If you’re thinking about moving to New York City, be prepared for an insanely high cost of living, a lot of rain, and the culture shock of a lifetime—but if you’re well prepared and savvy enough to make it work, it might be the best decision of your life.
With roots tracing back to the early 1600s, the area that we now know as New York City began as a trading post founded by Dutch colonists, settled under the name of New Amsterdam. It wouldn’t be until the 1660s that English settlers took control of the city and renamed it New York
—and ever since it has served as a hub for immigrants, industry, and the arts. Moving is never easy, and moving to New York City will probably be one of the most challenging moves you’ll ever make. Weighing the pros and cons is something you can’t do enough of. That’s why Jerry,
the super app
for home
and auto insurance
, has put together this guide breaking down everything you need to know about moving to the Big Apple—including tips on how to keep it efficient and affordable! What you need to know before you move
Occupying just over 300 square miles, New York City is a beacon of cultural diversity, history, industry, and everything in between—if you can think of it, chances are the city’s got it. Home to nearly 19 million residents, countless restaurants, Wall Street, and several famous monuments, there’s something for everyone in the Big Apple—and regardless of whether it's your cup of tea, New York City will keep moving without you.
MORE: Top 5 moving companies in New York City
1. The cost of living is incredibly high
Unless you’re moving to New York City from Honolulu
, be prepared for a drastic increase in the cost of living—across all fronts. Let’s get the worst over with first: on average, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Bronx
will probably cost you upwards of $1,800 a month—and that’s considered cheap. If you move to Queens
or Brooklyn
, expect to pay $2,500+ a month, and if you decide to move to Manhattan, you’re looking at an average of $4,000 a month. But housing isn’t the only expensive thing: a loaf of bread averages out to around $3.50 and a gallon of milk will cost you $4.50.
2. Learn what makes the boroughs different
As you probably already know, New York City is split into five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island
—all of which have their own cultures. Learning the differences between the boroughs will help you get a feel for the city’s varied subcultures. Manhattan: Considered the financial, media, and entertainment capital of the world, home to Harlem and Wall Street
Brooklyn: Home to the Brooklyn Bridge and Coney Island, Brooklyn is known for its music, food, and art
Queens: Has the most diversified economy and is a hub of national and international travel, hosting both LaGuardia and the John F. Kennedy international airport
The Bronx: The largest co-op owned space in the United States and boasts the Yankee Stadium, New York Botanical Garden, and several cultural districts
Staten Island: The quietest, most laid back area of New York City and boasts the highest number of parks and green spaces
3. Learn the layout of the city
In all likelihood, you’ll be walking to most places if they aren’t in another borough, so it pays to familiarize yourself with the city layout to avoid getting lost—navigating the web of streets may seem daunting at first, but you’ll start to pick it up in no time.
4. Public transportation is your friend
If you weren’t familiar with public transit before moving to New York City, you’ll need to learn quickly—most New Yorkers don’t own cars, preferring to either walk or take the subway if they need to get somewhere. This is a move as practical as it is economical: driving in NYC is ridiculously expensive, traffic is a headache, and parking is almost nonexistent.
Learning to navigate the subway is one of the single most important skills to develop before and during your move to New York City.
5. It rains a lot
Though it may not be as cold or as hot as some cities, New York City makes up for it in rain. On average, NYC receives nearly 47 inches of rain a year, with some form of precipitation falling approximately 120 days out of the year.
One of the best investments you can make when moving to the Big Apple is purchasing a good quality umbrella and some decent rain boots—because when it rains in the city, it pours.
6. It’s a hub for people of all cultures
New York City has been a haven for immigrants from all around the world, but it’s no melting pot—there are many distinct cultural communities and neighborhoods dotted throughout the entire city.
Over the years, these ethnic enclaves have become bastions of support for new immigrants while also serving as hotspots of cultural exchange—so make an effort to try new foods, learn new languages, and make friends from all backgrounds.
7. The job market is competitive
While New York City has one of the largest economies in the United States and is home to just about every industry you can think of, finding a well-paying job can be difficult if you don’t have the right connections.
