Brooklyn Apartment Guide

Brooklyn is a popular place to live and for good reasons: Brooklyn apartments are affordable, the borough offers a wealth of attractions and is home to some of New York’s best and brightest entertainers and artists, and commutes to the city are short. But with popularity comes competition—the best Brooklyn apartments can go quickly, so it’s important to do your research, know what you are looking for, and then to act quickly once you find it. The good news is, you have come to the right place. We’ve got lots of useful information that can help to make your search for a Brooklyn apartment a success. Start by checking out our free articles on the left side of this page.

Below are a few tips that will reduce the stress of moving and save you a few dollars.

Start early and make a list. There is no doubt about it: moving is a lot of work, and the details are innumerable Starting early and being organized can be the difference between utter exhaustion and mild taxation. The time to begin is as soon as you start thinking about moving.

The first step is to make a list of things to do—alerting the post office to your change of address, disconnecting or transferring utility services, arranging to rent a truck or hire a moving company, etc. While some may be last-minute tasks, keeping a list will help you stay on track.

Get packing. One of the great mysteries in life is how possessions seem to multiply once you start pulling them out of drawers and cupboards. That spacious closet that seemed like such a great feature when you moved in is now a bottomless pit from which the detritus of shopping excursions past springs forth. Even if your move is months away, begin packing up seasonal items and things you won’t need anytime soon. Spend 30 minutes or an hour a day going through drawers and closets, with two bags close by: one for trash and another for donations. Be sure to get receipts from the donation centers—you’ll be surprised how quickly the tax deductions add up.

A word on supplies. With the abundance of free boxes available, there is no reason why you should ever have to pay for them. Easy sources include grocery stores, retailers, and the “free” section on Craigslist. For packing material, save your newspapers and ask friends and neighbors to save theirs, too. For very fragile items and electronics, use washcloths, towels, and blankets (just be sure to keep some handy for your first week in your new place), or ask around for bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Buy packing tape at a dollar store rather than a major retailer.

Pack essentials together and mark them well. As you near the end of your packing labors and the move is imminent, be sure to pack a few boxes of essentials—items you’ll need right away. Then label them, “Open me first,” with a large red marker. Keep these boxes separate from the rest, and place them in the truck last so they will be unloaded first.

Brooklyn Apartment Guide