Boston is about to enter arguably the most chaotic time of year — the first day of September, when the majority of rental leases begin.
With about 59% of Boston’s households occupied by renters, it’s safe to say that there’s some extra hustle and bustle headed to our city.
We’re unpacking what you need to know for a successful moving season, from disposing of old furniture to local traffic expectations.
We’re sure you’ve seen pictures of trucks getting Storrowed, or maybe even witnessed a collision yourself. Our biggest piece of moving advice? Don’t be that person. Say it with us: you cannot drive a moving truck on Storrow Drive.
Now that that’s out of the way, here are other ways to prepare before moving day:
- If you have a car, apply for a resident parking permit.
- Change your mailing address with USPS, banks, and any utility companies.
- Update your voter registration with your new address.
- Use this household waste lookup to learn how to dispose of your furniture, or make arrangements for a free pickup with The Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Pro tip: keep the contact information for these City of Boston departments handy:
- Department of Transportation (617-635-4680)
- Neighborhood Services (617-635-3485)
- Public Works (617-635-4900)
If any moving questions or concerns come up, use the city’s non-emergency 3-1-1 service.
What else to know:
Be aware of increased traffic around Boston’s many college campuses. Temporary parking restrictions generally go into effect around Aug. 31-Sept. 5 in neighborhoods like Roxbury, Mission Hill + Fenway. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for this year’s advisory.
Now for the fun part. The phenomenon of free furniture gracing the streets of Greater Boston is usually referred to as “Allston Christmas.” Scour your neighborhood for everything from desks to games and kitchenware, and be sure to keep us posted if your treasure hunt is successful.
