So You Wanna Move to NYC…
I have quite a few friends who are preparing to move to NYC (myself included) and have been asking me for advice on where to move and what to do.
Since it has been so long since I have been home, I really had to sit and think about this one. What do people need to know when trying to live in NYC? Even though I grew up in NYC, leaving some place for almost 5 years and trying to re-enter is still difficult. I occupy an outsider-insider relationship with NYC: I love it and am comfortable yet still feel like I don’t have a grasp on everything in the city and am still learning. In any case here are some things that I have learned over time since leaving and I think people will find useful.
Anything youd like to add to the list?
Health:
1. You will get sick. And dirty.
I came across this great quote: “NYC is the only city that when it rains it makes its own gravy.” That’s how dirty the city is. Be prepared to have the sniffles when you first move here because of the dirt and smog in the air, to buy a humidifier, and to have any light colored clothes turn yellow.
2. Wash your hands when you get home. PLEASE.
3. If it is not an emergency, you will not be helped so learn to deal with pain or get yourself some fly ass health insurance so you can see a doctor when necessary.
Communication/Awareness:
1. NYC = 5 BOROUGHS! Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. No, Long Island doesn’t count, neither does Yonkers. And go play tag with a bus if you think any place in Jersey counts.
2. Learn the lingo: Bodega (corner store); “Can I Get A…” (instead of “May I Please Have A…); “A Slice” (instead of plain pizza slice).
3. Do not confuse being firm with being mean. This will take a while to get used to. Just because people are straight to the point does not mean that they are mean—they simply want to get their point across with as little confusion as possible. So grow a thick skin and be prepared hold your ground. It’ll make you stronger in the end.
Transportation:
1. DO NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED.
2. Know the driving directions to where you need to go BEFORE you get in a cab. If you let the cabbie decide, you will get screwed.
3. Subway lines are recognized by their NUMBERS/LETTERS not colors. If you say you want the green line you will have 4 options: 4, 5, 6, and G.
4. Train exits are labeled SW-NW-SE-NE so you can find your way around. If you find that directions want you to come to a building located on the “Northeast side of 34th street” there you have it.
5. Subways SUCK on the weekends. Learn the bus routes
6. If it is less than 3 subway stops away WALK.
Work:
1. You will be surrounded by people better than you. Anyone who is anyone wants to move to NYC to make it big. Therefore competition even for the smallest things is fierce.
2. That being said: bring your A-Game. Don’t come here if you’re looking for an easy escape. One of the reasons I stayed in Philly was because I wanted more experience before heading back home since I KNOW how competitive it can be. I wanted to build myself up intellectually and professionally before pursuing my passions.
3. As a result, the city will make you more ambitious. People who aren’t get lost in the shuffle.
4. Look good. Not everything looks good on everybody but please take pride in your appearance. People will notice if you don’t.
5. Outside of NYC, people will find your ambition and intelligence odd and abrasive. (I learned this Cape Town and see it now in Philly).
Food/Entertainment:
1. The carts that sell fruits and veggies are great. Don’t be afraid of them. Same for the guys that sell bacon and eggs on the corner.
2. Only tourists go to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and the Circle Line. Well, tourists and elementary schools for field trips.
3. However, go to museums and galleries whenever you can. The difference between museums and the points of interests mentioned above is that museums and galleries can change their focus and bring you things about the city (and country) that you may never find out any place else. You go to the Statue of Liberty once, you’re pretty much done. But at a museum, one week you can be learning about African-Americans in government and the next week about pop music. Seriously. It’s quite wonderful.
Living/ Buying
1. Cheap is there if you look. But be prepared to become more materialistic. I have never in my life seen so many COACH or Louis Vuitton, and other name brand bags in my life. However, most of them are knock offs from Canal Street…
2. Find your favorite spots. There is so much emphasis on trying everything all the time. However, I have my places that I go to and am quite comfortable with that. The best fried chicken wings and pizza are at this pizza place and Chinese restaurant near my grandmom’s house in bed-stuy where I grew up. I love shopping in Union Square. The Promenade is where I like to take walks and relax. I love the Schomburg. I go to the UA in Brooklyn Heights. That’s all. Im pretty happy with this.
3. You’ll appreciate your friends and family much much more. It can get lonely in this city and the competition and drive to be the best can get overwhelming. That’s when you find yourself wanting the love and comfort of friends. So make sure that in between work and stress you develop those relationships…they will get you through hell.
