How hard is it to start a life in New York City?

Question

I have always wanted to move to New York. I have visited it once and fell in love. If you are not a wealthy individual, but you are young, what is the best way to decide to move? I have thought about moving to New York and nannying. I thought this would be a good way to get a decent job and get the hang of the big city before I was completely on my own. I also will be joining the Air National Guard, is there a base close to New York? I'm aware there isn't one in the city but maybe one a couple hours away? It's important it's Air Force or Air Guard base, not another branch of the military.

Any info on what to do when wanting to move to New York for the first time would be great.

Answer 1

The thing that makes it hard to survive here is basically money, point blank.

On a military salary you might be ok but I would start looking for further your field of expertise and maybe getting a fulltime job.

You'll be fine as long as you don't have dreams of living in a Manhattan High-rise, because you're not living there on less than 150k a year. The two biggest hits here are Rent and to a much much lesser extent car insurance. So if you have decent credit and can find a good job buy a house on Staten island or Queens. You'll live an amazing combfortable life.

Answer 2

I live in Hawaii and have a friend that just moved to NYC for design school.  She and I had planned to live together in Brooklyn, but her father talked her out of it.  He said it would be safer and less expensive for her to dorm.  I was all gung-ho about moving to NYC up until this point.  I've been researching apartments for rent inside and outside the city and EVERYTHING is expensive.  I've decided to start in Boston and edge myself slowly over to NYC.  I have to agree with one of the other posters and say that if you aren't wealthy, it won't be easy to live comfortably in NYC.  However, everyone's comfort level is subjective.  Good luck to you in your journey to the Big Apple!  I hope it works out for the both of us!  : )

Answer 3

Starting a life in NYC is a challenge, but if you are willing to work hard there is no reason why you can't succeed.  For hundreds of years, immigrants come to New York with nothing but the shirt on their backs and they succeeded in building a life here (that's why NYC is the most ethnically-diverse city in the U.S.A.).

As far as ANG service goes, the closest New York Air National Guard base would be Stewart ANGB, about 70 miles north of NYC at Stewart International Airport just outside Newburgh.  The next closest NYANG base would be Westhampton at the Francis Gabreski Airport out on Long Island, about 80 miles or so from NYC.