Despite the fact that there are almost no articles about houseboat living in NYC, it still becomes more and more popular. People of all ages choose to experience full-term living on a boat. However, not all of them are prepared for everything that this kind of life brings with it. Needless to say, living on a boat is quite different from living in an apartment or house. Because of this, we want to prepare you for the houseboat living the right way. Also, we will inform you about possible obstacles you will experience during this adventure. With our help, you’ll know whether this kind of life is the right one for you.
Tag: Moving storage
Sharing a Storage Unit in NYC
Are you contemplating the possibility of sharing a storage unit in New York City? I sincerely hope that this decision is not a result of the four Ds of life, namely death, divorce, downsizing, or dislocation, which are known to be the primary causes of requiring additional storage space. Given that you reside in the bustling metropolis of the Big Apple, you are likely already familiar with its unique characteristics. However, permit me to provide a brief overview of NYC.
New York City is the most populous city in the United States. As of 2023, population is 8.51 million. It is the most densely populated major city in the US.
I can with certainty say that NYC is cultural, financial and media capital of the world. Furthermore, it is home of the headquarters of the United Nations. New York is an important center for International diplomacy.
Sharing a Storage Unit in New York
Self -storage industry is primarily a United States based industry. As of 2023, it is estimated that between 48,000 and 52,000 storage facilities are currently in the United States. According to the Self -Storage Association, self-storage represented a 22 billion-dollar industry in 2009 and accounted for 2.21 billion square feet of storage space. This amount of space equates to 19.2 square feet per the United States household.
The industry is worth $38 billion in 2018. Now there a both good and bad as with everything and is up to you whether you rent one for yourself. How to share a storage unit in NYC and use moving services in Brooklyn in the best way is going to be a lot more-clearer at the end of the article. So, let us descent further into this topic.
Without further introduction, I hope to make your decision process a bit smoother.
Good Side of Sharing a Storage Unit
Self-storage facilities are often reliable when it comes to keeping your stuff safe and sound from causes like weather, mice, or ’disappearing’ belongings. Furthermore, that gives you peace of mind, and you cannot put a price on that. On top of that, you can find cheap storage in NYC easily.
Currently, the majority of storage unit companies offer insurance coverage in the event of unforeseen disasters or circumstances. As a result, it is unequivocally evident that they surpass the reliability of storing one’s belongings in a friend’s attic. One of the advantages of utilizing a storage unit is the ability to access one’s possessions at any given time. Particularly in a city as vast as New York, where living spaces are often limited, sharing a storage unit can prove to be highly advantageous.
Since I do not know your area of residence. I can only provide some information on moving services in Brooklyn. Some are Dyno Moving, CCS Moving & Storage, Simply Moving & Storage. All of them rated 5 stars.
Additional Pros of Storage Sharing
Self-storage is a fairly cheap option for hanging your stuff during your relocation, short term or otherwise. But an important piece of advice. Make sure that stuff you put in the storage unit is essential so you do not forget about them. Sharing a storage unit provides essential help when you are in the middle of relocation chaos.
Your things are safe while you move, so you can focus on other important things. When you’re done with everything else, you can pick up your belongings.
Also, a big plus is that it helps you declutter your home. You can easily declutter your home with some extra space. And sharing a storage unit in NYC is just the thing you can use. Furthermore, you can use a storage unit to make a garage sale for some extra money.
Negative Side of Sharing a Storage
Now a little glance over the negative side. The bad side of sharing a storage unit in New York City. During your move, nobody considers the price of renting a storage unit. You yourself must factor in the price of having your moving company take care of this aspect.
New York is a great city and moving companies can assist you in many ways. They can help you find good deals on sharing a storage unit or renting through their contacts. You should ask them about this to save money on moving costs.
Therefore, you can have peace of mind on at least your stuff during all relocation chaos. Of course, modern facilities through the Big Apple possess surveillance cameras. But hear my advice ask the facility what kind of security they have and burglary prevention. You do not want to lose valuable stuff because of some thief.
Should You Share a Storage Unit with a Friend?
The most important advice I can give is to only share your storage unit with someone you know and trust. This will give you peace of mind. Sharing with someone you don’t know can lead to the worst-case scenario.
But just to cover it all. Consider the case of you and your friend have a fallout. And on top of all, the name on the lease is a friend’s, they can prevent you from getting your stuff. And they can also change the lock.
In a big city, it’s important to pick good friends. You might have to go to court to keep your things or pay rent. If you don’t, your things could be sold. Be careful and choose trustworthy friends to keep your things safe.
In the end, consider every aspect with care. New York provides everything if you look at the right companies for your move. Or in case you need more space for your belongings. Sharing a storage unit in NYC is definitely a great way to ensure your relocation goes a bit smoother.
