r/movingtoNYC

My husband has a job offer to move us to NYC. We are a family of 5 with 2 small dogs. Our kids are 4, 2 and 1. My husband would be making 300k (which by NYC renters terms it seems as if our max rent would be $7,500). I stay at home so we don’t need childcare. My husband would be working in Midtown. Where are the most family oriented spots to rent at? We’d also love to be in a good public school district. Ideally we’d like to completely ditch our cars and not regret leaving them. My husband doesn’t mind up to 45-1 hour commute. Thanks!

Hello, I am currently in the Hampton, Virginia area. I’m looking into getting a welding job. However, I like Virginia; I’m looking for a bigger city, I am only 20 years old, I wasn’t really the brightest in my education, and I could not afford college, I do love metropolitan areas though, I only work at Walmart currently, and while that pays the bills, I don’t think a retail job would provide stability alone in NYC. I don’t want any roommates as I’m pretty scared of that. I have heard that people who live happily in this city, have the usual tech and or finance jobs. I’d love to live somewhere like Manhattan. Thank you.

I have never set foot in New York City, yet it has captivated me for as long as I can remember.
In my 19 years of life, I’ve walked its streets, visited its apartments, and explored its landmarks through books, movies, shows, and YouTube. My obsession started at age 4 while watching Home Alone 2 in the Philippines. When Kevin realized he was alone in New York and felt that sudden rush of absolute freedom, I felt something shift in me, too—a deep yearning for something bigger.
My childhood was split between two very different worlds:
Metro Manila: A fast-paced metropolis where commuting by public transit, navigating crowded streets, and living surrounded by millions was normal.
Small-town Western Canada: Where my family moved when I was 8. It was quiet, grounded, and gave me space to dream, but it also made me realize how badly I missed the pulse of a massive city.
Over the years, the obsession only grew. In 3rd grade, I built a 3D foam-and-plastic skyline puzzle of Manhattan and used it as a map whenever I watched Annie, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Sex and the City, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Gilded Age, or my all-time favorite movie, You've Got Mail.
Now that I'm in university studying business with eyes on law school, NYC has shifted from a childhood fantasy to a serious potential destination. But reading about the reality of the city gives me pause. I’ve broken down the usual warnings people throw around:
Cost: It's notoriously expensive. I'm aiming for a career in corporate law/business, which helps, but I know even high earners compromise on space.
Pace & Ambition: I’m not naturally cutthroat, but I know how to lock in and get things done. Still, I wonder how intense the grind truly feels on the ground.
Cleanliness & Smells: Having spent time in Manila, "New York dirty" doesn't intimidate me. I know what a mega-city smells like in the summer heat and how trash infrastructure works in dense urban areas.
Safety & Crime: I view crime stats through a population lens. A city of 8+ million will naturally have crime; basic street smarts go a long way.
I know I romanticize the city through Architectural Digest videos and pop culture, but I can't shake the feeling that I belong in that kind of energy.
To current New Yorkers, transplants, former residents, or native New Yorkers:
How did the real city compare to the version you had in your head before moving?
For those who moved from small towns or internationally, how was the transition to the daily grind?
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who has wanted this for 15 years?

*Also before this spirals, I am not considering just living in Manhattan. I’ve heard many good things about Brooklyn and Queens, and a few about the Staten and the Bronx. It would be nice to just live in this city in general.

I’m 39F, single and moved from the Midwest to Nomad for work about 3 months ago. I make $300k, walk 15 min to work, and pay $6500 (utilities included) for a 1BR in Nomad in a great building.

I love not having a car and all that the city has to offer. I knew there would be a transition period, but really struggling with finding community and friends here. At meetups most of the crowd is 22-28 or 55+. Perhaps I naively thought there would be a good crowd of single late 30s/early 40s groups that are not parenting related. I find that I’m generally outgoing.

Now I’m questioning everything. Did I over extend myself and get a place that’s too expensive? Is it even possible to find a community here in my rough age range?

Are there recommendations for community or am I just hitting reality? Did I just move to the wrong neighborhood?