Great post mate.. I have to say, I just moved to NYC for the first time and even though I’m from London, I find the city quite overwhelming. The people are mad! Nevertheless, it has been a great experience thus far. Last weekend I decided to take the bus tours from http://www.citysightsny.com I have to say it was a quite nice experience sight seeing through Brooklyn. I highly recommend the tours to get your feet wet when getting to know your way around.
cheers
I grew up in one of the 5 boros of NYC, and this is a great article. Very good points, all true. Except I never got sick, even when I moved out to Jersey and then moved back. Guess I never went far.
that was really helpful! i am bookmarking this post! not sure if ill ever live in nyc but you never know!!
Okay, so I found your blog. It’s great – very helpful
I’ll hopefully be back in NYC the next few months – for good. After graduation in May, I will hopefully have a job somewhere in the city. I can’t wait. I never got my chance to really live there.
Luv it! I want to move to NYC either in the fall or next january ‘09 and i love how direct and funny this post is. I was LOL where you said to play tag with a bus re: NJ…hahaa
http://www.blackplanet.com/dakanisee
Luv it! I want to move to NYC either in the fall or next january ‘09 and i love how direct and funny this post is. I was LOL where you said to play tag with a bus re: NJ…hahaa
that was a fantastic post. it really brings to life the nitty-gritty of life in NYC, not the overly glam that TV and movies give us.
it’s like that Baz Lurhman (?) song; live in New York City, but leave before it makes you hard… although I’ve also heard that once you’ve lived and loved there, you never go back ‘home’.
The article was SO well written as well as “dead on” accurate. I love FL where we now reside, and some of the large cities of Italy where we visit regularly, but there is only one NYC.
This was madd cool I’m from Chicago/Alabama but I’m currently moving to New York now. I’m pursuing a music career and it was very helpful to me. It was well written and I get so excited about NYC all the time. I went back in March 08′ for B.E.T. 106 and Park Wild Out Wednesday. Thank you for the post.
Check out my Myspace http://www.myspace.com/kdsoutherngentleman
Thanks!Very useful!
Great advice. I didn’t know about anything before I moved here. I actually stumbled across http://www.NewtoNYC.org a few months back and was able to meet some cool people at one of their events.
New York City is one of the cleanest cities in the world. I’ve visited many places in Europe and other parts of the globe and NYC is very well maintained. Regular street cleaning, litter cleaning, strict pollution standards, beautification projects, parking regulations for space management- New York is very clean. I was born in NYC, and have been living here my entire life and I am never sick of this place, it is truly the epicenter of the world and the perfect example of the philosophical outcome of capitalism, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. NYC simply is the greatest place on earth- in the greatest country on earth.
I couldnt agree more. Moved to the city for work and back after five years. I have never lived in a CLEANER place. Beautiful flowers and trees, gorgeous decorations in the winter, Spring makes your heart ache. “gravy” I have no idea what this poster is speaking of. I was never sick and found New Yorkers to be some of the sweetest and most friendly in the US. In a hurry maybe, but friendly just the same! Greatest place on the earth you say? I absolutely agree with you 100%!!! I cant wait to get back home.
I am a preeschool teacher mother of 3 From San Diego. We would like to move to New york for a year, It has been kind of like a dream adventure. But have no idea on what are the best places for family to live in new york city or public schools. Who o where can I find a family guide to living in New York?.
I would really appreciate any info. tks.
You know, I loved your piece here. I have been looking all over the internet for information related to moving to NY. I’m a born country boy from WV but I hate it here…. I love Charleston though, I love city environments. The hussle, crowds, and all out need to get somewhere fast. Of the 25 or so articles I’ve read on the net so far, yours has to be the best.
I assume I fall in the “Make it big” category, but here in WV there’s no tech jobs… at least not near me. I tell people the programming languages I know and they just look at me puzzled… I know NY is loaded with more technically intellectual individuals and that’s what I like about it… that and the fact of it being a huge city..
Thanks for all the info. – Jerry
did you move to NYC? I live in Charleston WV too…
aaronleesmithis@gmail.com
I’m a hairstylist and currently live in Minneapolis but it is my dream to live in NYC. I’ve been there a couple times and have fallen in love with the city. I think about living there every day! I would like to move there this upcoming fall but thinking about the expenses scares me a little. I know that starting at a salon I would have to go through a training program and probably wouldn’t be making a ton of money. I’ve been saving and have some backup, but again, it scares me. One encouraging thought is that there are other hairstylists that have moved there to pursue their dreams and have made it happen. How unreasonable is it? Am I going to be sitting in my apartment all the time not being able to enjoy the city because I can’t afford anything? I’m very hard working and young and I feel like if i’m going to make this move, what better time than right now when i have no one to worry about but myself? I know it’s a hard life especially at first, but do you think it’s worth it? Every time i’m there I want to live there and since I’ve been back, about a month, I am always thinking about living there. I just want your advice as to if it’s worth it to live there even though it’s super expensive? I would love your advice! THank you for all your info
I lived in New York, but moved to Oregon to get married. Life in new york is wonderful. I miss it very, very much.
