Month: December 2014

Moving is like the weather. Everybody talks about the cost of it, but no one does anything about it….

Yes, we have many conversions with our friends and clients about the cost of moving and unlike others we actually try and reduce the cost of moving for our clients. The weeks before a move is hectic both mentally and financially. As a new home owner you need to take care of mortgage details, closing costs and down payment among numerous other expenses that are involved in buying new property. If you are renting than you need to think about the security deposits and renters insurance among all the other expenses. Moving is just another dent in your already shrinking wallet. You should try and save as much as possible on your moving bill as you will need money for other expenses.

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of moving is getting free boxes instead f buying specialized moving boxes from your moving company and doing most of the packing yourself.

There are plenty of places where you can find free moving boxes. So, use these suggested sources and only buy last minute boxes from the movers on the day of the move for items that you were not able to find boxes for ahead of time.

Grocery Store
: Grocery stores and supermarkets are one of your best sources for free boxes. They get a large number of packing boxes on a daily basis and have to recycle them. They will be happy to give you whatever boxes you need. Try to get only clean boxes tat are not stained or torn. Banana boxes tend to be large and strong enough for general moving purposes. Use smaller size boxes for books and other heavy materials.

Office Supply Store
: Big office stores such as office max and staples have large numbers of boxes that they have to recycle every day. They would love to unload some of these on you. A good size boxes is the computer paper boxes, boxes that are used to ship stacks of notebooks and office supplies containers.  You can pack items such as books, DVD’s office supplies, kitchen utensils, clothes etc. in these kind of boxes.

Liquor Stores: Liquor companies provide really great boxes when they ship their very expensive and fragile wares to the local liquor store. Liquor boxes come, mostly, in small and medium kind, and are great for packing highly breakable items. Glass and porcelain items, dishes, your own liquor bottles etc.  
The great thing about liquor stores is that they get the same boxes bars get, but they have lids. This is often the first place many people hit up for free moving boxes first, so it is not a bad idea to call ahead. You can buy beer for your friends coming to help you pack while you’re here.

Pharmacy
: Every neighborhood in the US has a pharmacy. whether it is a chain like Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid, or a local independent pharmacy that has been serving your neighborhood for generations. You can always find large number of boxes in these stores.  Pharmacies have packing boxes in all sizes and will be happy to offer them to you. It is always good to find out when a new shipment is coming and come that evening to pick up all the new boxes they have ready for recycling.

Starbucks: Starbucks stores receive  receive anywhere from 1-2 shipments per week. Most days, they will have a few boxes that need recycling. Speak to the sore manager and ask him/her to save the larger sizes boxes for you. Some of their boxes are too small to be useful, but the coffee boxes and some others will be good for general items you need to pack.

Mccdonald’s: McDonald’s fry boxes seem to be popular with people who are looking to transport heavier items and need smaller sturdier boxes for that. The boxes are heavy duty and can be an excellent alternative to traditional china boxes. Mcdonald’s fry boxes have their own Facebook group that is full of suggestions on how to get and use these boxes.

Get these free and GREEN/recycled boxes and start saving on your upcoming move. Book with U. Santini moving and storage and receive $80 worth of FREE boxes!

Frank Sinatra insisted that if you could “.. make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”, and he was absolutely right. New York City, the town that old blue eyes, crooned about, is known and adored the world over, but the lucky few who get to call it home know the true wonder of the city of New York.

New York City consists of five boroughs, and countless neighborhoods. Each borough and neighborhood offers its own individual charm, and is best suited for specific types of residents. So, what is the right neighborhood for you? Well, that entirely depends on your persona, your needs and your desires in your personal life. We know one thing for sure, there are a few neighborhoods that are a cut above the rest, and U. Santini Moving and storage is more than happy to help you move your things to your ideal New York City location.

This infographic from Curbed shows the median rent in different neighborhoods in the city. As you can see there is a big difference between Jamaica and Tribeca…. But, most people can find a place somewhere in the vast neighborhoods map of NYC.

