Create a budget beforehand and find the best neighborhood in New York to call your new home. Each of the five boroughs that this metropolis is made of will bring you something fun, exciting, and different – after all, this is the melting pot of the US, and arguably, the whole world. Be prepared to meet cultures from all over the world and hear many different languages because nearly 800 are spoken here. No matter why you are relocating, one thing is sure – the best time of the year to move here is anytime, Big Apple will help you create memories that will last for a lifetime.
Things to Know Before Moving to New York City
There are certain things you should know before moving to New York City and starting an adventure of a lifetime. Living in the most populated place in the US will have its benefits, such as a chance to land a great job, receive a world-class education, and enjoy a variety of entertainment opportunities.
New York City can make your good dreams come true if you learn its ways, its comings and goings.
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Prepare a Budget for Living in the Capital of the World
Figuring out where to move can’t be easy, but when you decide to relocate to the so-called Capital of the World, finances are the first thing to think about, the same as with any other capital. Even before you start learning tips and tricks for packing up your clothes and furniture, make sure that you donate unwanted items which will lead to lower moving expenses and to create photo inventory. Then make a moving budget that will serve as a guide for how much money you need to relocate to the Big Apple and live there comfortably, depending on your needs and preferences.
Put down on paper things like monthly rent, deposit, paperwork, and other expenses. Don’t forget to calculate how much money you should put aside for utilities and groceries, as well. These are all the things that will help you alleviate moving stress and avoid some common moving mistakes. Of course, a budget can vary depending on the area you choose for your next home, whether you already have a job when you relocate, and the time you choose to do it.
If you wish to save some cash, there are ways to have the cheapest way to move out of state – choose the cheapest time of the year to relocate and move into a smaller home. And if you decide to hire expert relocation assistance, do your research and find recommended and reliable New York City cross-country movers with exquisite services at reasonable prices.
There are many unknowns in calculating your finances, but still, having everything written down will help you get a sense of expenses you will have to cover while starting this adventure.
Creating a budget is one of the first and essential steps in a successful relocation to NYC.
Before Moving to New York, Get Familiar with Housing Costs
As we’ve just said, even before you box up your belongings, by yourself or with the help of professional packing services, think about the cost of living in New York and how much money you will need in the first few months there. And since housing is a big part of the expenses, you should know that rent and real estate prices in the Big Apple are not exactly low.
If you choose to rent your next place, the amount of money you will need will vary depending on the location and the size of the flat. Data provided by a specialized website numbeo.com tells us that, for a one-bedroom apartment in the center, you will need more than $3000 while that kind of place elsewhere will cost you around $2000.
Being a homeowner in The City That Never Sleeps means you will have to pay a pretty penny, since 10.7 square feet cost almost $15,000 in the center, while that same footage costs more than $8,000 in other locations.
When you do your homework and get a grip on NYC’s housing situation, it’s time to determine what the better option is for you, buying or renting.
Whether you decide to rent or own the apartment, utilities are something you will need to pay. Numbeo shows us that a basic package of utilities that includes heating, water, electricity, and garbage costs $133 for a month. This is good news for everybody since the prices are lower than the state average of $152.02.
Renting or Buying an Apartment?
Are you still on the fence about renting? Maybe being a homeowner seems like a better solution for you? Still, more than 67% of residents of the Big Apple are in favor of renting, according to statistics. There are more than three million occupied housing facilities in the area, and more than two-thirds are already rented.
Getting an apartment in Manhattan is expensive, but finding accomodation to rent in the city is just like a walk in the park.
Short Guide to the Prices of Groceries in NYC
If you want to cook your own meals, there are many places where you can get fresh ingredients and groceries. Staying in the Big Apple means you will have to get used to paying $4.26 for a gallon of milk. If you happen to be relocating from Los Angeles, this means you will be paying almost a dollar more than you are used to. Bread and eggs are almost four bucks each, while cheese is around 18 dollars. Two pounds of meat come at 16 to 18 bucks.
The great thing about this place is that you have so many options when it comes to dining, so if you don’t feel like cooking, you should put on your shiny shoes and head out to one of the many NYC restaurants.
