Moving to Manhattan: 4 Things to Know About Your New Neighborhood
Some people refer to it as the Center of the Universe, The City That Never Sleeps, or the Big Apple, but you’ll soon call it “Home.” Moving from anywhere to a city as big as New York is daunting. Here are some tips to help your move to Manhattan go smoothly and make it easy to adjust to your new environment.
The New Neighborhood:
Manhattan may be an island, but it’s broken up into a plethora of sections. There’s Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, SoHo, Harlem, Greenwich Village, the list goes on, but each area has a different feel. Different people, different food, different bars, the diversity is endless and you’ll find your niche. A lot of thought should go into where to live in New York City. It’s a good idea to scope out the area a few weeks before you plan your move so you know what you’re getting into. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood, observe the people who live there and use it as a test-run so you aren’t overwhelmed when you finally move in. Also, use this time to take a look at prices. The cost of living in Manhattan is probably much higher than what you’re used to, and space comes at a premium, so make sure you know what your money can buy. The sticker shock is a lot, but you’ll find creative ways to manage if you know what you’re getting into up front.
Getting Around Town:
Unless your job requires you to drive a cab, ditch your car and take public transportation. Use the subway, taxis, Uber, or walk like everyone else. Manhattan boasts a top-notch public transportation system that you’ll want to not only become familiar with, but a master in using it. Driving is a hassle with all the people, expensive parking, and general headache that comes with city landscapes. If you need your car for the move, consider renting a space where you can park it and use it when necessary, such as trips out of town.
What To Do:
Leisure activities, along with everything else, are expensive, but there’s no shortage of entertainment options in Manhattan. If you’re big on food, apps like Seamless connect you with the best delivery and the amount of bodegas (small grocery stores) are enough to keep you satiated. You’ll want to strike a balance between the two so you don’t blow through all your money or your waistline.
Preparing For the Move:
When the time finally comes to pack up your life, you’ll want to pack sparingly. Pare down items you know you’ll wear/use or you’ll find the little space you do move into feels even smaller than you thought. Ideally, you’ll have scoped out your neighborhood, determined if you’re renting and how much the broker’s fee costs, and located the nearest train station. Some thought should also go into when the best time to move to NYC is, as different times of year canaffect the ease and cost of your move.
There’s only so much you can do to prepare for such a big move before jumping head first into all Manhattan has to offer. To alleviate any additional stress, look into a local Manhattan moving company.
It’s going to be different, but if you can handle the task without becoming overwhelmed, you’ll be on your feet embarking on new challenges. Get started with a free moving quote today!
