Best way to move to New York City?

Q: I want to move to NYC after I graduate high school next spring(2013). I have an idea of what I want to do , but I'm sure there's a lot more to it. Save money, find a place to live, find a stable job, etc. I would like to attend college there but I've lived in Houston TX my whole life. I realize that moving from Texas to NYC is a big, and extreme change . I have no family there. But moving away for college isn't that unusual. So I would like to know: what should I do before I get there, what to do , and the little details matter to. Help? Thanks.

A: Is your family wealthy? Do you have a large stash of savings you can tap into right away? 

First of all, you need to understand that New York is one of the single MOST EXPENSIVE places in the U.S., if not on the entire planet. The taxes are pretty much the highest in the country (there state and city income taxes as well as federal taxes). The cost of living is beyond the reach of most people. 

Colleges and universities there are also very expensive. New York University, one of the more popular schools in the city, costs about $20,000 *per semester* for tuition. That's not counting application and enrollment fees or living expenses. There aren't a lot of schools in the major NYC area anyway.

Rents in New York are...well, they're the second highest in the nation (right behind Honolulu). A decent studio apartment (which is basically a medium-sized single room with a tiny bath and maybe a small kitchen) will run you a minimum of $1500-2000 per month (plus utilities). You might be able to save a few bucks on rent by living in the boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, etc.), but anything you save will be eaten up by travel expenses on the MTA. ($104 per month for a 30-day MTA bus/subway Metrocard).

Then you have to eat. No, food isn't cheap there, either.

The current unemployment rate in New York is at 10%, which is about 2% higher than the rest of the country. The rate among high school and college students is probably closer to 15%. 

So, unless you have a source of income that's going to just get you *started* up there, you'd probably want to reconsider. New York's a great town (I'm a native of the area and lived there for many years), but it's just not the ideal place to just move into and start school. Unless you're folks are loaded.

This is a big, big nation. There are a lot of really great places you can go to college and live a lot cheaper.

Why is NYC called the Big Apple?

Q: Many cities have their original nicknames or are known for something special. Chicago is called the Windy City, Las Vegas is Sin City, and of course New York City is the Big Apple. The others make sense, but we wanted to ask you: Why is NYC nicknamed after a fruit?

A-1: The etymology behind "The Big Apple" actually goes far beyond the Jazz era. Keep Asking was on the right track. The phrase does come from literal apples. However, it can be speculated that the term actually comes from the "original" settlers of New York. That's right, the Dutch! Think about it. Dutch Apple Pie? The Dutch settled New York or New Amsterdam as they called it in the early 1600's. One of the things they brought over from Holland were apples and apple seeds. They then began to cultivate the land. A good portion of this land became occupied by apple trees. After New Amsterdam was seized by the British in 1664 the area became New York, after the Duke of York. The Dutch briefly regained control over the region and renamed it after a very delicious fruit. They called it "New Orange". But after realizing they couldn't really compare The Big Apple to the New Orange they permanently ceded the land back to the Brits. So, in conclusion the "Big Apple" was born from the love of the Dutch for apples and their longing to maintain and retain the area of New York City.


A-2: It was nicknamed “The Big Apple” thanks to a visit from President Coolidge in the late 1920’s who, on arrival, announced his desire for a nice, warm apple pie. The citizens of New York City, being very patriotic people, decided to impress him by making him such a pie. Such a numerous amount of people wished to please their leader with their pastries, it pushed apple sales through the roof. So many were sold, more of the fruit had to be brought in for stores, and when the President finally left (allegedly with a bad stomach ache) crates of apples still lined the streets, and household kitchens featured them in abundance. This lead foreigners and visitors to the city to refer to New York city as “one big apple”. This name stuck, and is still used today.


A-3: The phrase The Big Apple, came about in NYC around the 1930's and 1940's. The jazz musicans associated the phrase with the most happen spot or gig they would be playing in. The real truth about the nickname of NYC, is not name after a fruit, but the name is associated with the racetracks. One of many New Yorkers past time. John J. FitizGerald, a writer for The NY Morning Telegraph a racetrack publication, was the first writer to put the NYC nickname in print. The nickname became a regular column in the publication. John heard the phrase The Big Apple from Black stable boys who followed the horses. The boys were so glad to be in NYC because NYC was where the big money can be made. NYC was so huge to the stable boys and full of opportunity, they called it The Big Apple. New York City became The Big Apple.

Good places to live at In Harlem NY?

I just want to know what are some good area's to live at in Harlem.

My friend, that depends on how much you're will to pay per month. Harlem, like the rest of Manhattan is starting to get a bit pricey now a days, and rents are going up. If you don't believe, check out the news article at the link below, which is includes a video. Good luck Native New Yorker

How are the living conditions in NYC?

Hi!
I am only in High school,however want to live in NYC so bad! I LOVE It there! I love the crowds, you are NEVER bored, it may be expensive, but I think with the right deals and money saving tips you could have a great shot at living there. What is your take? Do you think in 6 years (When I am out of college and such) The job market will be better and NYC will not be as expensive. I know it always will be expensive, but I love it there. I love walking down time square and seeing that half-naked cowboy that runs around playing his guitar, Last time I was there I saw Elmo and Cookie Monster giving out free hugs! I think it is the best place to live. What are your takes on the city? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi!
Well, this question is asked often. If you scrolled down a bit, you would have found many people asking that same question.

Living in NYC is great. I love Manhattan and wouldn't live anywhere else! I understand that your view of New York is of one who is a tourist... You should know that I never go to Times Square. I feel that it is a place for tourists, there aren't many good restaurants around, and it is too crowded.

I did not understand just how expensive New York really is until I moved here. I will be honest with you... This is the most expensive city to live in in the US. If you want to live in Manhattan, be ready to have long, hard studies in order to have a proper career.