Furthermore, sharing extra space with your friend or significant one can provide much need ease during relocation. Consider the best moving services, look over everything twice. Only when you see the entire picture reach a decision.
Tips for moving into a smaller apartment
When moving into a smaller apartment, people have to go through some downsizing. They find this particularly stressful and difficult. With all those things which have sentimental value, it seems impossible to apply an unemotional approach and decide what items to part with. Adapting to a bigger home would be much easier, but you have to face every challenge life presents. Here are some useful tips for moving into a smaller apartment. You will see that it doesn’t have to be bad after all. Continue reading “Tips for moving into a smaller apartment”
How Moving Expenses Deduction Works
The new Tax Law states that from 2018, moving expenses deduction will only be available to some military personnel. However, if you have relocated in the years prior to 2018, we have some good news for you! In some cases, Federal Tax Law allows you to get a refund on certain moving expenses if your relocation was business-related.
Therefore, if you have started a new job, relocated your office or started working for the same employer but on some other location, you are eligible for moving expenses deduction. Unfortunately, not all expenses are deductible, and they depend on a couple of criteria.
What Are Moving Expenses?
Moving expenses are defined as the costs incurred for packing and shipping personal belongings to a new location. These expenses also encompass storage fees and transportation costs, including fuel expenses. It is widely acknowledged that moving expenses can accumulate to a significant amount.
Hence, if the relocation is job-related, it is advisable to explore the possibility of obtaining reimbursement. However, it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure compliance with the necessary requirements to qualify for a deduction.
The Distance Requirements for Moving Expenses Deduction
Wouldn`t it be perfect if there were no limitations, and you could get a deduction for any and every relocation? Unfortunately, that is not the way life works. There are some criteria which must be met if you are to get a deduction. And, they start with the distance traveled.
If your knowledgeable office movers in NYC have relocated you in the same city, we are sorry to inform you that you will not be eligible for a deduction. The rule is that your new place of work must be 50 miles farther than your old house. Fifty miles is not a small distance, by no means. Therefore, if you think, or know, that there are 50 and more miles from your job and your last home, feel free to ask for a deduction.
Also, when measuring the mileage, the IRS will make sure you use the shortest route. They want to be sure you are doing everything by the book.
The Time Requirements
Beware, because there are a lot of small restrictions here. If you do not meet even one of them, you stop being a candidate for moving cost deduction.
- To qualify for moving expenses deduction, you must be working for at least 12 months. There is no requirement for you to work for only one employer. Thus, if the need arises, you can divide your time between a couple of them.
- You must be a full-time worker for at least 39 weeks during that first year.
- Luckily, there are no requirements to how many days and hours you work, as long as you fulfill the norm of your industry.
Big Apple Movers advise you to check everything before you start thinking about moving cost deduction. These rules cannot be bent, and there is no way of getting around them.
Deductible Moving Expenses?
Luckily, there is not a shortage of moving expenses that can be deducted. However, there is a difference between short distance moving and moving interstate, or even abroad. If you had a DIY move and short distance move, and you have transported your furniture by yourself, you can get a deduction for gas, oil and even highway tolls. When accumulated, these expenses can produce a significant amount of money, so it would be good to get some of that money back. On the other hand, if you had a long distance move, you could get a reimbursement for the plane tickets, and the best thing is that this deduction applies to the whole family.
Moreover, if there was a need for you to rent cheap storage NYC, you should know that you can also be deducted for these expenses, as well. However, there is a limit, since this deduction only applies to periods of up to 30 days. Therefore, if you had to use a storage unit for more than a month, you will not be able to deduct it from your moving expense.
How and When Can You Claim a Deduction?
Moving expenses deduction is a unique one. Why is this the case? Namely, you can claim this deduction even before you are sure that you satisfy all of the requirements. However, it is not the most recommendable course of action. If at the end of those twelve months, you have failed to meet one or more requirements, you will have to return the deduction. Have in mind that most taxpayers usually fail to meet the criteria, and they have to return the money once the 12-month period ends.
To claim a deduction is easy. All you have to do is report your expenses on IRS Form 3903. Attach that form to the tax return for the year when you moved, and the process is over. If it turns out you have to return the deduction, you can do it in two ways.
- For your next tax return, make sure to include the original amount of your moving expenses deduction.
- Calculate your tax without including the moving cost deduction.
If you are not good with taxes, it is never a bad idea to seek professional help. The IRS will not be lenient if you make any mistakes with your taxes. Avoid trouble whenever you can!
If you think you could qualify for moving expenses deduction, you should give it a try. However, be careful, as you might have to return everything at the end of the year.
