all.

Most popular relocation destinations for people moving to New York

  • Manhattan
  • Queens
  • The Bronx
  • Manhattan
  • Brooklyn
  • Staten Island

Top 10 Reasons to Relocate To New York

  1. New York is home to some of the world’s best entertainment.
  2. New York has a stable economy and lots of career opportunities.
  3. Iconic attractions and landmarks are on your doorstep.
  4. You can enjoy downtime in the world-famous Central Park.
  5. It’s the city that never sleeps; you’ll always find something to do day and night.
  6. You can trek around New York’s best attractions on foot or via the inexpensive subway system.
  7. You can enjoy over 1,700 parks, recreation and playground facilities in the city across five boroughs.
  8. New York is culturally diverse and welcoming.
  9. New York is an English-speaking city.
  10. The city has a world-renowned cultural and arts scene to immerse yourself in.

How to move to New York: Things You Need To Know Before Moving to New York


Before you move to New York, it’s essential to do your research.

Moving to such a big city can be exciting and daunting, but your aim at this stage is to learn as much about The Big Apple as possible.

Here are some of the main things to think about before moving to the city that never sleeps.

Visas


Visas; they’re not the most exciting topic, are they?

But, of course, just like a car without fuel, you won’t get too far without a visa.

Sort your immigration documents as soon as possible. It can sometimes take a while to get everything in order before your big move.

To enter America and live in New York permanently, you’ll need to have the correct visa.

And the correct visa will depend on why you’re moving to New York and whether your home country already has an immigration agreement in place with the US.

The type of visa you need depends on the purpose and length of your stay in New York.

For comprehensive US visa information, visit the US Government’s website.

Cost of living in New York


The cost of living in New York is very expensive.

NYC is widely regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in alongside the likes of London, Geneva and Tokyo.

But being expensive is relative to the higher salaries commanded in The Big Apple.

So, while New York is expensive, skilled worker salaries are often very competitive and allow residents to meet those higher living costs.

Job Opportunities in New York


As one of the world’s financial centres, New York has, unsurprisingly, a stable economy.


The city has on offer a wide range of job opportunities.


For example, in September 2021, New York’s unemployment rate was just 9.8%.


Some of the most common jobs associated with New York are in Financial Services, Healthcare, Professional Services, Retail, Manufacturing and Education.


Currently, the main areas where the New York economy has a skills shortage are:

  • Technology
  • Sales
  • Education and Teaching
  • Healthcare Management
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Retail Store Operations
  • Ecology and Environmental Science
  • Community Outreach and Development
  • Marketing Event Management
  • Infrastructure and System Management
  • Employee Training and Development

Education in New York


New York has an excellent reputation for providing top-class education.

With the likes of Columbia, NYU and Cornell University on your doorstep and a host of Ivy League Schools, students in NYC have access to an excellent education system.

Indeed, there are over one million students in the whole New York City school system, making it the biggest school district in the US.

New York Healthcare


According to Lohud, “New York has some of the worst rankings for hospital quality and safety in the country.”

However, like any big city, there are good and bad aspects of the healthcare system.

In the USA, the more you can afford, the higher level and quality of service you can expect.

As a result, many people moving to New York find that having excellent health insurance can help them access the best care available.

Renting vs Buying a Home When You’re Moving to New York


Whether your big move to New York is for a year or a lifetime will dictate whether it’s a good idea to rent or buy a home.

Either way, you’ll have a wide range of options available, but expect high costs for both rentals and buying a property outright.

As we mentioned earlier, NYC is one of the highest living costs in the world, so you’ll struggle to find a great place at a low cost.

Over half of people living in New York rent their home, which looks like the most cost-effective way to secure a property in the city.

The New York Culture

New York City is a melting pot of diverse cultures, literature, arts, music and sport.

From Broadway for world-class live shows to the Yankee Stadium for thrilling baseball games, the city is packed with things to keep you entertained.

And for those history buffs who like immersing themselves in the past, The Met Museum is home to over 5,000 years of art from around the world.

Music-lovers will be spoiled for choice, too, with the city hosting concerts all year round.

