5 must-dos when moving to NYC

Moving to New York City is a dream come true for many people. With a population of nearly 9 million people, there is no shortage of stuff to do in the Big Apple. Jobs, educational opportunities, culture and arts, history and nature, just about anything you can think of. The best part is when moving here for the first time, you can leave everything to Roadway Moving NYC moving experts. They’ll also provide you with good advice on top must-dos when moving to NYC. Even if you’re relocating to New York from another country, you don’t have to worry that you’ll not fit in. Around 40% of New Yorkers are foreign-born immigrants. In other words, the city is the hub of diversity and you’ll get a chance to hear and meet people from all over the world.

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Top reasons to move to New York

The reasoning behind moving to New York differentiates from person to person. However, there is a general preference that many future New Yorkers seem to share.

• The epicenter of finance and business opportunities
• Educational opportunities for people of all ages
• Plenty of opportunities for all types of hobbies
• Diverse population and cuisine

Don’t be intimidated by the city that never sleeps. It will take some time to get used to everything, especially if you’ve lived in smaller cities before. One of the biggest shocks for most people is that New York is indeed expensive. You’ll end up spending more than you’d like on rent, groceries, transportation, etc. However, it only takes a bit of trial and error and a lot of patience to brave the challenge of living in New York. With this in mind here are some of the must-dos when moving to NYC for the first time.

Planning your budget is one of the must-does when moving to NYC

To prepare for higher prices, plan your budget in advance as much as possible. Make a list of what you’d like to have and what you can’t live without. This is a perfect start for any part of the moving process. One way you can save money is to investigate about the busy and not-so-busy seasons for relocation and move when the prices are more favorable. Not only will you save more money, but will spend less time stressing over the move. Check if you can pack everything by yourself, or if you’ll be needing professionals to assist you. Another good tip is to ask for a quote. It’s a free estimate that will help you a lot when planning the budget for your move.

Choose a neighborhood best suited to your needs and wishes

Geographically speaking, New York is divided into five boroughs. Each of them has something unique to offer. And each of them has neighborhoods that will catch your interest in some way or another. Those five boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island. The most famous one, Manhattan, is also the most expensive one. So if you’re planning to move here, be prepared for rent prices. Other popular parts of the city are Brooklyn and Queens. Brooklyn has the biggest population while Queens is the largest of all the boroughs. The Bronx and Staten Island are a bit more suburban than the others, but that also makes them very affordable. Especially for the first-timers. However, the most common downside is a long commute. Staten Island doesn’t even have a subway so you’ll have to rely on a ferry to get to the mainland.

Rent a storage unit for your belongings

You don’t have to bring everything with you. But it’s sometimes hard to leave cherished items behind. And it’s even harder when you realize that maybe the cabinet you got as a present will not fit into your new home. Instead of despairing, consider renting a storage service to keep your items safe. They don’t have to be forever. You can keep some of the items for a short period of time, or until you make or find more living space. And even better, there are storage facilities all through New York. In other words, you can even rent one close to your future home, so you’ll never be far away from your belongings.

Study the streets and subway maps to become familiar with the city

For one of the biggest cities in the world, New York is mostly a walking city. Mainly because gas prices, and cars in general, are not affordable to everyone, and parking is expensive. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll have to walk everywhere. Take time to get familiar with the streets and city infrastructure. You can even get advice from professional long-distance movers, before you relocate. New York has an extensive subway network. Once you figure out how the streets and subway work, you’ll get anywhere you want in no time.

Arm yourself with patience and an open mind is the most important must-dos when moving to NYC

There is always something happening in the city. Places to be, people to meet. Because of this, many people stereotypically label New Yorkers as rude and cold. However, they simply one to get from one point to another as soon as possible. So instead of stressing over strangers, embrace the chaos with an open mind. This might be harder than you think, especially if you’re moving to a new city alone and without knowing anyone there. Occasionally remind yourself that you don’t need to feel alone as well.

In the end, moving shouldn’t be just about stress and worry. Otherwise, you might miss on all the good things a new city might have in store for you. So stick to these must-dos when moving to NYC and you’ll have more time to enjoy the city. After all, New York is the city where you’ll find everything and anything you want.