Navigating Moves in Boston’s Tightest Spaces

Along with our driving and general demeanor/speaking cadence, if you’ve ever tried moving in Boston, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Behind the exterior walls of our historic buildings lie steep stairwells, narrow hallways, and countless other obstacles. On the outside of the residence, narrow streets make it a constant battle to find optimal parking for a moving truck.

Apartment relocations in this city come with a set of difficult challenges. Add in the seasonal chaos of college move-in and move-out, and we understand why people say moving in Boston is one of the most stressful experiences they’ve ever had.

As professional apartment movers in Boston, we’re familiar with these challenges, having faced them almost daily. And while they can test anyone’s patience (no doubt!), the right moving company with the right experience can get the job done without damage or delays.

Triple-Deckers, Tight Stairwells, and Narrow Streets, Oh My!

Boston’s historic housing can be charming, but it wasn’t designed with modern furniture in mind. We spend a lot of time figuring out how to maneuver couches, desks, large appliances, and beds up and down staircases that barely fit one person at a time. Triple-deckers and brownesones are notorious for this. Add in wet weather or icy steps in winter, and those staircases become even trickier.

Then there’s the parking, oh man. Finding a spot for a moving truck on a narrow, one-way street in the city is a big challenge. Sometimes it means securing moving permits days in advance. Other times, it means working early mornings or late evenings to avoid peak traffic. Either way, it takes planning and persistence.

Manufacturing, Police Stations, and Courthouses

We once worked with a manufacturing company that was relocating south; this was a big, long-distance move for their operations. The stakes were high, and production needed to continue while the move took place. To make that possible, we coordinated with department heads, moving less critical areas first and leaving the most important operations for last. On the other side, those same departments were the first ones we set up. That sequencing allowed the company to keep its most essential functions running with almost no interruption.

We’ve also taken on projects where delays simply weren’t an option. When police stations moved into new facilities, the public needed them back in service right away. The same was true for a courthouse that experienced flooding; offices and files had to be relocated and operational in record time.

In situations like these, we’ve mobilized larger crews, extended working hours, and created detailed plans to prioritize the spaces that mattered most.

The Storrowing Factor

If you’ve lived in Boston in the last 10-20 years, you know the term “Storrowing.” Every year, new residents (or out-of-town movers unfamiliar with the city) drive moving trucks onto Storrow Drive or Memorial Drive, only to have them peel open under low bridges, literally have the roof peel open/off the truck. It’s expensive, dangerous, and unfortunately very common in late August and early September.

We’ve never had one of our trucks “Storrowed,” but that’s not by accident. Our crews know to avoid those routes, and our local teams keep both clients and their belongings out of trouble.

A Brownstone Move We’ll Never Forget

Sometimes, the most memorable moments happen inside the home. Not long ago, we were moving a family from one brownstone to another. It had been raining all day, and the last item left to move was a bunk bed. For half an hour, we tried every possible angle, but the bed just wouldn’t fit out the door.

Finally, we asked the clients how the bunk bed had gotten inside in the first place. That’s when they remembered they’d carried it in years earlier, before they added a roof deck that lowered the ceiling height. In other words, it wasn’t us. The bed really didn’t fit anymore!

That kind of situation happens more often than you’d think. Renovations, remodels, and quirky architecture can turn what looks like a simple move into a puzzle. The key difference is that our crews know how to problem-solve without damaging property.

Boston Moves Require Experienced Pros

Moving in Boston requires more than a couple of friends with an F-150. It requires familiarity with the city’s streets, rules, and housing quirks.

At Mastodon Moving, we ensure that the job is completed safely, on schedule, and with respect for both your home and your belongings.

Book a team of trusted apartment movers today.