Moving from New York to Vermont

For New Yorkers who love stargazing and the smell of clean, fresh air, relocating to Vermont might be the answer. The skies are clear and Vermont doesn’t have a single building taller than 124 feet, offering the perfect view. With mountains and greenery everywhere, you’ll find plenty of places to explore and relax.  While this small state seems to be shrinking at 0.12% per year, that only makes more room for you and your family. Plus, the people in the Green Mountain State are super friendly, which is a nice change from living in NYC. If this sounds like paradise, this guide will cover everything you need to know about moving from New York to Vermont. Let’s dive in!

NY to Vermont: Average Moving Costs

When you’re planning an interstate move, there are a lot of different factors that can affect your cost. The distance you need to travel is the biggest factor to consider. The farther you’re going the more your move will cost.   With about 200 miles from Syracuse to Rutland and around 300 miles from NYC to Burlington, you’re looking at anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 for a full-service move.  Hiring a full-service, FMCSA-registered moving company is the most convenient, as these movers will do all the heavy lifting for you. They’ll pack, load, ship, unload, and unpack all your belongings – all for a flat rate.  If you’re looking to stick to a budget, you can rent a self-service moving truck.  In that case, these factors will contribute to the cost of your relocation:

• Cost of the rental truck
• Moving & packing supplies
• Labor costs
• Time investment

Renting a moving truck will likely cost somewhere between $400 to $1,500, depending on the size you need and how far you’re traveling. Unfortunately, this doesn’t cover the cost of fuel or the other factors mentioned above.  You’ll need to decide how much time, effort, and money you can afford to invest in your move. Even if you need to do some of the work yourself to keep your costs low, there are still some moving services that you can utilize to lighten your load. 

Lowering Costs

Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to keep your moving costs low. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can reduce your relocation expenses. 

Price Matching

One of the easiest ways to save money on your relocation is to take advantage of price-matching offers. Gather free quotes from multiple moving companies in your area to make sure you’re getting the best price. When you’re collecting these free quotes, make sure they’re following the same basic guidelines for an accurate comparison.  Most professional movers will require a valid quote for price matching, which means you won’t be able to check websites or make phone calls. Instead, you’ll need to schedule a visit, so the movers can come out and take inventory of your belongings, or you’ll need to provide the company with an itemized list. Here at Your Hometown Mover, we offer Live Video Estimates, where a live operator guides you through this process, making the process smooth and easy.  Collecting these moving quotes can be time consuming, but it’s well worth it if it allows you to use price matching to negotiate a lower cost. 

Moving Labor & Packaging Services

If you can’t afford a full-service move and you’re willing to drive a rental truck, you can significantly reduce your relocation costs while still using some moving services. Interstate moves require a commitment of resources and behind the scene logistics that raise costs. By driving your own moving truck, you cut out the majority of these factors, lowering your overall price. However, you may still want to hire labor services to handle the heavy lifting. These movers will pack your belongings and load them on your truck. This can be a huge relief when you’re relocating from Brooklyn or Manhattan, where you’ll likely have to navigate down multiple flights of stairs and narrow hallways.  Keep in mind that you’ll need to hire Vermont movers to handle unloading and unpacking on the other end of your trip.  Taking advantage of labor and packing services will allow you to get the help you need, where you need it. 

Financing Options

Some long-distance moving companies will offer financing options for a full-service move.  This is a great way to cover the cost of your relocation and pay it back over a set period – with a small amount of interest. These “move now, pay later” options are rare, but they are out there if you take the time to look. 

Transit Times

While driving to Vermont from New York might only take you a day or two, long-distance movers usually estimate 7 to 14 business days from pickup to delivery for a full-service move.  Those behind-the-scenes logistics mentioned earlier typically include a stop at a warehouse, where your goods will be combined with other shipments bound for the same location.  While this process is both effective and profitable for professional moving companies, this creates longer lead times for your shipment, especially if the closest warehouse is out of the way.

