Recently I’ve been getting quite a few Facebook messages and emails about the process of moving to New York/how to live here on a budget. I’m certainly no expert (nor am I always cheap) but I have somehow managed that whole move-to-NYC thing and will certainly share the tips because I know it’s not always an easy process.
Occasionally I’ll post a themed blog entry titled “Poor in New York” with free things to do in NYC, tips for relocating to this area, and general deals found throughout the town. You’ll probably also read a few completely ridiculous stories of what my friends and I will do to save a dollar.
If you have a specific question, feel free to email me at thewhyblogger {at} gmail {dot} com or comment below.
Today’s Tip:
This one is for all you movers out there... If you are relocating to New York, you need to have MONEY. I know, that doesn’t sound like mind-blowing advice, but let me explain…
You find an apartment (yay!) so you want to put down a deposit. This is usually equal to the first months rent. For people challenged in math (which would be me) let’s make your “rent” a practical, round number like $1,000. So you give the super the deposit of $1,000. Then he asks you to pay “first and last” which means he also wants your first month and your last month’s rent (this is a pretty typical procedure and you get back “last month’s rent” when you move out). Suddenly you've spent around $3,000 dollars. Oh but wait, you said you used a broker? (DON’T unless you are getting a little desperate or on a time crunch). Well then, since you hired a service you'll need to pay them first month’s rent too.
And you quickly spent $4,000.
It doesn’t always work like this, plus if you’re moving into a place that already has a roommate on the lease, a few of these thousands can be saved. For example, my roommate didn’t ask for a deposit but that I just pay August’s rent. And I didn’t need to pay “first rent” to the landlord because my roommate had done that two years ago when she first moved in.
The bottom line: Move to NYC with more than $100 in the bank.
Now Happy Monday to you all!
My first apartment in New York... or ever. It was a fabulous feeling signing that check because of much hard work/guessing/praying. And this place is the one thing in the city that's mine.