What You Should Keep in Mind When Moving to New York City

Guest post, sponsored & provided by Oz Moving & Storage

As the East Coast’s crown jewel, New York City attracts millions of tourists and permanent residents a year. Those who’ve visited or moved there say that its pull is almost irresistible. Once you experience the fast-paced life, the art scene, and the diversity of NYC, you can never go back. New York always stays there, at the back of your mind.

​Has The Big Apple enchanted you as well? In that case, you’re probably already thinking of trying your luck in the most exciting city in the world. Before you do that, though, it might be wise to learn what this move would entail. We’ve asked Oz Moving to give us some insight, and here is what they said:

1. You’ll Probably Need a Roommate

​New York City isn’t cheap — in fact, it’s one of the ten most expensive cities in the world. Even if we just count groceries, utility bills, and rent, you’d still need over $2,000 a month to cover it all. Add to that entertainment, hobbies, and nightlife expenses, and that number grows to at least $3,000!

Of course, these estimates are only true for more affordable areas of NYC. If you want to live in Manhattan, for instance, you’ll need a far bigger budget. So make sure to choose your location wisely!

And even if you do settle for a more affordable neighborhood (like my personal favorite, Bay Ridge), singles and couples without kids will do well to find a roommate. Even families with a legal basement or bedroom to spare will find it worthwhile considering renting out their extra space! Splitting the rent cost with someone will bring a huge relief to your budget and open up many opportunities. You’ll no longer need to sit holed up at home, trying to save money. Finally, you’ll have enough to explore the many things the city has to offer!

And do you know what the best part is? It’s incredibly easy to find a roommate in NYC. Everyone’s in the same boat, so all you need to do is look up some roommate offers and choose the one you like. Alternatively, you can post that you’re looking for a roommate on one of these sites, and you’re sure to start receiving calls in no time.

2. You May Have to Pay a Broker’s Fee

Finding a good place to rent is extremely difficult in NYC. After all, you’re competing with thousands of other people, and the best apartments find tenants in a matter of hours. Even once you do come across something you like and within your budget, you might discover that you have to pay a broker’s fee. That usually comes as a surprise, as it’s not nearly as common in other cities.

So, what exactly is a broker’s fee? Well, landlords often hire brokers to post their listings online and connect them with potential tenants. Naturally, brokers don’t do that for free — they always charge a certain fee for their services. This fee usually amounts to around 12–15 percent of a year’s rent. And instead of paying themselves, landlords often put that responsibility on the new tenants.

Now, the broker’s fee is quite controversial, and we’re sure you can see why. That’s why it was almost banned last year — at least for brokers that you haven’t hired. However, this ban was temporarily blocked, so many landlords still ask their tenants to pay the fee. All that might change in a few months, but for now, don’t be surprised if you encounter it.

Of course, you can also find no-fee apartments and avoid this issue altogether. But the competition for those is fierce, so you have to be really quick.

3. Be Ready to Leave Some Belongings Behind

Although expensive, apartments in NYC are typically quite small. You won’t have the same kind of space as you did in your house in the suburbs or countryside. That may be unpleasant at first, but you’ll quickly get used to it. However, you might not have such an easy time leaving your belongings behind.

Whether you like it or not, though, you’ll have to get rid of some things. Give some to your family and friends, donate or sell others, and throw out those that can’t find a new home. Keep only the essentials and items that hold the most value to you. And don’t worry — you’ll quickly acquire new belongings as you live your new life in NYC. ​

4. Having a Car Might Be a Hassle

​Normally, it’s better to have your own car in a big city — how else would you explore all it has to offer? But driving in NYC often turns into quite a hassle, so up to 56% of New Yorkers don’t own a car. Instead, they use the highly efficient bus and subway system to get around. There's also walking, several ferries, Citi Bike, and of course taxi / Uber / Lyft etc!

So, why are cars such an issue in New York? The main reason is, of course, the lack of parking space. When you go somewhere by car, keep in mind that you’ll need at least 30 minutes to find a parking spot. And once you do, it’s likely to be expensive. Street parking when you return home can take half an hour to find as well, or if you rent a spot, it can cost hundreds of dollars a month. Simply put, public transport is a much better investment!

In Conclusion

​Moving to a big city like New York can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never lived in a place like that. Still, we can confidently say that it’s worth the initial struggle. In New York, you’ll encounter possibilities and opportunities that you would never have found anywhere else. So take a leap of faith and move to NYC as soon as you can! For those moving here with a family, I think you'll find this page helpful!