8 min read
Getting from Perth Amboy to New York City
Train, bus, ferry and car times from 585 Sayre Avenue, what the Perth Amboy Station rebuild changes, and which commute fits where you work.
- Perth Amboy
From the blog
Lease notice timing, the New Jersey license and car registration transfer, utilities and the commute, with a timeline and a checklist.
Published 10 min read
A move across the Hudson is short in miles and long in paperwork. Two leases overlap, two states' motor vehicle agencies are involved, and New Jersey's deadlines start the day you move.
This guide puts the steps in order, with a timeline to work from and a checklist of what to bring where.
Your New York to New Jersey Moving Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 90 to 60 days before your New York lease ends | What to doRead your lease's renewal and notice terms. Shortlist New Jersey apartments, book tours and test the commute at rush hour. |
| 60 to 30 days before | What to doApply and agree a move-in date. Give written notice to your New York landlord as your lease requires. Book movers or a truck. |
| 2 to 4 weeks before | What to doAsk both buildings about their moving rules. Arrange utilities and internet for the new address. File a change of address with USPS. |
| Moving week | What to doPhotograph your New York apartment at the final walk-through. Collect your new keys. |
| First 60 days in New Jersey | What to doTransfer your driver's license and register your car with the NJ MVC. Update your address with your employer, bank and insurers. |
Step 1: Line Up Your New York Lease With Your New Jersey Move-In
Two dates drive everything else: the day your New York lease ends and the day your New Jersey lease starts.
Check Your New York Lease Notice Terms
Your lease sets how much notice you owe, how to deliver it and what happens if you stay past the end date. Find the renewal and notice clauses before you start touring, give notice in writing in the way the lease specifies, and keep a copy.
If you need to leave before the lease ends, ask your landlord in writing about early termination or subletting before you commit to a new move-in date.
Overlap, Same Day or a Gap: Which Move-In Plan Works?
| Plan | Upside | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap by a few days to two weeks | UpsideTime to move, clean and fix anything before you hand back the keys | Trade-offRent in two places for those days |
| Same-day move-out and move-in | UpsideNo double rent | Trade-offThe truck, both elevators and the weather all have to cooperate on one day |
| A gap between leases | UpsideNo double rent and no rush | Trade-offYou need somewhere to stay, and your belongings may need storage |
What to Ask a New Jersey Landlord Before You Sign
- Which move-in dates are open for the layout you want?
- What does the rent include: parking, amenities, trash?
- Which utilities do you pay separately?
- What is the pet policy?
- How do you schedule move-in day?
At Five85West, most of these are answered in the Five85West FAQ: one parking space is included with every home, every amenity comes with the lease rather than a separate amenity fee, utilities are separately metered, and trash service is included. A tour gets you current pricing and availability for your move-in window.
Step 2: Book Your Movers or Truck Early
Published estimates for a New York to New Jersey move run about $70 to $130 for a rental truck before fuel, tolls and insurance, and roughly $400 to $1,900 for full-service movers for a one-bedroom, or $850 to $2,550 for two to three bedrooms. Distance, building access and packing decide where you land, so treat these as a starting point, not a quote.
Get at least two written quotes, and ask each mover:
- Is this a binding quote, or an estimate that can change on moving day?
- Are tolls, stairs, elevator waits and long carries included?
- What insurance or valuation coverage comes with the move?
- Can you provide the certificate of insurance my building asks for?
Step 3: Transfer Your New York Driver's License to New Jersey
New Jersey requires new residents to transfer an out-of-state license within 60 days of moving, or before the current license expires if that comes first. The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) lets you transfer your license and your car registration in one visit.
- Book an appointment. Choose an out-of-state transfer appointment at an MVC licensing center.
- Gather your documents. Bring your valid New York license, documents that meet New Jersey's 6 Points of ID requirement, and separate proof of your New Jersey address. A signed lease or a utility bill is commonly used for the address; check the MVC's current list before you go.
- Buy a transfer permit at the center. The MVC waives the knowledge and road tests when your license is valid, non-provisional and in good standing.
- Surrender your New York license. You leave with a New Jersey license valid for four years.
Step 4: Register and Title Your Car in New Jersey
New Jersey law also gives you 60 days to transfer your vehicle title and registration. Book a title or registration appointment (or combine it with the license transfer) and bring:
- Proof of identification, usually your driver's license
- Your original title
- Your insurance information
- A completed Universal Title Application (Form OS/SS-UTA)
- A completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49)
If the car is financed or leased, the MVC needs the title from your lender or leasing company first. Send a completed Application for the Release of a Title from Lienholder (Form OS/SS-54), and the MVC will tell you when to come back to finish.
