Living in New York City is a unique experience in any borough, but Manhattan is so central to the New York lifestyle that locals refer to it simply as "the city." If you're ready to take on a bold new challenge, living in Manhattan could be the perfect choice to shake things up. Keep in mind, however, that relocating to this city is much more challenging than your average move. If you've never lived in Manhattan before, make sure that you take these tips to heart.
Get Comfortable with NYC Transportation
Image via Flickr by Olivier Palta
Manhattan's public transportation system is stellar, with taxis, buses and, of course, the subway to get you to your destination. Driving, particularly in Manhattan, is notoriously difficult. There's a never-ending supply of pedestrians to worry about, and parking is extremely expensive. Even if you do score a good spot on the street, you'll have to move your car the next day to comply with alternate side of the street regulations that facilitate efficient and frequent street cleaning.
If you plan to keep your car, your best option is not to drive it, but to store it. You can hang on to the vehicle for trips out of town, but you won't need it on a daily basis. An affordable vehicle storage unit is the best option.
Reevaluate Your Budget
The cost of living in Manhattan is expensive, and depending on the city that you're coming from, it may require a drastic change in the way that you manage your money. A family of four who are accustomed to living comfortably on $48,000 a year in Marshall County, Mississippi, would need $93,500 to enjoy the same lifestyle in New York City. Housing, childcare, and insurance top the list of the biggest expenses in the city.
In Manhattan, rental apartments make up three-quarters of all homes. In April 2014, the average monthly rent for a Manhattan apartment hit $4,000. Harlem, in particular, saw the greatest increase, with rates jumping to an average of $2,528 in the typically low-cost neighborhood. Newcomers to this part of the city must prepare to adjust their budgets accordingly.
Plan for a Different Type of Shopping Trip
Image via Flickr by The All-Nite Images
Without a car, simple routines such as grocery shopping take on a whole new look. Many Manhattanites make frequent, but smaller trips to the bodega, stocking up on just enough food for a few meals. If you're accustomed to stocking up at a traditional grocery store, or patronizing wholesale clubs for bargain-priced goods, you'll have to change your habits significantly to survive in this walker's paradise, where you can typically only buy as much as you can carry home in a single trip.
Be Realistic About How You'll Eat
When you're planning your budget for life in Manhattan, it's important to look at your new city habits realistically. If you live in the suburbs now, you may eat most of your meals at home or happily cart a bagged lunch to work every day. Reconsider whether these habits will really work for your new lifestyle in Manhattan. Anything that you cart along to work is something you'll have to carry on the subway. As mentioned previously, your groceries will present a unique challenge as well. Many Manhattanites eat out regularly and consider it just another part of the city's distinct lifestyle.
Learn the Lingo
Image via Flickr by (vincent desjardins)
New York—Manhattan in particular—has a certain local lingo that you'll want to learn as quickly as possible. Something as small as pronouncing “Houston Street” the same way that you'd pronounce the Texas city will mark you as a newcomer right away (it's HOUSE-ton, by the way). "The city" means Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is just "the bridge," and "New Yorkers" are only those people who live in New York City itself.
Though you can get a MetroCard, prepare to call this mode of transportation the "subway" or "train." Don't refer to the trains by color, but refer to them as the "6 train" or "4 train." Forget north and south, because you'll only head "uptown" or "downtown." Slipping into the language of Manhattan can help you blend in like a local quickly.
Adjust Your Pace
New Yorkers are always moving. This is no city for standing still or making your way anywhere at a leisurely pace. Manhattanites have some of the lowest obesity rates in the country simply because they walk so often, and they frequently seem to do so in a hurry. If you enjoy a slower pace of life, Manhattan may not be right for you. If you're determined to become a New Yorker despite your slow-paced habits, at least prepare for the move by adding several long, vigorous walks to your routine before you get there.
Downsize Your Belongings
Square footage is at a premium in Manhattan. Residents looking to buy rather than rent a home in the city saw prices hit a whopping $1,759 per square foot in 2016. The easiest way to save money on Manhattan apartments is to downsize to as few belongings as possible. Clean out your closets and prepare to ditch anything that you don't use often or love deeply. For items that you don't need regularly but can't bear to ditch, a self-storage unit offers a low-cost solution.
