If you’ve been eyeing up one of the NYC condos for sale, you’re probably getting pretty excited about the prospect of living in The Big Apple.
New York is like no other. It’s commonly referred to as the ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made’ and millions of people relocate to the city to live out their dreams and desires.
No matter time of the day you head out in New York City, you’ll be greeted with incredible sights, bustling high streets, and amazing people. It’s a multi-cultural city that is full of life, and it’s a great choice for those of you who are ready to live the classic ‘city life’.
You might already be imagining yourself walking down the grid-like streets of New York City with a coffee in hand and the city’s famous yellow cabs passing by every few seconds. But before you get too carried away with your daydreams, there are a few things that you need to think about.
If you plan to move to The Big Apple by yourself, there are lots of things to think about. Moving to a city that is as large and complex as New York requires a lot of careful consideration and planning.
Here are five things to consider before you move to New York City alone.
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Everything is Expensive
New York City is infamous for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. A recent survey showed that the cost of living in New York is 22% higher than the national average.
Whether it’s the significant cost of renting a penthouse apartment or the higher-than-average prices at the grocery store, you can expect to pay a lot more to live even the most basic lifestyle in NYC. That’s not to mention the extortionate costs of property taxes and utility bills.
It’s not just the obvious expenses that you need to consider, either. You also need to think about the smaller things, like gym memberships, entertainment facilities, or eating out at a restaurant. They may not be ‘essentials’ but they might not be things that you’re willing to give up.
Many apartments in New York don’t have washing machines and there isn’t an on-site washing room. This means that you’ll have to take your laundry to a local launderette every time you need clean clothing or bedding. Even if it costs just a few dollars at a time, your laundry expenses can add up over the course of the year.
If you need to use the public transport services, this is another thing to add onto your monthly expenses.
You’ll Be Walking Everywhere
Although New York has a great public transport system that includes regular subway trains, buses, and trams, you might not need to use it that often.
Depending on where you live in NYC, you may be able to walk everywhere. Most of the locals in the city don’t own a car and, instead, they walk to every destination (and probably grab a coffee from one of the hundreds of café in the city along the way).
On average, you’ll walk anywhere from two to ten miles a day in New York City, so you won’t need to worry about hitting your daily 10k steps. So, if you don’t yet have a comfy pair of walking shoes, it might be time to invest in some!
The Competition is High
If you want a new apartment or condo in an upcoming area of the city, you might find it difficult to secure a contract. Millions of people live in New York and people are constantly moving around.
When you’re searching for properties, expect hundreds of others to also be searching at the same time. If you spot a property that you love during your house hunt, you’ll need to act fast. Place your offer as soon as possible to avoid somebody else grabbing the property before you can get your hands on it.
The same applies to jobs. The competition for work is fierce and you’ll need an impressive set of qualifications and lots of work experience to gain a decently paying job in the city.
New York is an attractive city for those who want to work in business, finance, entertainment, or fashion. While this means there are plenty of jobs available at any one time, it also means that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of other people applying for the same jobs.
Don’t Expect the Friendliest Welcome
This sounds like a huge negative but it can also be seen as a positive. The culture of New Yorkers is known as being blunt and ‘to the point’. Most people have extremely busy lives and don’t have the time or energy to be overly friendly.
While you might not have the most welcoming interactions with the locals, this is an advantage when you’re in a rush or you’re not in the mood to talk to other people. You can get on with your day without being bothered or delayed by chatty strangers.
You might now be a little apprehensive about moving to New York after hearing that New Yorkers aren’t the friendliest bunch, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still love your time there. Many of the residents are great people (when they’re not in a rush) and you will probably settle right in as soon as you move.
You Can Find the Peaceful Areas
Despite being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, New York does have its quieter areas. You might need to walk a few miles out of the center to spot them, but they’re there!
If you want to sit and read in the sun one afternoon or walk your dog somewhere nice and quiet, you can definitely find the peaceful areas in New York. There are lots of hidden parks or areas of greenery that provide stunning scenery and some much-needed peace and quiet.
