Small town guy thinking about moving to the big city.

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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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.

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

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...

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

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

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

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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.

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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 at work