Everyone always thinks of the upsides of moving to New York City. Seeing the Empire State Building every day on the way to work. Eating tacos from a food truck in Queens at 3 in the morning. But we seem to forget about the downsides of moving to the city. One of them is the fact that we can’t take everything with us. We get it, there are some things you do not want to get rid of. But leaving some things behind are a must due to your living situation. On the brighter side, some things you give up may be replaced even while you’re well into your New York City living experience. We’ve put together a list of things that you might be able to give up while you move.
Your Car: Very rarely you’ll need it. Or you may not need it at all. And you won’t need it for a couple of very good reasons: One, you will have so many public transportation options available the second you walk out the door. There will be a subway station here, a taxi cab there, and a bus stop right in front of your face. Another reason is parking: Not only is it a nightmare to squeeze yourself in a parking spot, it also will cost you a lot of money. Rates for hourly and daily parking will be steep.
One thing that you should consider doing is selling it for a reasonable price. The upside of this is that it will give you a headstart on saving up money for your move. Post the car you are selling in places such as Facebook Marketplace. You can also post an ad on Craigslist or any reputable site that sells cars. Make sure that it is in good condition before you sell it. If things need to be repaired or replaced, do it first.
Once you sell your car, tuck the money away and don’t touch it until you’re all moved and settled in. In the long run, it may be the best decision you have ever made.
Your Pet: This is one of those heart-wrenching decisions that any pet lover may make. This will likely be due to your living arrangement not allowing pets. If you think your only option is dropping them off at your local animal shelter, not so fast. Sure, putting them up for adoption might be an option, but some pets will won’t always be adopted right away. That’s why you should consider looking at family members or trusted friends as you options for who will take your pet in. Whether it’s on a permanent or temporary basis, it’s better to leave your trusty, furry companion in the care of someone you know and trust. That way, you’ll sleep at night knowing that no matter how much you miss your cat or dog, you’ll know that they are in the best care possible. And no matter what, they are still part of your family.
Things That You Would Find In Your Parent’s Garage: OK, so you probably have some stuff that’s been packed in boxes and collecting dust in your parent’s garage. But we’re talking about something else. Lawnmowers? Power tools? Old, broken down stuff? Those are all a no-go. If necessary, you should consider selling items that function properly. Once again, selling stuff you’re willing to give up will give you an additional amount of money that you can use during or after our move to New York City. In almost all places in New York City, what’s the point in taking your John Deere riding lawnmower with you? Anyways, enough about that crazy stuff. Let’s move on.
Your friends and family: Sure, a lot of people will beg with the “please take me with you. I fit in most suitcases” schtick. But packing them in suitcases kind of sounds a little…eh, weird. Let’s get back on track here. The point of this is that your friends and family will be more than happy for you to make the move to New York City. However, they might be happy where they are.
If you have a friend who wants to move with you, be sure to make arrangements to ensure that dream comes a reality. They’ll need to do the same things you’ve been doing that have lead up to your big moving day. You won’t be able to save up enough money for both yourself and your friend. So hold each other accountable to ensure that you both are fulfilling your requirements before you venture out into the big city.
Even if your friends and family stay behind, don’t despair. They’ll be able to make arrangements to make the trip to visit you or vice versa. This is an exciting time of your life. And yes, you will face the downside of feeling homesickness. But thank goodness we live in a time where we can keep in touch with them in more ways than just a good old fashioned telephone call.
Be sure to make plans to regularly keep in touch with family and friends using Facebook. If video calls are more your speed, Messenger App is a good option. Let’s not forget the tried and true favorites of Skype or FaceTime (for Apple fans out there).
Conclusion
It’s important to understand that there are some downsides to making your move to New York City. But with every downside, comes an upside. This could come in the form of having extra money in your pocket, making sure your pet is in the best hands, and knowing that your friends and family are just a phone or Skype call away. No, you won’t take everything you want with you to New York City. But you can make the best arrangements possible to make the process a little easier.