Nyc

[DigitalAngel126]

I did a search and didn't find any informational NYC threads. I'm looking to move to NY on or around the beginning of September, and I need all the advice/tips I can get!

I haven't totally scoped out the area yet and need some tips on locations and pricing. What are the worst areas to stay away from? Any leads on good places to check out that aren't astronomical (price-wise) would be appreciated!!!

Anything that you'd like to share would surely be helpful... Tips on jobs that aren't hard to come across ('just until you're settled' kind of thing..) would be great too.

[blueangel]

I live in the NY metro area.. not in NYC. I kind of avoid NYC at all costs, so I may be the wrong one to chime in here! Maybe someone who likes NYC can give another perspective.. but I'm being upfront in telling you that there is no amount of money you could pay me to live in NYC.

Having said that, there are some people who love it and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. So take what I say and balance it with opinions from others.

If you're moving to NYC, remember that it's not "Sex in the City." That was a TV show, and not how it really is. Don't move because you have some fantasy of the city. TV is not real life. Move for the right reasons-- like a huge job offer.

THE GOOD tons to do, the city literally never sleeps. Great restaurants, amazing shows, fabulous museums, lots of culture, etc. etc. Salaries tend to be a lot higher for professionals, however, so is the cost of living. You will find a hypnotic energy in the city, and a lot of very interesting and unique people.

THE BAD be prepared to pay through the nose for everything. Good luck finding an apartment, and get ready to pay top dollar to live in a six story walk up apartment the size of a closet. Groceries are more expensive... and forget about owning a car in the city. You will pay a couple hundred dollars per month just to garage it, and tons at the pump. If you don't want to garage it, learn about alternate side of the street parking. Buy a clunker, because everyone will bash into you when you park on the street to "create" their own space.

You'll find people are very rushed and generally not nearly as friendly as in the south. (My personal opinion after having lived in the north and the south) There is also still quite the homeless problem, and lots of crime.

Taxes are very high. But you can always take a day trip to NJ where there is no sales tax on clothes.

The weather is awful. You have about 10 months of cold, rainy, snowy, or bone chilling weather, and two months of hot and humid weather. You will get a few nice days here and there. The spring is gorgeous (when it's not raining) as is the fall.

I would STRONGLY advise against moving to NYC without a job or a place to live. This city can chew you up and spit you out.

Instead, how about taking an extended vacation here (you can get a cheap room at the Yonkers YMCA) and see if this place is really for you. Go job hunting and apartment shopping BEFORE you make your move. Ride around in the subways and take buses. Talk to people.

Why am I still up here? My career. Nothing more. I would move in a second if I could, but I have "golden handcuffs."

I'm curious as to why you have decided to make such a move?

[Tom Earp]

What She Just Said!!!

If dont have to, do not go!

If You go, have $$$$$!

NYC is a different Animal completely!

If You do, Good Luck!

[DigitalAngel126]

Very well thought out response, I must say. I grew up in NY originally - upstate. I've been to the city numerous times for days here and there, as well as a week or two at a time, on occasion. That's always been to visit others, or school related, so I never really looked into prices for things, nor did I bother to learn the layout and all the bouroughs. I personally love the city and wholeheartedly believe that once I do get back out that way, I will be one that 'Wouldn't dream of leaving', as you said.

Living where I live now is something I don't plan on doing for much longer. It's a very small community, very tightly woven with generations of the families around every corner. I didn't grow up here, I don't have family here (except my dad), and there is not a lot of growth potential. Also, I don't like the midwest, and I don't like that I have to drive an hour to the closest ANYTHING (concert venue, mall, good restaurant, etc). Three hours to Indy, three hours to Chicago.

To be honest with it, if the city was like how it is on Sex in the City, I'd probably run the other way and possibly move somewhere comparable to Idaho.

Not having a car would be MORE than alright with me. As it is now, I live "downtown" and walk absolutely everywhere but to work (about a ten minute drive, just a hair too far to walk, especially in inclimate weather). I don't enjoy the upkeep, the crappy gas mileage, or the payment/insurance I have to spend. So, to hell with the car!

As far as people being rushed and not as friendly as other places (especially the South)... Perhaps this is the east coast coming out of me, but... That doesn't bother me. Birds of a feather, or so they say.... (I'm not from the South)...

