Thinking About Moving To NYC.

[ProfessaPackMan]

I've been thinking about leaving this area for a while not but now I'm at the point where I definitely do plan on making this move within in the next year, hopefully by the end of next summer.

I pretty much grew up and spent almost all of my 24 years here but now I'm at the point where I could use a change of scenary so I figured New York would probably be the best place for me, especially since I'm a City Guy so it'll almost be like I'm still in DC except more people and more traffic, etc.

So what I'm looking for is to see if any of our OS NYCers on here(and I know there are PLENTY of ya'll around here lol)can help me out whether it be advice, recommending where to look for an Apt and where not to, etc. Not looking for anything super expensive but not looking for anything run down or anything as I can pretty much stay in DC if I wanted that lol. I'll be doing some research of my own as well to look for a spot. Job-wise I'm pretty set for now, although I will be looking around as well to see if there's anything else out there.

But yea, if anybody that's lived in NYC or currently live there now can assist me in this then I'd greatly appreciate that.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

I do know that more people are LEAVING New York state due to cost of living/tax issues....so I don't know man. What do you do for work?

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Word of advice stay away, I have lived here my whole life and looking to get out, ny is overrated and it just to expensive to live.

[55]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

INot looking for anything super expensive but not looking for anything run down or anything...

You're not going to find anything that in New York City. Certainly not in Manhattan anyway.

[CMH]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Man you guys are a tough crowd.

I love New York. I hate the brutal winters and the humid summers, but city life is for me and there is no better city life when you combine the attractions, public transportation, crowds, traffic, night life, all that.

It comes with its bad, but there is good and that's what keeps me here for now. Anyway, enough about me.

I'm sure you already know that the cost of living is very high. Food tends to be more expensive than other cities. And doing things can be expensive...that is, if you act like a tourist.

I find that tourists do most of the cost complaining. Yes, rent is high and everyone realizes that, but most New Yorkers don't partake in most of the expensive attractions that we obviously don't give two craps about because we see it on a daily basis. There are several dive bars for the fun and the people with inexpensive drinks and food, and many places to enjoy yourself at a budget.

If you want to find a place that isn't too expensive but also isn't run down, you can find them. Don't limit yourself to a borough either. The Bronx does have good areas that aren't expensive. I won't point you to an area because every area of the Bronx has a good and a bad whether it's north, south, east or west. Best thing is to mention the neighborhood to people and ask.

Queens also has good areas for a good price. I find Brooklyn to be amazing but the best spots there are usually very expensive. If you find a roommate, you can probably land a good apartment though. Stay away from Staten Island - that's another world. Nothing against those living there, but I don't think it's what you are hoping for in moving to New York. Obviously Manhattan is just too damn expensive. I think it's best to stay away anyway. You don't sleep where you party, you know?

Once you start looking for places, ask the New Yorkers here and I'm sure we can all tell you what you're getting into if you move into such and such neighborhood.

[DickDalewood]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

I've been thinking about leaving this area for a while not but now I'm at the point where I definitely do plan on making this move within in the next year, hopefully by the end of next summer.

I pretty much grew up and spent almost all of my 24 years here but now I'm at the point where I could use a change of scenary so I figured New York would probably be the best place for me, especially since I'm a City Guy so it'll almost be like I'm still in DC except more people and more traffic, etc.

So what I'm looking for is to see if any of our OS NYCers on here(and I know there are PLENTY of ya'll around here lol)can help me out whether it be advice, recommending where to look for an Apt and where not to, etc. Not looking for anything super expensive but not looking for anything run down or anything as I can pretty much stay in DC if I wanted that lol. I'll be doing some research of my own as well to look for a spot. Job-wise I'm pretty set for now, although I will be looking around as well to see if there's anything else out there.

But yea, if anybody that's lived in NYC or currently live there now can assist me in this then I'd greatly appreciate that.

You have heard of New York before right? Lol.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

If you want affordability, job opportunities, and a big city feel.....Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are probably going to be the best bet.

[mattsb84]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

I moved to Brooklyn in 06, transferred to our office in midtown so work was already here for me. I love NYC. There's nothing else like it in the US. Anything you want, at any time plus 24/7 public transportation. Awesome.

Look at craigslist to get an idea of pricing...that's how I found my first place. I got lucky with my roommate, he was a transplant like myself...from OK of all places. Commuting up every 2-3 weeks it took about 2 months for me to find a place. I scheduled to look at apts all day Sat each time I went up and eventually found a place. Now, you could probably take a week and find a place if you wanted. I missed out on a few places just because of the stretches between when i would be up, but eventually i found the place I wanted. You may even want to look for a place with a roommate to save cost, but also have someone who can answer questions for you. I'd also recommend not living in Manhattan unless you can afford it or you like small apts. Also If you look in Brooklyn, keep west. It gets scary the farther east you go in Brooklyn.


I also recommend spending time here before looking for a place. Make sure it's something you really want. For me, it took about a year of commuting to our office every 2-3 weeks before I changed my mind on living here. First few times up I said, theres no way I'd live here. Too fast paced, too crowded, etc.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Yeah ummm don't believe the NYC hype. I mean even Chicago has 24/7 public transportation. I rather drive my own car. And I never got into the whole roommate thing.