I love photography, and the your picture of the Brooklyn Bridge is spectacular.
Found you through Alltop (twenty something).
Thank you for this entry. I don’t ever plan on moving to New York – but I hear Toronto can be comparable; which is a place I intend to check out someday.
Hope to see you around.
I live in Toronto and have visited NYC as a way of getting ready to move there after graduation. I have to say, even going to NYC for a few days makes Toronto seem totally lame. That said, I’m a jazz musician and Toronto has 2 jazz clubs with daily music (at best) which is uncomparable to the countless places to hear music each night in New York City.
Thanks for your words! I’ll be sure to remember to read this again when I make that big move from Texas!! Very well said.
I truly love this post and it makes my urge even greater. Thanks for the info!
=D
Thank You so much for your insight. Im moving to NY in 69 days and Im T E R R I F I E D!!! At first I was really excited about the move, but now I have fear in my heart. NY has always been my favorite place to vacate, and Ive always dreamed of moving there, but Im beginning to have some doubts about it. Im worried about not finding a great job(The RECESSION), not finding great friends, but more importantly, im afraid that because I dont have a big support system in the city that I wont be able to make it.
My move to NY may be the biggest decision that I have ever made in my life. Im just hoping that everything falls into place. Im relying on hope…. Im not a big risk taker, but Im totally relying on fate to get me where I want to be.
Thanks Again for the post Allison.
This article was so well written I wished I could of read it the first time I visited. I always had an infatuation about NY since I was 12 yrs old, I’m now 22 and the 1st time I went was in aug. 2008 I was so amazed by the different diversities and cultures, the massive crowd that never seems to leave and all the little things that make the greatest city in the world! After that trip I went back in october then december…I have another trip lined up in june..I do have plans/ dreams to move there its very expensive I’m from a place in ohio that John Legend put on the map! But I’d rather live somewhere where I’m happy struggling then to live somewhere like ohio where I’m doing well…its all about following your heart and dreams. Because you never know how your going to make it, until you make it out of the place your at! ALSO NY isn’t as bad as tv makes it out to be…I thought I was gonna see trash and rats all over everywhere lol and I went to the bronx, harlem and manhattan…but I especially agree with washing your hands!
Also, you should at least be bisexual…
My name is Aaron and I live in Charleston, WV. I found this post to be great. Reading it, I felt my heartbeat, I felt fear, excitement….and most of all, curiosity. I have wanted to move to NYC my whole life. I am graduating this May, and maybe something will come along and sweep me into the city of dreams. Thanks for a great read.
Aaron
i stumbled across this arcticle and i found it really helpful.. my boyfriend grew up in new york and moved back there and im supposed to go to but he makes it sound like everything is good and it was nice to read an objective opinion.. it sounds completely opposite from california and to be honest im extremely terrified.. i was also wondering if you could tell me where the cheapest places to live and which one is the least dangerous?
I am moving to NYC this fall to pursue art school with my boyfriend, who is originally from there, so I have been back and forth for the past seven years to visit his family and the city. I have been wanting to live there for quite a while now, and my excitement is building as the days grow nearer to my move. I am also extremely nervous to move to such a big city (I am from Vermont where there are supposedly more cows than people!), but I am ready for all the hard work and dedication that it will take to pursue my dream. Thanks so much for this article, I have been searching for some good tips on making this transition of a lifetime!!
I don’t know how I stumbled on this page but, since I grew up in Queens thought I would see what advice was being given out about my hometown. Think all is true except the sickness part. Never had a cold growing up but, the moment I enter Portland I get allergies (wtf?)
Everyone should live i NYC at least once. You must have an absolute love for for all people, or else you may get over the constant buzz so many of us crave and dearly miss when its not around. I will be back, for I never stray too long. It has my heart.
It will be the most terrifying/rewarding thing you do.
Yes don’t be afraid of the food carts!!!
