10 Things to Know Before You Move to New York

 

New York is not only one of the premier U.S. cities, it is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is a hub of fashion, art, music, theater, finance and the gateway for many into the United States of America. Whether you are considering moving to Manhattan for work or for an incredible adventure, you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. Your day-to-day existence will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Truly. I put together 10 observations on life in Manhattan to prepare you for your journey.

 

Forget about finding an apartment with ample square footage.
A bedroom where you can’t touch both walls at the same time is considered roomy. Bid a fond farewell to spreading out. And closet space? Ha! You’re adorable. You’ll soon be storing sweaters in the oven because it’s literally the only space left at your disposal. But there’s good news! You can turn to Box Butler.com  to store all of your extra things. We can get your sweaters and coats out of the way in the summertime, hold onto your bicycle and all of your warm weather clothing when September ends, and generally help you keep a little breathing room and your sanity. Give us a call to find out how we can be of service.

 

Choose your neighborhood carefully.
Expect to be categorized as an East Sider or a West Sider. It will quickly come to define your very existence. But it doesn’t stop there – every neighborhood in Manhattan has a unique subculture and sense of pride. Be very aware of this when you’re considering where you will live. And because commuting across the city is difficult, everybody pretty much spends any social activities on one side or another, so it’s important to realize that your neighbors will be the kind of people you’ll be hanging out with. Or hiding from. For the most part, young people flock towards Chelsea, East Village, Greenwich Village, and Hell’s Kitchen, while families and quiet types generally wind up on the Upper West Side. Choose wisely.

 

It’s Pronounced HOUSEton, not HYEW-ston
It’s a crucial point of reference when traveling through the city. You have no doubt heard references to SoHo, which refers to the area south of Houston Street, while NoHo encompasses the area just north of the road. The quickest way to expose yourself as an outsider is to mispronounce Houston Street. Don’t pronounce it like the city in Texas. Just don’t.

 

Silence is perhaps the most elusive commodity in New York.
Learn to love the sound of traffic. Morning, noon and night will bring a symphony of honking horns, disgruntled drivers making their voices heard and engines in dire need of a new muffler. Let the noise wash over you and embrace it. Because it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

Invest in a great pair of walking shoes
You will burn plenty of calories hustling along countless city blocks on any given day. Forget the stylish footwear devoid of any support whatsoever, drop some dough on a pair of high quality walking shoes and your journey on foot from the Fricke to Battery Park will be a breeze.

 

Avoid Times Square at All Costs
Times Square is meant exclusively for tourists, and therefore, it should be avoided whenever possible. 7^th & Broadway is a busker hell that no denizen of New York will suffer intentionally. Be ready to detour several blocks just to steer clear of this loathed location.

 

Riding the Subway is Better than Any Broadway Show
Every time you descend into the subway tunnels, prepare to be treated to some of NYC’s most unique offerings. All of the various oddballs of every stripe manage to converge in one magical place. Have a seat, bust out the popcorn and enjoy the show. Take note that it will all seem normal in no time whatsoever. Sooner than you realize, you will find yourself unaffected by an impromptu show by a breakdancing troop on the 7 train or an off-key Taylor Swift rendition by a 60-year-old with an orange wig on the 5.

 

Get out of The City from time to time
While city living is endlessly exciting, it can be exhausting. Your hectic, demanding schedule isn’t going anywhere, so you occasionally should. Have Box Butler.com drop off your bicycle and get away to Montauk or Long Island for some fresh air and relaxation. Recharge alone or with friends and return to the city newly invigorated and ready for action.

 

When walking down the street, expect at least a dozen people to crash into you.
Personal space is something that exists outside of “The City”. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you learn to not take offense. And if you’re from the Midwest, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you stop apologizing to the other person, because who in New York has the time? 

 

You’ll become addicted to food you’d never heard of before.
While you’ll forever remember the first time that you dab off the grease on a massive slice of Famous Original Ray’s New York pizza and sink your teeth into its heavenly goodness, New York is a mecca for amazing cuisine from the far corners of the globe. Your tastebuds will never be the same and you will wonder how you survived this long without these amazing flavors.

 

Somewhere there is a bar that roots for your hometown team.
Are you a lifelong Denver Broncos fan? Can you not stand the thought of betraying your love for the Atlanta Hawks? Good news, new citizen of New York! You don’t have to root for the Yankees or the Jets or the Giants or the Mets. Hop online and a quick search will direct you to a bar dedicated to the love of your hometown sports.

 

Saving money while living in Manhattan isn’t really a viable option.
Unless you plan on living on crackers and water, putting a little something aside at the end of every month or repaying student loans is nothing more than a pipe dream. Living on a budget is no longer for you… you’re a New Yorker. Let ME be the first to welcome you!