Regardless of whether it was Carrie Bradshaw, Spiderman, the Godfather, or some other fictional character that made you dream of life in the Big Apple, we’ve all been there. But can dreams survive when real life kicks in for solitary heroes? Our moving to New York City alone guide has the answer.
The first American capital is not only home to countless remarkable fictional characters, but also over 8 million real people. When you add that they speak in more than 800 languages, you get a picture of the enchanting and inexhaustible variety of life here that seems to pervade the entire city experience. But, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies in the City that Never Sleeps either, so learning a few practical tips with us can go a long way if you’re coming back to the US from your adventure abroad or moving overseas from a continent that’s not America.
It’s Smart to Learn All Your Options for Getting a Visa
If you’re an American, you needn’t worry about this, God bless America. But, for foreigners, the question of how to live in another country starts with documents and papers. In case you need an employment or other visa, head to the State Department’s official site, which has all the relevant information on requirements and procedures to accomplish the immigrant’s goal.
It Doesn’t Hurt to Familiarize Yourself With Citizenship Requirements Either
If you’re moving across the world to become part of the melting pot and happen to like it in the long-run as many people before you had, you should consider applying for citizenship. The US Consulate can give you in-depth insight into what criteria you need to meet to become a citizen. And if you plan to put down roots in the US, it might be more appealing than renewing your green card every once in a while.
First off, there’ll be less documents needed to travel abroad, you won’t lose your status when you return, and you’ll have more chances of helping a family member get their papers. So, in case your enthusiasm lasts, make sure to research thoroughly what can help to call the New World your permanent home.
Moving to NYC Alone Means Becoming Great at Budget Management
If you’re not a businessman, bootlegger like Gatsby who could afford the Big Apple life effortlessly, or a sorcerer who mastered the doubling charm, you will quickly realize that the city is expensive. It’s among the top three most pricey US places and among the first 10 globally. This means that adjusting to a new country will also entail economizing and setting financial priorities. These are some crucial considerations to have in mind.
Pay Attention to New York Rental Prices if You’re Searching for an Apartment
It’s great that Carrie can pull it off while writing articles at her own pace and maintain a Manhattan apartment, but things are more complicated in reality. In NYC, the location comes first, followed by apartment quality, so the better the area, the more you’ll pay. Still, rent control is quite high, and the law favors the tenant, so you won’t be messed with once you sign the lease.
The best way to avoid moving stress and see whether the flat is your cup of tea is to explore before agreeing to anything. You can visit the neighborhood and ask around or read online reviews. You could even search for expat communities if you’re not American, and soak in the knowledge your countrymen collected in their time. Whatever the case, arm yourself with patience as getting a deal for an apartment that is good value for your money is not a piece of cake here.
Food Can Also Add Up
Cooking utensils should definitely find their way to your what to pack when moving abroad list as they could help you set some money aside. In case you don’t stumble upon a roommate who is a kitchen prodigy, you’ll do well to wake your inner Ratatouille up or else you might wind up paying more than you want as NYC’s food costs are slightly higher than the national average.
You’ll Actually Pay Less for Transportation
Now this is a twist, even bigger than when Darth Vader said I am your father to Luke Skywalker, but the Big Apple actually boasts lower transportation costs than other American cities. And the reason behind this is simple, less people like driving and there are more public transportation options.
Still, if you’re keen on shipping a car overseas, that’s also possible. The good news is that even with a foreign licence you’ll be able to hit the road from day one, and that the dynamic and tricky traffic is guaranteed to help you become a better driver. Or throw in the towel, but let’s not be pessimistic just yet.
What About Taxes?
We’re getting to everybody’s favorite bit and if you plan a solo break-through, you should know what to expect in this regard as well. Perfecting the how to move to another country skills cannot be completed without this step and you should learn upfront that there are some taxes you might not have foreseen in New Amsterdam.
The city is one of the few nationwide that has its own income tax, so you get to pay this one twice – once to the state and once to NYC. The same goes for property tax if you get to buying a home, and the corona pandemic only made things worse as it pushed these expenditures up.
