subject: What To Do Before Coming To New York? [print this page] If you are moving to New York, then you are not alone because many cant resist the lure of the Big Apple. This city has a vibrant and pulsating rhythm, which is why people are relocating here in huge numbers every year. It is a place of opportunities, a hub of activity, and a place where many people want to live!
But before you move to New York, there are some things you definitely need to do:
First of all, find out if you have any close friends, cousins, or anyone whom you know well living there. The purpose of having personal contacts is the fact that you can stay at their apartment till you get suitable accommodations of your own. Try to offer them some of the rent money or help out with household bills.
Before you come here, it is important to decide, about where you wish to live and what amount of rent you can pay. It is advisable not to spend more than 25% of your salary on rent. Dont spend an enormous amount on rent just to live in a posh area. It will be a serious drain on finances as New York is an extremely expensive city. Fort Greene and Carrol Gardens in Brooklyn offer numerous affordable housing options. Manhattan is more expensive but Upper West Side (past the 100s) has some accommodations at reasonable prices.
Try to save up approximately 5 times your expected rent. You need to pay about 2 months rent and a security deposit before you sign a lease. If you use a brokers services, he will have to be paid a certain amount as commission and you also need to set aside a certain sum for food, travel, etc.
Get rid of unnecessary clutter before you come here. Sort out the stuff you wont need and dispose it right away. You can either hold a garage sale or donate some clothes and old books. Space plays a vital role when you live in NY. The less stuff you bring, the more room you have for yourself.
If you have relocated here because you have landed a good job, then there is nothing to worry about. But if you have come here with the intention of looking for one, then you need to prepare in advance. Send out resumes before you arrive. In fact, ask your friends in the city to research job openings specific to your skill set. This will speed up the process and you might get a job before you come here.
Engage New York movers to help with the relocation and make it trouble-free. You can also look for specific listings such as Brooklyn movers or moving companies in Manhattan to get the names of local companies operating there.