What else... Ah yes.. Hot weather?? Don't mind it for short periods, but would never want to live somewhere 'warm' or 'tropical'. Rain - eh, doesn't bother me too much, they make umbrellas for a reason. LOVE snow. Like cold weather.

I fully intend on trying my hardest to line up a worthwhile job and living arrangements beforehand, but if not... What happens, happens. That being a big reason why I'm trying to research a few things and find out about different neighborhoods, prices, etc - - before I go out there in person (to look) and commit to anything. I like to try to be informed and look before I leap, and I find most of the best information comes from locals. That's why I came here to ask.

Hope this clears a few things up. It's something I've wanted to do for so long and I'm now going to make it happen. I just hope it all goes as smooth as possible. Thanks so much for your help!

Originally posted by blueangel
I live in the NY metro area.. not in NYC. I kind of avoid NYC at all costs, so I may be the wrong one to chime in here! Maybe someone who likes NYC can give another perspective.. but I'm being upfront in telling you that there is no amount of money you could pay me to live in NYC.

Having said that, there are some people who love it and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. So take what I say and balance it with opinions from others.

If you're moving to NYC, remember that it's not "Sex in the City." That was a TV show, and not how it really is. Don't move because you have some fantasy of the city. TV is not real life. Move for the right reasons-- like a huge job offer.

THE GOOD tons to do, the city literally never sleeps. Great restaurants, amazing shows, fabulous museums, lots of culture, etc. etc. Salaries tend to be a lot higher for professionals, however, so is the cost of living. You will find a hypnotic energy in the city, and a lot of very interesting and unique people.

THE BAD be prepared to pay through the nose for everything. Good luck finding an apartment, and get ready to pay top dollar to live in a six story walk up apartment the size of a closet. Groceries are more expensive... and forget about owning a car in the city. You will pay a couple hundred dollars per month just to garage it, and tons at the pump. If you don't want to garage it, learn about alternate side of the street parking. Buy a clunker, because everyone will bash into you when you park on the street to "create" their own space.

You'll find people are very rushed and generally not nearly as friendly as in the south. (My personal opinion after having lived in the north and the south) There is also still quite the homeless problem, and lots of crime.

Taxes are very high. But you can always take a day trip to NJ where there is no sales tax on clothes.

The weather is awful. You have about 10 months of cold, rainy, snowy, or bone chilling weather, and two months of hot and humid weather. You will get a few nice days here and there. The spring is gorgeous (when it's not raining) as is the fall.

I would STRONGLY advise against moving to NYC without a job or a place to live. This city can chew you up and spit you out.

Instead, how about taking an extended vacation here (you can get a cheap room at the Yonkers YMCA) and see if this place is really for you. Go job hunting and apartment shopping BEFORE you make your move. Ride around in the subways and take buses. Talk to people.

Why am I still up here? My career. Nothing more. I would move in a second if I could, but I have "golden handcuffs."

I'm curious as to why you have decided to make such a move?

[ZTAMich]

Living here in NYC is my dream come true! It def. is not SATC but it really is a great place to live.

There are many pros & cons to living here but it's a place I wouldn't trade for anything. As much as people complain about living here, it's probably who really DO NOT live here. Sure there are downsides to the city, like it being expensive, but that's city life.

I have been very lucky when it comes to apts and while I live outside of Manhattan, I know plenty of Manhattanites who have found great deals on their apts. Car expenses are costly but I like many other people don't have a car and pay $76 for a monthly bus/subway card. That's really not that bad of a transportation cost is it?

People complain about the winter here but well isn't that what makes winter winter? It's comfortable weather for fall & spring which are really beautiful seasons here! The leaves changing colors, the flowers blooming. There's a give and take with weather anywhere you go.

As far as friendliness goes, yes people can be rude during certain times of the day such as rush hour or if they can tell you're a tourist but eh that's life. Recently tho I have seen a different side of the city. My boyfriend has been on crutches for the last 3 months & people have really been SO polite & nice to him. In general too, I haven't see all that much rudeness. Homelessness & crime exist but it's better than years ago.

I wouldn't reccommend just moving here with no plan like a job and a place to live, but if you can get that secured, it's a great place to live!

There's gotta be some other pro-NYCers here!!!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by blueangel


I would STRONGLY advise against moving to NYC without a job or a place to live. This city can chew you up and spit you out.

Instead, how about taking an extended vacation here (you can get a cheap room at the Yonkers YMCA) and see if this place is really for you. Go job hunting and apartment shopping BEFORE you make your move. Ride around in the subways and take buses. Talk to people.

