While it’s true that living in any part of New York is going to be an experience you’re likely going to want to relive, Manhattan seems to be on a whole different level. In fact, this is arguably the best place in New York and lots of people would do anything to be able to live here. Therefore, if you plan on moving to NYC very soon, then you should know that there are quite a few things you need to keep in mind to make this process as easy as possible.
1. Get Comfortable with Public Transportation
The public transportation in Manhattan is amazing, essential, and you can take the subway, the bus or a cab to get to your desired destination. If you have a car, you’ll find that driving through the city is very complicated. Even if you do find a nice parking spot, you’re likely going to have to give it up the next day to facilitate the frequent and efficient street cleaning. So, if you won’t drive your car daily, your best bet would be to use a car storage unit to keep it safe.
2. Reevaluate Your Budget
If you want to live in Manhattan, you should know it can get pretty expensive. If you lived on $48,000 a year as a family of four, you’d need to more than double that amount to $93,500 to replicate your lifestyle in Manhattan. The biggest expenses include insurance, child care and, of course, housing. Speaking of housing, the average rent is $2,258 a month—and that is if you want to live in a low-cost, probably far-from-the-action neighborhood.
3. Plan for a Different Type of Shopping Trip
Grocery shopping in Manhattan is a totally different experience than what you’re accustomed to. In fact, many people here make more frequent trips to the grocery store, since it allows them to save quite a bit of money this way. If you want to survive in this city, then you’ll also need to get accustomed to doing that too.
4. Get Ready to Adjust Your Pace
Did you know that people in Manhattan have the lowest obesity rate in the country? Well, that’s possible because they just walk a lot. Therefore, if you plan on moving here, you may want to get used to walking just about anywhere. Not only is it healthier, but it also saves you a lot of money.
5. Downsize Your Belongings
If you want to move to Manhattan and buy a home, you’d better be financially prepared. In 2014, the price per square foot rose to a startling $1,363 dollars. The only way you can save money if you plan on living here and getting an apartment is to downside to as few belongings as you can. If you have items that you don’t always need, but don’t want to ditch, you should look into getting a personal storage unit.
6. Get to Know the City Before You Commit
For a lot of people, living in Manhattan is a first and if that applies to you as well, then you may want to get ready both mentally, physically and financially. The good news is that part of the costs for your move may be covered by your employer and the moving expenses related to job relocation (if that’s why you’re moving in Manhattan) are generally tax deductible.
All in all, it’s recommended that you explore Manhattan and its many neighborhoods before you plan on moving here. Make sure you also get in touch with several moving companies since they can make your move that much easier, safer, and simpler. And since you’ll have some free time on your hands, it’s certainly a good idea to start scouting for a new home!
