New York before I die (Tarrytown, Hartsdale: how much, find a job, transfer to)

[Cocomango]

Hello, this is my first time posting here, so I pray you all will be kind. I am one who has never agreed with the saying there's no such thing as a stupid question. I have lived in Northern CA, DC and now reside in TX. I loved CA and DC, but loathe TX. I have always dreamed of living in NYC or as close to Manhattan as possible, but the thought is actually pretty intimidating. (Can't believe I'm admitting that, as I usually try to be super tough). Anyway, I'm married and my husband is ready for a change too. We both have good jobs and are looking to find something there. Sooo, here's my stupid and very broad question. Do I sound like a country bumpkin who should keep her behind in boring, whitebread TX or would NY be the adventure of a lifetime? Should I be intimidated? What would it be like living there for the first time as a mid-30s young couple (no kids)?

[eek]

do it.
you will love it. come with an open mind. come expecting new experiences, come with the expectation that you will yadda yadda, etc.
its NYC. you already know what to do, lol. good luck in your job search.

[Spincycle]

I'd do it, you'll probably like (or love) Westchester County, parts of Jersey Shore and parts of Brooklyn. Manhattan is crazy but nice to visit and hang out. Look at doing it.

[Cocomango]

Thanks for the quick responses (and I'm definitely open to more). I love all of the positive initial thoughts. My husband and I are visiting a friend in Manhattan next month. I can't wait. OK, so any more thoughts?

[clevedark]

It sounds like the place for you. You'll join many people like yourselves. And it's good that you're doing it as a couple, because your costs will be lower. Now it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be in NYC forever, because lots of folks cycle in and out. Go for it.

Good luck!!!!

[snifferer]

will you guys be quitting your good jobs in TX to move to Manhattan?

If so, you will either need to find jobs here in NYC first or have a year's worth of expenses saved up as it may take a while to find a job here.

Either way - it'll be worth it.

[Cocomango]

Well, yeah we will definitely have to quit to make the move. I wish we had an option to transfer to the same positions there, but that's not an option. I guess what I should have said is we are in good professions that HOPEFULLY will allow us to find something there and make enough money to adjust to the higher cost of living. My guess is that one of us would probably find a job first and the other would eventually. Would be thrilled if we both could at the same time, but if one of us does first, I think we will go ahead and make the move. Just don't want to be 70 years old thinking, Wow, I always wanted to experience living in NYC and hate that I didn't do it. And REALLY dont want to still be in TX saying the same thing.

[snifferer]

what is the level of living standard you would like in NYC? basically - where do you want to live in NYC (manhattan, brooklyn, etc) and how big of a place do u want? we can then give you an idea of the financial picture to see if its a possibility.

[naicha]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

I'd do it, you'll probably like (or love) Westchester County, parts of Jersey Shore and parts of Brooklyn. Manhattan is crazy but nice to visit and hang out. Look at doing it.

I agree here. Sticking to the outer boroughs like Westchester( Hartsdale,Tarrytown, Mt.Vernon). All good 'in-between places( and I am speaking very generally as I don't presume to know how metro or bumpkin you are at now : p). And they are all just a short train ride into the main island of Manhattan.

the island itself may be too crowded and busy fast overwhelming, not sure, I love it( also thirty-something married no kids), but everyone is different.

Come on over! Definitely will expose you to alot. It's like browsing the internet, but for real : p

[OyCrumbler]

If you've lived in DC, then I don't see how you'd be a stranger to city-living. NYC is certainly different, but it's not inconceivably so.

Go ahead and consider what kind of lifestyle you want or are willing to have, how much you have budgeted and saved (and would like to save), and what your job prospects and calculate how it'll work out. We can help you out more once you have these figured out.