Manhattanites are also great at maximizing what space they have. Prepare to use up every last inch of your closets. Staying organized will help you maximize your space. If living in a small space seems daunting, you can get inspiration from some of the most drastic residents of the city, such as Felice Cohen, who made a cozy home in a 90-square foot micro-studio.
Get to Know the City Before You Commit
If you're not familiar with Manhattan, you should take at least a few weeks to get to know the city before you commit to moving. If your job is relocating you to Manhattan, you may find yourself pushed into this drastic move with little prep time. Your employer may offer some reimbursement for expenses related to your move, including a hotel rental for you the first few weeks in the city, while you get your bearings. Keep in mind that moving expenses related to job relocation are usually tax-deductible as well.
Explore Manhattan and its various neighborhoods thoroughly before you decide where you want to live, or even whether you really want to live there. Take advantage of companies that offer moving storage, so you can keep your belongings somewhere safe while you're scouting out your new home.
Consider What You're Willing to Forego
To make it in Manhattan, there's a good chance that you'll have to cut back significantly in more than one area. Many New Yorkers go without a dishwasher or elevator. Most have no personal green space at their disposal. If you love your large, amenity-packed apartment, you may want to stay put, or at least consider an apartment outside Manhattan. If you truly love living in Manhattan, however, you'll probably find any number of little conveniences that you can do without for the sake of immersing yourself in a vibrant lifestyle that you love.
If you're still ready to take on Manhattan after giving this lifestyle a closer look, pack your bags lightly, put those old items in storage, and get ready for a new adventure.
FAQs
9 Tips for Living in Manhattan, New York City | CubeSmart? ›
Manhattan is a city in New York with a population of 1,669,127. Manhattan is in New York County and is one of the best places to live in New York. Living in Manhattan offers residents a dense urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Manhattan there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
What is it really like to live in Manhattan? ›Manhattan is a city in New York with a population of 1,669,127. Manhattan is in New York County and is one of the best places to live in New York. Living in Manhattan offers residents a dense urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Manhattan there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
What you should know before moving to NYC? ›- New York City Really Is That Expensive. ...
- You May Have to Pay a Broker's Fee to Get an Apartment. ...
- Rent a Storage Unit or Ditch Some of Your Belongings. ...
- NYC Has Some of the Highest Taxes in the U.S. ...
- Most People Don't Own a Car. ...
- It Helps to Know the Subway Map. ...
- New York Has Beaches.
- The neighborhood matters more than you think.
- Get familiar with broker fees.
- Searching for an apartment in New York City is a bear.
- You must (must, must) tour the apartment in person.
- Give yourself 1-2 months to find an apartment.
- The application paperwork is insane.
You should also consider expenses such as the deposit, utilities, and mover fees. According to Luke Demaria, a financial advisor at Client Focused Advisors, a good rule of thumb is having at least 4 months worth of expenses saved up before you move to New York.
What is a livable salary in Manhattan? ›Food, rent, and living expenses should be covered sufficiently with anywhere between $55K to $100K per year after taxes. Yearly salary requirements will, of course, fluctuate depending on the number of kids you have, the age of your children, and the lifestyle you want to provide for them.
What are the disadvantages of living in NYC? ›- The cost of housing is steep. New York City has one of the highest living costs in the country. ...
- New York is home to the most densely populated city in the U.S. ...
- Terrible traffic getting in and out of downtown. ...
- You'll want to bundle up for the freezing winters. ...
- New York has high taxes all around.
To the surprise of just about nobody. It's an unofficial law of the New York land: if you're going to live here, you're going to have to deal with a modicum of stress—and a new study by research firm William Russell has now confirmed that.
What month is best to move NYC? ›RentHop's analysis found that the best time to get a place is February, the cheapest month to rent in New York. Rental prices start to increase in early May and reach a peak in July. They begin to decrease again in October, reaching their low in February.
How to live your best life in New York? ›- Get Comfortable with NYC Transportation.