Keep your New York insurance in place until your New Jersey policy and registration are active, and ask the New York DMV how to cancel your old registration and return your plates.
At Five85West, one surface parking space is included with every home, additional spaces are available for a monthly fee, and EV charging stations are on site, first come, first served. See the full list on the amenities page.
Step 5: Set Up Utilities, Mail and Your New Address
- Utilities. Ask your new landlord which services you open yourself and which providers serve the building. At Five85West, utilities are separately metered and billed to the resident, trash service is included, and the leasing office can tell you what to set up before move-in.
- Internet. Book installation as soon as you have a move-in date.
- Mail. File a change of address with USPS, then update your bank, cards and subscriptions.
- Insurance. Move your renters insurance to the new address. At Five85West, residents with pets need renters insurance with pet liability.
- Work and taxes. Give your employer your new address. If you will keep working in New York, ask a tax professional how filing works when you live in one state and work in another.
- Voting. Register to vote at your New Jersey address.
Step 6: Plan Your Commute Back Into New York
From Perth Amboy, NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line reaches New York Penn Station in about an hour, the 116 bus runs to Port Authority, and Midtown is about 50 minutes by car outside rush hour. Our guide to getting from Perth Amboy to New York City covers each option, the station rebuild and the nearest ferry, from South Amboy. For distances to the highways, ShopRite and the waterfront, see the Five85West location page.
New York to New Jersey Move Checklist
| Task | Where | When | Bring or prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give notice on your New York lease | WhereYour current landlord | WhenAs your lease requires | Bring or prepareWritten notice; keep a copy |
| Sign your New Jersey lease | WhereYour new landlord | WhenOnce you have a move-in date | Bring or prepareWhat the application asks for |
| Book movers or a truck | WhereMoving company | When4 to 8 weeks before | Bring or prepareTwo or more written quotes |
| Set up utilities and internet | WhereProviders serving the building | When2 to 4 weeks before | Bring or prepareNew address and move-in date |
| Forward your mail | WhereUSPS | When2 weeks before | Bring or prepareOld and new addresses |
| Transfer your driver's license | WhereNJ MVC licensing center | WhenWithin 60 days of moving | Bring or prepareNew York license, 6 Points of ID, proof of New Jersey address |
| Title and register your car | WhereNJ MVC | WhenWithin 60 days of moving | Bring or prepareTitle, insurance, Forms OS/SS-UTA and BA-49 |
| Update employer and bank | WhereHR and your bank | WhenFirst weeks after the move | Bring or prepareNew address |
Questions to Settle Before Choosing a New Jersey Apartment
| Question | Why it matters | At Five85West |
|---|---|---|
| Is there laundry in the apartment? | Why it mattersNo more laundry-bag trips | At Five85WestA washer and dryer in every home |
| Is parking included? | Why it mattersKeeping a car costs less when the space comes with the lease | At Five85WestOne surface space included with every home; extra spaces for a monthly fee |
| Are there amenity fees? | Why it mattersFees change the real monthly cost | At Five85WestEvery amenity is included with the lease, with no separate amenity fee |
| How far is the train? | Why it mattersIt sets your daily commute | At Five85WestPerth Amboy Station is 0.9 miles away |
| Which utilities do you pay? | Why it mattersIt affects your monthly budget | At Five85WestSeparately metered and billed to the resident; trash included |
| Are pets allowed? | Why it mattersRules vary by building | At Five85WestDogs and cats, up to two per home, 40-pound limit, with breed restrictions |
| How big is the home? | Why it mattersCompare square footage, not just room count | At Five85West12 layouts from 734 to 1,652 square feet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Within 60 days of moving, or before your current license expires, whichever comes first.
No. You surrender your New York license when the MVC issues your New Jersey one.
The MVC publishes the list of documents that count as proof of address, which you bring in addition to your 6 Points of ID. A lease or utility bill with your New Jersey address is commonly used; check the current list before your appointment.
Until you transfer it, which must happen within 60 days of moving or before the New York license expires.
Published estimates run about $70 to $130 for a rental truck before fuel, tolls and insurance, and roughly $400 to $1,900 for full-service movers for a one-bedroom. Distance, home size and packing decide where you land.
Two to three months before your current lease ends gives you time to tour, apply and give notice on schedule.
Within 60 days of moving. You can do it in the same MVC visit as your license transfer.
Planning a Move From New York? Start With a Tour
Walk the layouts, see every amenity, get current pricing and availability for your move-in window, and ride the commute the same day. Book a private tour Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call (732) 324-0300.
Filed under: Leasing · Perth Amboy
Compare the 12 layouts, then book a private tour Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call (732) 324-0300.