New York City is unlike any other city in the world. While NYC certainly is the land of opportunity, there are a few things you can’t ignore if you’re planning to move here. With its sky-high rent, insane cost of living, and ridiculous traffic, the thought of moving to New York would scare many a newcomer.
Getting Through the NYC Move
Getting through the big move is all about knowing what to expect. While you may be apprehensive about your upcoming move, NYC is an incredible city, and you’ll be settled in in no time. If you’re headed to the big apple soon, read these tips to make sure you have a smooth move.
1. Size, Rent, or Location: In Manhattan, You Can Only Get One
The average individual moving to Manhattan doesn’t have the luxury of being able to find their ideal apartment. It is a general rule of thumb that if you are shopping for an apartment in the city, you’ll have to sacrifice a few things. When searching for your new living quarters, keep in mind that you’ll likely find an apartment that either fits into your budget, is out of your budget but is your dream size, or is both out of your budget, incredibly small, and in a great location. You can’t have both ways.
2. Paying for Rent
In New York, renters have to pay upfront fairly soon after choosing an apartment. Once you find a place that you love, it’s likely you’ll need to pay the one month deposit immediately. When you find a place that you think you can live with, you better have the funds on hand, lest someone else steal your new apartment away from you.
When it comes to renting with bad or no credit, it isn’t uncommon for landlords to request anywhere from one month to six months in rent.
3. Think About Your Lease
Signing a year-long lease may not be in your best interest. Particularly if you are new to the city and not settled in your current place, it can be best to choose a monthly lease instead. With a month-to-month rental, you’ll have time to adjust your budget, figuring out which apartment will be best.
4. Throw Everything Away!
Before the big move to NYC, it’s no joke that you’ll need to downsize seriously. With the limited amount of space that the city offers, you’ll do best if you downsize your belongings as much as possible. That means giving away most of your wardrobe, leaving your furniture behind, and boxing your valuables away in storage.
5. If You Use the Subway, Don’t Overpay
Many newcomers to NYC think they’ll be on the subway 90% of the time. While this is the case for some people, it may not be for others. Figure out how often you’re likely to use the subway and plan accordingly. If you’re only going to use the subway sparingly, you may find that it’s cheaper to pay each time you ride. If your daily commute requires the subway, you’ll want to invest in the Monthly Metro Card.
6. Hire Movers for Your Sanity
Renting a U-Haul works great if you live in a one-story house in a quiet suburban neighborhood with a driveway or ample street parking. Managing your own move in a bustling city like New York, however, is another story. You’ll be hard pressed to find a parking spot for a large truck outside your apartment building. And even if you do find parking, you’ll have to carry all your stuff up and down several flights of stairs. Instead of doing a DIY move, just spend the money on a moving company. Here are a few that we recommend:
- Shleppers Moving & Storage (920 E 149th St, Bronx, NY 10455, Phone: (212) 223-4004)
- Imperial Moving & Storage (imperialmovers.com, 83 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011, (212) 879-6683)
- Man with a Van (832 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, (212) 643-8422)
Moving to Manhattan is an exciting time. Use these five tips to get used to the NYC lifestyle before you even get off the plane. While it may be hectic getting settled in, you’ll be calling New York “home” in no time.