Thousands of college students spent Labor Day weekend moving into off-campus housing in Boston as leases turn over in the city on September 1.

Movers who spoke with WBZ-TV said they wanted to get up early Monday to beat the crowds.

"We've been getting in at 7 a.m. to avoid the traffic get some good parking," one person moving boxes on Monday said.

Boston move-in day "chaos"

Dumpsters throughout Boston's Allston neighborhood were filled on Monday and U-Haul trucks were being unloaded.

"It's pretty bad, but hopefully it'll be worth it when we're all settled in in like a week or so," said Olive Kuper, a Berklee College of Music student.

Students were putting in the work on Labor Day, moving in or moving out across the Greater Boston area.

Many of Allston's newest residents were rushing to get settled into their spaces ahead of the start of school on Tuesday.

"Last year, we had a week to settle in and do everything. Now it's just chaos," Kennedy Dauzet, a Boston University student, said. "We have classes, so we wanted to get everything in because the previous tenants moved out yesterday, so it's very hectic."

"Allston Christmas"

Amid the madness, the streets are also loaded with pass-along items as part of what is known as "Allston Christmas." People look forward to finding hidden gems of unwanted furniture or home goods left on the roads.

"Hoping to find a good lamp and a good bookshelf, if anyone sees any, let me know," one man said.

There were even some free mattresses left on the road.

"I've seen that. That's something I tend to stray from, but to each their own," Dauzet said.

Anyone driving through the area will notice temporary tow zone signs that are in place until 8 p.m. The city is also warning against large trucks and vans going onto Storrow Drive, hoping to prevent anyone from getting stuck.

What it's like to be a mover on September 1

Roy's Moving and Storage has been preparing for the big moving date for almost a week. They ensure that their crews have everything they need, from food and water to a make-shift dorm room with beds if they need to rest between moves.

"We do what we can to take care of the crew," said Steven Dalicandro, general manager of Roy's Moving and Storage. "They're the ones busting their tails in the heat and the humidity for 24 hours for three days in a row."  

The service is in peak demand. It is not uncommon for employees to start work at 3 a.m. and have completed multiple moves by noon. They are currently averaging 40 moves per day during the season, compared to the off-season average of six to 12.

"The biggest challenge that we find is parking. You get gridlocked everywhere you go," said Brendan Ruiz, who works for Roy's.

People are willing to pay top dollar for the help, though, during the busiest moving weekend of the year.

"Nobody likes to move. It's an arduous process, it's stressful, and it can cost quite a bit of money," says Dalicandro, "We like to treat our customers just as if we were moving our own family."  

"The prices are higher this weekend than anytime during the year," said Ruiz.