So you want to move to New York City. The “Big Apple” has a lot to offer.
New York City
First is their amazing cuisine. U.S. News ranks New York City as the #1 in Best Foodie City in the United States. The city that never sleeps is a mecca for the restaurant industry. From Manhattan clam chowder to New York style cheesecake, the city has your taste buds covered.
The second reason is the life. You can never say you’re bored in New York City. The world’s best theaters, museums, parks and cultural activities are here. The city is known for some of the best holes in the walls. Everyone has their favorite go-to dive.
Third on the list is public transportation. The first horse-drawn omnibus started in the 1820s. They even included billboards for advertisement. The city now has an entire organization dedicated to transit. You can get from point A to B using the bus, taxi, subway or your own two feet. If you don’t have a car, it is easy to get around the city.
Finally, the opportunities for jobs in New York are endless. Indeed lists over 130,000 jobs on their site alone. Furthermore, the hottest jobs in the city for 2017 are nursing jobs. If you have a medical background, New York City might be the city for you.
If you’ve made the decision to move to the “City that Never Sleeps,” below are things you should take into consideration.
Housing Cost
Living in the city is expensive. Smartasset reports New Yorkers‘ cost of living is 68.8% higher than the national average and Manhattan is more than double the national average. So, be ready to shell out a lot of money for housing.
To illustrate, a one bedroom apartment rental in NYC averages about $3,000 per month. Sometimes you can get closer to $2,000 per month by moving to Brooklyn.
With this in mind, we recommend doing your house hunting in advance before starting your relocation process.
Subway
You will need to know the subway system if you live in Brooklyn or the outskirts of the city. You will want an easy commute each day and minimal transfers. There’s nothing worse than having a long, tiring, and stressful commute.
There are currently 36 rail lines connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
Significantly, the green and red globes at the entrances show if the rail line is opened or closed at night. Green means the line is opened 24-7.
Times Square is the busiest rail line in Manhattan.
Surprisingly, it only ranks 7th as the busiest system in the world. Tokyo busy mass transit system ranks number one in the world.
In the event you live on the outskirts of Manhattan, study the rail system and make sure you have a safe and easy commute.
Streets
New Yorkers do a lot of walking. Fitbit calls New York the most active state.
It is important to understand Streets versus Avenues. Streets run east and west while Avenues run north and south. It’s actually pretty hard to get lost in the city. We have the luxury of using Google Maps for many transit modes including walking.
You can also buy a Streetwise Manhattan Map. This mapping company has been around for a long time. It can help you get familiar with neighborhoods like Soho and Little Italy to name a few.
Don’t be afraid to ask! New Yorkers are very helpful when it comes to asking for direction. So if you are directionally challenged like me, just ask away.
So you’ve done your homework on jobs, housing, and the subway system. You’ve picked a place to live. Your commute is all laid out and you found an awesome new dig.
First things first, hire a New York cleaning service like King of Maids to perform a proper move-in deep cleaning. Even if your new apartment looks clean, you don’t know how long it has been unoccupied. I would recommend a deep cleaning.
Now it’s time to move!
Movers
First, know where the moving truck can park. There can be strict rules for blocking streets. Contact your landlord before you schedule your move.
Secondly, measure the entryways, halls, and space you believe might be an issue. It won’t be fun to find out after the fact some of your furniture won’t fit. Even sadder is your couch sitting on the curb because it won’t fit through the front door.
Finally, try to move on an off day. Most moving companies are busiest at the beginning and end of the month. If you can move mid-month and during a weekday, you could save a bundle.
Don’t forget you can always move yourself, if you have “great” group of friends. By all means, bribe them with beer and pizza. Just make sure you feed them after the move or you might find them sleeping on the couch by the curb.
Storage
You need not move everything into your home right away. In fact, I would recommend placing some of your items in storage as you get settled. This can make it easier for you to organize your apartment.
Make a list of important items and furniture and then make plans to store the rest. They will even come and pickup your items and store them for you.
It gives you time to decide what you want to keep and what needs to go.
Once you’ve finally settled into your new place, started working, and are more familiar with your area, take the time to visit New York’s amazing landmarks. Here’s a few we recommend first:
Statue of Liberty
She is considered the most famous landmark and typically ranks in the Top Ten of attractions.
There are great views of her at Battery Park, but I recommend taking the ferry. Always, buy your tickets in advance to make your outing easier.
Empire State Building
It is the most famous building in New York City. It held the record of the tallest building in the city for 42 years. There are two observation areas. One is located on the 86th floor and the other is on the 102nd floor. It’s a great way to view the city from above. Again, buy your tickets in advance so you can skip the lines.
Central Park
The park encompasses 843 acres and is visited by 37 million annually. It is home to the Central Park Zoo.
It is truly the hub of New York and a great place to relax, walk, exercise and even have a picnic.
Broadway
Finally, I will close this article with my favorite landmark – Broadway. There’s nothing better than seeing a play in the theater district. Make a night of it. I typically try a new restaurant before I see a play. It is an amazing experience that will leave you wanting for more.
In conclusion, do your homework before you move to New York City. It is a great place to live, play and work. Moreover, those who prepare will have an easier time transitioning their life to the second largest populated city in the worlds.