The Best Place to Dine Out
When you are done with unpacking after the move, you might feel like dining out. Treat yourself in some of the best restaurants in New York and the whole world. This is a paradise for people that enjoy delicious food and want to explore different cuisines. All around the Big Apple, you can find award-winning restaurants as well as street food carts and low-cost local joints.
If you are relocating for a relationship and even moving in together, you might want to treat your special someone with a meal, you will need around $80.
Did you know that the first and last meal on a menu usually sells the best?
Learn About Job Opportunities As Well
Finding a steady source of income is one of the essential steps when relocating to a place with such a high cost of living as NYC, besides finding a way to reduce the costs of moving. Luckily, we’re talking about a global business and commerce hub and the most significant financial center in the world. This is the place where many of the world’s largest corporations are headquartered, including those from the prestigious Fortune 500 list. In fact, the NY metropolitan area’s gross metropolitan product (GMP) is roughly the size of South Korea’s.
Any ambitious person that is looking to climb the career ladder will surely find a work position they desire, despite the fierce competition. This is a global center for advertising, fashion, and medical research industries, and the advantages of moving alone to excel in your career are numerous.
With Wall Street being the global center of the financial industry and the home of the two largest stock exchanges in the world, NYC is the place to be if you are looking for a job in stock trading, investment banking, or any other related field.
Located in central Manhattan is Silicon Alley, which is a hub for the tech industry, but also new and digital media, software, and game development.
If you are not in a situation where your job requires relocation, think about applying for a few positions even before you move.
Finding a Job Before You Relocate
Are you thinking about how to get a job before relocating? Having a position waiting for you in your future city can ease the transition and make the adaptation process way smoother. You won’t have to think about applications for work, interviews, and spending all of your savings in the first few months after relocating. It is great for avoiding relocation depression too. Research job opportunities online – corporations such as Verizon Communications, NASDAQ, or Johnson & Johnson will probably have something to offer you and try to find a job before moving to another state.
The famous Wall Street in Manhattan is named after an actual wall that protected the initial settlement from various intruders.
Learn About Taxes – With Them Ignorance Isn’t Bliss
Wherever you live in the US, you will pay some kind of taxes. The State of New York imposes income, sales, and property taxes.
Depending on the income of a taxpayer, income tax rates range between 4% and 8.82%.
Be careful when buying things, since generally, the prices tags do not include sales taxes, and they are 8.87%
Homeowners will have to pay property taxes, as well, and they are based on the area you live in. If you want to learn more about property taxes, check out the site of the Department of Finance.
Get ready for what's coming with our short guide through taxes
NYC Has Five Boroughs You Can Live In
When choosing where to live, remember that each of the 5 boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island) offers different housing, jobs, and educational opportunities. Picking the perfect one will depend on your specific needs, including the kind of lifestyle you wish to lead in this metropolis.
Before you start house-hunting, think about how safe your neighborhood is and how close it is to your office. Additionally, this is one of the best cities to raise a family in the US, so check out how many good NYC public schools are nearby, especially if you’re relocating with kids of that age. Gather all the information, and you will surely figure out what are the best places to live in New York out of the many wonderful locations that the Big Apple is full of. To name but a few, there are the East Village and Upper West Side in Manhattan. In Brooklyn, it’s the hip Williamsburg. Queens boasts the Astoria neighborhood. But Manhattan is where the action takes place. Times Square, Central Park, and Madison Square Garden are all there, among other things, of course.
The Big Apple has five boroughs with lots of housing opportunities.
Check out Transportation Options
Moving to a big city such as the Big Apple, you will need a reliable way to get from location A to location B. Fortunately, transportation options are plenty.
Commuting is something you will have to get used to, and public transportation is the easiest way to do so. Mass transit is mostly covered with buses and subway lines. The boroughs have 27 subway lines and 472 subway stations, and almost 6000 buses that can take you anywhere you wish to go.
To ride the metro, you will need to get a MetroCard that costs $1. To add money to it, here’s how much you’ll have to pay:
- A single ticket is $2.75
- Daily ticket is $5.50
- Monthly card with unlimited rides is $116.50
If you are not a fan of crowds and you prefer the convenience of driving on your own, consider bringing your car with you.