Here are some great neighborhoods in NYC. Maybe one of them is the perfect neighborhood for you?

The East Village
For young hipsters who love to be in the mix of it all, there is no place like the East Village to call home. The Village, as it is affectionately called by tourists and residents alike, is home to the more unique and edgy residents who call New York City home. Because of its young, hip, urban population, the stores and establishment that line the streets are a bit edgy as well. There are plenty of dive bars to pop into at all hours of the night, bohemian-style coffee shops, and eclectic shops peddling unique wares. There are several distinct sub-neighborhoods within the East Village. Tompkins Square, a 10.5 acre green-space is a central point of the neighborhood. In recent years an upswing of upscale housing units have changed the neighborhood.

The Upper West Side
For those who like the idea of calling Manhattan home without the hustle and bustle of the city would be best suited for the Upper West Side. The Upper West Side, which stretches from West 58th Street to West 102nd Street is bordered by Columbia University to its north and the hustle of Midtown to its south. For as long as the neighborhood has existed an enclave of artists and intellectuals have called the area home. The neighborhood remains mostly residential with stores and eateries dotting the avenues around the neighborhood. Because of its urban-suburban feel, its a popular location for families looking to raise kids within the confines of Manhattan. Plenty of parks, green spaces, and nationally ranked schools make the neighborhood increasingly attractive to families with a bit of bank to put out.

Astoria, Queens
Those in the market for a bit more bang for their buck, are probably best off heading for the 59th street bridge, alternatively known as the Queensboro Bridge. The apartment sizes are a bit bigger in Queens and the prices remain competitive. While Queens isn’t Manhattan, there are plenty of quirky cultural gems that reside in the borough and its convenient and close to the action of Manhattan, too. Astoria has become a favorite of those who have fled the prices of Manhattan Island, and its become a cultural zone of its own, with kitschy shops, ethnic eateries and a host of great nightlife options. Astoria is home to some of the best ethnic eateries in the city, with authentic Greek, Middle Eastern and Chinese offerings all located on Steinway Street, one of the main drags in the neighborhood.

Park Slope

While Astoria has grown in popularity in recent years, it has nothing on Park Slope, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, situated mere minutes from the Brooklyn Bridge. In 2007 the neighborhood was named one of the best neighborhoods in America and consistently ranks as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in New York City. The reason why the area has gained such popularity is simple. Park Slope offers an eclectic mix of something for everyone. It is a short trip from Wall Street for the business types, is located within walking distance of some of the cities specialty public schools, and there has been an upsurge of upscale shops and dining establishments. Nightlife has followed suit as well, with plenty of clubs opening their doors in the Park Slope neighborhood.

Riverdale

Riverdale is one of the most family friendly areas in the Bronx. The neighborhood has an upper-middle class population and offers a great selection of living options. Starting from architecturally superb mansions to Condos and apartment coops.

Riverdale has great public and private schools that serve a culturally rich population. You can easily find a church, synagogue, or a great Falafel shop in this neighborhood. Riverdale boasts of a celebrity rich history, John F. Kennedy, Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe and Sugar Ray Robinson lived there at one point.

Riverdale has the lowest crime rate in the Bronx and a great view of Manhattan, restaurants, night life spots, movie theaters and of course great parks in the Van Cortland and Riverdale parks.

There are many reasons to move to NYC. Regardless of where in New York City you choose to call home, there is nothing like living in one of the most exciting cities in the world. There are so many neighborhoods to choose from that picking can seem daunting, but there is something exciting about that, too. If you find that a neighborhood simply doesn’t suit you, than you can up and move, and there is always U. Santini moving and storage around to make that trek easier and stress free, so get out there and try out a few neighborhoods and make your way in the city that never sleeps.

Wherever you are going to move to. U. Santini Moving and storage will help you move safely and efficiently. Just as it has been doing for the last eighty years. If you need a reliable moving company, looking for NYC piano movers? Need movers in Brooklyn? Looking for Bronx movers? Moving to Queens? Don’t hesitate and call U. Santini Moving and Storage. We moved tens of thousands of people to and from NYC. We can help make your moving experience great. Call Dan at 718-768-6778 and don’t forget to claim our FREE $100 off moving coupon.

