“N.Y.C, just got here this morning, three bucks, two bags one me.”- Annie the Musical.
If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. I had heard this saying all of my life, but it rings so true. Moving to NYC is no joke. however, if you stick it out, the rewards are abundant. These are the top 5 tips that were beneficial to my almost six year residency in the Big Apple.
Book Suggestion: Newcomer’s Handbook for Moving to & Living in New York City by Stewart Lee Allen: https://amzn.to/3QeJMRL
Plan, Plan, Plan
If you want to move to NYC, begin planning for the move at least one year in advance. Brainstorm the types of jobs that you want to apply for once you move here. If you want to work at a restaurant here, YOU MUST HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE. One of my theatre friends became a server in her hometown before moving to New York to gain experience.
Plan how much you want to spend on rent to help you figure out what jobs will fit your budget. Furthermore, ask yourself: “What borough would I like to live in?” Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, or Brooklyn. Research the neigbhorhoods in those boroughs. In NYC, people dicuss neighborhoods more than street names so you want to famaliarize yourself with the different neighborhoods. Side note: Staten Island is the fifth borough, but you really need a car to live there.
Best Neigborhoods in Brooklyn: https://www.prevu.com/blog/best-neighborhoods-in-brooklyn
Save $3,000-$5,000
3,000 is the minimum amount you would need to bring here. Yes, rent is high! But you have to put down about $2,000 or more just to move in to an apartment, even with roommates. Let’s say you can afford $800 a month for a room (with roommates). You will have to pay 1st month’s rent, a deposit, and a broker’s fee.
This adds up to a hefty $2400 to move-in. If you bring $3,000, this leaves you with only $600 in your pocket until you get a job. Apparently, people are not supposed to charge a broker’s fee anymore, but they still do it. I just paid a broker’s fee to move in to my current apartment a couple of months ago. The broker’s fee is worth it to be honest. I have gotten some nice affordable rooms with the help of a broker or real estate agent.
Need Tips to Save Money: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/the-secret-to-saving-money
Get a Job, or Two or Three
If your job transferred you to work in NYC, you are already a step ahead of most NYC peeps. I was told not to apply for jobs until I moved here. Why? NYC Employers need people ASAP! These employers are not going to hire people living in another state. There are millions who currently live here available to begin work tomorrow, or even today. You CANNOT apply for jobs here unless you currently live here or if your job has transferred you here. That’s it. When you move here, begin searching for jobs ASAP. Use your handy dandy new NYC address to book interviews quickly. Finding a job has never taken me longer than about two to three weeks.
NYC may have high rent, but they are always hiring and you can find a job. If you discover that your job isn’t paying enough, get another job that works with your current work schedule. The pay here is NICE! Minimum wage is $15.00 an hour and most of my jobs have paid more than this. Also, there are some pretty high profile jobs here. You can usher at Jazz at Lincoln Center or Lincoln Center. You could work in customer service for the Metropolitan Opera, Broadway Theaters, and the Apollo Theatre to name a few.
Best resources for finding jobs: Indeed.com has been my bestie, most of my NYC jobs were found on there. https://www.indeed.com/
Live withOUT Luxuries
Are you used to doing laundry at home? Say goodbye. Used to Central heating and Air, adios amigos. Dishwasher, lol, you got jokes. Big closets, uh no, you will be lucky to get a closet at all. I have seen so many rooms advertised without closets. It’s crazy. I have only had central heating and air for two out of those six years that I have lived here. I had a dishwasher and laundry in my unit for two of those six years.
The more luxuries you want in your apartment the higher your rent will be. My most expensive rent was $910 a month. This apartment had laundry in the unit, a virtual doorman, and a dishwasher. If you want affordable rent, you will probably have to live with roommates. If you live alone, your rent will run you about $1500 to $2500 or more a month in Brooklyn. Manhattan apartments are twice this price and acutally have way less space than the Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx apartments. With roommates your rent would be about $800 to $1,000 in Brooklyn. You will rarely ever see your roommates more than likely so it is really not a bad deal.
Best place to find apartments in NYC: Facebook marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/
Say Goodbye to Wal-mart & Most Chains
There are no Wal-marts in NYC. You have to go to New Jersey or Upstate New York to find one. This was a big change for me personally since I was used to shopping at Wal-Mart. However, I began shopping at my local grocery store and Trader Joe’s for food and Target for my tolietries. You can also shop locally at $99 cent stores, and bodegas, and mom and pop shops.
There are several places to shop here and I guess this is the way it should be everywhere. Wal-marts have sort of taken over the small businesses in other states and NYC wants to keep people shopping locally. There are some chain stores here and definitely more chain restaurants than I remember seeing even six years ago.
However, most chains are in the times square area due to tourists who are looking for familiarity here. Sidenote: If you live here, don’t go to times square. There are way too many peeps taking pics and walking slowly, please don’t torture yourself. You will be living in NYC, now act like it. Just kidding, but not really, you will feel differently about times square after living here, oh the horror, the horror! No New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for Me!
Local NYC shops and markets https://www.spottedbylocals.com/newyork/category/shopping/
Hope this helps.
Dominique Duarte
https://www.bydominiqueduarte.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-living-in-new-york-city/
Would you ever move to NYC? Why or why not? Comment below!