Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Episode Title: How to Move Stress Free (Sort Of) in NYC
Air Date: April 8, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the stress and complexity of moving—especially in New York City. Host Alison Stewart is joined by Wirecutter writers Dory Shevlin and Kit Dillon to share actionable tips, personal stories, and listener advice for making one of life’s most stressful events more manageable (if not totally stress-free). Topics range from organizational strategies to unique NYC challenges, the emotional baggage of letting go of possessions, and the awkward etiquette of asking friends for help.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Why Is Moving So Stressful? (03:14)
- Moving ranks as one of the top five most stressful life events, after death, divorce, injury, and job loss.
- Dory Shevlin: “It is the perfect blend of expensive, time-consuming, and there's just a lot of different parts that go into it.” (03:24)
- Kit Dillon: “I think we're just sort of faced with everything that we own all at once, which can just be an overwhelming experience for anyone.” (03:47)
Step One: Get Organized (04:05)
- Make a comprehensive list—don't rely on memory.
- Dory Shevlin: “Get like a pen and paper or get onto your laptop... and just start writing down everything you need to do because it's such a long list, you're not going to be able to keep it in your head.” (04:05)
- Early organization helps with scheduling utilities, managing logistical tasks, and lowering last-minute stress.
Packing: Don’t Rush, Do Cull (04:47)
- Common mistake: Jumping into packing before decluttering.
- Kit Dillon: “People try to pack too quickly… You actually want to cull some of the stuff you have before you even get to the packing phase. That will save you a ton of time and ultimately money.” (04:47)
Giving Notice and Getting the Deposit Back (05:47)
- Notice to landlord: Generally, give at least two months.
- Dory Shevlin: “As soon as you know, it's better to get ahead of it.” (05:47)
- Getting your deposit back: Clean thoroughly, spackle holes, use a magic eraser for walls, and document the apartment’s condition with photos.
- Dory Shevlin: “You have to do a deep clean. Like there's no way around that...every time I move out of an apartment, I think, wow, I've never cleaned it this well.” (06:53/07:28)
Utilities and Change of Address: Don't Procrastinate (07:42)
- Start cancellations or transfers 1–2 months in advance: trash, recycling, gas, electricity, water, internet, cable.
- Dory Shevlin: “Writing it all down… it's too much to keep in your head all at once.” (07:42)
Listener Tips & Hacks
Scott from Mount Vernon (08:14)
- Keep a Sharpie on a string around your neck (you're going to lose it otherwise).
- Keep tape around your waist for easy access.
- Use 50-gallon drum liners for linens and non-breakables.
“You get a Sharpie. You put it on a string around your neck… Buy a box of 50 gallon drum liners.” – Scott, Caller (08:19)
Craig from Morganville (10:32)
- Confirm moving company is insured.
- Photograph the movers, truck, and contents in boxes.
- Take photos of your old apartment for deposit disputes.
- Follow the moving truck yourself.
“Take pictures of the license plate… Also take pictures of your apartment when you leave.” – Craig, Caller (10:37)
Decluttering: The Emotional Side (09:23)
- Methods differ: “Does it spark joy” (Marie Kondo style) may help, but it’s hard for sentimental types.
- Kit Dillon: “Some people thrill to just be rid of the things that they no longer want and other people… just seem to hold on to every sort of paperclip.” (09:23)
- Dory Shevlin's clothes rule: “If I haven't worn something in a year, I'm just not going to wear that.” (10:06)
Large Furniture Decisions (12:17)
- Always measure both new rooms and doorways, not just the space itself.
- Dory Shevlin: “A lot of people make this mistake… is your door frame big enough?” (12:23)
- If donating, plan ahead; if leaving on the curb, know that time pressure leads to more “curb alerts.”
- Kit Dillon: “The more time you've given yourself to donate something, the better.” (13:02)
NYC-Specific Moving Nightmares (14:16)
- Parking: The single biggest logistical issue. Always confirm where trucks can park.
- Walk-ups: Tell your movers—don't spring a surprise fifth-floor walk-up on moving day.
- Dory Shevlin: “You're just dealing with more people packed into a smaller space… That's what makes it uniquely difficult.” (14:19)
- Traffic: Accept that you will annoy drivers and bikers—shrug and apologize but don’t expect to solve the problem. (14:57)
Pro Mover Tips (15:32)
- Uniformity saves money: Use uniform-size boxes or rent plastic bins.
- Kit Dillon: “The more uniform everything is, the faster your movers can sort of load that onto a hand truck.” (15:32)
- Pack properly: Don’t leave drawers and cabinets full—empty everything and label well.
DIY Help: Thanking Friends (19:12)
- A heartfelt thank you and a meal is usually enough; a handwritten note is classy.
- Dory Shevlin: “A very heartfelt thank you and a meal is usually a very nice gesture.” (19:12)
- Kit Dillon: “I've done it for a slice of pizza. I sort of relish those moments, to be honest.” (19:45)
- When are you too old to ask? Never too old (or too young to say no).
- Dory Shevlin: “I don't think there's a cutoff. You can be in a different financial position at any old age.” (20:02)
Budgeting & Box Quality (20:44)
- Most money goes to the movers; don’t cut corners by using random-sized boxes from stores—they’re inefficient and may carry bugs.
