Hi all—moving to a third-floor walk-up on a one-way street in Kensington next month. I’m coming from out of state and have never dealt with city moving logistics. Do I need to reserve curb space or get a permit, or do people just double-park with the hazards on? I’m worried about alternate-side parking and making enemies on day one. My landlord said "the movers know what to do," but I’d rather not start off by blocking someone’s driveway or getting a ticket. Anyone have a basic how-to? Also, is it true I should tip the super before the move even if he isn’t helping?

Ha, welcome to the club. Double-park with the four-ways on and keep somebody by the truck. Don't block the hydrant, the bus stop, or a driveway; everything else is fair game. If there's a fire hydrant right out front, use the space next to it but angle the truck so you're not on top of it—ticketing agents love move-ins. Time it around alternate side if you can. Leave cash for the super early, not after; they can make your life easy or make the door "stick" all afternoon. Your building may ask the movers for a certificate of insurance, so call the office now.

Wait, my movers kept saying COI and I thought that was some kind of parking permit. So COI is for the building? I rented a walk-up in Dyker last year and we just double-parked by a no standing sign with the flashers on. A neighbor came out yelling about her "dead husband’s parking spot" but nobody ticketed us. Do you actually have to give the super cash if he’s not carrying anything? I don't want to be rude but I already spent a fortune on boxes. Also check if your street has a school; I accidentally moved during kindergarten pickup and it was a nightmare.

Oh this is my favorite logistics rabbit hole!!! Everyone says double-park and pray, but the real pro move is checking the street cleaning sign the night before and the driveway curb cuts! If you can get there just as street cleaning ends, you basically inherit a clean block. Do NOT block a crosswalk, even with someone in the truck—it's an instant ticket and a wheelchair access nightmare. Also if your block has a church or school, avoid arrival during drop-off/pick-up or Sunday services. Have you thought about reserving a POD or moving container? Those need their own permits and are a whole separate drama on narrow one-ways. For a walk-up, make sure your movers bring a stair tool; fourth floor with no elevator is no joke!

DykerNewbie, COI is just the insurance cert your moving company sends to the management office—not a parking thing. Some buildings won’t even let the truck unload until it’s on file. For the super, cash envelope before the move is standard. You’re not paying him to carry boxes, you’re paying him to not disappear when the freight entrance lock jams. Big_city_beth, if the truck is a full semi, don't try to double-park on a one-way; hire local movers with a box truck or you'll rip off mirrors and block the MTA bus. Four-ways are not a forcefield.

Thanks everyone—this is super helpful. So our landlord said we could block the hydrant "as long as someone stays in the truck"—is that real? I keep seeing different stuff. We’re going to ask the management office about the insurance certificate and check the street cleaning signs this week. DykerNewbie, sorry about the dead husband parking spot lady, that unlocked a new fear. I’d love to avoid school pickup; I didn’t even think about that. I’ll go cash-in-envelope for the super and try not to be awkward about it. Fingers crossed for a clean, boring move-in day.