Making room for musical instruments in your home
So, you have decided to relocate and you want to make a room for musical instruments in your home. You must choose the location of your room wisely. But first, decide how often are you going to use that room. Still, if you have enough space in your new home, make a room for your instruments. In this article, we are going to present how and what you need to know when you are about to make a room for musical instruments in your home. Continue reading “Making room for musical instruments in your home”
How to Organize Storage Unit
Individuals often utilize spaces such as storage units or any available space within their residence as a means of concealing infrequently used possessions. Nevertheless, it is imperative to maintain a sense of order and control over these items and spaces. Despite the infrequency of use, it is essential to ensure that the items stored within the designated storage space are properly organized.
The reason is very simple. The time you actually need something from the storage unit, it shouldn’t be hard to find that item. Also, items stored properly can’t get damaged easily and are going to be safe, no matter how long you need to store them for. First of all, learn how to choose the right size storage unit. And then, use our tips and organize your storage unit once for all.
Before You Pack
The key to an organized unit is knowing your items. That’s why you need to make a list of the items you are about to store in your storage unit. It would be also great to label the boxes clearly. Write down what is inside each box, especially if it contains fragile items.
Please be advised that boxes containing valuable and fragile items should be placed on top of other boxes to prevent any potential damage. It is recommended to create a layout or map of your storage unit and label the location of each box accordingly. Additionally, it is advisable to display both the list and map on a visible wall or door upon entering the unit.
Pack Smartly
Sometimes, throwing items into plastic bags and putting them in a storage box is not enough. To organize your storage unit the right way, the items inside need to be packed smartly. Here are some of the packing rules you can try out:
- Don’t use plastic bags – even though plastic bags seem like the best and easiest idea, it’s not really like that. Items you store in plastic bags can’t be organized properly, it is often messy and mildew is a common guest, too;
- Use similar-sized boxes – in order to save space, and organize your storage unit properly, it is best to use the same (or similar) size cardboard moving boxes and bins. The reason is that if your boxes are of a similar size, you can easily stack them and keep them organized; If you don’t know where to find good moving/storage boxes check with the storage professionals in NYC.
- Label, label, label – no way to stress this enough. Even though labeling seems like an extra, unnecessary step in packing, you will thank yourself a thousand times you did it once you can find something easily later on.
Use Shelves to Organize Your Storage Unit
Shelving units can serve as an effective means of organizing your storage space. In the event that your storage unit lacks shelving, consider installing wall-mounted shelves or purchasing pre-constructed storage shelves. Placing boxes, particularly those containing delicate items, on these shelves can significantly enhance the organization of your space. This will result in improved visibility and clarity, thereby facilitating ease of use.
Stack the Boxes Carefully
When putting the boxes one on top of each other, there is a way to sort out things in your storage unit, too. First of all, think about how often you use items in all the boxes. Therefore you can stack the boxes in order of how frequently you use them.
The items you use often should be put close to the door or in the front. This way it will be easy to find and reach them whenever you need them. You need to think about the weight, too. Heavy boxes should be put on the bottom, followed by lighter ones.
If you stack your boxes correctly, you will avoid them falling on you when you need them. Furthermore, you will not risk damaging the items inside if the boxes are not sturdy enough.
Protect Fragile Items
It is very important to pay special attention when you are packing breakables or valuable items. If you are relocating, NYC moving companies will help you pack those items professionally, so make sure to hire them when moving.
However, if you plan on packing those items by yourself to organize your storage unit, be sure to do the following. Protect the fragile items with pieces of bubble wrap, packing paper, or simply old towels and clothes. Again, label the boxes and use special stickers that show that those boxes contain fragile items.
Have a Space to Walk Through
The aforementioned packing recommendations are rendered futile if access to the boxes is impeded. It is imperative to create aisles between the stacked boxes to facilitate movement and accessibility. This ensures that all boxes can be reached with ease at any given time.
Additionally, it is crucial to allocate some vacant space within the storage unit to allow for proper air circulation and ventilation, thereby enabling the items to remain fresh.
Raise the Boxes
Having your boxes a couple of inches above the ground will help with many storage problems. Mildew, water leakage, ants, rats, etc. Before you put the boxes inside, clear the unit and cover the floor with wooden palettes. They are cheap and provide a great support to the boxes and raise them from the floor.
Save Some Space
There are several effective methods for optimizing storage space within a unit. One such approach involves disassembling furniture items such as tables and shelves. Additionally, utilizing the vacant areas within furniture pieces, such as sofa boxes or the interior of a fridge, can also increase storage capacity. It is important to maintain a record of the location of stored items to facilitate easy retrieval in the future.
As you can see, in order to make a good organization of your storage facility you should include a couple of steps. However, it is absolutely worth it. The moment you finish packing and organizing, you will be happy that you did it. All the boxes will be easy to reach, and you will know exactly where your items are. Good luck!