Do You Need a Car When Moving to New York?
Are you thinking about transporting your car across the country and booking auto shipping services? If you prefer driving on your own, make sure you know how car shipping works and consider getting insurance for your vehicle. It is better to be safe than sorry because, according to the City Police Department, there are around 19,000 driving accidents in a month.
You should know that a gallon of gas here will cost you $3.08, and if this is too expensive for you, don’t leave your bike in storage, use it instead to get around. Here’s how to go about it.
If You Like Biking, You’ve Come to the Right Place
Did you know that cycling is getting more and more popular every year in the Big Apple? With 1200 miles of paths, roads, and streets, this is a great place to have a bike. But check out bike laws and guides before you put a helmet on and decide to ride around – breaking the rules can cost you up to $150.
Though there are many kinds of transportation, but locals mostly use the subway.
Education Options Are Vast
Statistics from the Department of Education state that there are 1866 schools, including 260 charter ones. If you are relocating in search of education for you or your children, you can find some of the finest educational institutions, and the NYC public schools are ranked amongst the top ones in the country.
This is the home of Barnard College, Columbia University, Rockefeller University, and many other world-famous educational institutions. Pursuing a degree in the Big Apple means you get a chance to study in the highest-ranking schools in the world, and the halls that many Nobel laureates attended.
There are so many high rated schools you can attend
International Relocation to the Big Apple – How to Make Your Way as a Stranger in New York City
Moving to New York from another country has numerous benefits. After all, this is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities and one of the most renowned cities in the whole world which means the adjusting process will be short and sweet.
If you are coming from the Land Down Under to the Big Apple, know that you won’t feel alone here. There are around 20,000 Australians in the area, so don’t let the anxiety about moving out stop you from relocation. Make sure that the crew providing you with moving services packs up your warm clothes – the weather can get chillier than you are used to in sunny Australia. You will get to meet many expats from all around the world, you just have to join some of the meetup groups.
Are you considering relocating from Canada to experience fast-paced life in the biggest metropolis in the US? If you are, know that there are over 21,000 Canadians residing here. Meeting some expats wouldn’t be that hard if you join groups such as the Canadian Association.
Are you considering crossing the pond and settling down in the Big Apple? Many people from the United Kingdom have found a home here. Whether you are relocating for a relationship, work, or education, know that almost 120,000 British citizens live and work in NY. If you want to meet some of them, check out Big Apple Brits or any other expat group for local moving day tips.
Around 37% of residents in NYC were born in another country.
Let NYC Entertain You
When it comes to things to do in New York, keep in mind that this is the most populous place in the US, and it has to accommodate the entertainment needs of more than eight million people. You can rest assured that no matter if you move during the holidays or any other time of the year that there will be plenty of activities available.
Every person will find something fun to do here. If you are a sports fan, there are games you can watch and many teams you can cheer for. Music enthusiasts can find small music venues to enjoy jazz, indie rock music, or huge arenas where they can see their favorite singers perform live.
Your funds are the only limit you have, and if you are on a tight budget, look for free fun activities that can be found on every corner.
Does Free Fun Exist in the City?
In a place as huge as this, finding free and fun things to do won’t be that hard no matter if you are moving with your dog or alone. Just take a walk around some of the big parks in your area, visit Central Park, and people watching mandarin ducks or red-tailed hawks. Go online and find free tours of museums and other cultural happenings.
When you’re a resident of The City That Never Sleeps, your entertainment options are only limited by your free time and your imagination.
Take a walk in a park, or make time for exciting food, but the capital of the world will always surprise you.
Living in the City That Never Sleeps Will Create Interesting Stories
Have you ever heard that this is the place where dreams are made? Well, with numerous job opportunities in big multinational corporations, top-notch schools, and many entertainment options, you will see how this is true after moving to NYC.
Being here might seem like living in a movie set, with cars honking, people walking fast, and bright city lights. Whatever might be your reasons to move and change the address, you can rest assured that you will experience things that will become exciting stories for your grandchildren and their friends (and your friends as well) one day.