I always lived alone until I got married. So unless you got a job there already, I don't see a point in living there over any other major city. Every major city has a good night life, public transportation, etc.

I lived all over, midwest, east coast, west coast, down south, canada, europe. Every place has it's good and bad. Really boils down to what you think is more important.

As I got older.....lots of land, low property taxes and low taxes over all was more important. Which is why I chose Vermont. I live close enough to Albany that if I need a big city fix I can just run over there.

But you have a lot of great big cities nationwide though, like the following:

Chicago
Dallas
San Antonio
Houston
Kansas City
Sacremento
LA
Scottsdale
Seattle
Spokane
Columbus
Albany
ATL
Tampa

So do your research before you put your money down. Think more long term. Club scene might be hot when in your 20s, but once you get in your 30s your tastes is going to change.

Then you got to think about the school systems, stores in the area, crime rate, job market, cost of living, etc.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

I do know that more people are LEAVING New York state due to cost of living/tax issues....so I don't know man. What do you do for work?

My bad for missing this. I'm a Repair Tech for a Windshield Company(Safelite). Been doing this for about 2 years now, has good pay(otherwise I wouldn't even be considering this lol)good benefits and they're flexible as far as my Schedule and if I wanted to Transfer, which they are aware of BTW.

If you want affordability, job opportunities, and a big city feel.....Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are probably going to be the best bet.

Pass on Atlanta since going there will almost basically be like I'm still in DC since that's where people from here move to when they get tired of being here as well. Don't want to go too far out since most of my family is on the East Coast and would still like to remain in driving distance so I can at least drive back every now and then.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Man you guys are a tough crowd.

I love New York. I hate the brutal winters and the humid summers, but city life is for me and there is no better city life when you combine the attractions, public transportation, crowds, traffic, night life, all that.

It comes with its bad, but there is good and that's what keeps me here for now. Anyway, enough about me.

I'm sure you already know that the cost of living is very high. Food tends to be more expensive than other cities. And doing things can be expensive...that is, if you act like a tourist.

I find that tourists do most of the cost complaining. Yes, rent is high and everyone realizes that, but most New Yorkers don't partake in most of the expensive attractions that we obviously don't give two craps about because we see it on a daily basis. There are several dive bars for the fun and the people with inexpensive drinks and food, and many places to enjoy yourself at a budget.

If you want to find a place that isn't too expensive but also isn't run down, you can find them. Don't limit yourself to a borough either. The Bronx does have good areas that aren't expensive. I won't point you to an area because every area of the Bronx has a good and a bad whether it's north, south, east or west. Best thing is to mention the neighborhood to people and ask.

Queens also has good areas for a good price. I find Brooklyn to be amazing but the best spots there are usually very expensive. If you find a roommate, you can probably land a good apartment though. Stay away from Staten Island - that's another world. Nothing against those living there, but I don't think it's what you are hoping for in moving to New York. Obviously Manhattan is just too damn expensive. I think it's best to stay away anyway. You don't sleep where you party, you know?

Once you start looking for places, ask the New Yorkers here and I'm sure we can all tell you what you're getting into if you move into such and such neighborhood.

Yea I already knew Manhattan wasn't going to be an option since I already knew before hand how the expensive it is to live there, from what I've heard from some NY Transfers we have down here.

So far, I've been looking around Bronx, Queens and Harlem just to get an idea and I've seen a few spots I'm interested in around Bronx but I'm not going to rush into just finding ANY apartment since I'm still in the "checking around" phase of this. Is the COL any different in those 3 Areas or are they pretty much all the same?

I've heard some stories about how it's pointless to have a car there since you can basically catch a Cab, Bus or Train at anytime.(already have a Car) But at the sametime, if I want to get up and go somewhere I don't feel like having to wait for either of those 3. I've been up there a few times already so I'm kind've familiar with it but I'm not "familiar" with everything up there if you know what I mean.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Well hell NYC is just like DC, just 5 times more people and high rises everywhere. Far as family.......well that is always the trade off. My nearest family is 13 hours away. But then again I am the type that purposely tries to move where no family is living at. I need my space LOL.

[Cusefan]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

Move to Honolulu, its about as expensive as NYC but it is paradise

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

My bad for missing this. I'm a Repair Tech for a Windshield Company(Safelite). Been doing this for about 2 years now, has good pay(otherwise I wouldn't even be considering this lol)good benefits and they're flexible as far as my Schedule and if I wanted to Transfer, which they are aware of BTW.


Pass on Atlanta since going there will almost basically be like I'm still in DC since that's where people from here move to when they get tired of being here as well. Don't want to go too far out since most of my family is on the East Coast and would still like to remain in driving distance so I can at least drive back every now and then.

Oh okay. A good site to check out would be www.city-data.com They have tons of data on neighborhoods, statistics, forums, graphs, etc. Just a whole wealth of information. I've been using it lately too.

[DickDalewood]

Re: Thinking About Moving To NYC.

If you want affordability, job opportunities, and a big city feel.....Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are probably going to be the best bet.

THIS!

Hence me moving to Dallas