Who's done the transition to NYC?

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 2:36am

I haven't 100% decided to move to NYC yet. I'll make that decision later this month, when I go to NYC for the first time.

Just curious to hear from others that have moved to New York City at the tender age of 20s-30s.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 4:12am

I moved to NYC about two years ago, and I fully suggest you do so. It really is a new way of life to adapt to, but it's so convenient once you get the hang of the subway system and all that, which is actually pretty easy however daunting it may seem.

True, things are more expensive, but jobs also pay more as compared to where I am originally from. Also, if you know where to go to get things, then you can find them all relatively cheap. There are handfuls of shops around that sell pizza slices for 1 buck a piece like on St. Marks, which is great if you're on a budget.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I'm 20, so I just make your age cutoff there. I'm currently living in Ireland, but I'm headed back to New York in a month.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 10:41am

I'm in the same boat as Biff, except it's a certainty that I'm moving to New York. As early as June 1 but no later than August 1.

The thing that I am finding is that you have to move there before you can begin the job hunt. People can want to see you for a job interview in less than 24 hours! So it's difficult in that respect. I want to have enough money saved up to be able to pay for rent/metro card/food for 2-3 months to give me enough time to find a job. My plan is that if I don't find a job by then, I'll move back to NC and sublet my apartment until I return.

I'm excited to live in an environment where I won't need a car and can travel by foot. I would LOVE that exercise! Plus, having so many theatres there is great, too!

[Calvin]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 11:40am

Ditto Judas -- feel free to PM me any questions you might have.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 12:07pm

When I moved here, I had a short-term sublet. I had a little money saved, enough to get me through a few months. I wondered if I should focus on finding a job or finding an apartment. The consensus was to focus on the latter.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 8:49pm

I wanted to be there this year but the recession took care of that. I am shooting for a year or two from now. My plan is to have at least four months of rent saved along with living money. I have a few contacts to help with the job search so I hope that by that time, I won't have to look long.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 9:28pm

I moved to NYC when I was 23 and the decision to move there was very spontaneous as someone I met in summer stock got a show out of town, so I agreed to sublet his apartment for 2 months. Best move I ever made! I will admit it took many months for me to get used to the pace of the city. I loved having everything the city had to offer at my fingertips. I made many wonderful friends who I'm still friends with today. I say people should live in NYC at least one time in their lives.

I left NYC almost 10 years ago, and I've been regretting that decision to leave for about 6 of those 10 years.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 9:31pm

I moved to NYC five days before I turned 23.

Of course that was 800 years ago ...

[StockardFan]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 10:12pm

Besty, I thought you lived in LA?

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 10:59pm

Planning to move in June. If that doesn't work out, then it's NC until we can afford to move back again. I'm not even trying to copy CapNHook lol.

[singtopher]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 11:16pm

I moved here at 23 with little more than 2 months living expenses. I was very lucky with my apartment situation, so I won't go into that. From my observations, it is best to sublet for a few months while you get your feet wet, feel out the city, get a job (which isn't so easy in this economy, trust me), then find a more permanent place.

It's a wonderful place to live that will challenge what you are made of.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 8:40am

I moved to NYC the week before my eighteenth birthday. I'll have been here five years come August. It can feel daunting at first, but if you're really meant to live in the city, you'll become acclimated quickly. I had found a steady job within a month of moving here, in addition to going to school, so that is totally possible. Once you learn to live within your means, the money question usually ceases to be a problem. As others have said, PM me any time with specific questions if you have them.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 10:06am

Congrats on your decision!
One thing I'll add to the living situation is that I cant imagine a landlord allowing you to sign a lease without proof of a job. That would be another reason for a sublet.

I moved when I was 20, but had already made several trips from Philly and knew the city pretty well and did have a relative to move in with, so it was a pretty easy transition...so I applaud your pluck with taking this plunge. Best of luck!

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 10:55am

You'll need co-signer for your lease. I understand they're requiring that even if you can pay on your own.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 11:29am

I moved here in June. I already had a job lined up. I lived in a sublet I found on craigslist for the first three month while I got acclimated.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 12:18pm

When you first get here, open a bank account. Put as much money as you can into it. Ask your parents to lend you some. (You'll see why in a minute). Sign up for online banking. Then when you have money in the account, use online banking to print out your statement.

When you go looking for apartments, wear the best clothing you have. Landlords want to know they are renting to responsible people. (Guys, don't be afraid to wear a suit and tie. Go for the investment banker look). Nice clothes and a good appearance go a long way.

