I'm Moving to NYC
 

So i got offered a pretty sweet job in new york city and have decided to take it. i'll be moving from San Francisco to NYC and would like any advice that y'all have to give. I did go to school in upstate new york so i'm well prepared for the cold and have a number of friends in the city. i'm flying out to look for an apt on wednesday (i'm probably going to living in astoria queens as it's close to all of my friends and pretty affordable). Anyway, i'm pretty excited and nervous about the move -- advise away!

Eat all the In-N-Out you can while you're still in California ;)

When I first came here from LA, the hardest part was carving out my niche. I tried to do things that I would have been interested in doing in California, but it turned out that the different setting brought out very different tastes for me. It's amazing how the kinds of things that are available to you on a regular basis have so much control over your preferences. Have a drink at a nearby bar one night, or check out a dance club. See a play, or read a book in the park. Learn how to rollerblade/swing dance/rock-climb. Try as many new things out as you can in the beginning; you'll probably discover that the activities and habits you finally settle into are quite different from those that were comfortable when you lived in SF.

Good luck finding an apartment!

I've actually been dwelling on moving to NYC again, after having visited for a week and then abandoning the idea. While I was there, I kept missing my car. I REALLY missed driving. Now, I've started to rationalize it... with the lack of driving, I will naturally fill the void with some other activity... such as fucking someone.

I really loved the people on NY... I'd actually be willing to sell my dear sweet vehicle that I love so much. I just need to find a good position. Can ya hook me up?

Be sure to let us know how the apartment search goes. I haven't seen anything around my neck of the woods for less than $500 a month and in some places studio apartments are going for $700+.

Go to Flushing Meadows park at night and stare at the globe - it's amazing to look at.

If you like jack-in-the-box tacos, have some now.

In fucking NYC, it against the law to serve a fast food hamburger before 11am.

Well, not really, but there's no place that will serve one.


If you're working in Manhattan, consider living in NJ, too. The commute may be a little longer, but there are fewer weirdos. ;-)

Heh - nice.

I REALLY want to live in NYC some day.

Congrats on the job! NYC is one of those places that you either love or hate - nothing in between. You seem to be on the "love" end, and for that I'm glad.

You should definitely follow Supple Cow's advice - this is a great opportunity to try many things you normally wouldn't. Much fun to be had.

Oh, and Astoria is TFPer central. Ok ok, so I only know of two (counting myself) that live in Astoria, but still - it will soon be three :D

Mini-meet, anyone?

people talking about all the food you'll miss...

K...

here's my list from a born in LA and now 13 year New Yorker:

Jack In the Box
La Salsa
Baja Fresh
In N Out
Del Taco
Tommy's

Since your from SF.. maybe I'd have to also include Jollybee's

and any of those little Mexican joints that sell the Tacos for $.35

And as Halx did mention.. it did take me a bit to get used to not having a car, and once I did...I found it very liberating to just get around sans vehicle.

good luck and look forward to meeting you here in NYC.

Ah but in NYC you don't need a car, everything delivers... at any time... You only need a car if you are trying to escape the city, and why'd you wanna do that? Go to the Hamptons? Too many people... Everything you need is right in the city, accessilble by subway, foot or cab.. Don't need no stinkin' car. :D Really...

I don't have any advice to offer, just my congratulations and envy.

wow, thanks for all the advice.

So i'm not really worried about missing fast food -- though a few tears will be shed over the taquarias (maybe i should get a burrito for lunch...). and while i originally thought the no car thing would drive me crazy after spending some time in NYC i realized that I wouldn't even miss it. In SF going without a car would be hell, public transit just isn't good enough -- but in NYC I could very easily get anywhere i wanted to go on the subway and cabs are much cheaper. (also my best friend in NYC has a car -- i plan on mooching on the rare occasion when i need to get out of dodge).

I think my biggest concern is that i may not be posh enough for NYC! Being a California techie i've never even had a job that considered PJ inappropriate work wear. granted the new job does have a casual dress rule but still -- east coast casual and west coast casual are two different things.

Halx: i'm currently looking for someone to clean my house for like $5/day, let me know if you're interested. ;)

oh and yeah the apartments are expensive but that's the beauty of moving from SF you're so used to paying for rent with limbs that nothing fazes you anymore.

I wouldn't go too crazy shopping before you leave, wait til you see for yourself how folks dress, unless it's wall street or a law firm, there's still a lot of casualness wardrobewise.

Go shopping, across the river in Secaucus, the land of the outlet mall, many major designer has an outlet store there, stuff's dirt cheap, and the best part, it's all tax free (one benefit to living in NJ - no tax on clothes)

I'm assuming I'm the other one? :) We'll get together at the only remaining Beer Garden in NYC!

Welcome Brianna, we'll be happy to have you here. :)

Ouch... I'm hurt.

brianna, will you pay me more if I do it naked?

You bet. I didn't know there were any real beer gardens in Astoria, but I just might take ya up on that offer. :thumbsup:

Also the neighborhood right down 30th Avenue, and also right down Broadway, between 30th Street and Steinway Street, are packed with lots of bars, restaurants, cafes, and general hangout areas. Its really turning into quite a fun area.

now *I'M* hurt -- i've never had to pay a guy to get naked before, in the past the've always done that for free!

Congratz on moving to NYC! I will be moving up there next weekend. I still haven't found a permanent job yet. I'll be freelancing and apprenticing. Craig's List is your friend for apartment shopping. Maybe we can have another TFP NYC meet. I missed the last one!

I have it on good authority that brianna is, at this very moment, apartment hunting in NYC... so, all you Nyorkers keep an eye out for a cute blonde with a dwindling west-coast air about her. :D

Good luck, bri!

woohoo so i just found an apt -- it's on 29th in astoria :)

Congratulations - -that's awesome - and really quick too.

:) cool congrats!

NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world. i think you'll find it to be a lot of fun. i sure wish i could go back there.