Parent of two, been here since 2018. The logistics scene here is really picking up.
Home prices averaging is {home_feel}. I'm paying /mo for a 3-bed in Upper West Side and honestly makes me consider roommates.
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year. The logistics scene here is really picking up.
95 upvotes
29 Replies
Benjamin Hughes
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching New York.
Background: 36, college grad, moved from Indianapolis 1 years ago for work. Currently in Murray Hill.
**Housing:**
The market is solid right now. We went with Murray Hill because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Tribeca - it's quiet and the value is better.
**Work:**
nonprofit jobs are growing here. I was worried coming from Indianapolis but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 7 months were tough. Then I found my people through a church group. Now I have a solid group. New York people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: better than you'd expect
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. For couples, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
48 upvotes
Kennedy Ward
Yep.
47 upvotes
Sophie Moore
Good to know.
46 upvotes
Owen Williams
We pay /mo in Bay Ridge for a 1-bed and honestly it's worth it. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.
41 upvotes
Reagan Cook
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching New York.
Background: 35, teacher, moved from Detroit 7 years ago for school. Currently in Bay Ridge.
**Housing:**
The market is underrated right now. We went with Bay Ridge because it was walkable. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Harlem - it's lively and the value is better.
**Work:**
hospitality jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Detroit but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect it varies wildly by field.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 17 months were tough. Then I found my people through a church group. Now I have a solid group. New York people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: pricey
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: better than you'd expect
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. For young professionals, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
40 upvotes
Clara Foster
Yep.
38 upvotes
Lily R.
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If career growth matters most, then yeah New York is great. But if you need beach access, might want to look at Hell's Kitchen instead.
37 upvotes
Betty R.
I'd highly recommend checking out Astoria. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Plus the food options around there are great.
37 upvotes
Alice Hughes
Parent of two in Washington Heights. Schools are pretty good here. The parks system here is underrated.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
32 upvotes
Clara Alvarez
Pretty much.
29 upvotes
Matthew C.
Worked in finance here for 8 years. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. The market is improving right now if you're in that field.
28 upvotes
Olivia Cooper
I walk my dog through Murray Hill every day and The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. The vibe has really transformed in the past couple years.
26 upvotes
Cooper Scott
Night shift worker - New York at 3am is excellent. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years..
25 upvotes
Raymond C.
Great question. Here's my honest take after 1 years:
The good:
- Great food scene
- Easy to meet people
- Pet-friendly city
The not-so-good:
- Sprawl is real
- Water quality concerns
The parks system here is underrated.. I'd say for remote workers, New York is decent. Feel free to ask specifics.
24 upvotes
Sophia Scott
Facts.
23 upvotes
Jameson Robinson
Great question. Here's my honest take after 12 years:
The good:
- Good schools in certain areas
- Easy to meet people
- Pet-friendly city
The not-so-good:
- Road conditions
- Pollen season is no joke
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. I'd say for couples, New York is hit or miss. Good luck!
21 upvotes
Autumn
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching New York.
Background: 41, couple in our 30s, moved from Pittsburgh 4 years ago for family. Currently in Upper West Side.
**Housing:**
The market is solid right now. We went with Upper West Side because it felt safe. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at SoHo - it's affordable and the value is better.
**Work:**
marketing jobs are decent here. I was worried coming from Pittsburgh but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 5 months were tough. Then I found my people through a running club. Now I have a solid group. New York people are welcoming once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: manageable
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. For singles, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
21 upvotes
Wesley Moore
Great question. Here's my honest take after 11 years:
The good:
- Good airport
- Lots of new restaurants opening
- Safe neighborhoods
The not-so-good:
- Not very walkable
- Pollen season is no joke
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. I'd say for remote workers, New York is improving.
20 upvotes
Jacob Martin
Needed to hear this.
16 upvotes
Liam
My experience has been different actually. I found that Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. Maybe it depends on which part of New York you're in.
14 upvotes
Charlotte Walker
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching New York.
Background: 49, retiree, moved from Chicago 7 years ago for family. Currently in Murray Hill.
**Housing:**
The market is pretty good right now. We went with Murray Hill because it felt safe. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at SoHo - it's lively and the value is better.
**Work:**
education jobs are stable here. I was worried coming from Chicago but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect competitive for the cost of living.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 15 months were tough. Then I found my people through a co-working space. Now I have a solid group. New York people are warm once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: manageable if you avoid rush hour
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. For students, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
13 upvotes
sacramento_elena
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive New York guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- SoHo: quiet, tree-lined streets, families
- Harlem: family-friendly with good parks
Tier 2 (best value):
- Washington Heights: great community feel
- Crown Heights: suburban feel, big yards
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: hit or miss compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. New York is pricey but it's not for everyone. If you value space over walkability, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Detroit.
DM me if you want more details.
11 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
Great question. Here's my honest take after 10 years:
The good:
- Good schools in certain areas
- Strong local businesses
- Strong arts and culture scene
The not-so-good:
- Rising rent
- Property taxes
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. I'd say for remote workers, New York is underrated.
11 upvotes
Genesis White
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive New York guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Greenpoint: safest area, good schools
- Astoria: family-friendly with good parks
Tier 2 (best value):
- Tribeca: hidden gem, locals only know
- Crown Heights: newer development, modern amenities
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: decent compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. New York is lively but it's not for everyone. If you value space over nightlife, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider New York.
Happy to answer questions.
10 upvotes
Arianna A.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a newlywed in Upper West Side. Been here since 2021. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car..
Neighborhood-wise, Upper West Side has really changed in the past few years. Tribeca is the up-and-coming spot right now. Crown Heights is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for tech: solid. For finance: quiet.
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.
8 upvotes
Barbara T.
Weekend warrior here - New York is underrated for running. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.
7 upvotes
Savannah S.
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. The city has grown a lot.
6 upvotes
Benjamin James
We pay /mo in SoHo for a 3-bed and it's steep but the location is great. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.
6 upvotes
Isabella Rogers
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive New York guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Crown Heights: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Harlem: up-and-coming, artsy vibe
Tier 2 (best value):
- Lower East Side: hidden gem, locals only know
- Astoria: good schools, safe streets
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: great compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. New York is up-and-coming but it's not for everyone. If you value affordability over career growth, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Baltimore.