Moving to New York

**idesignm2** · June 26th, 2006, 08:56 PM

OK, so I am a 24 year old graphic designer from Syracuse, NY. I graduated from college about a year ago with my BFA in design. I have yet to find something in my field here. In fact, I have worked in a computer warehouse for the better part of the last year. I decided about 6 months ago that it was time for me to move elsewhere. And I have always had that desire to move to New York City, so I figured I am still young and I can afford to make mistakes. When I move which is going to be August 1st, I am going to have around $3,000 saved. I am looking into finding roommates and have been looking mostly in the Astoria area because I have heard nothing but great things about the area.

Also, I had a few interviews in Manhattan. One said they wanted more experience, the other said they would have probably hired me if I was living in the area already. Yes I am going to the city without a job. I plan to freelance when I get there. I have some work set up with the Delia's clothing corporation and possibly some others. I have been networking like crazy.

I live at home with my parents and if things don't work out in the city, then I can just move back home. Does anyone have any advice? I am trying to avoid the brokers fees. I just think finding a roommate will be best.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**milleniumcab** · June 26th, 2006, 10:38 PM

idesignm2,
This thread offers a lot of info, go back and read some.

I will only tell you this... If you see moving back home as an option , you will never try hard enough..

**idesignm2** · June 27th, 2006, 01:45 PM

Actually, I was browsing through the topic, but I figured I would ask something more specific with me. I was hoping maybe to find any graphic designers who post on here who may offer me advice as it pertains to looking for work in my field and all that too.

But yeah, sorry to ask a question I am sure has been asked repeatedly. This post is really helpful. And I know that living at home is an option, but if I end up coming back then I will be coming home to fight for a bunch of months to find another crappy job not relating to my field which would serve as my constant reminder as to why I should be doing better. And believe me, knowing that is all the motivation I need to find something in the city.

**starlite8907** · June 28th, 2006, 01:07 PM

Im a high school senior planning on either moving to NYC to attend NYU for college or law school or after I graduate law school (Northwestern is my second choice). Is this too big of a move for someone my age,since I'll be only 17 when I enter college? Should I wait until I attend law school and save money up to move to NYC? Or should I just move after I finish law school?

**Schadenfrau** · June 28th, 2006, 01:49 PM

I don't understand what you're asking? You're asking if you should go to college in New York?

**MrSpice** · June 28th, 2006, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by starlite8907

Im a high school senior planning on either moving to NYC to attend NYU for college or law school or after I graduate law school (Northwestern is my second choice). Is this too big of a move for someone my age,since I'll be only 17 when I enter college? Should I wait until I attend law school and save money up to move to NYC? Or should I just move after I finish law school?

It's a personal choice. Look at the expenses, look at the lifestyle (city as opposed to suburban lifestyle that most colleges in the country offer). Your age in itself won't make a difference either way. You plans regarding the law school may actually change after you spend a few years in college. NYC Law School is extremely competitive. How are you so sure you'll be able to get in? I think the best way for you to plan your college life is think about your college education first. See where they will accept you first. Travel to those places and see which one you like better.

**rknarr** · June 30th, 2006, 02:30 PM

How hard is it to find a job around the city in queens/manhattan for a college student. Just a basic job that pays $8-10/hr to help offset some of the costs of living in NYC?

**mark_miao** · June 30th, 2006, 11:18 PM

hi everyone , i come to country ,and now come to the city for working ,exactly saying ,for living

**antinimby** · July 1st, 2006, 01:32 AM

rknarr: not any harder than any place else.

mark_miao: welcome to our country and New York.

**rknarr** · July 1st, 2006, 08:31 PM

antinimby,

thanks for the response, wasnt sure if it would be harder or not

**PrettyRicky215** · July 6th, 2006, 11:45 PM

I am moving to NYC next summer and Im married and have 2 small kids. I will be working in downtown Manhattan. I'm looking for a good residential neighborhood, somewhere that I can pretty much walk everywhere; church, grocery store ect. Although saftey is an issue because of the kids, from what I have read NYC is all-around generally safe. I dont mind a moderate commute to work (45-60 min max) and I don't care which borough. I'm looking to spend around $1500 a month for a 2 bedroom. Any suggestions??? I will be visiting NYC frequently throughout the next year and I would like to know where to look. Thanks in advance.