What About Expedited Delivery?

If you can’t wait the week or two it typically takes to receive your shipment, you can ask your provider about expedited delivery options. Expedited services can get you your goods faster by driving straight from New York to Vermont – skipping the warehouse consolidation process. With this method, estimated delivery times are usually closer to 1 to 3 business days.  Unfortunately, you’ll pay a premium for these services, but you won’t have to worry about your belongings getting lost or mixed up with other shipments during consolidation.  Expedited delivery is your best option when you need to move fast, but make sure to get estimates for both standard and expedited delivery, as you might only save a day or two in some cases. 

Coordinating Delivery

Unforeseen obstacles have a way of showing up at the worst possible moment when you’re in the middle of a long-distance move. That’s why it’s important you take some steps to plan ahead for your delivery. 

Shipment Tracking

Long-distance moves are even more stressful because it’s impossible to know the exact location of your goods at all times. Even if you take advantage of a full-service move, when you’re relocating locally, you can follow the truck to your new home so your belongings are never out of sight. This isn’t an option with long-distance moves.  Not knowing where your goods are and when they’ll arrive can be extremely frustrating. It’s impossible to plan for delivery and make arrangements if you don’t have a clear idea of when to expect your belongings.  Your Hometown Mover offers live GPS tracking on every long-distance shipment, providing you with real-time location updates via automated texts. Other moving companies may provide something similar, easing some of the stress involved with interstate moves. 

Urban Considerations

When you’re moving to a big city, like Burlington or South Burlington, there are usually special considerations you can make to ensure a stress-free move-in day. Condos, apartments, and other gated communities are common in these areas, and you may need to make some arrangements when you’re moving into one of these locations.  You may want to think about:

• Requesting additional parking for your moving truck.
• Reserving an elevator for easy access to higher floors.
• Obtaining a guest code for the gate or adding your moving company to an approved guest list. 

Coordinating with your landlord, apartment manager, or community representative ahead of time can vastly improve your moving process on delivery day. 

Rural Considerations

Smaller towns like Brattleboro, Rutland, or Montpelier will have their own special challenges that you’ll want to consider when planning your move. Moving trucks are large and require plenty of clearance to get to your front door. Low-hanging branches, especially those overburdened with snow, or bushes and plants may block part of your driveway, making it impossible for the truck to get close to your house. If this is the case, moving companies may require a shuttle service to transport your goods from the truck across your driveway – and this service isn’t free.  Make sure your moving truck will have easy access to your driveway ahead of your move date to ensure a smooth delivery. 

Weather Considerations

When you’re planning months in advance, it’s hard to predict the weather conditions, and this could impact your move. Moving in severe weather is a no-go, so you may need to delay or reschedule your delivery if the forecast is dire. You can double-check in advance to make sure conditions look good or prepare for light storms. Moving in the rain isn’t fun, but more importantly, your goods will get wet. Water damage or broken possessions due to slips and falls can be avoided if it’s possible to delay your delivery a day or two.  Winter conditions in the New England area are even worse. Trying to move in the freezing cold is miserable, and snow and ice can make your path even more treacherous.  If you have to move in this type of weather, it may seem even more essential to hire professional movers to help.

Insurance

Considering your insurance options is important when you’re planning a long-distance move. While every moving company will try to provide a hassle-free experience by protecting your items, accidents can – and do – happen.  If you take the time to understand how moving companies value your item, you can choose the best coverage for your shipment. 

Basic Liability Insurance

Basic liability insurance is the most common, and it’s usually included in standard moving packages. While this type of coverage may seem acceptable, you could be putting the value of your shipment at risk. Instead of covering the actual (perceived) value of your goods, basic liability rates are based on the weight of each item.  If your rate was $.60 per pound and a valuable piece of artwork or a precious piece of jewelry was lost or damaged during transit, you’d only receive a fraction of the value.  To ensure you’re getting full-value coverage, you’ll need to secure premium insurance.