Film-lovers can nostalgically revisit the scenes of childhood favourites like Home Alone or take a walk through the most filmed location in the world – Central Park – which has over 500 movie credits.

New York food


Whether you’re a pizza lover, burger fan, or you’re big into oriental food, New York is perhaps the most fantastic city on earth to whet any appetite.

New York is heavily influenced by Western foods, so you can expect to see McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks and many more on every corner.

But with nearly every nationality represented in the city, you’ll find areas such as the city’s famous Chinatown serving the best food available.

Languages of New York


English is the most popular language spoken in New York, followed by Spanish.

However, hundreds of languages are represented in the city, with Chinese, Italian, and Russian all popular in their own right.

10 Top Tips on How to Move to New York

  1. Start planning for your move to New York as far in advance as possible.
  2. Make checklists to stay on top of what you need to do as you progress through your planning.
  3. Get started on getting your immigration sorted as early as possible. Make sure you are reading the most up to date immigration information as some rules have changed since the start of the pandemic.
  4. Set up a US bank account as soon as you can.
  5. Bring appropriate clothes; New York is hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
  6. Keep a record and stay on top of your finances – save, save, save!
  7. Sell/donate goods you don’t need to free up space and build up savings.
  8. Do plenty of research on your new area (social media or internet forums are both hugely helpful!)
  9. If you’re moving for a job, don’t be afraid to ask your employer for help.
  10. Compare different quotes and choose your movers wisely.

Moving to New York with Pets


New York was found to be the best US state for pet lovers in our study, with four cities in the top ten: New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

From the countless parks to a number of dog-friendly art galleries, your pooch can be in tow wherever you go when wandering around New York. With average annual costs of $775, New York was also one of the cheapest places to raise a dog in our study. 

Walkthrough the iconic Central Park with your pooch, with designated off-leash areas, and over 15 dog fountains to explore. So, if you’re considering making the move to The Big Apple, you can rest assured that your four-legged friends will love their new home.

Manhattan came second for the best place in New York for pet lovers with over 240 vets and pet stores meaning your furry friend will never be short of treats!

Moving Your Possessions to New York


There’s no denying it; one of the most daunting aspects of relocating is finding an efficient and affordable way to transport all of your worldly possessions to your new home in The Big Apple.

Thankfully, many options to choose from help make your relocation process run as smoothly as possible.

It’s essential to make yourself aware of these options that are available to you.

Understanding your options now will save you time and money later on as some options might be perfectly suited to your needs while others may not.

International Removals


Traditional international removal services aid your relocation by offering the transportation of your belongings from one country to another, often by air or sea freight.


A traditional international removals company is the perfect option if you need to ship large, bulky items, including beds, sofas or even your car.


Costs and transit times can vary greatly depending on the scale of your move and the type of shipping service you choose, so it’s essential to make yourself aware of the different options available.


Container shipping is arguably the most affordable international removals method.


But keep in mind, it can be an exceptionally slow voyage – you could be waiting for up to two months for your belongings to arrive with you in the USA.


You will make significant savings when you opt for sea freight over air freight.


Most international removals companies will deliver your possessions straight to your door. However, it is vital to be aware that some may require you to arrange transportation to and from ports yourself.


Air freight is a much faster shipping method, as it is typically priced by weight and volume.


As a result, it is arguably the more costly option of the two.


Again, most international removals companies will offer a full door to door delivery service, whereas some may require you to arrange the transportation of your items to and from the airports yourself.

My Baggage


My Baggage offers efficient and affordable shipping service to all New York addresses and over 200 countries worldwide, across over 1,000 routes.

You’ll enjoy stress-free door to door shipping, full online tracking and dedicated, unrivalled customer support available.

At My Baggage, we understand that it’s only natural to feel some apprehension about handing everything over to a removals driver when it comes to your worldly possessions.

That’s why we strive to provide an international moving service you know you can trust.

How does it work?

Book Online

 

Print Labels

 

We Collect

 

Delivered to You

 

Why Use My Baggage?


My Baggage offers a brand new approach to moving your personal belongings overseas.

