Chicago,Broklyn,Washington,Philly or Hudson County (living, best, compare)

[rich4never]

Which of these cities would be best for an emancipated 16yo self employed male. I buy and sell designer clothes and jewelry online and in person. Most of my sales are in person through Craigslist,Let go etc. My current metropolitan area isn't very large and doesn't have many fashion fanatics so my sales are stagnating. I plan on moving to a larger Metro area so my sales from meetings can increase. I am looking to spend no more than $1500 a month on rent. Quality of living for this price would be much higher in Chicago or Philly, but I would have access to many more people in Hudson County(NJ) or Brooklyn. I'm looking for an area with an abundance of wealthy people and an area with a lot of fashion interested people. The obvious choices would be Washington or NY Metro. In leaning most towards Chicago, and least towards Philly(25% poverty rate!) Any help with this decision would be appreciated.
//I live in Ga//I love density and diversity

[citylove101]

If you are going to be in the fashion business NYC metro (Brooklyn, Hudson County) is the only real choice here, even if you still do a lot of online sales. However at 16 it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to land a place to live, even a share. Most folks won't trust that a teenager-- even a mature teenager who is/has been on his own-- will be a solid, trouble-free tenant who pays his rent on time. I don't even know if a 16-year-old can legally sign a lease, emancipated or not. Stay where you are and finish high school while you build your business online. Save some cash 'cause you'll need it. Then when you're 18 it'll be a lot easier to leave for somewhere else.


Good luck.

[rich4never]

Thanks very much. That was the area I was considering most(at first). Its just that the NY metro area is so expensive. I already graduated HS, (I took extra classes online and Summer school). The NY area has several turn always for me: I like bulk shopping(food) and the NY metro doesn't have many supermarkets. The idea of eating at restaurants a lot and buying small amounts of groceries is a major turn away, second is that for my budget, I can love a much higher quality of life in Chicago or Philly. Ik that that NYmetro is the obvious choice, but can the fashion markets in Chicago, Philly or DC even compare with that of NYM?
/I also plan on expanding to buy and sell other things also.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by rich4never

Thanks very much. That was the area I was considering most(at first). Its just that the NY metro area is so expensive. I already graduated HS, (I took extra classes online and Summer school). The NY area has several turn always for me: I like bulk shopping(food) and the NY metro doesn't have many supermarkets. The idea of eating at restaurants a lot and buying small amounts of groceries is a major turn away, second is that for my budget, I can love a much higher quality of life in Chicago or Philly. Ik that that NYmetro is the obvious choice, but can the fashion markets in Chicago, Philly or DC even compare with that of NYM?
/I also plan on expanding to buy and sell other things also.

Chicago but got to be careful with neighborhoods majority of bad ones are on south and west side of Chicago. You got checkout Jersey City, NJ 15 mins commute to Manhattan rents around $1400-$2200. You going need make aleast almost 3000-3800 monthly

[rich4never]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Chicago but got to be careful with neighborhoods majority of bad ones are on south and west side of Chicago. You got checkout Jersey City, NJ 15 mins commute to Manhattan rents around $1400-$2200. You going need make aleast almost 3000-3800 monthly

Yeah, I really like Chicago,especially since I could get a very nice apartment in the city center for under $1500. The thing is I know that my sales would be a lot more successful in Jersey. People in Chicago don't seem very interested in fashion. Neighborhood wise for the same budget in Jersey City, its possible that I could end up in a not so good neighborhood. If you've been in Chicago have you seen many people wearing designer or shopping in stores? I also will likely expand to sell other things. Are classifieds like Craigslist, Chicago tribune ads, and Letgo popular in Chicago?(Also Philly)

[rich4never]

Originally Posted by citylove101

If you are going to be in the fashion business NYC metro (Brooklyn, Hudson County) is the only real choice here, even if you still do a lot of online sales. However at 16 it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to land a place to live, even a share. Most folks won't trust that a teenager-- even a mature teenager who is/has been on his own-- will be a solid, trouble-free tenant who pays his rent on time. I don't even know if a 16-year-old can legally sign a lease, emancipated or not. Stay where you are and finish high school while you build your business online. Save some cash 'cause you'll need it. Then when you're 18 it'll be a lot easier to leave for somewhere else.


Good luck.

Thanks very much. That was the area I was considering most(at first). Its just that the NY metro area is so expensive. I already graduated HS, (I took extra classes online and Summer school). The NY area has several turn always for me: I like bulk shopping(food) and the NY metro doesn't have many supermarkets. The idea of eating at restaurants a lot and buying small amounts of groceries is a major turn away, second is that for my budget, I can live a much higher quality of life in Chicago or Philly. Ik that that NYmetro is the obvious choice, but can the fashion markets in Chicago, Philly or DC even compare with that of NYM? /I also plan on expanding to buy and sell other things also.

[gladhands]

Queens or the Bronx. You’re still in NYC, but your rent will be cheaper.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Queens or the Bronx. You’re still in NYC, but your rent will be cheaper.

Rents in Queens and The Bronx are still expensive