A move to the Big Apple is a move like no other. Since NYC is the most populated city in the United States, the rules of the game are a little bit different for New York realty.

Think small.

Looking at a city of 8 million+ people and all the places to live can be daunting. Most of the time, you will spend 90% of your time in just a ten-block radius of your home! Find an area that you can see living in, beyond just your home. 

Real estate is expensive.

Cost of living is very high in NYC, and you need to be ready for a lot of incidentals included with the move. You can quickly figure on having first and last month’s rent and 1.5 times your monthly rent in moving expenses.

Short term leases are the norm.

New York Citizens are transient and tend to move a lot. That is good for short term leases, and you should be ready to relocate a few times before you find the perfect place to settle. It is not uncommon to move several times in the first few years of being in the city. 

There will have to be some give and take.

While everybody would like the first floor, two-bedroom apartment, with laundry and a spacious kitchen for a low price, that is not realistic. Know what you will not budge on. Do you need to have an elevator or can you take the stairs? Can you live a little further from the train station in trade for laundry in your building? It is all about give-and-take and knowing what you want. 

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

If you receive an offer of a lease that seems too good to be true, it is time to investigate more. Use a realtor and make sure that you know that you have recourse in situations where landlords (slumlords) try to take advantage of you. Don’t be passive; stand up for yourself. 

Communal living might be your best option.

New York City has more roommate situations than any other place in the United States. Price of rent and cost of living make roommates invaluable. Good roommates are often hard to come by, so make sure if you find a good one, you hold on to him/her. 

Bed bugs and cars both suck.

Having a car in the city is very hard, and it is often more trouble than it is worth. With all the public transportation options, there is very little need for a car in the city.

On the other hand, bed bugs, roaches, and other rodents are a part of life in NYC, but you have options for extermination. Just remember that living in such close quarters with other people, you will have to work extra hard to keep your area pest free and trust your neighbors to do the same. 

Moving to New York City may have been a lifelong dream of yours. It is doable, but you need to prepare yourself for the reality of NYC realty. These are just a few tips from NYC Realtors to know before making your move to the Big Apple.