My husband and I both have studied and got masters (I have one masters, he has two). We worked very hard in university, BEYOND a bachelors degree, and we our summers working on internships, in order to have the life that we have. We have combined salaries of around $200,000 after taxes, and we really are limited in where we can live in Manhattan. Obviously, we are still in our 20s and that will change, but you cannot come to NY thinking you'll find "good deals" on rent and save money. I just want to be realistic with you.

If you are absolutely set on living in New York, work hard in school, study something profitable (none of that psychology rubbish) and get a masters. You will want a salary of $100,000 MINIMUM to be able to live here.

Good luck!

New Yorker

Can I live in Brooklyn for $2000 a month?

Q:
If I make $2000 a month can I afford to live in Brooklyn?

I keep seeing people say you can barely survive in new york on a 45,000 salary, seriously? I guess you can't survive on this salary if you are very high maintenance.

I've seen apartments that can cost as low as $1,100 (with utilities included) which is very affordable for someone pulling in near $2000 a month. I spend about $160 a month on grocery, $60 on lights, $40 on food, $20-$40 on transportation and $40 a month on my phone bill and the rest I just throw into savings.

I don't drink, smoke, party, go out to eat or go out much at all and when and if I do go out it would cheap deals like on discount days at the museum. So I don't have to worry about money consuming vices. I also don't eat much and I don't eat any meat or dairy so food shopping is very easy for me. I am a frugal person with a good handle on money so it would not be hard to manage,.

So why does everyone say you have to make $80,000 plus just to live in NYC?

I am moving to Brooklyn regardless. I can't see how I can't make it on $2000 a month, am I missing something?

A:
You can definitely live on $2000 a month in Brooklyn, especially if you live with roommates and share expenses. But I agree with the other answerers - it will be tight. Your transportation costs, bills and food will be much higher than you are predicting.

I live in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn. Studio apartments in my neighborhood start at around $1150, and I'm sharing a two-bedroom place for $725 a person. It's is not too far from a vegetarian-friendly grocery store and the express train to Manhattan, so it's a good place for me to live, but it's not what most people would consider a "desirable location." Apartments get a lot more expensive as you get closer to Manhattan, so while $1450 gets us a modest-sized two-bedroom apartment in Greenwood Heights, it might only get you a small studio in Williamsburg or Park Slope.

My monthly costs are quite a bit higher than you predict for yourself, and I think we live similar lifestyles after you factor out my love for the drink. We keep things to a minimum at our place (no cable) and still pay between $50 and $60 a month each in bills. You'll pay twice that if you live alone. Transportation costs will be *much* higher than you're predicting, and I highly recommend getting a monthly Metrocard ($104) and sticking to the public transit, since owning a car can become too much.

In terms of food, I almost believe you when you say you only spend $40 a week in food, but I can't imagine it will last. Once you're in the stream of New York City life, you'll find less and less time to cook, and once you've broken the take-out seal, it's going to be hard to go back to cooking every night. You should prepare to spend at least $100 a week in food, on lean week, even if you're cooking most of your meals.

All of those basic expenses come to about $1400 a month with a roommate, and would be closer to $1800 if you live alone. I'm believing you when you say you don't go out and don't drink, but if you do, you're looking at at least $200 a month on top of that. So you'll be fine, but it will be tight, and probably won't work if you don't find a roommate. Subletting a room while you get your feet on the ground might be the best way to start.

Side note: Be careful during your apartment search; $1100 apartments are not unheard of, but they're rare. There are a lot of shady cats working as real estate brokers in New York City, and those less-expensive apartment listings are frequently the bait in a bait-and-switch scenario. They'll get you to meet them and once you're on their turf they'll tell you they "just rented" the apartment they listed. They'll ask you if you want to see other apartments, but those will not be as nice as the picture in the ad, or will be more expensive. If you want to avoid that headache, your best bet is finding someone who is happy with their apartment and asking them how they got it, or paying for an honest broker (yes they exist.)

New Years Eve in New York for college aged group of girls?

We're a group of 3 college-aged girls from Australia and are looking to go out for a fun night in Manhattan for New Years Eve. We don't want to brave the crowds and go to Times Square for the ball drop but are looking for a bar with a relaxed attitude where we can dance to good music (R&B, Top 40, Hip Hop, etc) and also be able to hear each other talk and meet other people around our age. Preferably $100 or less for entry and open bar. Hope we're not being too demanding haha!

A:
Are you all over 21? If so, you can find something along the lines of what you're looking for, minus the open bar. Bars and clubs are open to make money, and liquor makes them money. You can either have music, or hear each other talk, not both.
If you're under 21, you'll have to find a non-alcoholic option.

What hotels are good to stay at in New York City, New York?

Myself and two friends are going to be visiting New York in September for like four days, and we were wondering what are good hotels to stay at in New York City. We don't need to stay at a five star hotel because we are basically just going sleep and shower there. We would like something that is somewhat price reasonable and to have an enjoyable stay.

A-1:
It might be a good idea to stay in a hotel in Brooklyn like the Park House Hotel. Not only is it usually cheaper to stay in a Brooklyn hotel rather than say Times Square, and you'll still be near tons of attractions such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Marine Park, Central Park, Times Square, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Prospect Park & Zoo and more. Visit http://www.parkhousehotelbrooklyn.com/ to find out more and make reservations.

A-2:
These are the cheapest hotels in new york city.......

= Park Savoy Hotel
158 West 58th St
New York, NY 10019
From $80 + tax per night*

= New York Inn
765 Eight Ave (by 47th St)
New York, NY 10036, USA
From $79 + tax per night*

= Hotel on 44
343 W. 44th Street
New York, NY 1003
Fromm $129.99 + tax per night*