With almost 20 million residents, New York is one of the most popular cities in the world.
Also known as ‘The Big Apple’, New York is the city that never sleeps. From the Statue of Liberty to Central Park, there a recognizable landmark at every corner. And imagine having these landmarks right at your doorstep?
There are many reasons why you should move join the other quarter of a million people who move to New York each year. In this article, we’re going to give you the ultimate guide to The Big Apple.
Whether you’re heading to NYC from elsewhere in America or you are moving from another country, here’s everything that you need to know before you make your move.
Housing in New York
Due to its popularity, buying or renting a property in New York can be more expensive than elsewhere. Not only this but the application fees and security deposits may also be higher.
If you enjoy living the city life and you don’t mind living in a high-rise apartment complex, New York will be suitable for you. There are larger, detached housing options available but the majority of properties in the city are apartments and condos.
Before you get too excited and organize your removal van, you’ll need to check out the NYC condos for sale if you plan on buying a place. It’s a good idea to take a look around the condo or apartment prior to signing the dotted line so you can get a feel for the local area and the true size of the property.
If you find a property that you adore, don’t sleep on it! Make an offer as soon as you can, otherwise, there’s a significant chance that somebody else will snatch it up. There are thousands of people searching for properties in The Big Apple at any one time, so avoid delaying your decision too much.
For those of you who plan on renting a luxury apartment or basic condo, consider the ongoing costs too. Aside from the monthly rent, you might also need to pay state taxes, maintenance fees, and utility bills. This should be factored into your budget when you’re choosing which property to rent.
Living Costs in New York
The cost of living in a large city is generally more expensive than in a smaller town.
New York isn’t known for its cheap living costs but you are paying for the convenience of having everything you need right on your doorstep. Within just a few minutes walk from your house, you can arrive at a grocery store, theatre, shopping mall, or tourist attraction.
Before you move to New York, you will need to consider your monthly income. You can then compare this to the estimated total costs of living in The Big Apple.
The exact cost of living in New York depends on the area you live and the lifestyle you want to lead. If you choose a more prestigious area of the city, the utility bills, grocery stores, coffee shops, and entertainment facilities might be more expensive.
If you’re someone who enjoys purchasing a morning cup of coffee, going to the movies each week, or updating your wardrobe each season, your cost of living is going to be higher. This is something that you need to factor into your budget before you move to NYC.
Visas For New York
Moving to New York from another country will require you to get a visa. In fact, you’ll need a range of different immigration documents to legally live and work in the city.
These legal documents can take a while to sort out, so it’s best that you start applying for your visa and any relevant work permits several weeks prior to your planned moving date.
The exact visa that you need depends on why you’re moving to New York, where you’re moving from, and the length of time that you plan to stay in the city. Contact the local authorities and immigration services to determine which visa you need to get to ensure you get the right type of visa for your needs.
Your Belongings
If you currently live in a house or large apartment, it’s likely that you will need to get rid of some of your belongings before you moved to New York. Most of the New York apartments are relatively small and they have limited storage space.
You might not want to part with your old high school mementos or the drawings that you did as a child. But if you want to move to New York and leave the city life, there just isn’t room for these things.
You need to think carefully about how you can use your space optimally and this might involve decluttering then non-essential items. Decluttering hour belongings will also save you some money on the moving costs.
Part of your decluttering may involve getting rid of your car. If you’ve moved from a smaller city or a town, selling your car might sound pretty scary.
You might feel like you are giving up your freedom and restricting yourself if you don’t have a vehicle.
However, New York is known for having a great public transport system, including the subway, buses, and trams. Plus, everything is within walkable distance, so it’s unlikely that you will need a car.
Aside from this, it’s extremely expensive to drive and park a car anywhere in the center of New York. And that’s if you can actually find a parking space in the first place.
By selling your car, you won’t need to worry about finding a parking spot and you will save a lot of money on fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs. This is money that you can spend elsewhere or keep in your savings account.
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