A Piece of Advice for Those Who Are Moving to New York

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Moving to another city is both fun and pain. To some people, everything seems new and exciting but it can also be a little scary for some. Preparing for the move well in advance and smartly is the only way to get out of the insecurity that unfamiliarity of a new city can bring. Along with emotional and social benefits, pre-planning will avoid the overspending that is almost always a result of under planning.

It is not easy to get an exact idea of a place before you actually move in there, but you definitely can have a brief idea about the city by visiting it before you start planning your move. New York City is known as the greatest city in the world, with better food, better entertainment and in fact everything better than anyplace else. But if you are shifting from a smaller town then it may not be that easy for you to adapt to the city soon and may take longer than usual to adjust. They say that New York never sleeps, it’s a city which is always on the move and run.

Whether you are considering moving to NYC for work or pursuit of an incredible, new adventure then you can keep the following pieces of advice in mind as these are some of the most important things that you must be aware of before you actually plan your move.

Cost of Living

New York is known to be a costly city and there is no doubt in it as not just housing but almost all your bills will be higher in NYC. The list includes all groceries, entertainment, alcohol, transportation, and minute things. The overall cost of living in New York is much higher than any other city in the country so if you are planning to move to New York, this is the first and foremost thing that you should keep in mind.

Broker’s Fee

Renting a house in New York is not an easy task as its rental market is too expensive to handle. You have to pay 10% to 15% of the annual rent as brokerage. Though there are a few no-fee apartments in the city due to high demand they are rarely available. You can save a broker’s fee by looking for an online rental website. Though moving in with a stranger is a bit risky but another way to save money is to find a roommate online.

Apartment Size

Apartments in New York are smaller than those you may find in any other city. You have to pay a hefty amount for a small room, so while shifting to New York, you may either have to leave your bigger items back at your native place or you may have to rent a storage unit.

Highest Tax Rates

New York is one of the highest tax-paying city in the country. New Yorkers pay three different income taxes including the federal income tax, the state income tax, and the city income tax. The tax rates can be higher even than 50% depending upon your income. The sales tax in New York is 8.875% which is quite high too. But New York property tax rates are actually fairly reasonable and affordable.

Owning a Car

Affording a car in New York is not easy even according to the U.S. Census, about 56% of New Yorkers don’t own a car. It is so as having a car in New York is a big hassle as there is a huge parking fee. In neighborhoods including most of Manhattan and the denser parts of the other four boroughs of New York, else be prepared to spend 30 minutes or more searching for a spot in the evenings.

Even when you do find parking, you can’t leave it there for long. Once or twice a week you have to move your car to the other side of the street in case of alternate side parking so that street cleaners can come through. And this process is always on.

Know the Subway Map

Though owning a car in New York is a difficult task, but it is equally true that surviving without a car is not a big deal here as it is the most walkable city in the country, with a score of 88. And if you don’t mind spending some cash then taxis are also vastly available.

The most highlighted part of transportation in New York is its Subway system. It is very much recommended to download a map of the subway system of New York and you will be sorted to move around.

Beaches

It is a metropolitan city with beaches so you don’t need to spend huge money to reach ashore to enjoy beach life and make sandcastles. Instead, you can easily take the subway to places like Rockaway Beach or Coney Island. Though these places are pretty crowded there are so many more scenic options. You can try areas like Fort Tilden Beach though it is a little harder to get to it is worth the extra effort. Then there are places like Long Island and Robert Moses State Park. These places will make you forget the city for a few hours.

Boroughs of New York

New York has five boroughs including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each one has its own features as Brooklyn is the largest by population and Manhattan is the most expensive place to live.

Avenues/Blocks

New York blocks are not squares but rectangles. Streets here run east-west and are about 250 feet wide and 20 of these is one mile. Avenues in New York run north-south and are 750 feet apart which is about three times the length of a standard block. So, being four avenues over means more than half a mile away.

Longer Travelling Time

It takes longer to reach places in New York due to high traffic rate and aggressive drivers. The places that seem near on a subway map can take you much longer that you might have calculated.

If you are all set to move to New York and kick start a new life, you must not forget to hire the best local movers in NYC to ensure you move is easy and efficient.

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