So you want to move to NYC? Anyone and everyone, whether they’ve lived in the city or not will tell you that it is anything but easy. The city can chew you up and spit you out between the extreme costs and the fast paced daily life.

I spent 13 years living in NYC mostly as either a student or working artist in some capacity. I saw my friends from North Carolina buying homes and cars and I was living in an overpriced 600 square foot three bedroom apartment with 2 other roommates in a walk-up building with a bathroom ceiling that had a penchant for caving in. I sometimes worked 3-4 jobs at a time to make ends meet. It wasn’t easy but I made it through and ultimately in the end, it was worth it. I met some of the best people I’ve ever met and wound up exactly where I need to be at this stage in my life.

I decided to put together a list of some of my tips for living and surviving in NYC and share them with all of you. Take them as you will.

So without further adieu – I present Jess Lit, Esq’s tips for surviving in NYC:

1. Don’t be afraid to commute. I know this may be an unpopular opinion but living in Upper Manhattan or Queens or Brooklyn (or even Jersey) and commuting 30 minutes to an hour or maybe even longer is WORTH IT compared to the money you’re saving by not living in Midtown or Tribeca. Plus, you often get more space, which as you know, is a commodity in NYC.  Having a place that actually feels like a home is so important when living in a place that can be as lonely and cutthroat as NYC. You can find beautiful apartments above 125^th street that are reasonably priced and near a subway. I lived in Washington Heights for almost 9 years. Sometimes I lamented my 45 minute commute in the morning, but it was always worth it when the 1^st came around and the rent was due. On top of that, living in neighborhoods where the rent is higher also means the general cost of living in that neighborhood is higher, i.e. your groceries and restaurants and bars are going to be more expensive.
   
2. Find a survival job you actually enjoy and if there is a benefit to it – even better! I worked so many jobs during my 13 years in NYC from social media manager to administrative assistant to AirBnB manager to restaurant hostess. However, it was not until I started working at SoulCycle where I was like “OH!” why wasn’t this my survival job all along? Not only am I getting free exercise classes (saving $$) but I am also part of an amazing and supportive community! I also recommend that you try to find jobs that are somehow related to your passion. If you’re in theatre, I know many people who usher or bartend at the Broadway theatres. If you like film, see if you can get a job at one of the independent movie theaters. If you’re an artist – museums are your best friend!
   
3. This leads me to my next tip: FIND YOUR COMMUNITY. NYC is such a lonely place and if you do not have a support system that is actually IN the city to help you get through those rough days, I don’t know how you can survive. You can find community in your workplace, through volunteering or even at your local restaurant/bar. No matter where you find it, hold on tight to it.
   
4. One of the things people don’t talk about much is how the city has the ability to trap you! Meaning, you are in one of the biggest cities in America and have easy access to trains and busses that can take you to New England, Jersey and even Montreal. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. The best way to remember how much you love the city is to spend time AWAY from it. Also, when you’re in the thick of it, you so often forget just how fast paced it is. When you take a break, you get a minute to slow down and breathe.
   
5. Don’t sleep on the breakfast carts. We all know the biggest expense in NYC is eating out. But we also know that your lifestyle in the city at times can require it. Breakfast carts are the cheapest and easiest ways to get a quick meal and coffee! Seriously, an iced coffee from one of these carts is going to be at least $1-2 cheaper than somewhere else and who doesn’t love a good croissant?
   
6. Create a realistic budget. This should go without saying but so many people I know do not know how to create a budget that they can actually stick to. If you create a budget for yourself,  you can have some peace of mind knowing how your bills are going to get paid and how food is going to get on the table. Stay tuned to this website. A template for creating a realistic budget will be dropping soon!

So… there you have it! My top 6 tips and tricks for living in NYC. Want to know more? Contact us at info@thelitesquirepllc.com.