Life Hacks I Wish I Knew, But Now YOU Do! Part Two

Welcome to Part Two of “Life Hacks I Wish I Knew, But Now YOU Do!” For those who may not be up to speed, you can reference back to Part One.

Part two reflects specifically on the top ten things I wish I knew when deciding to move too NYC, but I think that these are relevant to anyone moving to a new city or maybe even a new place for that matter. As a side note, this post is emotional for me for a number of reasons; the first being that it takes me back to the naive young girl who at the time felt like she had all the answers. It makes me nostalgic and proud of how far I’ve come and inspires me to be able to try to help out some of my newcomer’s. Lastly, recently both my best friend and my sister have both moved out of NYC in order to pursue their dreams, so this brings up A LOT of those memories. I also have been able to speak with them both in length about their misconceptions or reasons for leaving New York, so that all just adds into this! Okay here we go!!!

New City Living

“Somewhere between living and dreams, there’s New York”

1. Broker Fees

• Don’t make the mistake of paying a broker fee if you don’t have to! What I mean is that if you are looking at a building check to see if they have a leasing office first—you would not be required to hire a broker and would most likely save about one month of rent! Usually a building will offer some special of either waiving your broker fee or to give you 1 month free rent. Do the right thing in this case if you can and avoid the broker fee! Every dollar counts when you’re first moving to the Big Apple or any new place for that matter!

2. Flex Walls

• THE HORRORS…For those who don’t know (and I didn’t before NYC), a flex room is simply an area of the apartment that you will add fake walls to and now call it a bedroom. In most cases this “flex room” will also have no window, oh the joys! You will feel like you are living in a hamster cage in some cases with a flex bedroom but as long as you know what you’re getting into then to each their own! Before signing a lease—please, please, please ask your leasing agent or broker (if no leasing office) about the regulations on how far a flex wall is able to go to the ceiling. For example, will there be a gap between where the wall ends and the ceiling? There are so many regulations on this now and as a new-comer I was so unaware and it made for a very interesting year to say the least. It’s important to know exactly what your “flex room” will be comprised of. ASK BEFORE YOU SIGN!

2A. Fake Doors

• Another very important question to ask is about whether or not you will be allowed to put a REAL door on your flex wall (I am not joking!) Hello accordion door that didn’t reach my floor experience… I’m SERIOUS, a lot of regulations do not allow real doors on flex walls, therefore you will have to illegally have a handyman add on an accordion style door that you still need to use pillows for because that also doesn’t touch the floor! ASK THE QUESTIONS, I learned the hard way, listen to me!!!!

3. Friends, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl

• While they all make for great TV, this isn’t what life will be like (at first). YES, with hard work this CAN BE YOUR LIFE, but don’t immediately compare your city life to theirs. Here’s why:
  —No one in their sane mind wakes up earlier than they need to in order to have breakfast with their friend group.
  —Monica Geller and Carrie Bradshaw are among the few that still are afforded “rent control.”
  —Most likely your parents aren’t billionaires (Hello, Chuck Bass).

It will be okay however if you work hard, believe in YOURSELF, HUSTLE and WANT TO BE THERE! You are not owed or entitled to an amazing life and experience that you haven’t yet earned. Comparison is the thief of joy, keep your head down, work hard and build the life of your dreams!

4. Challenge Yourself to Do Stuff Alone

• You’re a Big Kid Now, it’s important to not rely on someone else in order to be able to experience new things! If you wait for others you will miss opportunities, go for them alone! You won’t know everyone like you might have felt like you used to. If you know of someone who lives in the area, don’t be afraid to reach out! They too were once a young New Yorker in need of friends! Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to be moving to a city with a lot of your friends, I would highly encourage still branching out and trying to meet new friends. If you continue to hang out 24/7 with the same group, in my opinion there won’t be much growth. Think if you consistently stick with the same, you will be the SAME! Not to say don’t hang with your besties but be open to new experiences and new people. You are never too COOL to try something NEW.

