<p>I think you have the costs/convenience issue analyzed very well. If you reaaallly want to shave pennies, I supposed you could leave the IKEA dresser and bookshelves out of your first purchase, and pull clothes and books out of your cardboard boxes for the first few weeks. That’d give you a chance to see if there’s a free or discounted opportunity on CL for dresser and bookshelf. </p>
<p>That said, my son who’s lived in NYC for 7 years now post-college without a car finds it hard to negotiate a Craigslist used furniture situation, exactly because of the delivery problem you figured out. He has a friend or two with vehicle, but there are too many logistics and timings to solve among all the parties.</p>
<p>If he notices something on CL that’s within a mile of his apartment, he’ll sometimes make an offer on that. If it’s close enough, he can hand-carry it home with his roommate (in his case, a wife!). </p>
<p>Wise to check on extra IKEA delivery fees for any walkup, especially 6 floors. If obnoxious, you might get them to deliver to your apartment lobby at an exact appointed time-window when you’re home; then muscle them upstairs yourself. Just don’t leave any box for a minute unattended in the apartment lobby (unless of course you have a doorman! :)</p>