Moving Mondays: Things to Know Before Moving to New York City
Moving to the City That Never Sleeps?
I get it. It’s what dreams are made of. And I finally followed that dream in February 2018. But moving to New York City isn’t easy (and it’s definitely not cheap).
Yes, moving to the Big Apple can be stressful. But I did it. And if it’s your dream, go for it.
Ok guys, so if you are planning a move, read on. I created a guide with everything you need to know before moving to New York City.
Basics
New York City is the most populated city in the United States. It’s located in the southern tip of New York State. And don’t get confused, it’s not the capital. Albany, located 150 miles north of the city, is actually the capital.
New York City consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
Cost of Living
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Living in New York is expensive. Manhattan is the most expensive city in the United States. And when every borough is considered, NYC is the 4th most expensive city.
Be prepared to pay more for everyday essentials. Groceries in NYC cost between 28-39% more than the national average. And restaurant prices are typically 50-60% higher than the national average.
Rent
Rent costs vary between the boroughs. Expect Manhattan averages around $3150, Brooklyn around $2500 and Queens about $2200.
And finding an apartment is complicated. Many apartments are only shown to brokers. So, you must hire a broker and pay their expensive fee just to see an apartment. And after a few tours, this really ads up.
If you want to avoid the fee, consider touring non-broker apartments. These can be harder to find, but don’t give up. I used Street Easy to find my apartment. Adjust the filters to your needs (and select “no fee” if you want to avoid the broker process).
Also, consider subletting or living with a roommate. So many New Yorkers chose this option. It’s a great way to cut down on the absurd rent costs. Roomi is a popular app used to find roommates in the city.
Population
As we discussed earlier, New York City is the United State’s most populated city. Over 8.6 million people live in the city. And it’s also the most densely populated major US city. So be ready for crowds.
But there’s a reason so many people live in this city. The New York vibe continues to draw people in. Just remember, you don’t move to New York for space. You trade that for the fast-paced energy and endless entertainment options.
Jobs
NYC offers a wide variety of jobs. It is the financial and publishing capital of the US, so many workers in these fields flock to the city. But jobs are available in almost every industry. Restaurant, tech, education, healthcare, construction, and hospitality are just some of the city’s booming industries.
As of August 2018, the city’s unemployment rate was 4.2%. Many jobs pay a high salary, to adjust for the city’s cost of living. However, since there is a wide range of jobs, there is also a significant wage gap in New York.
Transportation
Public transportation is king in NYC. Most commuters rely on the subway and buses.
Subway
Prepare to learn the routes and join the 5.5 million people who use the subway every weekday. Opened in 1904, the NYC subway is one of the world’s oldest public transportation system. Unlike other cities, the NYC subway operates 24-hours a day.
But, that’s a little misleading. Because the MTA constantly works on the subways. So lines are regularly shut down. Notice the numerous flyers in the stations. Yes, that’s the best info you will get about route changes or closures.
You can purchase a refillable Metro card from any station. Each trip costs $2.75. Or consider an unlimited 30-day pass for $121.
Buses
Buses also transport the NYC masses. Their routes often include areas that aren’t reached by subway. Metro cards are accepted on the buses. So, your unlimited 30-day pass would cover bus trips. Or you can purchase a $2.75 single-ride ticket.
You can make free transfers from a local bus to subway, subway to a local bus, or a local bus to a local bus within 2 hours of your first payment.
Metro-North Railroad
This commuter train runs between the city and northern suburban areas. You can also reach Connecticut from this train.
Ticket prices vary depending on the length and time of your trip.
NJ Transit
Trains and light rail connect areas of Manhattan and New Jersey. This convenient way for commuters from New Jersey to reach the city.
Ferry
A ferry fleet connects the city’s boroughs. Some commuters use the famous Staten Island Ferry to reach Manhattan (tourists know this as the free Statue of Liberty cruise). Ferries also connect different parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
Taxis
What is NYC without taxis? Yes, you will see hundreds of the yellow taxis around the city. And they might seem convenient. But they quickly get expensive. And NYC traffic is heavy. So the subway is often a quicker option.
