New York City is the ultimate destination for people with big aspirations. It’s a place offering the best of career opportunities, culture, food, lifestyle, and so much more. Are you planning to move to your dream city finally? Well, like any other place, NYC has certain quirks that you may not be familiar with. Unfortunately, life in the city is not straight out of Gossip Girl or Sex and The City.
But don’t let that discourage you! The city is just as charming as you would expect. Before you make the big move, here are a few things you should know about NYC.
1. Rent an Apartment with Natural Light
You may find a lovely apartment at a reasonable rent compared to NYC standards. But there is a catch, the view from the apartment is a dingy courtyard. Is that a deal-breaker? Yes, it is. You may think that you can live without natural light, but it can impact your mood over time, especially because New York apartments are already so tiny. And one thing the pandemic has taught us is that you never know when you have to spend prolonged periods of time indoors.
2. Not Every Area is Well-Connected by Subways
The New York subway system is famous for providing affordable public transit. However, it’s important to note that not every neighborhood is well-connected by the subway. Some areas just have one line, which may be shut down on the weekends for maintenance. Make sure you check subway connectivity prior to picking an area to live in.
3. Know Traffic Laws
If you are planning to take your car, it’s time to prepare yourself to deal with New York roads. In particular, drivers in New York are notorious for being aggressive. Moreover, there are certain traffic laws that are different from other states. We would advise you to learn more about NYC speed camera locations to avoid speeding tickets.
4. Keep Track of Your Packages
If you live in a walk-up without a doorman, your packages are vulnerable to being stolen. So consider moving to a building with a doorman. However, if that’s out of your budget, you should rent a mailbox. It’s an affordable option to keep your packages safe.
5. Visit Your Area at Night
A charming neighborhood can look completely different when the sun goes down. Before moving, make sure you visit your neighborhood at night. You may have to find another place if it’s too noisy to sleep peacefully.
6. Quiet Neighborhoods Exist
While it is a city that never sleeps, it has some neighborhoods that do. You may expect relentless noise everywhere, but some neighborhoods in NYC are a lot quieter.
7. Get a Spare Key
Most New York apartments have slam locks that automatically lock as soon as you shut the door. And if you lock yourself out, you would have to find a locksmith and pay for a new lock. That’s why it’s best to get a spare set of keys. You can leave them with a friend. Or certain bodegas and 24/7 stores also offer a service to keep your spare keys.
8. Look for a Working Intercom
Having a working intercom is so helpful. An intercom makes it incredibly easy to let someone up without having to walk down flights of stairs.
9. Expect a Lot of Rain
Many people who move to New York are surprised by how much it rains. It rains a lot so remember to bring your umbrella and raincoats.
10. Bring Shoes That are Made for Walkin’
When moving to the city, you have to be prepared to walk everywhere. Make sure you pack sturdy and comfortable shoes that will take you through rain, snow, and slush.
Photo by Lorilee E