**Demile** · July 7th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Hi, I'm new to the board and I must start off by saying, wow, what a great forum!

I am a 20 year old female, currently living in Northern California. I am working one job full-time and am searching for a second full or part-time job. I am saving up every freaking cent I make because I plan on moving to NYC in the next year or so.

I have a few questions.

I am looking into moving to Queens, specifically Sunnyside or Woodside, as I hear that is where the some of the cheapest housing is located. It also is appealing to me as I hear it is very ethnically diverse (though, isn't most of NYC?) and Queens apparently has a ton of bars/pubs. Confirm? Deny?

What are some of the cheapest prices anyone has seen? I have searched listings online and have seen some places in the $600-$800/month range, which in my opinion sounds really low, even if it is a studio or one bedroom... then of course there are places that are much, much higher.

My only requirements are:
-Studio or 1-bedroom
-Cat allowed
-High-Speed internet (strongly preferred but I can live without... maybe.)

Would I be better off with landlord controlled/paid heating? or a place where I pay it myself? I have heard some real horror stories about landlord controlled/paid heating. I never use heat as it is, even in the frozen and semi-frozen winters here.

Moreover, what is the job market like? I am going to have a fair amount of money set aside before I make the move (several thousand) but how easy or difficult is it to get a job? I have plenty of food service/hospitality experience and some retail experience, and I am going to have more in both by the time I move. How much should I have to make per month to afford SURVIVING in Sunnyside or Woodside? I'm not asking to live luxuriously, I just want to survive... I can live the life of luxury after I make my millions and move into a Manhattan high rise. (haha... yeah, right.)

What about cars? I don't have a car at the moment but I plan on getting one in the future to make transportation at my current location easier... and the move. Should I even bother keeping it? All signs so far are pointing to no, as parking would be a pain in the butt and it would just be ANOTHER expense breaking into my cashflow.

Any advice is welcome.

The first reaction I get from anyone around here when I tell them I want to move to NYC is "WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU EVER WANT TO DO THAT?" because to them the entire world consists of Redwood trees and marijuana. I NEED more than that.

But why do I want to? Well, aside from being a dream of mine, I also want to eventually go to New York School of Interior Design... but for now I just have the need to get out and live. I hate California with a passion and have always wanted to move to New York... and after the times I have been there I have just fallen in love with it even more.

Thanks a bunch!

-Demile

**AsianNYLover** · July 8th, 2006, 02:44 AM

"I hate California with a passion and have always wanted to move to New York... and after the times I have been there I have just fallen in love with it even more." Quote

Hey I'm moving to NYC as well in about a year or so. I currently live in the Los Angeles Area. Lived in LA almost 3 years now. It kinda Sucks out here. New York is so much better and nicer. I can't wait to move. People I have talked to think I'm crazy to make the move. I'm currently working as a Server/Runner at a restuarant and currently looking for a second job to save some money. I moved to LA to go to school at a film school to work in the entertainment industry. LA isn't the only city I can find work in the entertaiment industry. There is alot of job opportunities in NYC as well.

**RicanPrincipessa** · July 10th, 2006, 12:43 AM

Hey everyone!

I'm 19, coming from Florida and plan on moving to NY in December.

I want to attend school in SOHO and live near or in SOHO. Would anyone know of any good areas to check out?

I'm also wondering about the cost of living. I won't have that much saved up for the trip since it's last minute.

I really would like to find a nice lil place in a safe area where I can afford to live but also be able to go out once in a while.

How much would I have to make to not have to live paycheck to paycheck?

Thanx in advance!

**BRT** · July 10th, 2006, 01:43 PM

Living in Soho is going to be pretty difficult on any sort of a budget. It's one of the most expensive areas in town. Does the school you will be going to have any housing? If so, that's probably a good option. If not, consider either New Jersey near a PATH train, in Inwood/Wash heights along the A line, or Brooklyn along the N or R.

The cost of living is high in NYC, but there are deals; housing is really the big unavoidable hit.

How much do you plan to have saved? Depending on how you find housing, you may need to have more saved than you think. I assume on a limited budget you will not be using a broker, but that will probably mean that you need to pay for temporary housing for a few weeks while you look at apartments. And once you find your apartment, you are probably going to need enough to cover two month's rent -- month one plus the security deposit.