What to Expect When Moving to New York City

Moving to New York City can be both an exciting and daunting experience. The city is huge, and there’s always something going on. You’ll never be bored in NYC. But you will also have to contend with high rents, crowded subways, and a fast pace of life.

Are you planning to move to New York?

Here are some of the things you can expect when you move to the city:

Each borough has a unique characteristic.

Picking the right neighborhood for you will make or break your stay in New York. There are 5 boroughs or smaller cities within the bigger metropolis, and each one has something unique to offer depending on your personal situation.

Manhattan is a commercial, cultural and financial center, so it’s densely populated, busier, and more expensive than the other boroughs. If you’re looking for more of a suburban feel, Queens or Brooklyn may be more your speed. Staten Island is the more residential borough and The Bronx is known for being the home of Yankee Stadium.

New York has a lot of energy, so be prepared to keep up.

New York is a hard-working city, which makes people incredibly busy and focused. You’ll need to pick up the pace, literally and metaphorically, so you don’t get left behind.

Whether it’s because most people don’t own cars, or they have a multitude of things to do, New Yorkers tend to walk very fast. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself adjusting your pace while walking in its busy streets. As one Manhattanite put it, “We walk fast because we’re always going someplace.”

Renting in New York City is competitive and expensive.

One of the most difficult things about moving to New York City is finding a place to live. The city is expensive, and space is limited. So you’re not alone if you’ve found the rental market to be cutthroat.

Two-thirds of New Yorkers rent, and some surveys suggest that renters don’t even consider buying a home during their moving process. But finding a rental that fits your lifestyle and budget is not impossible. Lots of people before you have found theirs, so take heart. It takes more patience and effort to find your own place, but it will be worth it in the end.

New York is a great place to raise children.

If you’re a parent raising a child in New York, you need to train them to go on public transport. This is not easy for many parents to do, but most kids in New York learn to take the subway at an early age. The upside is that kids grow to be more independent earlier than their peers in other cities. Besides, being able to move around the city in public transit has a lot of perks.

New York is a great place to explore art and culture. It is home to the Metropolitan Museum, the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. Not to mention, the city has 30,000 acres of parks and public playgrounds and some of the best schools in the country. New York is also the host of spectacular annual celebrations. There’s always an event or festival going on in NYC, no matter the time of year.

Use public transportation to move around the city.

Public transportation is robust. The trains go everywhere and run 24/7. However, many New Yorkers will walk miles to get to their destinations. So, you’ll need to know your way around the buses, taxis, trains, and ferries.

If you’re looking for a more affordable way to get around the city, you can take advantage of Citi Bike, NYC’s official bike-sharing system. You can find these bikes all around Manhattan, and they’re a great way to get some exercise while getting from place to place. Taking a Citi Bike is also a great way to sightsee. You can explore different neighborhoods and find new places you never would have found otherwise.

Be prepared for the high cost of living.

New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Eating out, going to bars, and taking cabs will all add up quickly. Healthcare is also a necessary expense, with most households spending over $7,000 per year.

If you want to save money, cook at home as much as possible and take advantage of free activities around the city. There are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you a dime, like visiting Central Park or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Take public transportation to get around. A 30-day MetroCard pass costs as low as $127 per month and you get access to all the trains and their destinations.

Embrace your neighborhood’s diversity and history.

The New York metropolitan area is home to over 600 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. This diversity influences art, music and food. You could pass by a pizzeria, a mom-and-pop Asian cafeteria, and a 5-star Michelin restaurant all in the same block. In addition, you’ll find 116 historical landmarks all around the city.

If you’re interested in learning about your neighborhood, start by asking a local about its history. You’ll be surprised at how much they know. Knowing the history of your neighborhood – and embracing it – is one way to become a New Yorker, instead of being “a person who lives in New York”.

Are you ready for New York?

Whether you’re moving to New York City for work or study, alone or with family, the experience will be an interesting one. It’s worth getting to know the city before you move and embracing its diversity and uniqueness when you live there. New Yorkers are passionate about their city, and you will be, too, once you make it your home.

Hire professional movers for your NYC move.

They’ll save you time and spare you the hassle that comes with moving to a new place. The Padded Wagon has been serving New York and New Jersey for over 60 years. You can take advantage of our experience to move you safely and easily into your new place in the city.