I’m a southern girl living in New York. I’ve lived in New York for six years. It’s been fun living in NYC, exploring the city and meeting new people. No matter where you move to, adjusting to a new city takes time. I’m still getting used to some things, but I plan on living in New York for at least ten years. You know what they say. Once you’ve lived in New York for ten years, you are officially a New Yorker. My goal for 2023 is to give insight on living in New York, from the pros and cons, funny and ridiculous stories, and dos and donts. If you haven’t followed me on my social media, click on one of the links below.

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I would like to begin by comparing the prices between where I moved from, Charlotte, North Carolina and New York.

*UPDATED!

Rent (cable, wifi, water, and trash not included)

NC: $2,300

NY: $3,500

NC: Deposit: Free

NY: $7,000 – $10,000

NC: Application Fee: Free -$75

NY: Application Fee: $50 – $1000 (subject to change based on zipcode)

Apartment Parking

NC: Free

NY: $250 +

Toll:

NC: $1.50

NY: $15+ (increased to $19) (with E-Z pass)

Gas:

NC: $22 – $25

NYC: $35 – $40

Commuting:

NC: $100 weekly (gas, Uber)

NY: $250 – $350+ weekly (gas, Uber, train, subway)

Car Insurance:

NC: $195

NY:

Groceries:

NC: $120 – $150+

NY: $200 – $250+ (increases based on need)

Gym: (in house)

NC:Free (personal training: free)

NY: Free (personal training: $300 – $400 monthly)

Entertainment/Night Life:

*per night

NC: $100+ (not including travel)

NY: $300 – $400 (including travel)

Self-care

NC:

• Hair: $150
• Nails: $130
• Skin: $50 (facials only)

NY:

• Hair: $20 – $100 (do my own hair) ($130 – $150 monthly treatments)
• Nails: $150
• Skin: Spa Membership: $89 monthly (body wraps) (additional services: $50 -150 per service)

Pros and Cons of living in New York City

New York is Expensive

Pros: If you move to new york with a job lined up, you are safe because you have a garanteed an income.

Cons: If you move to New York without a job lined up or no savings, you are screwed unless you know someone that lives in the city and/or there is someone willing to support you until you get on your feet.

Pros: If you find an apartment prior to moving to the city, you will have stability.

Cons: You may have to move out of the city or move back home if you didn’t secure a place prior to moving to New York.

Pros: Once you find an apartment, you’ll feel so accomplished and complete

Cons: It could take years to find the RIGHT apartment.

New York is Dirty

Pros:There are no pros. Ha! Well, the city is hiring those willing to maintain the rats here six figures.

Cons: There are lots on rats. Not normal size rats. Huge rats.

Pros: Free furniture. Many people leave decent furniture and home decor on the curb you can crab to furnish your apartment.

Cons: There is lots of trash in the city. Including the sidewalks.

Pros: There are no pros.

Cons: The city smells.

Pros: The subway and trains are the fastest way of transportation.

Cons: The subway and trains are very dirty.

New York is Noisy

Pros: The city never sleeps. There is always something to do all day and all night.

Cons: The city never sleeps. There is no way to avoid the noise.

New York is a Big City

Pros: You can live in any of the five borrows: Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx

Cons: The distance between each borough is far. It takes a lot of commuting to get back and forth between them.

Pros: There is so much to do night and day.

Cons: It expensive to explore the city.

Pros: If you have a car, you’ll able to travel on your own more.

Cons: Traffic can be backed up for hours. You’ll need to add at least two additional hours to commute time.

Pros: There are a lot of 24hr places where you can eat, party, or hangout.

Cons: Your Safety is New York isn’t guaranteed.

New York is Lonely

Pros: The lonelier you are, the more privacy you’ll have.

Cons: The loneliness you feel when you move to New York can last a long time. It could take years to find friends.

Pros: You’ll meet someone new everyday.

Cons: Those encounters are short lived.

Pros: Dating is the same everwhere.

Cons: You’ll have options, but not a guaranteed relationship.

New York is a Scam

Pros: Non-Native New Yorkers are least of the scammers.

Cons: Everything is a scam. If you are new to the city, it’s inevitable you’ll be scammed.

Pros: You’ll be proud to have found an apartment in the big city without being scammed.

Cons: You may pay thousands of dollars for an apartment the size of a closet with no kitchen or private bathroom.

Pros: New York and New Jersey has an E-ZPass to reduce the amount you pay to leave or enter each city.

Cons: You have to pay to leave or enter the city.

HOW TO PREPARE TO MOVE TO NEW YORK

#1) Save or have at least $20,000 prior to moving to New York.

#2) Secure an apartment prior to moving to New York.

#3) Secure a job prior to moving to New York.

#4) Sell everything before to moving to New York.

#5) Decide if you will keep or sell your car before moving to New York.

#6) Do research on the cost of insurances, medical costs, costs of personal resources, everyday expenses, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dW5Lc6j5CjI

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/evivoYKRxV8

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/87T7MIA64OY

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VEu9OKQfmP4

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU’RE IN NEW YORK

#1) Live or visit all borroughs before settling in one area.

#2 Before purchasing new furniture or home decor, walk around your neighborhood to see what’s on the street. You’ll find fair to brand new items for free. Shop on Facebook market place.

#3) Find your spots ASAP. Your coffee shop. Your bar. Your park. Your laundry mat. This will help you meet people fast.

#4) Start saving money or continue to add to your savings. There will be a lot of emergencies (i.e. scams) at the beginning. You’ll need to be prepared.

#5) Get to know your neighborhood and the people there ASAP.

#6) Visit the city alone.

CONCLUSION

If you are considering moving to New York to visit or to move, make sure you are preapred. Either way, it’s going to be a hassle. Whenever you are moving to a big city, it’s important that you have things lined up prior beause living in a big city is expenesive, fast paced, and can become overwhelming if not preapred. If you’re not prepared, you may have a hard time at the beginning. However, don’t allow this to deter you from coming to the big city. Enjoy your journey.