Moving to NYC directly after high school (New York, Greene: apartments, lease) - New York City - City-Data Forum

CJMac02 · 12-01-2013, 10:20 PM

Hi! My name's CJ. I'm currently in high school. I'm the type of person who loves to think of the future and at this point in my high school career it is critical to do so, and for a while, I've been considering where I want to go after high school. I'm stuck on New York City, specifically, the borough of Brooklyn. I'm aware of the high cost of living and the dangers of a new city, but I love the idea of a New York lifestyle. I've seen the city in person briefly, but it resonates with other large cities I've spent allot of time in, notably London. There are some unique things that appeal to me though such as the cozy apartments, bodega's, and the never-stopping lifestyle New Yorkers live. I feel that I'll be ready at age 18 to face all of the challenges. I do have a few questions though.

1. Is Brooklyn my best option and if so, what neighborhoods? I've heard Ft. Greene is a good area, but the lifestyle isn't as downtown oriented as I'd like it to be.

2. Where would I look for jobs once I arrive? Agencies, franchises, etc.? Keeping in mind that I'd like to work with people, but I won't do industrial work.

3. What is the median cost of living per month in New York and specifically in Brooklyn?

4. What advice do you have for this aspiring New Yorker?

All responses are greatly appreciated! I'm in the process of researching and you all can help me greatly. This doesn't mean that I'm going to definitely move to New York, but I'm seriously contemplating it. I love the Big Apple and I think it's truly the greatest city in the world, all of it's challenges aside.

Above Average Bear · 12-01-2013, 10:23 PM

Is this 3 or 4 today?

Dangerous-Boy · 12-01-2013, 11:03 PM

You should go to college, a trade school, or join the military.

If you want the city life, go to Baltimore. its even cheaper than philly and has a decent mass transportation system and its on the northeast corridor.

You come to nyc with no jobs skills and money, the streets will rape every hole the gods drilled into your body.

Should also read this book:

Learn to Earn: A Beginner's Guide to the Basics of Investing and Business: Peter Lynch, John Rothchild: 9780684811635: Amazon.com: Books

Good luck in nyc.

Mr. Ryu · 12-02-2013, 04:25 AM

I agree with Dangerous boy. You are 18 with no work experience. Unless you are a HOT 18 year old girl with a killer body then it might work for you (ie; stripper, escort, sugar daddy, etc). But if you are a dude and you don't want to work industrial jobs then it's probably best to stay where you are and attend college.

What kind of job are you trying to attain here? ( a good portion of them require a college degree and several years of experience)

Are you parents wealthy? (if so, then come to NYC and live off them)

joeymags · 12-02-2013, 05:10 AM

Okay, so you want to work with people. That narrows it down. Ill refine my thoughts based on that info and get back to you

Borninnycliveinnyc · 12-02-2013, 05:29 AM

Join the army

Harlem resident · 12-02-2013, 07:00 AM

First it was "Sex in the City," now it is "Girls." Go Brooklyn.

babo111 · 12-02-2013, 08:05 AM

Best option for you to come experience life in NYC is for college for a useful degree that has much higher probability of translating into a real job. Degrees like Accounting, Engineering, etc.

Otherwise, yeah what The Ryu said.

citylove101 · 12-02-2013, 08:31 AM

Only (legit) job that I can think of where a new guy in town MIGHT be able to eke out a living in NYC fairly quickly would be driving a taxi cab. It's what many immigrants do for their first job. But you'd have to be here to take the test for that and the test, of coure, requires at least a basic knowledge of the city geogrpahy. You'd also need several hundred bucks (I don't know how much a weekly cab lease is these days) to start up. But you could make enough to share an apartment somewhere and have some free time to enjoy the city a bit. And God know, you'd get to work with people!

But as others have said, the best bet is to go to college or join the service and THEN come to to NYC when you have some marketable skills, some cash, and maybe even some friends from here who can help you navigate the place and get settled. Otherwise, you're definitely doing it the hard way.

RageX · 12-02-2013, 10:48 AM

I'm from here.
I know a decent number of people here.
I spent 7 years in the Army.
Saved most of that money and have no debts.
Getting a GI Bill degree.
I know the areas here.
I'm bilingual (not the sort-of speaking bilingual either but, the read-write kind)
...and it's still rough for me...

It's not dangerous here like it used to be before Giuliani.
You'd actually be pretty safe, at least from crime.
What makes your idea really bad is that you have no economic viability here.

I wouldn't have moved back here if my child's mom didn't rush back here cuz' she thinks she can be famous or some crap and, most importantly, I love my child!

It's a tacky analogy but, I think it might be accurate; NYC is like the financial version of the UFC. You can't come here thinking you can hang just cuz' you're "young" or "spirited". You'll get knocked out in seconds (financial equivalent: homeless in a month). You better have some hand to hand skills (financial equivalent: some degree, multiple certifications) or some obvious natural size / speed advantage (financial equivalent: being a hot chick, having rich parents)