When looking at apartments, remember there is no perfect apartment. The question you have to ask yourself is: can I live here for 1 year? Take a night light with you and check every single electric outlet to make sure they work. Turn on every faucet and flush the toilet. Turn on the stove and oven to make sure they work. Open the refrigerator to make sure it works. Don't be afraid to "test" the apartment. Don't let the landlord intimidate you. You intimidate the landord! Be outspoken: "I see there is a plug that doesn't work. Is that reflected in the rent? You're going to fix it next week???? Why didn't you fix it this week? Next week I'll be paying rent to a landlord who can guarantee working electricity." (Use that New York attitude for your benefit. If you have problems with this, watch Barbra Streisand in "Hello Dolly" before attempting it.)

Check the neighborhood. How far is the grocery store? Are there laundry facilities in the building? How far will you have to lug your laundry? What is the neighborhood like at night? Where is the closest subway?

If you have found a place you like or can at least tolerate for a year, don't hesitate. Pull out your checkbook and act like you are ready to write a check. (All you will need to pay at the moment is money for a background check.) Tell the landlord you have a current copy of your (online) bank statement with you which you will be happy to let him look at (hopefully it will include a high balance that you borrowed from your parents). The point is don't hesitate. No you can't wait and bring your mom and dad back. There are 10 other people in line to get the apartment.

Once you have signed the lease, return the big amount of money to your parents that they lent you to make your bank account look fat.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 12:25pm

"There are 10 other people in line to get the apartment. "

And one of them will get the apartment if you display the attitude that Gotham recommends.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 1:13pm

"And one of them will get the apartment if you display the attitude that Gotham recommends."

Says Jane2 as she looks out the window of her Fresh Kills apartment and wonders what that horrible stench emanating into her apartment is.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 1:21pm

Haha-I live in one of the most desirable apartments in the West Village, thank you.

Why are you so nasty? You're giving the worst advice possible.

People are shown apartments by the super. The super is the person whom you need on your side more than anyone else in the city. It behooves you to kiss his ass and pass him some money if you want an apartment. Proving you're a pain in the ass complainer before you even get the apartment is a disaster. If you don't know that, Gotham, no reason to insult me.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 2:23pm

"Haha-I live in one of the most desirable apartments in the West Village, thank you."

I also live in the West Village in a very desirable location and I'm rent-stabilized. My apartment is so desirable that every year my landlord calls me and tries to offer me a buy-out.

And who started being nasty first?

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 3:07pm

Actually, Goth's advice isn't bad at all. The apt. I'm in now is a through a friend, but the last time I found an apt., I went through a broker. I carried with me copies of my last several paychecks, copies of my credit reports (though they will run their own) and a letter of employment. And a checkbook. Be prepared to write a check INSTANTLY if you like a place. A friend and I were in the hunt for the same apartment...I had my checkbook and he didn't. I got it. Somehow, we're still friends.

If you don't have a job, subletting is probably your best bet if you don't have a job. If you have people willing to co-sign for you, all the better. Three months of money (rent, bills, metrocard and food) should be sufficient to get on your feet.

Also, if you can, brush up on any temp skills you might have. And I don't mean filing. Learn as much as you can about Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Anything that could get you a wordprocessing job. Graphic design is even better. Both of those will bring in some decent cash while you look for something permanent.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 3:14pm

Gotham, you did.

Robbie J- so you're saying that you agree that you should start out complaining and being a pain in the ass while you're first looking at the apt?

oh, this is ridiculous. yes, start complaining about things in the apt. right away. Do whatever you want. good bye and good luck. I don't have the desire for this sh!t anymore.

Updated On: 5/6/10 at 03:14 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 3:23pm

I said 'isn't all bad.' Not 'is all right.'

The idea of presenting yourself as a professional, assertive person (with paperwork to show you are a desirable tenant) is fine and dandy. Though I wouldn't badger anyone. But testing everything from the water pressure to the outlets is important and something I didn't really think about when I first moved here.

Also, I'm getting the feeling that neither of you have looked for a NYC apartment for quite some time. Most Manhattan rentals go through brokers now. But sometimes, SOMETIMES, people luck out. I know I did with my East Village place a number of years ago.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 10:14pm

I agree--you don't want to come off as an asshole, but you also don't want to give your landlord the impression that you'll cow-tow to their every whim. That's how people end up getting taken advantage of.

Also--and I can't stress this enough--don't be afraid of the outer boroughs. I feel like most people, when they're making the move to New York, have Manhattan myopically on the mind. I did when I first arrived. Cut to me paying a ridiculous amount of money to live in a tiny apartment in the East Forties with three other people. Two years ago I started investigating in Brooklyn and Queens and ended up with a gorgeous classic-six in Astoria, steps from the train, with a private bedroom, spacious kitchen, dining room, and one very amenable roommate. And I'm paying considerably less than when I lived in Manhattan. Nowadays, when you live in Manhattan, you're really just paying for the address. Brooklyn and Queens are where you get the bang for your buck.

[Biff AKA Levi]

Posted: 5/7/10 at 12:22am

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to be looking in Brooklyn.