Small town guy thinking about moving to the big city.

[rorschach37]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:04am

Hello everyone. I'm originally from a small town and have been considering moving to NYC for awhile now, the only thing that's kept me is my wallet. I live about 6 1/2 hours away from the city and make trips about once or twice a year, but it's really the one place where I feel like a belong. Small town life just isn't for me. Anyone care to share stories/advice on how they got to dump small town living for big city life? I'd really appreciate it.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:14am

I hope you've been saving up!!!

[tazber]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:30am

Rorschach beware of the city
It's hungry and cold, can't be controlled, it is mad
Those who are fools are swallowed up whole
And those who are not become what they should not become
Changed, in short, they go bad.

jk

It's an amazing place to live, but there are of course drawbacks.

Foremost among them is of course the cost of living. Be smart and plan ahead.

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:31am

Average cost of an apartment in America: $1000 a month.

Average cost of an Apartment in NYC: $3000 a month.

[rorschach37]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:39am

I already know about the costs, I just want to know how people make it work on a fixed income, or how people can just afford to move there with no job at all.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:41am

Your first question is how are you going to support yourself? What type of job will you be doing? NYC is going through a time of rough unemployment. When you can solve your work question, that will be the first hurdle.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:43am

You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case ...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:44am

Funny, I've been thinking a lot recently about moving back to my small hometown. This city seems to just get more and more unlivable for non-millionaires every year.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:44am

The people who move there with no jobs either have been saving up their money to get there or probably have someone else giving them money.

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:00am

Namo I love you!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:27am

how people can just afford to move there with no job at all

It's called couch surfing. Good luck getting an apartment without proof of income.

[Jim Colyer]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:38am

NYC is amazing, but you have to hustle.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:57am

Frog is right. It will be difficult to get an apartment without proof of employment. You can certainly TRY to get a job before you move...but the success of that really depends upon your profession. Lots of places don't want to 'arrange' job interviews around your travel plans or your need to relocate. Do you have a friend with whom you can crash for a while?

You might have better luck looking into apartment shares...folks looking for a roommate -- but the same problem is likely to arise, they won't want to take a risk that you might be jobless and not be able to pay your share.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 12:23pm

I meant to include that in my original post: your first concern should not be how you'll live in the City, where you'll live in the City, etc. It should be your employment. I would not encourage someone moving into the city without some kind of employment lined up... even if it's just a nannying job or service job to have some kind of consistent income.

I know someone who moved to NYC with about $30,000 set aside for one year in NYC to pursue her "dream". She had gone through almost all of it by the time month six rolled around. And she was spending conservatively.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 12:35pm

All you will need is a dance belt and a tube of chapstick!

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 12:43pm

Whatever you do, don't come without enough money saved up to carry you over a few months should you not get a job right away.

[AnthVoice2010]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 1:12pm

rorschach37

Important question.

What do you do for a living?

...unless you are a Hedge Fund Manager or have a trust fund - you must hustle... (as implied above).

You may have to work a day job and a part-time night job.

I have done the "part time night job" thing two times in my life....both in times of financial crunches and both times they were life savers..and so much fun... (I've been gone for three years from the last one and the "team" and I still see each other all the time)

I currently work for a biggie at the biggest bank in the world - so those days are over - but honestly - I miss it...Getting home after a 16 hour day...you sleep like a log.

If you feel you can do two jobs then that's a great start to city living...

Updated On: 7/10/13 at 01:12 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 1:21pm

Hustle is the name of the game. You will need job(s) if you are not in a lucrative field with openings. All of my friends in the city work 2-3 jobs to get buy and put a little money away.

Also, those living in the city are not seeing shows every night and enjoying restaurants and nightlife. They can't afford it. When I visit I usually see them between jobs.

As others are saying-make sure the job is in place first. I had a friend who tried to live there for a year. The city ate him alive-he couldn't keep up with the pace.

Living there is a completely different feel than visiting.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 1:25pm

"You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case ..."

...alone on a platform.....

Posted: 7/10/13 at 2:56pm

Anth and Jim Colyer know a LOT about hustlers- I'd take their word on it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 3:01pm

I moved there in 1987 and worked 2 jobs for the longest time. Finally left the city in 2000. It was good while it lasted, but by the time I moved to DC I was burned out.

[AnthVoice2010]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 3:53pm

True That - JoeKv99

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 5:29pm

I've lived here for 10 years and really am at the point where I'm thinking how long do I really want to do the "hustle" each month to pay the bills and maybe if I'm lucky put $10 in the bank. The city really is getting more impossible each year, I think.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 6:01pm

Jordan Catalano at work

Link

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 6:12pm

Gothampc at work