NYC is indeed a great city to live in. I’m a 21 year old male born and raised in this city and I don’t ever want to leave. I’ve read a lot of post on other sites warning people to stay out of the outer boroughs. Honestly it’s not as bad as they make it seem. The Bronx for example, is affordable, diverse, and easily accessible by public transportation. With the exception of the south Bronx, there are some really nice neighborhoods worth looking into. Pelham Parkway for example is (where i was raised, and still reside) within walking distance from The Bronx Zoo as well as The Botanical Garden (both free on Wednesday’s). I live down the block from a synagogue, there is a mosque around the block and a catholic church across the Parkway. The neighborhood has an urban feel to it but as you make your way east along the parkway it transforms into a “mini suburb”. If you want more info WikiPedia can elaborate for me.
~If you don’t want to get robbed in the city, don’t walk around looking lost (even if you are). Always keep your head up and claim your space.
“Real Recognizes Real”
For some reason this blog came up on google and the first thing I read was that NYC is dirty.
You clearly haven’t been to many other US cities if you think NYC is dirty.
to all of the posters that NYC is dirty and makes you sick:
this is more than true if you are from the West Coast.
its true
I have lived here my whole life and as much as I love NYC I fucking hate Manhattan sometimes. Lately more and more.
Thank you so much! This was incredibly helpful. I’m hopefully moving there in a couple years!
Born and raised in NYC. Been all around the city(unlike many New Yorkers -especially non natives) but never got sick coming back to the city or felt I couldn’t wear white when it rained. And I’m not being shuttled around in taxi cabs all the time either so I don’t know where this author hangs out. It gets on my nerves when ppl exaggerate about certain aspects of the city – like uncleanliness, crime etc. It’s a big city! Get over it! I mean, have you been to L.A., Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit? Yea- Same Difference! Except that it’s actually safer than all those cities now! For non-natives, New York is super fast-paced and diverse in all arenas -ppl, food, things to do, etc, and that’s pretty much the only thing that takes getting used to.
For more insider scoops on making your way around the city, u can check out – leopardandpeacock.blogspot.com
Sweet Pea
I canNOT wait to move to New York!!
) Your article was SUPER!! 
))
Thanks for the advice!
I’m moving to the city in a week from Arizona.
I’ll try to keep all this in mind for the low times.
I just stumbled upon your blog. Great article, but I have to say that I lived in Brooklyn and went to school in Manhattan for 2 years (1997-1999) and I was so happy to return back to the south (Kentucky). I think a lot of people (myself included) tend to build it up as this ultra-glamorous exciting place, and then reality hits. I really enjoyed all the museums, restaurants, shopping choices, etc. However, I hated the constant noise, filth, insanely expensive rent for crackerbox apts, and overall unfriendliness (even though in a city that big, you do have to keep your guard up). The south does have some negatives, but I had to move to NYC to truly appreciate the low cost of living, friendly people, fresh air, and convenience of the state I was born and raised in. When I want to expose my kids to cultural activities that only places like NY has, I can take them on vacation and then take them back home where they have room to run around and play outside without me worrying.
I live here in Atlanta, and I’m so tired of the ..lol so called dirty south. I been thinking about moving either to the Bronx, Weschester County, or Poughkeepsie. I don’t kknow, I love NYC though, but not to live in the city, it is not for me. Too expensive, I’m still thinking though after I graduate from college out here in Atlanta, I am packing my bagz and I am out. I hate ATLANTA!
Great article! Like many people, I get starry-eyed when I think of NY. I visited the first time when I was was young, and was in love with the city ever since, even though it smelled like hot piss and garbage (we went in the summer every time)…The first three times I had only been to Manhattan, but two years ago I was able to go to one of the boroughs (Far Rockaway, Queens) for a week to stay with my GF’s grandmother. It was awesome, I could see myself living in one of the boroughs, not only because it’s cheaper but it is a little slower pace than Manhattan, and its cheaper. Hopefully one of these days my dream will come true and I’ll live in NY. Until then, Im in Georgia..
This post is very accurate, sweet and to the point. I used to live in NY many years ago. I left back in 98 after High School, I’ve been back to visit only a handful of times. I always swore I would never live there again. Nothing against the city it’s a great place, it’s just that I currently live in Florida and have gotten quite comfortable with my laid back lifestyle of palm trees and warm weather. On my last visit to NY about 4 months ago, something happened to me. I fell back in love with the city I no longer wanted to be in. It felt so good to be there again. Memories of my childhood flooded my mind and suddenly I could see myself spending some of my adult years there. Reading this reconfirmed everything I thought about the N.Y. You have to go there on your A game, be ambitious and determined, not to mention hustle your butt off. I love the N.Y. and always will. BTW the BX was stomping grounds.
Until the time I build up the courage to make that big move I guess I’m gonna have to put NY on the back burner for now.
Signed New Yorker in the Sunshine State.