I Got $500 to Share My Experience Moving from California to New York
As told to moveBuddha
- Isabel P. moved from San Francisco, California, to New York, New York, in March 2022 for a new job in Brooklyn, a 2,911-mile cross-country move covering approximately 2,400 pounds of household goods.
- After comparing three quotes, she hired Safeway Moving, and her California to New York move cost $5,425, which matched her quote exactly.
- This is Isabel’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
This account is based on a conversation with Isabel P., who moved from San Francisco to New York City in March 2022 using Safeway Moving. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My boyfriend and I had been talking about leaving San Francisco for a while. When I landed a new job in Brooklyn, the timing finally lined up. Our new apartment in Manhattan was about one-third the size of our place in California, so downsizing became our first priority. Once we had a clear picture of what we were moving, I started looking for a long-distance mover.
I found moveBuddha while searching online and used their moving cost calculator to request quotes from several companies. I received three estimates and chose Safeway Moving based on their professionalism and competitive pricing.
My Safeway Moving experience at a glance
Here’s a quick rundown of how my move with Safeway went from start to finish.
- Communication: Safeway kept me updated throughout the process with emails, phone calls, and texts before and during my cross-country move. Communication was professional and consistent from the moment I booked.
- Pricing: My final charges came in at exactly what I was quoted. There were no surprise fees or adjustments at the end.
- Delays: The truck arrived in New York on a Friday, but because of the city’s strict weekend moving restrictions, delivery had to be pushed to Monday. That wasn’t Safeway’s fault.
- Would I use Safeway again? Yes, without hesitation. The experience was smooth from start to finish and I’d book them again for a long-distance move.
Why I chose Safeway Moving
I wasn’t interested in doing the move myself. I was starting a new job and settling into a new city, so peace of mind mattered more to me than saving a few dollars. What I wanted was straightforward: a company with verified reviews, consistent communication, transparent pricing, prompt delivery, and no damaged items.
My biggest concern was that the movers wouldn’t load everything on the date we agreed on, since I was booking flights and staying with family while the truck was in transit.
I knew about the move for nearly six months, but I didn’t book until I found an apartment in New York. Once I was ready, I told my Safeway customer service representative that I needed help with packing and unpacking and that the crew would have a few flights of stairs.
After a verbal quote, they sent a formal estimate that broke down every cost. Based on 345 cubic feet and 2,400 pounds, Safeway’s price came in at $5,425. That was in line with what I expected, so I booked almost immediately.
Since the crew would handle the packing, I focused on getting rid of things movers can’t move and donating anything that still had some life in it. Rather than purchasing additional coverage, I went with Safeway’s basic free valuation insurance, which turned out to be the right call since nothing got damaged.
In the weeks leading up to moving day, I received multiple emails, phone calls, and texts confirming every detail.
rating
4.9 / 5
My move at a glance
| Moving From | San Francisco, California 94109 |
|---|---|
| Moving to | New York, New York 10014 |
| Distance | 2,911 miles |
| Moving Company | Safeway Moving |
| Moving quote | $5,425 |
| Actual cost | $5,425 |
Pickup day
Moving day was Sunday, March 20. The crew called that morning when they were on the way and arrived right on time at 10:30 am. Their professionalism and attention to detail put me at ease from the moment they walked in the door.
While the movers were hard at work, I relaxed, answered their questions, and said goodbye to family and friends. It took the crew about two and a half hours to pack everything into boxes and another 45 minutes to load the truck. Before they pulled away, I paid via Zelle.
Delivery day
My belongings were in transit for 15 days. Five days before delivery, Safeway called to confirm the date and time. The truck arrived in New York on Thursday, but my flight didn’t land until Friday night. In most cities, that wouldn’t have been a problem, but New York has strict weekend moving restrictions, so delivery had to be postponed until Monday.
On move-in day, the crew staged my items inside the lobby before moving them up to my apartment on the elevator. I checked everything off the inventory as it came in, and the crew placed each item exactly where I wanted it. In the end, things couldn’t have gone more smoothly.
Final thoughts
If I had to flag anything, it would be the arrival window. Safeway gave me a flexible window of 8 to 11 am the day before pickup. If that window had been tighter, I could have squeezed in a few errands that morning. And while the NYC weekend moving restriction was definitely inconvenient, that’s not something any mover can control.
Overall, I’m glad I hired full-service movers. For a coast-to-coast move where timing and logistics were this complicated, the peace of mind was worth every dollar. I’d recommend Safeway without reservation to anyone who values a smooth, stress-free experience as much as pricing.
Planning a long-distance move? Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes from reputable movers and find the best option for your budget.
Want to learn more about Safeway and get a moving quote? Check out these posts:
- Safeway Moving review
- Our list of the best interstate moving companies (including Safeway)
- Get a free quote on our moving cost calculator
- Moving Experience: Joshua’s Move with Safeway Moving
- Moving Experience: Laurel’s Move with Safeway Moving
- Moving Experience: Marcel’s Move with Safeway Moving
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