- Reevaluate Your Budget.
- Plan for a Different Type of Shopping Trip.
- Be Realistic About How You'll Eat.
- Learn the Lingo.
- Adjust Your Pace.
- Downsize Your Belongings.
How long does it take to adjust to NYC? ›
It can happen in the first days or weeks, or after 10 months. It can happen repeatedly, or without people noticing, at least not at first. Newcomers suddenly realize either that the city is not working for them or that they are inexorably becoming part of it, or both. They find themselves walking and talking faster.
What to do once you move to NYC? ›- Eat a Hot Dog on a Street Corner. NYC is a city filled with some of the world's best restaurants. ...
- Go to Coney Island. ...
- Go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. ...
- See a Broadway Show. ...
- Explore Central Park. ...
- See a Movie at Film Forum. ...
- Eat a Slice at John's. ...
- Explore Grand Central.
"I definitely think you can live comfortably on a salary of $50,000, even in New York City," says Haskins. "It's an expensive city, but I think if you know where your money is going and you recognize what your priorities are, it's totally doable."
What is a good salary NYC? ›A good salary in New York, NY is anything over $54,000. That's because the median income in New York is $54,000, which means if you earn more than that you're earning more than 50% of the people living in New York. The average salary in New York is $64,741. A good hourly wage in New York is $25.96 per hour.
Is $20,000 enough to move to New York? ›Yes, that's plenty. If you don't plan on moving with a lot of possessions and choose to live in a modest abode outside Manhattan(surrounding boroughs) you could probably survive for an entire year flat(srsly). It's a stretch but doable if your resourceful and willing to sacrifice a lot.
What is a middle class salary in NYC? ›"Middle class" is defined by the PRC as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median American household income, which in 2021 was $70,784, according to the United States Census Bureau. That means American households earning between $47,189 to $141,568 are in the "middle class" as defined by the PRC.
What is the top 1% salary in Manhattan? ›New York's cutoff to be in the 1% is $777,126. The 1% pays an average income tax rate of 27.09%, while what they pay accounts for 48.10% of all income taxes paid. One percenters in New Jersey must earn at least $760,462, while the cutoff to land in the top 5% is $308,976.
What is the top 10% salary in Manhattan? ›The income in the top 10% in the state of New York is $291,906. However, New York City is considerably wealthier, with the top 20% earning an average of $295,662. Meanwhile, the top 5% earn $585,902. Thus, the top 10% earn somewhere in between the two, with the average being around $440,000.
What are common NYC problems? ›New York City's biggest problems are “crime, crime, crime” — and the Big Apple won't recover from the COVID-19 pandemic until the streets and subways are safe again, Gov.
What are common NYC apartment issues? ›Common apartment maintenance complaints include: Unsanitary conditions, such as mold, sewage, or pests, including mice, rats, bed bugs, or roaches. Water leaks, holes, cracks, or peeling paint on walls or ceilings. Doors and locks that are broken or missing.
How to have a New York attitude? ›
- Walk fast, with your head straight ahead or down. ...
- Don't gawk or make eye contact. ...
- When crossing the street, don't obediently wait on the curb for the light to change. ...
- Just raise your hand to hail a cab. ...
- Avenue of the Americas?
Most things are convenient. Take Manhattan, for instance. 1.629 million people live on this less-than-23-square-mile island. With pharmacies, grocery stores, laundromats, and banks on almost every corner of the city, everything you need to sustain life is no more than a 10-minute walk away.
How to survive financially in New York? ›- Housing: Know your priorities.
- Transportation: Walk, ride, bike, or carpool.
- Daily spending: Keep a record.
- Food: Plan meals ahead of time.
- Fun: Find free attractions.
- Saving: Rewards cards and spare change apps.
- No matter what: Be creative!
Many of the newcomers choose to move to NYC because it offers plenty of new job and career opportunities. If you want to make a step forward in your career and move from another country or state to NY, you've come to the right place!
What month is rent highest in NYC? ›Cheapest Month to Rent in NYC
Looking across ten major cities, including New York City, RentHop research found the cheapest months to rent between December and March. The most expensive months were May through October.
