Tips for moving to New York City

[Limewater]

So, we're NOT gonna stay on topic, then?

I see. So, in lieu of just starting a new topic on McDonald's, we're just gonna hijack another one?

Hi! You must be new here!

And if I plan on spending no more than $700/mo, how much should I save up before I leave?

If you're planning on trying to make movies and stuff, you're going to need to factor in stuff like equipment rental as well.

Some costs to consider:

Phone service
electricity
water
gas? (I don't know if it's common in NYC)
subway/bus fares
Initial costs (you always have to spend some money on things you don't have after a move-- dishes, pots and pans, cooking utensils, shampoo, soap, towels, washcloths, microwave maybe, can opener, plunger, toilet brush, spray cleaner, et cetera)
A bike (if you really do get one)
Paper and pens
Internet access (possibly, though a lot of libraries offer wireless now)

How much money you take really depends on your risk tolerance. More is always better, and everything takes money.

[fvgazi]

Another thing... if you plan on shooting any footage in NYC. You're going to need a VERY EXPENSIVE permit depending on what you are filming.

[REPO Man]

A few things have changed since I first started this thread:

* After Hurricane Irene, I spent two weeks (sadly, each one was part of a different pay period) working more hours, with overtime pay on each. But since then, I've only gotten about 6 hours a week.

* We're no longer moving to Orlando, so now I'm gonna make a straight beeline to NYC.

* My mom's still trying to discourage me, as is everyone else, and still claiming it to be out of love.

* I'm currently trying for a departure in between December 31 and January 7.

* My new rent range for a room is under $500. I'm gonna raise $2500, with $1500 allocated towards moving in ($500 for the first month, $500 for the security deposit, and other $500 if they turn me down) and the remaining $1000 to help keep me afloat.

I've still been doing research. Still trying to figure out whether to get the apartment first or the job. The problem is, you can't get one without the other.

[pakopako]

I've still been doing research. Still trying to figure out whether to get the apartment first or the job. The problem is, you can't get one without the other.

No, you look for apartments first. Select a bunch in your range and get the job before committing to an apartment; crash on couches if you have to. And for $500 on rent, you're looking at roommates.

Much like the "live like a king... in Mexico" shift, if you have a lot of cash saved, can you have a better life at home now rather than making it in a city where even the homeless pay rent?

[o.pwuaioc]

I've still been doing research. Still trying to figure out whether to get the apartment first or the job. The problem is, you can't get one without the other.

No, you look for apartments first. Select a bunch in your range and get the job before committing to an apartment; crash on couches if you have to. And for $500 on rent, you're looking at roommates.

Much like the "live like a king... in Mexico" shift, if you have a lot of cash saved, can you have a better life at home now rather than making it in a city where even the homeless pay rent?

Even with roommates, $500 is really low. I spent a good while looking for places, got a place with my gf a good 1 hour subway ride away at the bottom of Brooklyn, and we're still paying more than $500 each. If you find the right kind, you don't necessarily need a job, but so, so many places won't let you live with a job that pays 3x as much, good credit score, no bad marks from prior rentals, and moreover, many refuse to consider cosigners, especially if the cosigners live in a different state.

[fvgazi]

Just move to Ridgewood Queens! It's kind of up and coming and also on the border of the hip Brooklyn neighborhoods. Rent may still be over $500, but there are a ton of apartments.

[REPO Man]

No, you look for apartments first. Select a bunch in your range and get the job before committing to an apartment; crash on couches if you have to. And for $500 on rent, you're looking at roommates.

Much like the "live like a king... in Mexico" shift, if you have a lot of cash saved, can you have a better life at home now rather than making it in a city where even the homeless pay rent?

Okay, though I only ask since a lot of places ask that you prove you have a job, and jobs won't really hire someone who doesn't even live in the city.

I don't know anyone in NYC, so I don't know whose couch(es?) I could crash on. But if I did, I know to help out when and where I can. And to stay a week at the most.

And having a better life at home is impossible. To me, this place is like purgatory. It's nice, but it's not heaven. I mean, everything I want and need isn't on Hatteras Island.

Even with roommates, $500 is really low. I spent a good while looking for places, got a place with my gf a good 1 hour subway ride away at the bottom of Brooklyn, and we're still paying more than $500 each. If you find the right kind, you don't necessarily need a job, but so, so many places won't let you live with a job that pays 3x as much, good credit score, no bad marks from prior rentals, and moreover, many refuse to consider cosigners, especially if the cosigners live in a different state.

My original limit was $700, but I heard to save 5x my expected monthly rent, and $2500 is about a thousand less if my limit's $700 ($1000 is less than what I could've made this summer @30hrs/week).

I don't have a credit score cuz I've never had a credit card.

No prior rentals, since I've lived with my parents my whole life.

[Evildeadmanwalking77]

I'd say just move to Long Island and commute to NYC if that's where you're looking for employment but LI is pretty damn expensive as my rent was jacked up to $1,629.73 exactly which is just the rent alone and we fought/bargained to keep it from going higher so technically if we haven't been such good tenants we'd now be paying more. I live in a one bedroom w/ a den that can be used as a smaller bedroom. Fair warning though, Long Island is also very congested (I know NYC is worse) and some of the people can be pretty rude (not all obvioulsy but more than I'd like to be surrounded by) as I've learned in my 34 years living here. My wife and I are actually looking to move out of NY altogether in the future but we'll see. Either way good luck w/ whatever you're doing and I hope you love it in NY!

[Zing]

I was very confused at first. The OP stated "me and my family are trying to move to Orlando", but the topic was concerning his moving to New York. I thought, why does he want to move twice in succession? Then I realized when he says "my family", he must mean his parents and not his wife and children!

[pakopako]

I still thinking finding something in Philly might be cheaper; for film studio purposes it's a cheap NY. Or somewhere in NJ, which is between both cities in terms of location and cost.