I make a good salary but I also own (or least co-own with Chase Bank) a tiny two-bedroom apartment in Murray Hill. About half of my take home pay goes toward the mortgage so I've learned to budget the rest. Walk or use public transportation, cook your own meals (I eat out about once a month), I don't own a car so I don't have that expense, buy your work suits at Men's Wearhouse and your underwear and towels and cleaning supplies at Target.
When I came here in 1980, it was easy to find a share with your own bedroom in Manhattan below 96th street for $300 or so, which inflation calculators say is equivalent to $855 today. I don't know if it's possible to find the same situation for $855 today.
But I know this: you either can live here or you can't. The number of people I've seen come and stay for 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, and then flee is staggering. A lot of people just can't make it work.
But I think if you have any of these blessings (or any combo of them), you can do it: money, looks, wit, smarts, charisma. Of course, a lot of people think they have one of more of those qualities, but really don't, so you've got to be pretty brutal evaluating yourself.
So you move here, you find something to do (there are a lot of jobs, maybe they aren't all careers, but you gotta do something), you get away from the TV and the computer and go out and make friends, they become your network for fun, support, and making other connections.
And then you find that you have a life. But getting out there and making connections is key - you can't stay at home.
I think it's very, very necessary to have a cushion of funds that can carry you for at least a few months when planning to move here. You don't know when you'll find a job, or a job that will pay enough for your expenses right at the start. You will also need money up front for first month's rent plus security. Sometimes you have to pay first AND last month's rent plus security. This alone will be few k.
Don't even consider the move if you don't have a financial cushion saved up.
It's definitely not as easy to get a job here as some people seem to think- I have a Master's and have been unemployed for three months, and I'm not being all that picky about the jobs I'm applying to...
"It's definitely not as easy to get a job here as some people seem to think- I have a Master's and have been unemployed for three months, and I'm not being all that picky about the jobs I'm applying to..."
I'm not sure if you mean me, but I did differentiate between "jobs" and "careers." I think there are plenty of the former. Some of the ones I did early in my life here - waiter, bartender, tour guide, office temp, and a big bunch of free-lance writing things (it had to be a bunch, 'cause none of them paid well).
I think it can take a long time, even years, before you find that career gig. But it's OK to try the "lesser" things while you're looking. It's better than unemployment (because you don't make connections on unemployment).
Newintown, yes I was referring to you and Lizzie. All I ask for is a full-time job (I'm mostly applying for administrative positions) that pays more than $30K annually. I'm actually not looking for a career, since I only plan on keeping my next job for 5-10 years or so, before I age into my (acting) type and can start pursuing theatre full-time.
DO NOT EVER tell an interviewer that you are not looking for a career position! If you do they will politely show you to the door and and then throw your application in the wastepaper basket. If it is an office job, wear your best most conservative outfit, and during the interview act like this is your dream job.
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