Moving on September 1st in Boston? Grab your New Keys ASAP!
Everyone knows moving on September 1st in Boston can be a hassle. There are over 150,000 college students in the Boston area. So it’s no wonder that most landlords schedule leases to expire in accordance with the student calendar, making this a busy day for September 1st movers in Boston.
Let’s say you’re a BU student living off-campus in Allston. Your lease is up on August 31st and your new lease in Kenmore Square begins on September 1st. With everyone moving on the 31st or the 1st, you’ll want a more specific window for your move. A twenty-four hour time frame is simply too wide when it comes to planning your move.
Think about it. Chances are the new tenants of the place you’re leaving have the same schedule for their lease. The outgoing tenants of your new place probably do, too. Do you know when you can pick up the keys to your new place?
Will you be out before your old apartment’s new tenants arrive? Will you have to pay your movers to wait around while the tenants of your new place move out? Will you have to pay movers to wait on the clock while you track down the keys to your new apartment?
Well, the easiest answer, as you might expect, is pretty simple: ask!
In Boston’s student neighborhood of Allston, you can count on the entire neighborhood relocating on September 1st. By DoorFrame at English Wikipedia (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
For these reasons we always recommend choosing a moving date as far away from September 1st as possible. (You can read our guide to picking the cheapest moving dates here.)
If you’re moving at the end of August, hopefully your landlord is more accommodating than Pip’s. By John McLenan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
“Allston Christmas” is a VERY expensive day to move
So it looks like you’re stuck moving on September 1st. You’re hiring September 1st movers but you know that September 1st is the single most expensive day on the moving calendar. Step one to avoiding the hassle of what the kids call “Allston Christmas” is talking to your new landlord.
Can you move in a day or two early? Even by moving on August 30th instead of September 1st, you might save yourself a few hundred dollars. Such is the demand for movers on 9/1. Sometimes the old tenants are like you — they want to move as quickly as possible, and will vacate the unit early.
If that doesn’t work, try asking your current landlord when exactly you need to be out of your new place. Sometimes (rarely, but sometimes), the new tenants aren’t arriving until later in the month. Or they don’t exist yet because the landlord hasn’t rented out the place yet. Or a contractor is coming to do work for a few weeks. In any case, try squeezing an extra few days out of your lease, and move on the 2nd or 3rd. You’ll save a lot of money on moving costs if you do.
Of course, it’s not always possible to make such arrangements. But it never hurts to ask.
More September 1st Moving in Boston Tips
Book Movers Ahead of Time
September 1st is one of the busiest moving days in Boston, particularly in neighborhoods popular with students like Allston, Brighton, and Mission Hill. Movers get booked up months in advance, so it’s crucial to schedule your moving company as soon as possible.
Verify Credentials
Ensure that the moving company you hire is licensed and insured. Check their reviews and ratings on platforms like Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. Safe Responsible Movers, for instance, boasts an A+ rating with the BBB and high customer ratings, making them a reliable choice.
Understand Your 9/1 Moving Costs
Due to high demand, moving costs on September 1st are the most expensive of the year. Ask for a detailed quote upfront to avoid any surprises. Ensure the quote includes all potential fees like travel time, fuel, and any additional charges for large or difficult-to-move items.
Consider Moving Permits – Your September 1st Movers will thank you
Boston’s narrow streets are particularly crowded on September 1st. Secure a Boston moving permit to reserve space for the moving truck. Your movers can acquire them for you, you can hire a 3rd party service like Permit Puller, or acquire them yourself from Boston.gov/moving or in person at Boston City Hall. This is crucial to avoid parking tickets, ensure the truck has somewhere to park, and to facilitate a smoother move.
Be Ready To Go
Be as prepared as possible on moving day. Label boxes clearly, pack fragile items securely, and try to have everything boxed up before the movers arrive. This will speed up the moving process and help avoid any additional hourly charges. It’s the most expensive day of the year to move, so you’ll want things to go as quickly as possible.
Plan for traffic
Traffic in Boston on September 1st can be unpredictable. Allow extra time for the movers to arrive and complete the move. Consider the best routes and times to move, avoiding peak traffic hours.
Pick up your rental truck early
If you’re getting a truck rental, make sure to get to the rental office at 7am or earlier, even if it means you have to wait. Rental truck locations almost always overbook for 9/1, which means you may not get a truck even if you have a reservation. If you get to Budget, Penske, Uhaul, or Enterprise too late in the morning all the moving trucks may be gone.
Dispose of Unwanted Items
“Allston Christmas” is named for the discarded items that line the streets as students move. Take advantage of this time to declutter. Consider donating items you no longer need or selling them online. It doesn’t make sense to pay high rates to movers to transport stuff you don’t need.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can navigate the chaos of “Allston Christmas” more effectively and ensure a smooth transition into your new home.
Have you asked your landlord about moving early? Did your landlord deny your request? If you can’t avoid moving on September 1st in Boston, why not use Boston’s Best Movers? Fill out our easy form and get a quote today! (But remember to turn off auto-fill if you’re using Chrome as browser.)