THE CHEAPEST TIME TO VISIT NYC
As you might well have guessed, the cheapest months of the year to holiday in NYC are from January through March. It's in these 3 months that the costs of both a flight and hotel are on average the lowest for the whole year.
- Mover rates will be at their lowest during the winter months.
- New York City apartment rental prices and broker fees tend to be less expensive in the winter.
Share: The most affordable neighborhoods in NYC for 2022 are the Bronx's Parkchester, Bedford Park, and Fieldston as well as Lindenwood and Briarwood in Queens. Median sales prices are under $300,000 in each of these NYC neighborhoods.
Is NYC good for retirees? ›New York is somewhat tax-friendly for retirees; Social Security income is not taxed at all, but withdrawals from retirement accounts are partially taxed.
What area of NYC is best to live? ›- Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
- Hell's Kitchen (Manhattan)
- Park Slope (Brooklyn)
- Harlem (Upper Manhattan)
- Long Island City (Queens)
- Astoria (Queens)
- Gramercy (Manhattan)
- SoHo (Manhattan)
What is the rule of 40 New York? ›
What Is the 40x Rent Rule? The 40x rent rule is a guideline that states that a renter will need to make an annual salary equal to approximately 40 times the monthly rent on their NYC apartment. It's an income guideline that helps landlords qualify people as renters.
What is the 90 day rule NYC? ›The 90/180-day rule is one of the ways it is possible to meet the state requirements for a “serious injury.” If an individual is substantially unable to carry out all of their usual daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days immediately following the injury, they are considered disabled.
Is it easy to get a job in New York? ›The job market in New York is hard to crack; make sure to plan enough time for your search and also think about unsolicited applications. Finding housing in NYC is difficult and prices are high.
What is low income in Manhattan? ›A low-income family is typically described as one that lives off of a net income of around $58,000 per year. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the median income of an average family in NYC is $70,000 annually.
What is the cheapest street in Manhattan? ›West 107th Street is Manhattan's Most Affordable
The most affordable residential street in Manhattan in 2019 is West 107th Street, on the Upper West Side.
As a result, the minimum wage for New York City has remained flat at $15 per hour since 2019, even as inflation has spiked in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is NYC still worth moving to? ›No. Depending on your lifestyle preferences and budgetary limitations (or lack thereof), you may find that it's still worth it to live in a city with a higher cost of living. Some reasons: Better job opportunities, broader range of public and private schools or easier public transportation systems.
Is living in NYC difficult? ›Almost everything in New York City is about 30% harder than it should be -- but there are 8.5 million people who have chosen to make a life here. It is, in fact, possible to survive -- and even thrive -- among the slow walkers, the surly cab drivers, and the marauding rodents.
What are pros and cons of moving to New York? ›| Pros of Living in New York | Cons of living in New York |
|---|---|
| 1. Excellent job opportunities | 1. High cost of living |
| 2. Great night life, arts and culture | 2. Bad traffic |
| 3. Incredible food | 3. Cold winters and humid summers |
| 4. Great schooling options | 4. Rat infestation |
There are many reasons why everything is expensive in New York City. Some of the key factors include the high demand for housing, high taxes, high transportation costs, and the city's status as a global economic and cultural hub.
What is the average salary in NYC? ›
This is equivalent of $966 a week or $4,188 a month. Most salaries in New York range between $35,750 (25th percentile) to $61,821 (75th percentile) annually. Of course, salaries will vary depending on yor occupation, experience, and many other factors.
How much are taxes in NYC? ›New York City income tax rates are 3.078%, 3.762%, 3.819% and 3.876%. New York state income taxes are due April 18, 2023, and that's also the deadline to file for a six-month extension. The deadline for filing a return with an extension is Oct. 16, 2023. New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
What salary is considered upper class? ›The site used U.S. Census Bureau income data to determine the salary a household needs to earn to be in the city's top 20% of earners—what they define as “rich.” In New York City, you'll need to make at least $144,541 to be considered a “rich” person in the top 20% of the city's 8 million-plus residents.
