We arrived in New York City three months back and intend to treat it as a launchpad for exploring the Northeast region. Over the past five years, we’ve relocated to five different cities, and NYC stands apart from anywhere else we’ve called home. I never imagined myself living here. Sure, Jacob and I loved visiting—the incredible food and endless activities were a draw—but after a week, the city drained us so much that we were eager to leave. Actually living here, though, has been a completely different story.
If you’re thinking about moving to New York, we’ve assembled a few pointers to help smooth the transition. We’re still newcomers and the adjustment feels fresh, but we also gathered advice from more seasoned New Yorker friends.
Caty & Ted have lived here for nearly 20 years combined. Caty grew up in New Jersey, moved to NYC for school, and has been working in finance ever since. Ted relocated from LA and is best known as a co-founder of Wong Fu Productions and Awkward Animal, as well as the founder of Giant Hugs.
Charlene has called New York home for the last decade. During her first seven years, she worked in advertising and experiential marketing, but now she’s a competitive ballroom dancer, freelance event planner, and dance therapist for Alzheimer’s patients. You can follow her NYC adventures here.
Julia moved to NYC in July 2017 and currently lives with her husband and Goldendoodle in Flatiron. She works from home as a communications manager for P&G.
New York Relocation Guidance: Local Perspectives on Life in NYC
1. What challenges did you find hardest during the move?
- The Prices – We knew NYC was the priciest US city, and we tried to prepare, but it still shocks me every time we eat out and see the bill. If you use Yelp to gauge costs, expect the scale to be different here. One dollar sign actually means two, two means three, and three means four. – Jacob
- The Cold was tough at first, but once temperatures dropped into single digits, anything above 30 felt like a warm day. Looking back, it’s funny that when we lived in SoCal, 60s felt chilly. Also, having the right coat and winter gear makes all the difference. – Esther
- Getting Around the City – When I moved, I was really anxious about navigation. I have a terrible sense of direction (north, south, east, west). I didn’t own an iPhone then and often took the subway in the wrong direction. On my first day of school, I was late because I went the wrong way and felt completely lost. Navigating can be disorienting and stressful, but once you get comfortable, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings and makes you feel like you belong. – Caty
- The crowds, noise, and sheer number of people were tough for me to get used to. – Ted
- The “New York Attitude” – The hardest adjustment for me was the “New York attitude.” Coming from the South, I wasn’t accustomed to such direct and forward personalities, especially ones that didn’t smile as much as I do. But I’ve come to appreciate that it’s a kind of realness. Now I feel I can experience people and situations as they are, and it’s helped me embrace the ups and downs honestly and grow as a person. A close second hardest thing is still the winter cold. I feel like I’m still learning how to layer and dress warmly enough because my brain just can’t grasp why it gets so cold. Some days I just pray I’m wearing enough. – Charlene
- Downsizing – We moved from a house twice the size of our NYC apartment that also had an attic, garage, and plenty of closets, so adjusting to a smaller space has been a challenge. I did a LOT of purging before we moved—selling and donating furniture, clothes, etc.—which helped, and I’ve gotten creative with storage to maximize space. I’ve also had to adapt to a different schedule with my dog; at our old house we had a yard, so I could quickly let him out instead of walking him if I was in a hurry or the weather was bad. Now, regardless of weather, I’m out walking him several times a day. – Julia
2. Any apartment-hunting advice? How did you find your place?
- Watch how apartments advertise monthly rent. For newer buildings, there may be hidden costs like amenities. Also, promotions with free months can be tricky because of how they calculate the price to make it sound cheaper. For example, the listed rent might be $3,800 with two months free. That sounds like you get two months free and pay $3,800 for the remaining 12, but it’s actually closer to $4,400 a month because they spread the total over 14 months instead. – Esther & Jacob
- Streeteasy! Also, know you won’t get everything on your wish list (or you can, but you’ll pay a million dollars). I definitely recommend checking no-fee rental options before moving to ones with a fee. Figure out what matters to you, set a realistic budget, and do some homework to get a sense of where you want to live. Do you want a specific neighborhood? Is proximity to transit important? Or are you on a very tight budget? – Caty & Ted
- Don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to find housing. I’ve moved several times and lived in different parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and now Manhattan. My main tip: don’t panic! There are always housing opportunities even a week out from when you need to move. Popular methods: ask friends (someone usually knows someone who needs a roommate), search Craigslist carefully (I’ve gotten lucky a few times, but do your research), or stay in a sublet for a short time while you keep looking. Another option is dorm-style living situations you can apply for. I’ve done all of these and it’s worked out well so far. – Charlene
- Use a broker – We were lucky to have a corporate relocation package that included a broker to help with our apartment hunt. As first-timers in the city, she was a great resource because she understood what we wanted, suggested neighborhoods to consider, and coordinated everything, which took a lot of stress off us. The hardest part was finding a place we loved that also accepts dogs as big as ours. My advice: spend as much time in the city as you can before signing a lease—find a short-term sublet, crash with a friend, or even just visit for a few days to explore neighborhoods. That way you can figure out what matters to you in a building or location, and what will drive you crazy before you commit. – Julia
