Finding a place to live in New York City is never an easy task. This goes double because of the financial end of it. Let’s assume for a moment you already have a good idea of what your potential living arrangement will be. Let’s say you’re willing to rent a room. But you don’t have a clue of which neighborhood you want to live in.
In almost every neighborhood in New York City, there’s always something going on. And there’s always places you can go to eat and soak in the local color. Before you choose the neighborhood where Simply Moving will drop off your stuff, here are a few deciding factors to look for:
1. What are your favorite foods?
Pop quiz: If there was a kind of food that you could not get tired of eating, what would it be? Make a note of what it is and then plug it into Yelp. For example, if you’re a sucker for tacos, search for any taco places in some of the neighborhoods you want to live in. Get a good look at the reviews. What are people raving about? What’s not so great about it?
2. What’s your favorite thing to do?
Everyone has a few interests and hobbies. If you’re the bookworm type, see if there’s a bookstore within walking distance of where you live. Sometimes, you just need to lay off Amazon to find a good book (sorry, Mr. Bezos). Are you thinking about taking a dance class? See if there is a dance studio nearby. Sometimes, the things you want to do can just be steps away from where you live.
3. How safe is the neighborhood?
Danger can exist anywhere, no matter where you live. But going somewhere and going home should not be a cause for worry. If you need to know how safe your neighborhood is, do a Google search for a crime map of the area you want to live in. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re out and about at night. We are not saying this to alarm you. But feeling right at home should also mean feeling safe in your own backyard.
4. Know that you won’t always get to live where you want
OK, so you’re willing to rent a room. You found one that’s in your price range. But don’t count on it being set in stone. You probably won’t be the only one who is interested in it. That’s why it is important to keep your options open while searching for a place to crash. Who knows…the person who is renting it out may not mesh well with you. Be strategic in your search for a place to live. Try to get to know the person who is offering the place. Ask them questions about the neighborhood or what they’d like to do for fun.
Conclusion
New York City is huge! But the choices on where exactly to live are endless. Find the right neighborhood that vibes with you best so you get more excited with the move.