So you bought this new apartment, or new house that you dreamed of for years. Rented a loft in Soho, or just graduated college and moving to your first rental with some college buddies.  This is the important change that is occurring in your life. Packing and moving there is just a hassle you need to endure with the minimum pain possible. Here are some tips on what not to pack and how to start packing efficiently and how to work less for your upcoming move.

1. Don’t pack any perishables – When packing your kitchen; dump, eat or give away all of your perishables before you move. Don’t even think of moving cartons of eggs and milk on your long distance move. You will end up with a bunch of broken eggs and spoiled milk before the move is over. Even when you move locally, try not to move anything perishable. Packing these items, (meat, eggs, milk etc.) takes time and effort. If you do decide to move these items locally. Try to pack them in a cooler and move the cooler yourself to your new destination. Your items stand a better chance of staying intact and fresh if you do invest the extra labor in packing and moving them carefully.

2. Expired items – Go over everything you own that has an expiration date – Food, beauty products, spices, batteries etc. Your rule of thumb should be: “If I have not used these items in the last three years, than I will probably not use them in the next three years and I might as well discard these items and not carry them to my new place. Buy new items when you need them. Donate or discard the old expired ones.

3. Dangerous items – Don’t pack anything that might be considered dangerous by law enforcement or the public at large. Don’t pack fire crackers or any other kind of explosives. if you do own dangerous items and live in new York city than call 311 and ask for instructions on how to dispose of these items safely.  If you live outside of NYC, you can check the EPA website for the location of the nearest environmental protection agency office and call them for instructions on how to dispose of your items. Examples of dangerous materials are:

• Fertilizer
• paint
• Chemicals
• Draino
• Fire crackers
• Different kinds of acid

For a complete list of items check the Transportaion Security Administration website

4. Halloween costumes – Most people tend to keep their old Halloween costumes, even though they buy a new costume every year. Donate the old costumes and promise yourself that you will get an even cooler costume the coming Halloween.

5. Important documents – Any document that has a sentimental, financial or other value should not be packed with the rest of your belongings. These items are too valuable and you should move them yourself to your new home. Try to move them a head of time if possible, so these boxes will not get mixed up with the boxes the movers will be bringing on the move day. Store them ahead of time in an empty cupboard or another safe location in your new place and unpack them yourself after the move.

6.Duplicate items – Nobody knows how many copies of the Muppet babies DVD they have, or how many copies of “Europe on $30 a day” they have till they start sorting and packing their belongings. If you have ten Gap white shirts with the breast pocket, than you should probably give some away, or sell them in a garage sale before you move. Duplicate items are probably unnecessary and go unused in your new home just as they are unused in your current one.

7. Old and unused electronic gadgets – Do you still own a Chumby? Even years after the company that sold the small Linux gadget went out of service and shut down the service? Do you still have a palm pilot? a Nokia analog phone? an electronic picture frame that you never connected to your PC? Ten old phone chargers that have no phones to charge anymore? If so, than this is the time to get rid of them all. If you live in New York City you can check out the city’s e-Recycling website for instructions on  how to dispose of your electronic items in an environmentally responsible way.

8. Books you already read and old magazines – This sounds like an obvious thing to do. But, it will lighten your load considerably if you will be diligent and get rid of books you already read and magazines that just sit on your shelves accumulating dust. Paper is heavy and every book you leave behind is one less book you will need to pack, carry and unpack in your new home. Think of buying a kindle, or a nook…..

If you do decide you need a reliable moving company to help you pack, than call USantini moving and storage, the most reliable Brooklyn mover  for a free estimate for your move. We pride ourselves in having an A+ rating with the Better business bureau. Call today at 718-768-6778. Our movers and packers provide excellent packing services in Brooklyn and New York City.  Check out our FREE boxes coupon. Get $80 worth of FREE boxes when you book your move with U.Santini moving and storage.