5. Moving from one NYC apartment to another, will be some of the worst days of your life.

• Dramatic, YES! But absolutely truthful. Most people don’t get it right the first time around and have to move. A lot plays into this such as a change in the roommate situation or geographical desires. Accept that moving will be hell. Suck it up and hire MOVERS. These movers are like JEDIS, you will be amazed at how quickly they can wrap up your life and how quickly they can maneuver your furniture out of the old apt and into the new. Just because they make it look easy doesn’t mean it is. Also, if you can move during the week versus the weekend, DO IT! This is the perfect reason to use a PERSONAL DAY. Weekend moving is hell added onto the hell of moving within the city. Buy clothes hanging moving boxes, which allow you to just take your hanging clothes, put them into the rack in the box, and then put them right into your NEW closet! MUCH EASIER THEN UNPACKING folded clothes. Spring for the Movers!

6. Don’t get so caught up in the location of your NYC Apartment

• The city is accessible for all, so stop losing sleep over where you will live. Sure, there are some areas further up in Harlem or towards the D and F avenues which may be less then favorable, but for the most part, all locations in Manhattan are GOOD. It’s the city that never sleeps, no matter what part you are in, there will always be something to do. On the bright side, say that you live in a quieter/less desirable area, it makes it easier to unwind and to not be tempted to always go out! GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR, work hard, and then you can complain about where you LIVE, although no one likes a complainer, except maybe New Yorkers, lol! Living on your own is a PRIVILEGE many people aren’t given in their young adulthood.

Real Life Example:

• I lived in Stuyvesant Town my first year in NYC which was located across the street from the prized “East Village”, which is a hot spot for young New Yorkers. Kid you not, people complained all the time about coming to see me because of the “location.” My second year, I opted to live in the Financial District, which became a “less then desirable location” to people. Well, it was the best year of my NYC life, and never once did I feel like I was not part of the scene. I was literally one subway away from my job at the time (located across from Penn Station) and had amazing bars and restaurants. Oh, did I mention I lived across from Battery Park and had a view of the Statue of Liberty? But yeah, still an “undesirable location.” Stop complaining and be grateful you have the opportunity to live in one of the most energizing cities in the world. If you’re the LIFE OF THE PARTY, wherever you are is the spot to be.

7. You have nothing to prove and will not receive a medal for walking to the subway in uncomfortable shoes

• In a culture that is VERY CASUAL, I still admire and love to see someone dress well for work, but don’t kill yourself on the commute in. Seriously, pack the cute shoes in your bag to change into and never wear a shoe that you cannot walk in, not a good look for anyone!!!!!!

8. Just because the city never sleeps doesn’t mean your wallet doesn’t need to

• HELLO FOMO!!!! Public transportation is your friend at appropriate hours. Seriously UBER/LYFT will become your biggest expense if not. Go to Trader Joe’s, cook at home when you can, skip the designer grocery stores as often as possible. YOU WILL BE RENT POOR FOR AWHILE, it’s Okay, it builds CHARACTER.

9. If an Amtrak is ever oversold demand a REFUND

• Amtrak is as expensive (if not more so) as flying. There is absolutely no reason why you should ever have to STAND and if you have to, GET YOUR MONEY BACK! Book trains well in advance during the holidays in order to avoid surge prices! Utilize WFH (if you can) as you will have a panic attack chasing towards the train in Penn Station especially during the holidays. GO EARLY and PRINT YOUR TICKET (your phone may automatically update at the worst moment.) Ask an Amtrak worker where they expect the train to come in and stake out that gate, I’ve never found that they were incorrect. There is a liquor store on the basement floor where you can buy a bottle of wine to drink on the train (secretly). You get what you pay for, and if you don’t, demand you do!

10. ONLY MOVE SOMEWHERE BECAUSE IT’S YOUR DREAM

• NEVER MOVE for the wrong reasons. For example, for a friend, for money, or for a significant other. NYC can be grueling, and you have to WANT TO BE THERE or the city will eat you alive. I can confirm that the #1 reason why any of my friends have left is because they said this was never their dream. EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE and TAKE IN THE ENERGY EVERYDAY.

“Once you have lived in New York and made it your home, no place else is good enough.”

On a final note, truly if I could have known one thing in life that I would tell my younger self, it would be to GO AFTER whatever you want in life and that you will never have to explain your decisions to those people who are rooting for you.

I AM ROOTING for you all.

“Most cities are nouns. New York City is a Verb.”

Vibes
Xo,