Moving into a fifth-floor walk-up in Washington Heights next Saturday. No elevator, prewar building, narrow staircase, the whole thing. I already booked movers and my mattress is one of those compressed-in-a-box situations. I know to measure the box spring and not to trust “it’ll fit,” but what do I actually need to have ready before the truck gets here? I’m trying not to be that person realizing at 9 p.m. they have no shower curtain, no TP, and no way to open the boxes. Blunt advice welcome.

Welcome to the Heights. I’ve done a few walk-up moves, including into a fourth-floor prewar on 181st. You’re already ahead by booking movers, but here’s what I’d pack in a clear bin that stays with you, not on the truck:

• Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags
• Hand soap and a small dish soap
• Shower curtain and rings — don’t assume the old rod is still there
• Plunger — buy it now, not after the first flush
• Phone charger and a power strip
• Box cutter, scissors, permanent marker, packing tape
• A basic screwdriver and adjustable wrench
• Small flashlight for hallway closets and behind radiators

Also take dated photos of every wall, floor, and appliance before furniture goes in. It’s boring but useful when your security deposit gets iffy. If your building requires a certificate of insurance for movers, send it to the super or management today, not Friday night. Same with elevator—wait, you don’t have one—so just warn the movers about stair landings and tight corners. Fifth floor means they’ll be slower, and they may ask for water or Gatorade. That’s normal.

Set up Con Ed and internet in advance, and carry your ID and lease keys in a small bag that doesn’t leave your body. Move day has a way of eating wallets.

Second the plunger. Nothing says “welcome home” like needing one at midnight and the bodega is farther than you thought. Also throw a cheap shower liner in the same bag as the curtain—you’ll want that first shower before you find anything else.

Doorstop. Get a couple. You’ll be propping the building door and your apartment door open all day, and the super will get annoyed if you wedge it with a random rock. If you have a window AC, check the window before you buy one—prewar frames can be weird.

Pack one bag like you’re staying in a hostel: pajamas, tomorrow’s clothes, meds, toothbrush, phone charger. You won’t find your “bedroom” box until Monday. Also a small roll of blue tape for labeling doors/cabinets if you’re directing movers. Sounds extra but helps.

Good call on the quarters, CobbleHill_C — I completely forgot about laundry. Do most basement machines in Washington Heights take cards/apps now, or should I just bring a couple rolls and hope? Also that doorstop idea is going to save me, FinancialDistrict_F.

It’s really building to building. In my current place the laundry room got a card reader a few years ago, but a friend two blocks north still has a coin-op machine in the basement. Don’t stock up on quarters until you ask the super or a current tenant. If you bring two rolls and the machines are card-only, you’ll just have heavy jeans money. If they are coins, two rolls is a reasonable start, but get more from the bank, not a bodega, unless you like awkward looks.

For the truck, check whether your block has alternate-side parking the day you move. Saturday may be fine, but don’t make the movers circle while you figure it out. If you’re loading from a metered spot, have a plan. Also confirm with the movers whether they charge extra for stairs or for each flight beyond the third. Some do, some don’t. Better to know now than when they’re standing on floor five.

If you have furniture arriving separately, don’t let the delivery guys leave it in the vestibule “for five minutes.” Fifth-floor walk-up means they’ll sometimes try to leave it at the bottom and pretend it’s your problem. Be there, watch the stairs, and make sure it’s in the apartment before you sign anything.

Make sure renters insurance is active before move-in day. Some management companies will ask for it when you get the keys. Also label boxes by room, not by contents. “Kitchen 2” is useful; “random kitchen stuff” is not. Cash for tips, small bills.

Once you’re in and doing the first week of cooking, if salmon is on the menu, see “Salmon skin in a studio — how do you keep the smell out of the futon?” at Salmon skin in a studio — how do you keep the smell out of the futon? before you turn the stove on—that smell will absolutely find a futon in a fifth-floor walk-up. For move day itself, keep all-purpose spray and paper towels in one kitchen box, not the bottom. You’ll need it before you unpack plates.

One last thing: don’t schedule cable/internet install for the same two-hour window as the movers. You’ll be in the stairwell when the tech is buzzing and then you’ll get a useless “we missed you” email. Same for any grocery delivery. Pick a later slot or do it the next day. And find the nearest hardware store on your street before you need it—you will need it. Welcome to the neighborhood.