There’s a reason (or a few) about why there are so many songs written about the Big Apple. From Taylor Swift to Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra to John Lennon, this city is the hustle and bustle of life. There’s always something to do, see, or experience here, and sometimes you can lose your way. With that said here’s a short and sweet list to help you pave your path before you make the big move.
1. You will definitely catch a cold from the brutally cold weather.
Don’t be surprised if your first winter here has you catching a couple of colds, flu, a few stomach virus, and a serious case of winter blues. Seriously, winter here is no joke. Since you’ll be walking everywhere make sure to invest in some thick wooly socks, a few scarves, and a big warm jacket. Trust me, it will be worth the extra cash.
2. Summers feel like the inside of a volcano.
Now, city summers are a whole other story- to say the least. Nothing is worse than running to catch the subway only to find that there’s no AC on that subway car. Don't get me wrong, summer is beautiful in NYC, but if you don’t have AC in your apartment make sure you brace yourself for the upcoming three months of sweat filled torture.
3. Everything is expensive.
...And we do mean everything. Everything from cab fares to groceries to your apartment. Even The Olive Garden in Times Square is expensive. The cash adds up really fast, but chances are if you’re reading this then you’ve already discovered how expensive this city is. In the end it’s New York City, the one and only, the city that never sleeps. The people and opportunities you’ll meet here are like no other and it's completely and totally worth it.
4. Its okay to binge eat and Netflix every now and then.
Yep, we feel you. Sometimes after school, after your internship, after a long stressful week of work (whatever it is), after coming home from a long commute all you need is to veg out, and not move for the next 15+ hours. In a city that’s full of hustle and constant flow of traffic, you NEED time for yourself, and if that means being completely alone and pigging out on your favorite dish that's totally fine.
5. The MTA and other transportation is rough.
NYC is a fairly green and eco-conscious city to be living in, but the public transportation at times, is lacking in it’s efficiency. For example, if you're trying to head into Brooklyn for a weekend concert and want to take the ‘L’ Train? No. Think again. Half the subway trains are closed for the weekend, down for maintenance and just in general mysteriously delayed. Give yourself plenty of time to take alternative routes (God bless Google Maps) or to get there another way, like biking for instance.
6. You see celebrities everywhere.
"OMG" celebrities? In NYC? It’s like they’re real people, living their own lives, yet here they are popping up all over The City. This never fails to make us rip our cellphones out of our bags and try to take photos of them without them noticing. For the most part, we fail miserably, but over time living in NYC, your heart hardens and you begin to get accustomed to seeing the glamorous beings that is celebrities.
7. There are endless amounts of clubs and bars.
There is seriously a bar for any type of night you’re feeling. Drag Queen Tuesdays are a thing, and it is actually pretty amazing. Looking for glow in the dark mini golfing at one in the morning? Yep, this is also a thing. Don’t even get us started on the "Ping Pong Ball" nights. There really is a bar, club, or pub for any mood your squad is feeling. This is definitely one of the perks of living in NYC.
8. Commuting back home in the AM is especially tough.
Being hungover in NYC is like a completely different level of being hungover. It is rough. The loud noises and the crowded subway platforms spilling over with people around you isn’t your ideal start to your morning, but sometimes you just have to embrace your inner New Yorker and soldier on (that is, until you get home and can relax).
9. Crying sad tears are perfectly normal.
Moving to NYC causes a whole flurry of emotions. It’s completely natural to become a little homesick at first (thank god for being able to FaceTime your siblings and parents). Overtime, you’ll start to get used to some things, and slowly be able to go out for drinks with some coworkers, or even make some friends in your yoga class. Conclusively, the sad tears eventually end and brighter days lie ahead.
10. NYC will turn your life upside down.
What's the main thing that changes when you move to the Big Apple? Well, just about everything. If I were to write a list, it would be endless. Moving out of your comfort zone (literally) is the best decision you can ever make. It doesn’t matter how many movies you see based in New York, or how many books you read. Until you completely move here, you can’t really sense what life will be like in the Big Apple.
