Moving to a new city is never easy, but moving to a big one can be even more challenging. So, check out how to smoothen your move to New York City if that’s your next destination!
Planning to move to New York? You’re not alone. As the greatest city on the planet, New York will always attract dreamers, workers, and just about everyone else.
Yet while the Big Apple’s popularity does help to give it that irresistible charm, it does make things a little more difficult for those who want to make it their home.
It’s harder to fashion the life you want when there are so many people who want the same thing.
But don’t despair. Moving to New York is still very much possible. If you’re moving soon, then take the following tips onboard.
Gather Information
There are some cities where you can just turn up, and figure things out later.
New York is definitely not one of those cities.
It’ll pay to spend some time (or maybe even a lot of time) gathering as much information as you can. The big one will be the cost of living.
You might earn a good salary in your current city, but unless you’re coming from San Francisco, you’ll likely find your income goes nowhere near as far in New York.
It’s also worthwhile reading up on the downsides of living in the city. Some people get an idea of New York from visiting the city, but actually living there is a different experience.
It’s also recommended to read up on the different boroughs and neighborhoods, so you can begin to have an idea of where you might want to live.
Oh! Also gather information of your possible monthly expenses, so you won’t be taken by surprise at the end of the month!
Consider Downsizing
Unless you’re coming to New York with many millions of dollars in the bank, then you can be pretty sure that you’ll be living in a smaller property than where you currently live.
After all, it costs a lot of money to have space in New York! You may find it beneficial to use this as an opportunity to sell your unneeded belongings and downsize your life.
For the items that you do want to keep, leave the transportation of those goods to a company that offers a cross country moving service.
That way, you’ll be able to fly into one of the city’s airports, without having to drive all your goods yourself.
Sell Your Car
And talking of driving: it might be best to sell your vehicle before you move. This can be a good way to raise some extra capital for all those expenses you’ll acquire.
Most New Yorkers don’t have a car, and really, thanks to the city’s excellent public transportation system, you really don’t need one anyway.
The subway system connect practically every little part of New York to make an easy commute anywhere, even though you can find some smelly subway carts, rush hours can be intense and late night with homeless sleeping on the seats is (unfortunately) something common.
Having a car in New York City can be quite expensive, aside from the big chance of getting tickets. So, just use public transportation (or Ubers)!
Know It’ll Take Time to Settle In
New York is a big, often overwhelming city. You’re not going to make a circle of friends on your first day in the city, or perhaps even after several months of being in the city.
It’ll take time to settle in and to get used to New York’s energy.
For the first few months, just take the time to get to know your version of the city, and over time, you’ll find that it begins to feel like home.
One of the best tips on making new friends is signing up to your local gym or taking a cooking class. You’ll definitely find like-minded people and start creating your own group of friends.
New York is surely not for the shy and introverts. If you ARE shy and introverts, just try to find groups and sign up to classes. If you’re and extrovert, things can be a bit easier. But, regardless, the city is amazing, and you’ll have the experience of a lifetime living in NYC!
Credit: Courtesy of Budgeron Bach and David Iglesias