- Dory Shevlin: “Having a bunch of different sized boxes makes it very hard to pack efficiently. But two, and this is really gross. A lot of those boxes can have, like, bugs in them.” (21:17)
Choosing the Right Moving Company (21:25)
- Check for insurance, reviews, experience; trust your gut. Big, established companies (“Piece of Cake,” etc.) are generally safer but not infallible.
- Kit Dillon: “You can go to the best moving company and have maybe the worst move… It really does depend. And just some patience generally will get you a long way as well.” (21:25)
The "Open This First" Box (23:47)
- Always pack an “Open First” box: toiletries, meds, clean clothes, tools, eating implements.
- Patricia, Caller: “One box labeled open this box first… you’re gonna go mad if you can’t locate [those things] right away.” (23:47)
- Dory Shevlin: Eating sushi with a pen and pencil after a move—lesson learned! (24:18)
Handling Short Moves (One Floor/One Block) (25:56)
- Don’t underestimate; still pack in boxes, still use a dolly—even if you’re just going upstairs or next door.
- Dory Shevlin: “You get fooled because you think, oh, this is gonna be so easy... But it will take you truly, like endless hours if you do it that way.” (25:56)
Long-Distance and Interstate Moves (27:12)
- Not drastically different organizationally, but the moving company must be licensed for interstate moves (Dept. of Transportation). Timeline for tasks is about the same.
Timing Your Move (28:11)
- Often determined by your building’s rules on days/times for moves and elevator access; sometimes requires time off work.
Be Nice to Yourself (Self-Care) (29:00)
- Remember to show self-compassion: Moving is hard and expensive. Don't judge yourself harshly for feeling frazzled or unprepared.
- Dory Shevlin: “There can be a lot of self judgment—why am I such a mess? Why do I own all this stupid stuff?...This is just a good opportunity to remind yourself… to be more gentle and a little bit more patient.” (29:03-29:04)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “People try to pack too quickly… You actually want to cull some of the stuff you have before you even get to the packing phase.” – Kit Dillon (04:47)
- “If I haven't worn something in a year, I'm just not going to wear that.” – Dory Shevlin (10:06)
- “Take pictures of the license plate… take pictures of your apartment when you leave… make sure you follow the moving truck as you leave.” – Craig, Caller (10:37)
- “Schedule a housewarming party for one week after you move. It'll force you to unpack.” – Listener Text (13:28)
Panel laughs at the stress potential!
- “You're just dealing with more people packed into a smaller space…that's what makes it uniquely difficult.” – Dory Shevlin (14:19)
- “The more uniform everything is, the faster your movers can sort of load that onto a hand truck…that is really where you are burning money and burning time.” – Kit Dillon (15:32)
- “A very heartfelt thank you and a meal is usually a very nice gesture…” – Dory Shevlin (19:12)
- “You're never too young to say no.” – Dory Shevlin (20:29)
- “Having a bunch of different sized boxes makes it very hard to pack efficiently…but two, and this is really gross…a lot of those boxes can have, like, bugs in them.” – Dory Shevlin (21:17)
- “Please empty your drawers…you'd be amazed how many times we've walked into houses and people are not packed at all.” – Kit Dillon (22:32)
- “One box labeled open this box first…things that you're gonna go mad if you can't locate right away.” – Patricia, Caller (23:47)
- “There can be a lot of self judgment…This is just a good opportunity to remind yourself…to be more gentle and a little bit more patient.” – Dory Shevlin (29:04)
Key Timestamps
- 03:14 – Top stressors; why moving is so hard
- 04:05 – First step: Get organized with a checklist
- 04:47 – Packing mistakes: Don’t start too soon, cull first
- 05:47 – Giving landlord notice, prepping for deposit return
- 07:42 – Scheduling/cancelling utilities
- 08:14 – Listener tips: moving hacks (Sharpie, tape, drum liners)
- 09:23 – Letting go of possessions (decluttering)
- 10:37 – Safety & logistics: insurance, photos, documentation
- 12:17 – What to do with big furniture
- 13:28 – Housewarming party as unpacking incentive
- 14:16 – The unique misery of moving in NYC
- 15:32 – Pro tips for smooth moves (uniform boxes, labeling)
- 19:12 – Thanking friends: etiquette and age
- 20:44 – Budgeting: box quality, spending priorities
- 21:25 – Vetting moving companies
- 22:32 – Essential: empty drawers!
- 23:47 – “Open this first” box for essentials
- 25:56 – Short moves: Don’t underestimate the challenge
- 27:12 – Planning long-distance/interstate moves
- 28:11 – When to schedule a move, dealing with building policies
- 29:03 – The importance of self-compassion during a move
Concluding Thoughts
This lively and practical episode is a field guide for anyone facing a move, combining expert advice with hard-won wisdom from listeners. While moving may never be completely stress-free, the tools, checklists, and mindset strategies discussed here can make it more manageable, especially with NYC’s added complications. Whether you’re trying to get your deposit back, fit a couch through a 1920s doorway, or just survive with your sanity intact—this episode has your back.
Find the Ultimate Moving Checklist mentioned in the episode at Wirecutter’s Website.