New York, New York

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 1:15am

My New Year's resolution is to move to New York this year. Sounds easy, but with this economy and the stability of a full time job that I am thankful for, not so much.

I've asked questions about relocating to NY before. However, I would love to hear about the experiences of other people who have moved to NYC from other locations.

Did you move with a job in place? If so, how did you obtain the job before moving to the area?

If you moved without a job, was your job search successful in a decent period of time? Was it extraordinarily difficult finding a place to live and money to live in the mean time?

Essentially, I would love to hear about the experiences of others who did not move to NY for schooling or other reasons that would not make a job immediately necessary.

Thank you for any experiences you are willing to share or advice!

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 1:17am

Sounds easy

Nope. Not at all. Don't move until you have a job. Times is tough and people are getting desperate.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 1:51am

I'm in a similar place, hermionejuliet, so I'm glad you started this thread. I want to relocate to NYC and actually found out recently that the place I work is closing, so I'm considering saving up while I can and using my severance pay to move to New York and job search there. Has anyone had experience with that sort of situation? I know it's a terrible time to be looking for a job, but it strikes me that that applies anywhere.

I'm single and don't have anything tying me to this area. Would it be sensible to sublease an apartment this summer (with money already alotted for that) and look for a job in the city? Worst case scenario, I don't find anything, run out of money and move home. I'm still no worse off than I am now. It's more than an issue of just wanting to live in New York City (not that that's not a huge part of it) -- but I'm actually unable to drive because of vision issues, which makes finding a job and life in general extremely difficult in a rural or suburban area. I'm considering other cities as well, but viable public transportation is a MUST for wherever I'm going to live.

In an ideal world, I'd love to have a job before attempting a move, but will companies take out-of-state applicants even remotely seriously, especially in the current economic climate?

If there are any glaring flaws in this plan, I'd appreciate input. Particularly, I'm interested to know what salary range I should be looking for to be able to live not-uncomfortably in one of the outer boroughs with roommates. I have about $300 in student loan payments monthly, and that's more or less it. Updated On: 1/2/09 at 01:51 AM

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 4:20am

Rent: avg. studio in nice nabe 900-2,000/month
Con ed: 60-100/month?
Cable TV/Internet/Phone "bundle"
w/o premium channels, just basic cable) 110/month
Food bill (for house): 50 ish/wk. (if you live
in a cheap nabe)
" " 60 ish/wk+ if you
like meat and fish
Transportation: $2.00 for every ride
on mass transit.
Minimum -
100/month
Clothing ALOT!
Theater/Entertainment/Movies ALOT!
Clubbing/Bars, if you HAVE to: ALOT!
Starbucks (if you must) 10-25/wk
Dining OUT: ALOT!
Oops - I forgot Furniture, Household items. more $$$


Just some BASIC expenses to consider. Not that I'm dissuading you from moving here or anything, but it's no picnic trying to survive, unless you're in the 60,000+ salary arena, or are lucky enough to get into (nice) subsidized housing. I love youthful enthusiasm, though.













Updated On: 1/2/09 at 04:20 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 10:47pm

"Alot" is not a word in standard English.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 1:24am

I have been wanting to move to NYC also. I am from Pennsylvania just outside of Philly and moved here to Denver 17 years ago. I really love it here but I am ready to move back east. I had hoped to do it this past year or in 2009. I have put those plans on hold for a few years. if the predictions are correct about our economy, we are in for a bumpy ride ahead. I have NYC as a location on Monster just to see what's out there and I have some contacts in the city. But right now, I think I will just stay put and ride this out. I am also concerned about being in a big city if things get worse. We are already seeing a tad bit more crime here and I don't want to be in a big city with a really bad economy. Crime will most likely rise. I am now hoping to move in 2 years. And also, just the move alone can be expensive!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 1:41am

I live accross the river in Jersey City. My rent is 650 a month plus a $60 gas/electric bill that I split with my roomie. We have a large 5 room apartment, with a nice kitchen we can entertain in. Granted, I live in the pseudo-ghetto, but there are some very nice areas in Jersey City and the commute is simple. Plus food is slightly cheaper. I've lived here for 2 and a half years, and it has even gentrified since I've been here. Basically I'm saying don't shut out the idea of Jersey. PlUS, we have AMAZING bodegas. And the Latin, Fillipino, and Italian Restuarants in the area are so yummy and affordable. The only thing I really miss is 24 hour Chinese food! Cause lets face it, when you want take out chinese, it's usually 2 in the morning.