Moving to New York City is a dream come true for many, but turning a dream into reality isn’t a walk in Central Park. Between comparing moving companies and self storage prices, apartment hunting and getting lost on the subway, who has time to even settle in? We put together these seven tips for living in NYC which will help you start your new life in the city on the right foot.
1. Less is More
New York is famous for its less than spacious apartments, so it’s good to start by cutting down on the amount of stuff using up your space. Not only will you save money on your move, it’ll also be easier to fit all your stuff in your new place. Rule of thumb is to toss, give or sell anything you haven’t used over the past year but this process is so therapeutic many find themselves shedding much more than that. Self storage unit is a great solution for the items you can’t part with but can’t find room for and keep your space clutter free.
2. Decorating Hacks for the Spaciously Challenged
Just because your apartment isn’t very big doesn’t mean it needs to feel cramped. Use these decorating tips to make the most of your space:
- Stick to light colors when painting your new pad- darker colors can make a room feel stuffy.
- If you’re the kind of person who must have bright colors in their space, choose one and use its different tones as color splashes. Too many bright colors in a small space can make it feel even smaller.
- Painting the ceiling a touch darker than the walls will create an optical illusion of space, and a lighter tone for the floor will extend the illusion even further. If you can’t change the color of the floor, a simple rug will do the trick.
- Use multifunctional furniture – a desk that doubles as a dining table, a bench that doubles as a coffee table and storage unit – there are many clever solutions out there that are also easy on the eyes.
- A well-placed mirror can make a room seem larger than it is. Placing a mirror across from the window will also give you more light.
- Planting a nice wall garden can bring a touch of freshness to your urban abode without taking up too much valuable space.
3. Learn the Local Lingo
A good way to blend in is to get familiar with the local slang. As a New Yorker, you should know that Houston is pronounced How-ston, “The Island” refers to Long Island (not Manhattan or Staten Island) and “schmear” is what they do to a bagel and some cream cheese at the deli.
4. Budget Tweaks
Relocating to NYC means reevaluating your living expenses and adjusting your budget to its generally higher cost of living. In fact, New York City is considered the most expensive city in the country, so a carefully planned budget is a must. Use this link to get a clue on average NYC prices of housing, transportation, eating out, and more.
5. Boredom Be Gone
New York City is not a place to get bored in. There is always something happening, and it’s usually exciting and fun. Sometimes it’s even free! Keep yourself informed of all the concerts, exhibitions, festivals, movies and shows the city is so famous for.
6. Find You Way
Say hello to your new best friend, Google Maps. You’re going to have some fascinating times together navigating the bustling and often confusing metropolis. Don’t worry, it won’t get jealous when you bring City Mapper or Transit App along for the ride. These apps provide all the information you need to get around town, including detailed directions and up-to-date transit information. For more mass transit resources check out this blog post.
7. Get a (Social) Life
To really call your new city home, you need to make new friends. Instead of waiting for new friends to magically appear in your school or office, why not take a proactive approach? New York City has so many classes, hobby groups, sports leagues and cultural communities, you only need to define your interests and then go about finding like-minded people. Are you into yoga? Wine tasting? Herbalism? Semi-pro bowling? Have you always dreamed of learning Italian, watercolor painting or glass blowing? There’s most likely a class or a group meeting right up your alley somewhere in the city. You won’t just be bettering yourself, you’ll be meeting people, making friends and having fun. Check out Meetup NYC to find local groups or even start one of your own.
While you’re making new friends in the city, keep in touch with your old friends and family back home – you can never have too many good people in your support network.
Don’t forget your New York City movers, check the best of them here!
Best of luck!
