Relocating to New York? Here is What You Should Know
- Elisabeth Caraballo
- May 13, 2019
- 3 min read
Many people claim that New York is the greatest place to live, in the world. Everything is better there, from food to entertainment to accommodation. However, it also takes lots of adjusting especially since it is nothing like any other place you may have been to. There are many important things that you should know before considering moving to the city that never sleeps.
Things to know about NYC
It is expensive – you may have heard that the cost of living is expensive in NYC, and that is correct. People living in NYC opt for roommates rather than living alone and there are many co-living spaces in New York due to this. Co-living brings people from all walks of life together under one roof, sharing a few common areas in the house or apartment such as the living room and kitchen. Nowadays there is much more of a need for these types of accommodation as people relocate to NYC from other parts of the world. It is ideal for travellers, students, professionals and elderly people alike. It has become an alternative way of living in the city since it is extremely expensive to rent on your own. People can experience the best of both worlds while paying low rentals and having the same great amenities as expensive accommodation in the city. Most places allow you access to a host of services like cleaning, wi-fi and access to the pools, local libraries and events in the area.
Rent a storage unit or travel light – New York apartments are rather small, and it is ideally best to travel light or being less stuff into the apartment. Most people are working professionals and don’t mind this as they spend most of their time at the office or out on the town.
Most New Yorkers don’t own a car – studies indicate that 56% of New York homes do not own a car. This is because it is quite burdensome to even have a car and there are little to no free parking bays available and searching for a vacant spot could take a minimum of 30 minutes.
Get familiar with the subway – Most New Yorkers are familiar with the subway as it is the preferred method of transport. NYC scored 88 on walkscore.com for being the most walkable city in the country. The subway system may be a bit tricky at first however once you get the hang of it, is extremely useful and efficient.
New York has beaches – There are plenty beaches in NYC like Rockaway Beach and Coney Island. Although they are always busy, they are very picturesque.
Fast walkers – In NYC people don’t walk slowly and aimlessly. For leisure walking you should visit the park. New Yorkers are always in a hurry to some place or the other, so the side walks are more like fast lanes.
The rain is bad – NYC may not be as cold as many describe it to be, but it is not hot either. It rains frequently in NYC and when it does, it brings about a very heavy downpour. Now and then you may experience a snowstorm which may even be serious enough to shut the city down for hours or even days depending on its severity.
Invest in good shoes – since New Yorkers do so much of walking, it is important to have a good pair of walking shoes.
Explore the city – Even though it may sound tiring after a long week of work, you will find it very rewarding to explore the city. It is the best way to learn more about your surroundings and experience what the city has to offer. There is plenty to do so you will enjoy every adventure.
It is important to be aware of the change in your finances when you move to New York. Try to set monthly and yearly goals for yourself and avoid overindulging as much as possible. It is very easy to be swept in by all the glitz and glamour of big city living therefore a budget is a definite must have. If you need help you can always enlist the assistance of a financial adviser who will give you sound advice on how to navigate forward. Ensure that you are aware of the currency and what your pay will look like. Always plan for living arrangement that is well within your means so that you do not run into debt or bad credit.