With our convenient and low-cost door to door shipping services, My Baggage can offer a more feasible method of shipping your belongings to your new home in New York City.

Relocating anywhere in the world is an undeniably expensive process.

And for many people, a more cost-effective option could be to sell, donate or give away large, bulky items and ship only their most treasured and essential belongings with My Baggage.

Low-Cost International Shipping


When you’re relocating to a different country, money is tight.

That’s why at My Baggage, we offer incredibly low rates on our international shipping services.

We’re so confident in our pricing that we also offer a price match tool if you happen to find a better price.

What Can I Send When I’m Moving to New York?


My Baggage is ideal for suitcases and boxes of all of your most essential possessions you’d like to have with you in NYC.

You can also send oversized items – such as sports equipment and musical instruments – with My Baggage.

Full Online Tracking and Unrivalled Customer Support


To give you that extra peace of mind, My Baggage will keep you updated from when you place your booking until the moment your shipment is delivered.

You’ll be given the option to opt-in for text and email notifications to keep you fully up-to-date on where your items are and when they are due to arrive.

We also provide full online tracking for every shipment, which you can access anytime in your My Baggage account.

If you have any questions or concerns along the way, we pride ourselves on our unrivalled customer support.

Thanks to many years of experience in logistics, our support team are experts in shipping personal belongings all over the world.

Suppose you require any assistance with your shipment.

In that case, you can contact our customer support team via phone, email and live chat, and they will always be happy to help in any way that they can.

Value For Money


My Baggage is one of the most affordable options for international shipping.

Our straightforward, convenient service offers incredible value for money.

We offer a massive 30kg/66lb weight allowance per item for as little as, for example, £74 per item from the UK mainland to the United States.

Better still, you have the option to send as many items as you like with us.

Get a quote

Fast Overseas Movers


No one likes waiting around for their possessions.

As a result, My Baggage prioritises getting your items to your new American home as quickly and safely as possible.

Convenient and Reliable Removals


Don’t worry about arranging transportation from ports; My Baggage collects from your doorstep and delivers to your doorstep in New York.

How to Move to New York: Shipping Oversized Items to the USA


My Baggage offers a new approach to transporting more oversized items such as musical instruments, bicycles, and sporting equipment to New York City.

Shipping your oversized items to The Big Apple with My Baggage is the most cost-effective, hassle-free way to get your possessions from A – B without breaking the bank.

In addition, My Baggage can often be much more cost-effective than hiring an entire international removals company for just a few items.

Airline Baggage Alternative


Airline baggage can be overly expensive.

We’ve all been caught out before with excessive charges.

But what if you could enjoy a hassle-free, hands-free and stress-free journey to NYC?

Say hello to My Baggage.

We’ll move everything over, so all you have to focus on in the airport is whether you grab a coffee from Starbucks or Costa.

Not excited about that long wait at the carousel for your suitcase?

That’ll be a thing of the past if you choose to ship luggage to New York with My Baggage.

Thousands of happy customers

Reviews
18,800
Customers
150,000+
Excellent 4.7 out of 5 stars4.7
5 stars

18 hours ago

Second time round and super quick and…

Second time round and super quick and easy.

Calvin Wilting
5 stars

18 hours ago

Dependable and easy

I have used My Baggage several times and each time it has been hassle-free and good value. At the heart of this is the excellent service from DHL, who are the courier firm MB use. I use DHL Express weekly for work and they are highly reliable and easy to communicate with incase of any problems. My Baggage provides a user friendly way for personal use of the DHL service, without much of a mark-up. Highly recommend.

Andrew Foote
5 stars

18 hours ago

Essy instructions to follow

Essy instructions to follow. Arrived on time. Recomend!

B Oliveira
5 stars

18 hours ago

Really quick and handy service

Really quick and handy service. I am a student moving back home and the couriers pick up and drop off your bags at your door. They came first thing in the morning and delivered my bags a day early. Would recommend to everyone

Anonymous
4 stars

19 hours ago

The service is fast and…

The service is fast and straightforward. The only downside is that the carrier wasn't able to pick up the item at the designated place, which cause me extra time to deliver to the nearby DHL service point.