Dream Career Here I Come – Two Essential Tips to Succeed in New York City
You’re not your job, but we all like to work in a field where we can accomplish our drive and feel valued while making a contribution. That and paying the bills of course. And, the City that Never Sleeps is an amazing starting point for careers of all kinds. With over 70 Fortune 500 companies on its territory, you won’t have to struggle with relocation questions to ask the employer and technology, finance, and real-estate are just some of its booming industries. Plus, if you prepare in advance, you’ll easily develop a golden touch, if you know what we mean.
Have a Financial Cushion if You Don’t Have a Job Lined Up
The great thing about relocating on your own is that you’re not moving with kids and you don’t need as big a financial back-up, but it still doesn’t mean you should go full Sal Paradise and imitate On the Road. The best answer to the question of how much money should I save before moving to NYC isn’t the same for everyone. Still, it’s safe to say that the golden mean is to have a reserve that can keep you going for a couple of months until you get a decent employment and figure out how to manage your finances.
Getting a Good Job Is All About Networking in NYC
The Big Apple has more than one thriving sector, so you’ll probably be able to pursue your passion regardless of what it is. But, knowing how to keep in touch with friends, while simultaneously building new connections is essential here as it can help you up the ladder and give you a place in the system that you’re entering from outside.
And, if you were wondering what salary do you need to live in New York City, you’ll be relieved to learn that NYC’s median pay surpasses the national average by more than 10,000 USD. But, since you’re not moving for love to marry a rich person, you’ll need to make 80,000 dollars per year to afford a nice life.
If You’re Moving to New York City Alone, the Neighborhood You Choose Will Mean a Lot
We all know there are five boroughs, but this vast city is more than just that. Deciding whether it’s Queens or Bronx will get you somewhere, but subdivisions are also important to get the whole picture. And since, did we mention it, you’ll be alone, you might want to get somewhere where you can nest and create a homey feeling to give you encouragement to practice breaking the language barrier or simply create meaningful connections. These are some places to start with:
- East Village – A place to discover why the Land of Opportunity is hailed as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Well connected to major transportation hubs, this college, university, and we’ll never decide what to be when we grow up though we’re old now area is full of life. Deep conversations, raw parties, and superb food are all here, so it’s up to you to decide whether that’s what would fill your heart with joy,
- Financial District – If you’re the smart kid who has it all figured out and you want your ambition to take over, consider this one. As a financial centre it gives lucrative job opportunities, and is also peaceful after working hours so you can enjoy the quiet while you devise novel career endeavors,
- Hell’s Kitchen – The complete opposite to the former, it’s awesome to try out as an experiment, especially if you’re open-minded and would like to have artistic and unconventional neighbors. With a murky past behind, hasn’t the Devil himself been an angel once, it’s now a hub of quirky eateries and social events.
Free Time Is an Alluring Promise
One of the best vegan cities globally is also the place to share handy tips for learning a new language with native speakers of all races, catch a movie or theatre premiere, impress yourself with how much fun you have in a museum, jog, and do pretty much anything. This is the one aspect that movies portray correctly and it is true you can have a ball in the Big Apple.
Don’t Worry if This Is a Mixed Blessing for You
That’s all great, you’re young and unbound, you don’t care about best places to live abroad with family since you’re your own ringleader, but with all the events and new things, sometimes you just want solitude. Not to be addressed by anyone and watch all your favorite movies until you black out. And that’s fine too.
If you spend a lot of time on your own, because you chose to travel abroad during covid-19 or because you simply like it that way, don’t worry. You’ll get to enjoy some activities and insights you’d have to renounce if you lived the life of the party as a social butterfly. Take a look at this super cool guy explaining the advantage of doing this on your own.
A Superb International Moving Company Can Help You Put Your Best Foot Forward
When all is said and you weigh the pros and cons, if you have that deep love, you’ll persist to find out the answer to how can I move to New York City alone. The city is not ideal, but what place is, and the imperfections make it utterly irreverent to conventional standards and thus tantalizing for many. As Gandalf said there is only one Lord of the Ring, and there is only one Big Apple too, so you either embrace it or don’t attempt at all.
In case you’re in, a top-rated overseas moving company can aid you in your international moving by sea or by other means, such as relocating by air. And also be there for packing services, supporting you with auto-shipping or if you bump into unexpected turns along the way – storage facilities. Not a bad start to discover is it possible to live alone in NYC.
