In New York: Make the Move Smart
Thinking of a move to the Big Apple? Artists, performers, businessmen, accountants – so many have considered just that. In fact, according to the 2016 census, nearly nine million people live within the city limits, speaking up to eight hundred languages. In some sense, we are all in a “New York State of Mind.”
Nonetheless, New Yorkers – or wannabe New Yorkers – have to remember just how many inhabitants reside within this “concrete jungle.” In fact, of the major cities in the world, New York might just be the most expensive of them all. According to Numbeo, living in Toronto, for example, is sixty percent cheaper than living in New York City. Similarly, to live in Paris would be fifty-seven percent cheaper than to live in New York City. In New York, an 11-ounce bottle of Coke or Pepsi is over two dollars.
Naturally, anyone craving to move to the Big Apple must make a note of these economic factors, but there are ways to combat some of these external factors:
Don’t live alone.
Know a buddy was moving to NYC? Ask if he or she wants to team up and live together. A combined income will make a living in New York much easier – plus you’ll have someone to eat late night Chinese with!
If you don’t happen to know someone making the trip, try checking out this website on How to Find a Roommate from StreetEasy. It is a simple guide to finding just the right roommate for your budget and your sanity!
Do your research.
Like with any move, the move to New York City requires copious research. For example, each different neighborhood in New York varies in price point. According to a price map by Zumper, rent for an apartment in Tribeca is typical $4,000 whereas West Harlem is about $2,100 and Washington Heights is $1,750. Here is a crash course in NYC apartment-hunting.
You might want to downsize.
Your new apartment in the Big Apple is not likely to have a walk-in closet. So, before you ditch your roomy house in the ‘burbs to move into a romanticized shoe box, you might consider having a garage sale or donating some of your expendable items to charity.
Channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutter your life. Quickly, you’ll realize how much you don’t need in your life, and you won’t need to transport as much from place to place.
Consider selling your car.
According to the U.S. Census, over half of New York households don’t own cars. Anyone that has watched any television show about New York, and for that matter, any movie about New York knows that New York traffic is a monster. So, why deal? Ditch the gas prices and searching for parking spots in favor of hailing a cab, catching the subway, or walking off that hot dog you smashed on the way home from work!
So, if you’re craving a change and feeling adventurous – leap and head these tips! You’ll find your way… “in a New York minute.”