Chih-Hao Kuo
5 stars

19 hours ago

Easy, honest, straightforward shipping.

Great experience. No hidden costs. easy, transparent, and straightforward.

Clemens Andrée
5 stars

19 hours ago

Super great!

Super great!

Marco Crudele
5 stars

19 hours ago

My Baggage has been such a significant…

My Baggage has been such a significant part of my daughter’s journey to & from University in Reading over the past 3 years. And just this week they safely delivered all her bags & boxes home! Thank you My Baggage - you did a fantastic job! Highly recommend this service!

Dorcas Crawford
5 stars

a day ago

great

great! Fast, easy and good value.

Stephane Vitet
5 stars

a day ago

Amazing service

So simple, easy and quick.

Erin Campbell
5 stars

2 days ago

Speedy delivery and Careful handling!

Speedy delivery and package was handled with the upmost care and consideration!

Kathleen C.
5 stars

2 days ago

I received my box the next day!

I received my box the next day!! Just make sure to be 100% accurate on dimensions, weight, both addresses and the interesting weird part is they want you to leave the box downstairs, somewhere accessible and my sis lives in a sketchy part of brooklyn so it could've been stolen but it was fine. You're not allowed to change the address or contact info after submitting it but it all went through and I got it the very next day here in London. I had a problem with a form but Mark the customer representative was so quick to respond and helped me. Yay now I have the rest of my stuff finally in my new home! I would use them again.

Rebecca

Student Shipping to New York


Are you moving to New York to further your education?

If so, you’re in luck!

The My Baggage team comprises former students and recent graduates, so we understand that money is tight for you.

As a result, My Baggage is here to make your big move to The Big Apple as straightforward as possible.

Our prices are student-budget friendly, and you can send as many items as you like with us; we offer a massive 30kg/66lbs weight allowance per box or suitcase.

With door-to-door collection and delivery to every campus in America, our fast transit times and Express services will reunite you quickly with all your belongings.

Find out what other students who use My Baggage think; they’re our greatest advocates.

US Customs and Quarantine Information


When shipping to America, US Customs must clear all goods.

You are legally required to complete and send a customs invoice with your shipment.

If your shipment does not have a customs invoice attached, it will not make it past your local country border, and you may have to pay return charges to get it back.

My Baggage will automatically provide you with the appropriate customs documents for you to print, sign and attach to your shipment when you send luggage to the US.

Generally, My Baggage shipments clear US customs promptly, free from duties and taxes, as most countries offer a generous duty-free allowance for personal effects.

However, customs processes and allowances are different worldwide.

Because My Baggage has no direct association with any customs authority, we do advise doing your research into US customs regulations and quarantine before booking your shipment to New York.

Please make yourself aware of potential customs duties in the US and follow any advice provided by customs.

When completing your customs documents, it is crucial to do so correctly and clearly.

To demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to describe each item included in the package accurately.

For example, you would declare: “4 x t-shirts, 2 x pairs of jeans, 3 x dresses” etc., instead of “10 x clothing”.

Suppose you need to cancel or change your booking for any reason.

In that case, we will offer you full credit on your My Baggage account or a full refund if you select our Super Flexi fare.

For information regarding the current Covid-19 outbreak, please click here.

Prohibited and Non-Compensation Items



My Baggage specialises in shipping personal effects all over the world.

However, for security and customs reasons, certain items are considered prohibited.

Therefore, as a general rule, you can be sure that the following items are prohibited:

  • Aerosols
  • Liquids
  • Medicines
  • Plants
  • Animal Products
  • Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards
  • Passports or other confidential personal documentation
  • Perishable Foods
  • Dangerous Goods
  • Hazardous Goods

We also recommend researching what may be prohibited from entry into America before booking your shipment, as import allowances differ worldwide.

Certain items may be specifically restricted from entry into the US by customs and/or quarantine.

In addition, some items can be carried with My Baggage, but that may not be covered under our compensation cover.

Proceeding will be at your own risk.

If you decide to send any non-compensation items with My Baggage, please ensure they are packaged appropriately, with internal packaging for fragile items.

Find out more about My Baggage’s prohibited and non-compensation items.