3. Do you mostly eat out, order in, or cook at home?
- We cook at home most often to save money and eat at places we really want to try instead of eating out more frequently at mediocre spots. There are tons of delivery services, and you can almost always find a promotion. Seamless is by far the most popular among everyone we know. We tried many of them once with promotional codes. Overall, we don’t use it much unless we’re at a friend’s place. We’d use Seamless more often if we lived in an area with better food options. – Esther & Jacob
- It’s not “order in.” The word is Seamless. – Caty & Ted
- I dine out for most of my meals because there’s an endless variety of delicious food in NY and new restaurants open constantly for every craving (at any hour!). When I do cook, it’s usually with friends. – Charlene
- I’d say my split is 70% cooking at home and 30% dining out, and I order Seamless only 2-3 times a month. I love to cook, so I’ve kept that up since moving, though not as much as before. – Julia
4. How do you handle grocery shopping, and what’s your favorite food delivery app?
- We use Google Express for non-perishables or heavy items since it offers free shipping with a minimum order. There are a couple of local grocery stores for last-minute essentials, but the ones near us have a limited selection and are pricier. We also try to carry a backpack so we can pick up small items whenever we’re out. – Esther & Jacob
- For groceries, we mostly use Amazon Fresh. – Caty & Ted
- My go-to grocery spot is Trader Joe’s on the Upper West Side, and I only buy what I can carry. As for apps, I don’t use any regularly, but FreshDirect is popular and seems to offer quality food and deliveries. – Charlene
- I live about 10 blocks from a Whole Foods, so I do most of my grocery shopping there and carry it back—it’s easy, especially when my husband is with me to share the load. I had a coupon for FreshDirect and have used it a few times for delivery; I haven’t been blown away by the product quality, but it’s convenient for stocking up on heavy items or when I don’t have time to go to the store that week. – Julia
5. What do you do to escape the city’s hustle and bustle?
- We try to explore during weekdays and off-peak hours. We avoid going out during holidays and steer clear of the subway during rush hour. Since we work from home, it also feels less overwhelming. And when the weather improves, we plan to spend more time Upstate enjoying the outdoors. – Esther & Jacob
- We stay inside. – Caty & Ted
- It’s important to take time for yourself, no matter where you are. A fun and easy way I escape the New York busyness is to go to a Korean spa with a few friends. King Spa is a good one that offers a shuttle from Ktown and usually has a decent Groupon deal. You can relax in heated rooms, enjoy authentic Korean food (don’t forget to order the iced sweet rice drink!), get a massage, and soak in a tub. – Charlene
- The parks in the city – Since my commute is basically from my bed to my desk in the living room, I avoid the city’s busyness most days, which makes going out in the evenings and weekends more tolerable. I also love the parks as an escape—Stuyvesant Park has my favorite dog run for Porter, and Madison Square Park is close to my apartment. Plus, it has Shake Shack. – Julia
6. What’s your preferred way to get around the city, and why?
- We use the subway most often. – Esther & Jacob
- Subway because it’s the most convenient. I’d love to sit in a car instead, but I always regret it because of traffic. – Caty & Ted
- I love taking the subway to get around and am happy to no longer drive. For the most part, stations are conveniently located, and it’s often the fastest way to reach my destination. It’s another monthly expense, but still more affordable and easier than owning a car. Walking is also a great way to see the city from a different perspective and get good exercise. I’m learning to appreciate the bus more too. Google Maps is my friend and gets me everywhere I need to go! – Charlene
- My general rule: I walk anywhere less than three subway stops away, which is typically about a 20-minute walk. For longer distances, I usually take the subway. I reserve cabs and Ubers for bad weather and late nights. – Julia
7. Any other advice for people moving here?
- The city is as overwhelming as you make it. No matter where you are, it’s about who you spend time with and what you do. Besides work, your pace of life is your choice. – Esther & Jacob
- I believe living in NY is an experience everyone should have at some point. It’s a fantastic place that offers something for everyone. It’s a place where you’ll learn about yourself and be pushed out of your comfort zone. – Caty & Ted
- Come and enjoy everything this city has to offer! It’s a place for dreamers and believers to experience the world’s best of whatever you love. The key is to keep your head up and trust that things will work out. – Charlene
- If you have the interest and the means to move here, do it. When the opportunity came my way, I was hesitant at first because I was intimidated by the city and wasn’t sure I’d like it. But now I’m so glad I got over that fear and can honestly say I love being a New Yorker! – Julia
Did you find this post useful? For more New York tips, check out our earlier articles: 21 Things You Should Know Before You Visit NYC, Ultimate NYC Bucket List, 99 Places to Eat in NYC, 11 Top Free Things to Do in NYC, 25 Fun Things to Do Indoors in NYC.
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ESTHER + JACOB
Esther and Jacob are the creators of Local Adventurer, which ranks among the world’s top 50 travel blogs. They believe adventure can be found both near and far and aim to inspire others to explore locally. They move to a new city each year and are currently based in NYC.
The post Moving to New York Advice { Local Tips for Living in NYC } first appeared on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Portland + World Wide
