Moving to NYC - Am I an Idiot? (New York, York: condos, neighborhoods) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Cosmic · 10-01-2006, 02:27 PM

Yeah, you are an idiot.

But having said that, the potential and experience are probably something you will wonder about for the rest of your life if you don't do it now.

NYC is like all big cities. A zillion reasons to leave, only you can put together a list of reasons for wanting to go / or staying. It may come down to what friends you make quickly. Can be super bad if you are a loner, Heaven with the right people. A lot will depend on your tolerance for people acting badly. That dog dew on the streets is difficult to dodge with your eyes in the clouds.

NYC has a super amount to offer in terms of entertainment if you can cut thru the clutter. I have been in NYC and had great times. Been there other times and was miserable. Some of those people are difficult to take. Like most other big cities, just over run by illegals of all stripes. Just the grime of all those eastern big cities can get to you after a while. Think of them stealing your car as a "Ride Sharing Program".

I would not like to live there ever. Way too many other idiots. Only way to have a past is go do it.

Milliano · 10-01-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickL28

Then why do you stay in Manhattan which will eat you alive if you are not making a minimum of $100,000 a year. Even in the 'other 4 boros' you really should be making over $75,000 as a single person for even the most basic budget.

Then how and why do so many people live there for far less salary than what you suggest is 'minimum'?

willbo1 · 10-02-2006, 12:23 PM

Manhattan is out. Don't even think about it on that salary. You would need to share which isn't necessarily a bad thing but the area(s) that would be options will not be the greatest, or even 3rd greatest. In addition, you will have basically no income to truly enjoy NYC. As was said, it is tough living and even tougher when you are living paycheck and credit card to paycheck and minimum monthly credit card payment. If you know you will be getting a signifcant raise at some point fairly soon after the move, it may be worth it for that short period as NYC is great fun.

key · 10-04-2006, 11:06 PM

WHERE in Queens are you getting a nice apt for $650?! I've never even heard of such a thing! Even in the 'bad' sections, the cheapest is pushing a grand, for a studio walk-up of god knows how many stories!

My sig other grew up there, and we visit constantly. Thought of moving there several times, but the apartments were so ridiculous!

You have to remember a LOT of the people who live there on lower salaries have for generations, and they are in rent controlled apartments, and a great many of them are on public assistance, so they're getting their apts for close to nothing.

To just pick up and move there, as a middle-class American, even with a job, is going to be tough. But... you only live once!! My only advice is to make sure you have EVERYTHING lined up ahead of time... especially the apartment, take a visit, see it, sign the papers, give the downpayment (which is usually first & last plus security), and get the keys. Things tend to 'fall through' a lot in NY.

NickL28 · 10-07-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by key

WHERE in Queens are you getting a nice apt for $650?! I've never even heard of such a thing! Even in the 'bad' sections, the cheapest is pushing a grand, for a studio walk-up of god knows how many stories!

My sig other grew up there, and we visit constantly. Thought of moving there several times, but the apartments were so ridiculous!

You have to remember a LOT of the people who live there on lower salaries have for generations, and they are in rent controlled apartments, and a great many of them are on public assistance, so they're getting their apts for close to nothing.

To just pick up and move there, as a middle-class American, even with a job, is going to be tough. But... you only live once!! My only advice is to make sure you have EVERYTHING lined up ahead of time... especially the apartment, take a visit, see it, sign the papers, give the downpayment (which is usually first & last plus security), and get the keys. Things tend to 'fall through' a lot in NY.

In Queens, the cheapest studio in southern Queens (near the Belt Pkwy) or near the Nassau line starts at well over $1,200 a month.

Rents are approaching $2,000 or more in most neighborhoods that are closer to Manhattan.

And most landlords are very picky. You need to have a stable employment history, earn 45 times the monthly rent, and have a 700+ FICO score to even get approved for an apartment.

NYC & LI are great places IF you are wealthy and if you are making in the mid six figures. $100,000 for a single person isn't enough. You need to make $200,000 or more to fit into the culture of NYC..

key · 10-07-2006, 04:44 PM

Yeah, I knew that was about what the rents were now. When we were looking it was probably about 8 or so years ago. And when you say you need to make $200,000+ to fit into the culture of NYC", that's JUST for the necessities.

Check123 · 10-07-2006, 05:10 PM

I live in Forest Hills, about 45 minutes from Manhattan by subway; I pay $1,400 for a large one bedroom on the top floor of an elevated building, laundry on premises. You can get a nice apartment in a nice area near the Nassau border for about $1,000.

There are millions of people living in NYC, and most do not earn six figures. It is a very livable city, so long as you don't carry a lot of debt.

Needing a good credit score applies to everything you do; renting an apartment, getting a car loan, etc, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickL28

In Queens, the cheapest studio in southern Queens (near the Belt Pkwy) or near the Nassau line starts at well over $1,200 a month.

Rents are approaching $2,000 or more in most neighborhoods that are closer to Manhattan.

And most landlords are very picky. You need to have a stable employment history, earn 45 times the monthly rent, and have a 700+ FICO score to even get approved for an apartment.

NYC & LI are great places IF you are wealthy and if you are making in the mid six figures. $100,000 for a single person isn't enough. You need to make $200,000 or more to fit into the culture of NYC..

bnepler · 10-08-2006, 07:30 PM

If it is a great company, they should give you a great pay instead of a great story to live on.

digital_alana · 10-10-2006, 03:06 PM

Hey, I would ask your future employer if they would give you a 6 monthes before starting work in NY. In 6 monthes, you could sale off all your stuff (only bring pictures & mementos), work plenty of overtime at your present job, thus having little saves before movig to NY. Now, if you are young, I would reccomend you look for housing on bullentin boards at Universities near your work. Be careful & Good Bless you.

Time2Moov · 10-10-2006, 06:04 PM

$45k is a bit low. It can be done though. My advice is to think about what kind of an impact this prospective company will have on your resume. If they are not fortune 500, I say forget it. The reason I say this is you can always use them the same way they sound like they are using you. Work there for 2 years, get the experience and their name on your resume, then go work for a company that pays competitively.

Right off though, forget about living in Manhattan. Start thinking Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Maspeth, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Sunnyside, Woodside, Astoria, etc. If you're Irish or just like the culture, check out Woodside. Tons of Irish culture and immigrants there if you can pay the rent. Astoria is mostly Greek. Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst is mostly Italian. Maspeth is fairly mixed now, but Italian roots. Forest and Rego Park is more Jewish. I like all those areas personally, but if you have an affinity for any one of those cultures that may help in your quest. Good Luck. I made the mistake of leaving back in 2000 searching for a lower cost of living. We're shopping Long Island right now though, and on our way back. No amount of money is worth living anywhere else!

I've either lived in or been to several cities. Nothing beats New York. If you embrace the different cultures and celebrate the diversity there, you'll love it too.