Ride Sharing
Uber, Lyft, and Vio are popular in the city. But again, these quickly get expensive. And NYC recently limited the amount of ride-sharing vehicles allowed on the streets. So expect the fares to rise.
Cars
Yes, some people choose to own a car in the city. And in some neighborhoods, this might be doable. But parking (especially in Manhattan) is expensive and difficult to find.
If you don’t own a car, you can consider a car-sharing service. Car2Go and Zip Cars both operate in NYC. These services give you the option to drive on occasion, without worrying about maintaining, parking, and paying for a car in the city.
Weather
You will experience the 4 seasons. Spring is rainy. Temperatures range from the mid-30s to mid-70s. Summers are humid and hot. Average highs reach 84. Falls are crisp. Temperatures dip to the low-50s to mid-70s. Winters can be brutal. Expect cloudy days, snow, and nor’easters. Prepare for winter temps between the mid-20s to the high-40s.
(P.S. All temps are in ºF. NYC is in America after all. And we don’t understand Celcius over here)
Neighborhoods
New York is made of 5 boroughs. And each borough contains different neighborhoods with unique vibes. It can be difficult to decide where to live in New York. Below I highlighted some popular areas of the city. But, consider your budget, commute, and personality before making this decision.
Manhattan
This is what comes to mind for most people. Times Square, Wall Street, skyscrapers. Manhattan is New York’s most famous borough. But it comes at a high price. If you want to live in New York’s heart, prepare for a tiny studio and an extreme rent check.
Upper West Side
This is a safe and quiet neighborhood. It’s home to the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society. Here you will find both Central Park and Riverside Park.
The neighborhood mostly consists of families and professionals (both young and seasoned). You can sometimes find cheaper rents here than the rest of Manhattan. But it’s still Manhattan, so expect $2000+ for a studio apartment.
Upper East Side
This is basically the Upper West Side. You will still mostly find families and professional in this neighborhood. It’s slightly more Gossip Girl than the UWS, but they are basically the same.
The UES is home to The MET, The Guggenheim, and the famous 5th Ave shopping district.
Hells Kitchen
Ok, this is very different than the last two neighborhoods. It’s….grittier. Parts of Hells Kitchen feel very New York to me. This neighborhood is loud, dirty, and often sketchy. But, you can sometimes find cheap rent here. And it’s not all the underbelly of the city. I just personally wouldn’t want to live here. It’s too close to Times Square which isn’t somewhere I want to be alone at night. Let’s be real, as a local you don’t want to spend a lot of time near Times Square period.
Chelsea
This trendy neighborhood on Manhattan’s west side is home to some of the city’s most popular restaurants. It’s home to the Highline, a city park built on abandoned elevated train tracks. Chelsea also has over 200 art galleries.
Lower East Side
The LES is of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. It offers a mix of cultures and cuisines. Little Italy and Chinatown both border this neighborhood.
Here, enjoy boutique shopping, affordable eats, and a thriving nightlife.
Brooklyn
Welcome to the most populated borough. If Brooklyn were its own city, it would be the 4th largest in the US.
Savvy (or broke) New Yorkers used to flock to Brooklyn to escape Manhattan’s high rents. But this started to backfire. Yes, some areas of Brooklyn are still affordable. But rent in some neighborhoods rival Manhattan.
Williamsburg
Hipster heaven. Seriously, this neighborhood is so trendy with millennials. Think contemporary art, thrift shops, coffee, wall murals…you get the picture.
Don’t get me wrong. I love spending time in this neighborhood. In the summer it’s home to Smorgasburg, the food festival to end all food festivals. But rents are absurd in this neighborhood.
And head’s up. The L Train is the main subway line connecting Williamsburg and Manhattan. And starting in 2019, the L Train will be shut down for major renovations. So commuting will be rough. But rents might drop.
Bed-Stuy
Tree-lined streets, Victorian brownstones, and townhomes fill this historic neighborhood. Young professionals, trendy bars, and artists have started calling this home.