Finding a place to live in New York City
The first—and most important—thing you’ll need to do before moving to New York City is find a place to live. In most cases, this is easier said than done—and you may not like what you get.
If you’re moving to New York City, chances are you’ll be renting, so let’s break down average rent by boroughs:
Brooklyn: if you decide to move to Brooklyn, you’ll be paying an average of $3,100 a month for a 650 square foot apartment
Queens: A 710 square foot apartment in Queens goes for approximately $2,800 a month
The Bronx: On average, a 640 square foot apartment goes for $1,800 in the Bronx
Staten Island: As the cheapest borough, a studio apartment on Staten Island will only cost you $1,000 a month
Manhattan: Renting in Manhattan is out of reach for many—the smallest apartments still go for over $4,000 a month
Buying a house, on the other hand, is a whole different story: the median selling price for a house in NYC is roughly $750,000, though real estate prices are gradually dropping. If you have a stable income and a fair amount in savings, buying a home could be the right choice for you—especially while NYC is still experiencing a buyer’s market.
It’s always best to make a budget and figure out how much rent you can actually afford. From there you can start adding in other factors—household items, entertainment, social life, etc—in order to determine where in NYC is the best fit for you.
If you aren’t familiar with NYC neighborhoods, here’s a brief—but by no means complete—rundown:
Most affordable neighborhoods: Parkchester, Hammels, Kew Gardens Hills, Mapleton, Woodhaven
Best neighborhoods for college grads: Washington Heights, Astoria, Upper East Side, Greenpoint
Most well-known neighborhoods: SoHo, Harlem, Upper East & West Side, Greenwich Village
Neighborhoods with the highest crime: Mott Haven, Hunts Point, Brownsville
Best neighborhoods for families: Battery Park, Tribeca, Forest Hills, Astoria
Found a neighborhood you like but still aren’t completely sold on moving there? See if you can spend a few nights in the area to get a feel for the local culture and day-to-day life.
Pro tip: To make living and renting in NYC easier, consider finding a roommate to share expenses with—splitting the cost of rent can open up more housing options.
Moving to New York City checklist
Now that you’ve narrowed down the borough—maybe even the neighborhood—and started looking for a place to live in New York City, it’s time to make the move. Use these checklists as guidelines to help make the moving process easier, starting from the first box you pack to your first night in your new home.
Before you move
Before starting your move, make sure you:
Notify your employer, landlord, insurance provider, and utility company that you’ll be moving
Get all of your belongings packed up(and don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help!)
Find a respected and well-rated moving company to help make your move easier—or rent a U-Haulif you plan on transporting everything yourself
If you’re moving a great distance and keeping your car, consider shipping it to New York City.
Book plane tickets well in advance if you plan on flying
After you get there
Once you make it to your new home, there’s still more to do! Follow these helpful tips for settling into life in the Big Apple:
If you moved with or transported a car from out of state, be sure to register your car in New York City and update your insurance policy
And while we’re on the topic of insurance—don’t forget to purchase renters insurance to protect yourself and your personal belongings
Make sure to update your voter registration, mailing address, and healthcare information
Don’t be afraid to explore! Check out the local nightlife, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks—and don’t forget to make friends
How to save on home, auto, and renters insurance in New York City
Regardless of whether you end up in Williamsburg or Hell’s Kitchen, you’ll want to save all the money you can while living in New York City—and if you plan on driving, owning a home, or renting in the Big Apple, you’ll need an affordable insurance policy to protect your assets.
Licensed home
, auto
, and renters insurance
super app Jerry
can help you find the best deals on all your insurance needs, saving the average user $800+ a year on their car insurance alone! All you need to do is download the app, fill out a short questionnaire, and Jerry will start comparing dozens of competitive quotes from the nation’s top insurance providers, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
“I was nervous to buy insurance for my first car because I had heard horror stories about the insurance prices in New York. After not even two minutes, I found four quotes from Jerry
under $125/month. By the end of the night, I was on the road safe and insured!” —Reuben R.
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