Premium Move Coverage

With premium insurance, your rate will be determined based on the item’s value, instead of its weight.  To secure premium move coverage, you’ll need to provide the moving company with an estimated value of all your belongings. The total value of your shipment will be used to calculate your insurance cost.  Often, premium insurance includes a deductible amount that you’ll have to pay before receiving a payout, but you’ll be able to claim full value for your items if anything gets damaged or lost in transit.  While you can also take advantage of Your Hometown Mover’s custom crating and packing solutions to help protect your valuables, premium insurance will give you peace of mind that your goods are covered. 

Moving Vehicles & Boats

Vermont is a smaller state, and as such, you won’t find a lot of public transportation, which means you’ll need a car to get around.  If you own a vehicle, the easiest way to move it is to drive it up the east coast yourself. You could also hitch it to the back of your rental truck. These options may not be possible if you own multiple vehicles, a boat, or feel uncomfortable making the drive. In this case, you’ll need to find an alternative.  Professional moving companies won’t haul vehicles, as this requires specialized equipment, but most will contract out to an auto-transporter or rigger for you.  Since a third party will be handling your vehicle, it likely won’t follow the same delivery schedule as the rest of your goods. Expect your car to cost more, take longer than the rest of your shipment, or possibly even be excluded.  Your Hometown Mover will get everything set up for you with a third party to make sure your relocation goes smoothly. 

Relocation Resources

If you love hiking, skiing, and maple syrup, Vermont is the perfect place to relocate. This small state offers a slower pace of life, and it’s one of the safest states in the country. You’ll find plenty of great places to visit, including lakes, mountains, forests for outdoor lovers, and farmers’ markets, museums, and historic sites for those that like to explore the cities and towns. Let’s take a look at a couple of the cities and what they have to offer.

Burlington

Cost of Living: 33.4% cheaper than NYC / 33.5% more expensive than Syracuse   Walkability Score: 59 Transportation: Bus, Bike, Car Known for: UVM, Lake Champlain Burlington, VT is a beautiful city on the shores of Lake Champlain. It’s home to the University of Vermont and it’s the most populous city in the state. Even so, it’s fairly small with just under 45,000 residents. Still, you’ll find plenty to see and do here. Explore Lake Champlain and all it has to offer by taking a ride on the Lake Champlain Ferries. You’ll enjoy gorgeous views as you travel over the water. If you want something a little more active, check out the Burlington Greenway. It’s an eight-mile paved bike path along the shoreline.  In Downtown Burlington, you’ll find the Church Street Marketplace, another popular spot to spend the day. Here you’ll find all kinds of shops and dining options and there’s usually some sort of street event going on, from jazz festivals to marathons. When you’re done there, you can walk over to Waterfront Park. Like Church Street Marketplace, this park is home to festivals and events, but you can also rent a sailboat or kayak, walk along the shoreline, or enjoy rollerblading or biking.  You may also want to visit the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, which is immediately adjacent to the park. This science museum is full of interactive exhibits, educational programs and classes, and over 70 different animal species. If history is more your style, check out the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. Ethan Allen is best known for helping to capture Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War. HIs home is now a museum, filled with two stories worth of artifacts and exhibits. Music lovers can take in a live performance at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. It’s been around since 1930 and features plays, live music, dance, and more.  Looking for some fresh produce and a way to support the locals? Check out the Burlington Farmers Market, which has been around since 1980. Besides produce, you’ll also find baked goods, specialty foods, and all kinds of crafts and accessories. If you don’t find something to eat there, you can stop at Foam Brewers for a beer and some appetizers. If you’re moving from New York City, you might find the weather in Burlington to be a little colder than you’re used to throughout the year. Summers are a few degrees cooler, with highs in the upper 70s, and winters are significantly colder, with lows in the teens. If you’re coming from somewhere like Syracuse, you’ll find the temperature year-round to be pretty comparable. Winter storms, flooding, and tropical storms are a risk, so be prepared to deal with those events.