Thinking about moving next year when I start work but kinda wanna bring my car to nyc. What’s the best neighborhood, considering price and vibes, where I can easily get to midtown and have my car around no issue? I would prefer not to be in Manhattan for price issues (parking and insurance). I was thinking Astoria would be a good option. Let me know if you got any recommendations.

edit: Lmao yall are assholes. I ALREADY LIVE HERE.

edit2: Actually remarkably funny how xenophobic you all are despite statistics saying you lean heavily left

I[29F] currently make $120k, been at my remote position for two years in Austin. I don’t know if fully remote positions have great job security anymore which is why I peruse job openings from time to time.

There’s a in-office job that I’m inquiring about based in downtown NYC and I should be in the range of $150-160k in salary. Not a huge pay jump considering I’d be moving from a MCOL to VHCOL…

I would probably look for apartments in the FiDi district. I already have some good friends in the city so I wouldn’t be jumping in to the city without knowing anyone.

My biggest concern is the worklife balance. I currently have a good worklife balance, working from home allows for that and I don’t feel burnt out at all.

Austin pros:
- Great community
- Laidback work culture

Austin cons:
- Heavy drinking culture

I’ve been feeling like I’m wanting to get away from drinking every other day which is one of the biggest social activities here. More so because it seems to ruin my mood even after only 1 strong cocktail..

NYC pros:
- fresh start
- public transport
- the NYC lifestyle has been drawing me in off and on for the last few years
- more dating opportunities???? more access i guess

NYC cons:
- new job would be full time in office
- would need to hire a dog walker? my commute would probably be 25 min subway ride
- moving for a full on corporate / director position, maybe worse worklife balance?
- less flexibility with budget?

I guess my question is… how difficult is it to find other opportunities in NYC for in office jobs that pay semi-decent?

But also… I’m an extroverted introvert. I’m not particularly ambitious in the sense that I want to work 45 hours a week to end up getting promoted and I don’t care to climb the corporate ladder. The position is in operations for a service company, won’t get more into specifics there. “But it’s New York!!!” the devil’s advocate in me says…

I've been in London for about a year and a half, working in biglaw, and I'm considering moving to NYC next year. I think the long-term opportunities are better there (work in the tech law space) I'm Australian and can get an E3 visa, so the logistics don't worry me much. I'm single, male, 29, and don't have any big ties holding me in London. I also visited NYC recently and really loved the energy of the people there, whereas I've been feeling a bit bored with the social scene in London and I'm not a fan of the dating scene here either.

If I made the move to New York I'd be on roughly 300k USD all-in (with comfortable increases every year). I am currently on 260k USD in London. Getting a gig at a new law firm in NYC also won't be hard (have had inbounds from law firms in NYC). I feel very comfy in London but bored. I think NYC will be much difficult lifestyle wise (just go go go go), which I am up for.

I'll probably end up working harder in NYC (also I'm currently working for an American law firm in London and work pretty hard). Will need to sit the New york bar exam to get qualified there (which I don't think will be crazy difficult, will need to lock in though). Also I've only been at my law firm for 1.5 years so I'm worried it looks very jumpy on my CV (I have no intention of doing an internal transfer at my current firm).

I feel like I'm being irrational making the move so soon (just moved to London 1.5 years ago).

Hai all! I (22F) Just signed a lease for a 1bd in Jackson Heights w my gf (23F) for $2.3k / mo—we’re splitting $1,150 each. My take home pay for each month is $3,600. Per the 30% rule I should only be paying $1,080.

Figured it should be okay bc it’s not so much over AND I don’t have debt, don’t spend so much, and have most furniture & household items already. Very likely to spend under $500 total for furnishings & items for move-in. Also I get rne impression that JH isn’t as expensive as the parts of the city driving up the cost of living(?)

I do have about $30k in savings, but don’t want to dip into that bc of current economy and bc I plan on going back to school.

Wondering, do people think this is reasonable? Also, my girlfriend makes slightly less than I do so I’m wondering about that as well. Thanks!