Worth repeating. I only lived there while taking training, and I don't know how I would have afforded it without a paid apartment and per diem!

The good part is if you're not in great physical shape, or just not used to walking a lot - you WILL learn, quite quickly! The blocks are usually easily navigated (I walked daily from 60th Street to 5th Street).

Also, with all the "beautiful people", you tend to be fussier about your appearance, which means you spend more money to look good, and haven't you been a good girl, why not buy another pair of Pradas? A fun read about a woman (with a good job) who moved to NYC is Save Karyn : One Shopaholic's Journey to Debt and Back. It's really easy to say, "Oh, I'd never do that!", but you'd be surprised.

I lived in a paid apartment, as I said, at the foot of the World Trade Center. Nasty, nasty neighborhood - if I worked late, and took a cab home, many cab drivers were loath to let me out! The apartment had 2 bedrooms, a livingroom/kitchen, and a deck, and cost $2,750/month normally. The elevator only went to the floor below us, and we had to walk the last long flight (24 steps). It's not bad, unless you happen to be carrying something, like groceries. And yet, this is just a few blocks from Wall Street! The Upper West Side, while not as "classy" as the Upper East Side, is almost affordable, especially if you can find a roommate.

Good luck - but get the job BEFORE moving!!

Originally posted by ZTAMich
I wouldn't reccommend just moving here with no plan like a job and a place to live, but if you can get that secured, it's a great place to live!

There's gotta be some other pro-NYCers here!!!

This was typed while I was typing - I will never regret the time I lived in NYC, because it's a wonderfully amazing growth experience - just as I will never regret my time in DC. I do believe in realism, though. For every beautiful shot of ice skaters at Rockefeller Plaza, or a kiss on top of the Empire State Building, there's the daily slush, street cleaners running amok, and "I cannot take the smell of decaying garbage in the heat one more second!!!" moments.

[aephi alum]

NYC is a great city. I grew up in a suburb of NYC, I currently live in a different suburb, and I work in Manhattan.

I agree with blueangel. Don't move to NYC without a plan. Find a job and somewhere to live, before you move.

The farther you live from the city, the lower your housing expenses will be (as well as living expenses in general), but the longer your commute will be.

Good luck.

[Dionysus]

NYC?

I think I'll love that place, I heard it's kinda like Chicago but better. But boo on the weather, and there's no such thing as surfing there.

If you move to socal, I'll be your roommate.

[DigitalAngel126]

Tanya! Long time, no talk! socal, huh? What happened to where you were before?? Or you just WANT to go to socal? I have friends in San Diego - I could be talked into visiting....

Originally posted by Dionysus
NYC?

I think I'll love that place, I heard it's kinda like Chicago but better. But boo on the weather, and there's no such thing as surfing there.

If you move to socal, I'll be your roommate.

[Dionysus]

I was joking, lol. Nope, I have not moved. But, I would like to go there some day.....whenever I get rid of my fear of flying.

[Buttonz]

If you don't mind the commute, get a palce in Brooklyn or Queens...rent in the city is expensive.

If you can live without a car, do so...the subway system, even though it has it's bad points, is pretty good (just not when they strike hte day of your 21st birhtday)

[DeltAlum]

When I first visited NYC, before most of you were born, it was a big, unfriendly, pretty scary place.

It has changed dramatically.

I have visited many times over the years and lived there most of last summer.

It's a great city, and the people are, for the most part, wonderful.

It is expensive...no way around that.

There is so much to do, and a lot of it is inexpensive or even free.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I live in NYC. I have some ideas, but not much time tonight. The chances of you finding an affordable apartment in Manhattan is slim to none, but you might luck out in Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx. My first suggestion is contact the NYC alumnae chapter of your sorority to find out if anyone is looking for a roommate. They might have a yahoogroup or some other type of list. Also check out craigslist for apartments. You might luck out there.

As for the weather, it was so sunny today that I have a little burn. If you have air conditioning and warm winter clothes and boots, you'll be fine.

I'll try to think of some suggestions for you tomorrow.

[GMUBunny]

I hope you aren't a smoker. You'll need a second job just to support the habit.

[DigitalAngel126]

I definately don't have that kind of money!! I quit... Haven't had one since October!!

Originally posted by GMUBunny
I hope you aren't a smoker. You'll need a second job just to support the habit.