How much does rent cost in NYC? ›New York rentals average $3,440 for a studio rental to $7,500 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $4,371, or roughly $79 per square feet. For the apartment units and housing in May 2023, median rents have risen over the last year.
How can I rent in NYC without a job? ›- Get a Guarantor. Get a Guarantor. ...
- Find a Roommate. Find a Roommate. ...
- Find a Private Landlord. Find a Private Landlord. ...
- Get a Credit Letter. ...
- Ask for References from Previous Landlords. ...
- Use Unemployment Benefits. ...
- Consider Getting a Personal Loan. ...
- 10 Apps to Help You Navigate NYC.
You're never too old to move to NYC, unless you're like 90+, and even then there are spaces where older people can be in peace. I moved when I was 47, so no.
What do I need to know before moving to NYC alone? ›- Don't Let the Sun Fool You – It Can Get Very Cold Here. ...
- A Car Is Not Very Useful Around Here. ...
- The Cost of Living in New York Is a Downside for Many. ...
- You're Going to Need a Job ASAP. ...
- This Is an Epicenter of Entertainment. ...
- New Yorkers Are Known to Be Very Cool.
To the surprise of just about nobody. It's an unofficial law of the New York land: if you're going to live here, you're going to have to deal with a modicum of stress—and a new study by research firm William Russell has now confirmed that.
What is considered rich in Manhattan? ›To be considered "wealthy" in New York, you need a net worth of $3.4 million — over one million more than the national average. The survey's New York results are the second highest after San Francisco.
Is NYC actually a good place to live? ›
It's hard to blame anyone for thinking that life in New York City could be dangerous. With 8.4 million residents, NYC is the most populous city in America and things are bound to happen. However, relative to its size, New York City is considered one of the top 5 safest large cities in America.
Is it better to live in Brooklyn or Manhattan? ›Generally speaking, Brooklyn neighborhoods tend to have a more open and residential feel. The streets are usually more expansive, and the buildings aren't as tall as you'd find in Manhattan. The pace of life also tends to be slower, and the sense of community stronger.
Do middle class people live in Manhattan? ›By the same formula — measuring by who sits in the middle of the income spectrum — Manhattan's middle class exists somewhere between $45,000 and $134,000. But if you are defining middle class by lifestyle, to accommodate the cost of living in Manhattan, that salary would have to fall between $80,000 and $235,000.
How to survive living in Manhattan? ›- Get Comfortable with NYC Transportation.
- Reevaluate Your Budget.
- Plan for a Different Type of Shopping Trip.
- Be Realistic About How You'll Eat.
- Learn the Lingo.
- Adjust Your Pace.
- Downsize Your Belongings.
– Various career opportunities. Many of the newcomers choose to move to NYC because it offers plenty of new job and career opportunities. If you want to make a step forward in your career and move from another country or state to NY, you've come to the right place!
What salary is rich in NYC? ›In New York City, you'll need to make at least $144,541 to be considered a “rich” person in the top 20% of the city's 8 million-plus residents. The ultra-rich, or the top 5% of earners in NYC, make way more: $585,902 on average, according to the analysis.
What is middle class salary in NYC? ›"Middle class" is defined by the PRC as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median American household income, which in 2021 was $70,784, according to the United States Census Bureau. That means American households earning between $47,189 to $141,568 are in the "middle class" as defined by the PRC.
What is a good salary in NYC? ›A good salary in New York, NY is anything over $54,000. That's because the median income in New York is $54,000, which means if you earn more than that you're earning more than 50% of the people living in New York. The average salary in New York is $64,741. A good hourly wage in New York is $25.96 per hour.
Why would anyone want to live in NYC? ›New York City offers so much variety that you could live here your entire life and not eat in every restaurant, see every Broadway show, hit every jazz club, or live in every neighborhood. You never run out of new things to do, dishes to eat, places to visit, or people to meet.
Is it better to live in Queens or Manhattan? ›Not only is Queens one of the safest boroughs in NYC, but it's also a great place for families to buy a home! Compared to boroughs like Manhattan and Brooklyn, Queens has a significantly lower cost of living and more affordable housing with options like single-family homes, rowhouses, and condos.