What type of packaging can be used?


When shipping your belongings to New York with My Baggage, we recommend using suitcases or strong cardboard boxes.

Alternatively, you can use a mixture of both.

We advise against using fragile or expensive suitcases, as our compensation cover does not cover them.

We also recommend that you tape over any handles, etc., to protect them.

With boxes, it’s always best to invest in a new, sturdy, double-walled (or even triple-walled) cardboard box as they are most durable and suitable for transit.

How To Book With My Baggage


Shipping all of your worldly belongings to New York City with My Baggage couldn’t be easier.

Our online booking system is available 24/7 and can be completed within minutes.

Simply start by obtaining a quote straight from our homepage.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll send you some shipping labels to print and attach to your items.

After that, just sit back and relax as we take care of everything else for you. It really is that easy!

Reasons to use My Baggage

  • Convenient door to door collection and delivery of your shipment.
  • Full online tracking with text and email notifications.
  • International shipping to over 200 countries across 1,000 routes worldwide.
  • Fast transit times – express services available on many routes.
  • Dedicated customer support via phone, email and live chat.

Are You A Business Or Personal User?


My Baggage offers convenient and affordable shipping services for absolutely everyone, whether you’re a business user, a holidaymaker, an ex-pat or, of course, relocating.

No matter your reason, absolutely anyone can take advantage of our competitive prices and excellent services.

Many savvy business users regularly avail of our low cost and convenient shipping services to relocate their employees worldwide.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get a quote

Reviews
18,800
Customers
150,000+
Excellent 4.7 out of 5 stars4.7
5 stars

18 hours ago

Second time round and super quick and…

Second time round and super quick and easy.

Calvin Wilting
5 stars

18 hours ago

Dependable and easy

I have used My Baggage several times and each time it has been hassle-free and good value. At the heart of this is the excellent service from DHL, who are the courier firm MB use. I use DHL Express weekly for work and they are highly reliable and easy to communicate with incase of any problems. My Baggage provides a user friendly way for personal use of the DHL service, without much of a mark-up. Highly recommend.

Andrew Foote
5 stars

18 hours ago

Essy instructions to follow

Essy instructions to follow. Arrived on time. Recomend!

B Oliveira
5 stars

18 hours ago

Really quick and handy service

Really quick and handy service. I am a student moving back home and the couriers pick up and drop off your bags at your door. They came first thing in the morning and delivered my bags a day early. Would recommend to everyone

Anonymous
4 stars

19 hours ago

The service is fast and…

The service is fast and straightforward. The only downside is that the carrier wasn't able to pick up the item at the designated place, which cause me extra time to deliver to the nearby DHL service point.

Chih-Hao Kuo
5 stars

19 hours ago

Easy, honest, straightforward shipping.

Great experience. No hidden costs. easy, transparent, and straightforward.

Clemens Andrée
5 stars

19 hours ago

Super great!

Super great!

Marco Crudele
5 stars

19 hours ago

My Baggage has been such a significant…

My Baggage has been such a significant part of my daughter’s journey to & from University in Reading over the past 3 years. And just this week they safely delivered all her bags & boxes home! Thank you My Baggage - you did a fantastic job! Highly recommend this service!

Dorcas Crawford
5 stars

a day ago

great

great! Fast, easy and good value.

Stephane Vitet
5 stars

a day ago

Amazing service

So simple, easy and quick.

Erin Campbell
5 stars

2 days ago

Speedy delivery and Careful handling!

Speedy delivery and package was handled with the upmost care and consideration!

Kathleen C.
5 stars

2 days ago

I received my box the next day!

I received my box the next day!! Just make sure to be 100% accurate on dimensions, weight, both addresses and the interesting weird part is they want you to leave the box downstairs, somewhere accessible and my sis lives in a sketchy part of brooklyn so it could've been stolen but it was fine. You're not allowed to change the address or contact info after submitting it but it all went through and I got it the very next day here in London. I had a problem with a form but Mark the customer representative was so quick to respond and helped me. Yay now I have the rest of my stuff finally in my new home! I would use them again.

Rebecca
View all reviews