Resources

• City of Burlington
• Things to Do in Burlington

Rutland

Cost of Living: 47.5% cheaper than NYC / 5.2% more expensive than Syracuse   Walkability Score: 82 Transportation: Bus, Bike, Walk, Car Known for: Rutland Halloween Parade, Vermont State Fair Rutland is a small city within 100 miles of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. This little town has less than 16,000 residents, but surprisingly, it’s the third most populous city in the state! You’ll love the slower-paced lifestyle you’ll find here. In Downtown Rutland, you’ll find a whole host of different murals that have covered the buildings in recent years. Walk around to find them all. While you’re there, stop in the Vermont Farmers Market, which is the largest in the entire state. If you’re looking for places to take the kids, check out the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum and the Rutland Free Library. The Wonderfeet has interactive exhibits that’ll keep them entertained for hours. The library has a cute kids’ corner and often has events and shows for the little ones. You can also spend some time outdoors at Pine Hill Park. You’ll find seventeen miles of trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and exploring. The Killington Ski Resort is another great place to enjoy the outdoors and it isn’t far from Rutland. Not only can you ski or snowboard in the winter, but you can bike, hike, or enjoy some of the other activities offered during the summer. The Paramount Theatre is another popular attraction in Rutland. It was built in 1912 by George T. Chaffee, and it still offers live performances to this day. You may also want to visit the Chaffee Art Center, with new artists and exhibits added every month. This center also hosts art festivals, including Art in the Park twice a year.  If you can’t make it to Massachusetts to see Norman Rockwell’s work, you can stop by the Norman Rockwell Museum of the South to see some of the famed illustrator’s work. It’s full of magazine covers, books, and more.  The weather in Rutland is very similar to what you’ll find in Burlington, with only a few degrees difference here and there. Take precautions in case of the same types of hazards, like flooding, winter storms, and tropical storms. 

Resources

• City of Rutland
• Things to Do in Rutland

FAQ

What is the average cost to move to VT from NY?

A long-distance move from New York to Vermont will run you somewhere between $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the distance you need to travel and the amount of your belongings. Moving a one-bedroom apartment will run you less than a multi-bedroom home.  If you’re willing to drive a rental truck and do some of the work yourself, you can reduce your costs significantly, but you’ll still spend between $400 and $1,500 for a rental truck. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of fuel and other moving services. 

How long will my move take?

Long-distance moves typically take between 7 to 14 business days, due to the behind-the-scenes logistics involved.  If you need to move faster, you can opt for expedited delivery, which can usually get you your goods between 1 to 3 business days.  Ask your provider for delivery estimates for both services before you make your decision, as sometimes the difference is only a day or two. 

How is living in VT different from NY?

Vermont is a pretty different state from New York, especially if you’re coming from New York City. The largest city ranks as the least-populous city to also be the most populous city in its state, so you won’t have to worry about crowds of people. Everything is slower-paced and laid back, with gorgeous outdoor scenery wherever you look. The cost of living is significantly cheaper than in NYC, but it’s a little higher than the Upstate. Much of the state is walkable or bikeable, but there are still plenty of buses running throughout the state if you need to get around. 

How do you get around in Vermont?

Vermont offers a decent bus system, but you may still want a car to get around the state. Many of the cities are highly bikeable and plenty are also fairly walkable.  

Is Vermont a good place to live?

Vermont is the fifth safest state in the nation, making it the perfect place to call home. The cost of living is lower than in NYC and not much higher than in places like Syracuse.  If you love hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, and general outdoor activities, you’ll love living in this state. 

Moving to Vermont from NY

Planning a long-distance move can feel overwhelming, but Your Hometown Mover is here to help. We’ll create a long-distance moving solution that’s suited for you and your family to provide a smooth and seamless moving process.  We offer guaranteed pricing and expedited delivery options to meet your needs. Get free moving quote today. Our team will take care of all the heavy lifting to create a stress-free relocation so that you can start enjoying your new home.