Greenpoint
A low-key, slightly cheaper alternative to Williamsburg. This trendy neighborhood is popular with hipsters and artists. Along the waterfront, enjoy Manhattan skyline views.
The G Greenpoint’s main subway line. I haven’t heard about any planned renovations, but keep that in mind when you consider this neighborhood.
Bushwick
Another hipster and artist-friendly neighborhood. Think street art and gritty lofts that more trendy than sketchy.
And, unlike Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Bushwick is serviced by the G, J, M, C, A, and Z trains. So no need to worry about the L Train shut down.
Queens
A diverse and highly populated neighborhood. Queens is the city’s easternmost borough. You will find Citi Field (home of the Mets) and Rockaway beach here.
Astoria
This is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Queens. This low key neighborhood is popular with families and young professionals looking to escape Manhattan’s rent. Residents enjoy a quiet escape from the city, but commuters can reach Manhattan with a 15-minute subway ride.
New Jersey
Ok, if you want to escape the extreme rent and city chaos, consider living in New Jersey. Many “New Yorkers” do it. Use the trains or ferries to commute from parts of New Jersey to your job in the city.
Hoboken
This city lies on the Hudson River and is only 30-minutes from Midtown Manhattan by public transportation. Cake Boss fans will remember Hoboken as the home of Carlo’s Bakery.
But, rent can still get high in Hoboken. Hoboken is sometimes called New York’s 6th borough, so you might not find those prices you were hoping for.
Things to Do
Honestly, this is why so many people move to New York City. There are endless entertainment opportunities. Enjoy live theater, comedy shows, museums, parks, parades, festivals, and world-class restaurants. The list goes on and on.
Tourist Attractions
Of course, this city is home to some major tourist attractions. Including:
- Times Square
- Central Park
- The Statue of Liberty
- Empire State Building
- Brooklyn Bridge
But there are so many things for locals to enjoy. Explore the lesser known attractions. You can easily find your “thing” in the city.
Weekend Getaways
You might need the occasional escape. And there are some great options for weekend getaways. If you don’t have a car, consider the Metro-North, buses, or Amtrack trains for transportation out of the city.
Philadelphia
Less than 2-hours from NYC, this historic city is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Tour Independence Hall, gorge on Philly Cheesesteaks and recreate the famous Rocky scene on the Art Museum’s steps.
Boston
5 hours by bus or train gets you to the Massachusetts capital. Enjoy lobster rolls, catch a Red Sox game, and explore the Freedom Trail.
Washington DC
About 5 hours south of NYC lies the nation’s capital. Explore free museums, see historic sites, and lounge on the famous National Mall.
Get Outdoors
This is tricky. NYC isn’t exactly the great outdoors. But sometimes you need to reconnect with nature. If you can’t leave the city, explore Central Park. I know, this isn’t the same as hiking. But trust me, while you explore the park’s 840 acres, you won’t feel like you are in the middle of the city. Rent bikes, go for a run or wander the countless trails.
But, if you want to get out, consider exploring the Catskills or Adirondacks. Trains from NYC take you to these mountain escapes.
Life in a MEGA City
Ok, you’ve made it through my packed NYC moving guide. But I want to leave you with this. If you move to NYC you are moving to a megacity. And New York has been overly romanticised. Sure, there are some incredible parts about living in the city. But I don’t love every aspect of megacity-life.
New York is packed. There are people everywhere. So be ready to give up personal space. And the city isn’t exactly clean. You will see some disgusting stuff.
It can be stressful. Just figuring out where to buy groceries, do laundry, find an affordable gym, etc. gets overwhelming.
But you know what, you need to consider your priorities. And for me, right now, New York is perfect. I craved this city. I wanted the New York experience and I am living it. Sure, daily life can be tricky. But you adjust. And really, life isn’t perfect anywhere. I love New York because I am surrounded by culture, enthusiasm, and dreamers. And the city’s fast-paced, live life to the fullest-vibe inspires me daily.
So are you thinking about moving to New York City? Let me know!
Also, I would be happy to answer any more questions you guys have about the city. Just leave them in the comments below.
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