Free and Cheap Boxes in NYC
Moving boxes are a $50-100 expense you can avoid. Here's where to get them free and cheap in NYC.
Free: Behind Liquor Stores
Liquor stores have sturdy, divided boxes — perfect for glasses and bottles. Ask the manager; most give them away. The divided boxes are the best free boxes for fragile items.
Free: Craigslist and Facebook "Free" Section
Craigslist "Free" and local Facebook Marketplace have a constant stream of moving boxes from people who just moved. "Free moving boxes — 20 boxes, pick up today" appears weekly.
Free: Bookstores
Barnes & Noble and independent bookstores have book boxes — small, strong, and ideal for heavy items. Ask when the truck arrives (usually mornings).
Cheap: Home Depot and Lowe's
Home Depot sells a small moving box for ~$1.30 and a large for ~$2. The "medium" (3 cu ft) is the most useful. A full apartment's worth is $30-50.
Cheap: U-Haul
U-Haul sells the same boxes, plus a "dish barrel" and a "wardrobe box" — specialty boxes. The wardrobe box (with a hanging bar) is worth it for hanging clothes.
The Box You Don't Need to Buy
The "small" box. Most apartments need medium and large boxes; small boxes fill with books and become too heavy. Skip small; use medium.
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