Basically, I just need to know if I'm being realistic. I am 22 and I currently live in a rural southern area. I am about to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, and I was wondering if it would be feasible for me to make a living in nyc as a music teacher (or a substitute teacher until a position opens up) and probably teaching private lessons on the side as well. I would also be 100% willing to work a customer service type job in the afternoons/weekends for the first couple years until I get settled. I also plan to save up a good amount of money before moving, and I won't move without finding a job first.

helloooo redditers. I am 28F moving to NYC in a few months. I’m originally from NJ but have lived in LA for the last five years. Moving for work, although there’s no physical office so a commute isn’t a consideration. Im making about 110k and am open to a studio but ofc prefer a 1bd :) I’m single and would love to be in a social area where there’s good food and local bars. Not as much of a clubber so nightlife isn’t a priority. I’d love to be able to go on walks, explore the neighborhood, and be part of a community. Manhattan feels a bit too overwhelming sometimes so not my top choice but happy to be challenged. Lmk what you think!! Thank you in advance :)

I live in CA and want to move to NYC. I'm currently on a month-to-month lease but not sure if I should move in December or wait until March? Thanks!

I'm sure it really depends on the person but for me NY gives me the endless opportunity to explore and see new things. I can't wait to feel its nonstop energy. Also I'm single so I'm not tied down to anything and can do as I please. I'm sure you can make the wrong decision and there are downsides but for me I just see so much NY has to offer than not.

I found myself doing that while on vacation. It was quiet and peaceful in my hotel room but I knew once I left that it was going to be chaos once I stepped outside. Granted I was staying right in the heart of Manhattan but I don't know if it feels like that in general no matter where you are in NY or not. I've never done such a thing in other places where I feel like I'm about to enter a war zone lol.

It's been around the 70's the last couple of months. I was there in September and it felt almost perfect: not too hot and not cold. I was like I could get used to this but I know better than that and only saw a sliver of NY's weather. I live in Northern California where it's 60-70 degrees majority of the year. 4 seasons would definitely be a shock to me.

If you are a young girl who moved to nyc, with random roommates through facebook, please share your experience. it seems scary, but something i really want to do.

A family friend is having their first baby towards the end of March, and my family of 4 (wife, myself, 7yo and 2yo) will be moving there temporarily to help her (since she doesn’t have the family support to help in the beginning stages of child rearing) We have a place to stay (Fort Greene) My son is going to finish out the school year in a public school. My Wife works remotely, and I am a Stay at home parent.

Here’s what I’m wondering:
I want to enroll my 2yo (they will be 2 and 9 months when we move) in half day day care. Since we will have an address, how would I go about finding a close by affordable day care for them?

Hi everyone, 20M from a third world country.

Watching New York in movies has been a really pleasant experience for me but it has kinda grown on me, now I am getting that urge to move to NYC and experience it in IRL.

I am also into startup culture and have failed a couple of them, currently working on a new one and planning to make it big (don't know if it's gonna work or not) which can open doors that get me into NYC.

Any advice/tips on how I can move there in a next few years would be really helpful.

Hey guys,

I just took a job starting summer 2027 in Manhattan by the Empire State Building. I am moving from Kansas and was wondering where to start looking for apartments, community, etc? Basically anything you all can tell me about moving to nyc, the culture, etc would be greatly appreciated!

If it helps, I grew up a Knicks and Rangers fan :)

Thank you!

I am 26f working as a paralegal in okc. currently live with my parents still and want to move out soon to either around nyc or jersey city where we have some family living. would it be better to save up some money and how much to move and then find a job or would it be better to find a job while i’m here and then move after getting a job offer? open to any thoughts/advise, thank you

I got a job that pays $116k and will be moving to NYC. The job is remote first, but with an option to be hybrid if you live in the NYC area. I’m 28M, and I currently live in a LCOL area and have lived alone for 5 years. I don’t mind living in an outer borough to live alone. The office is in the Financial District should I choose to be a hybrid worker. I would go in 2 days a week.

I’m thinking Brooklyn if I decide to be hybrid, but my best friend lives in Queens and I want to see her a lot. From my research, it’s hard to get to Queens from Brooklyn fast. I’m open to Queens though since I’ll start off remote.

About me: I’m quiet and introverted, and I like going for walks. I like to read and play video games. I’m basically a homebody, but I do want to make more friends in NYC. I meal prep a lot, so a grocery store near me is a must.

I’m kinda in over my head right now looking at Streeteasy. Any help is appreciated.