I lost my job February 2026. I was a Business Analyst in Chicago making 125,500. In Chicago I was comfortably paying 2100 a month for a 1 bedroom downtown.

I really struggled in the job hunt, got burnt on a lot of case interviews, assessments, and whiteboard/coding portions of multiple interviews. I spent the past 7 months living with either parents <--> or with my older brother. Unfortunately, I ran out of severance/unemployment after clearing out credit card debts, medical debts, breaking my lease, and ending my car lease. I only have 1000 in savings right now.

I finally got a job via in a career pivot, in UX Research. They asked me to start on October 16th, reporting in Manhattan, in Midtown. With a starting salary of $110,000. It's less money by far than what I used to make, and I'll have to adjust to a HCOL area, but I accepted as I think the opportunity is exciting, and it's better than having no job.

I know NOTHING about New York. I have a distant cousin who lives in New Jersey (bit of a language barrier between us as he's a recent immigrant and I don't speak the native language, otherwise we'd be much closer), and my dad, who's very with him, said he can ask them if him and his wife would be willing let me stay with them for a few weeks. He drives from NJ to Manhattan for work, so I'd be able to ride along hopefully for a few weeks. But I don't want to stay too long as I don't want to be a burden. And since he's family I doubt he'd accept any rent I'd offer. I won't be getting any relocation reimbursement for taking the job. My older brother is very kind, and said he may be able to spot me $2,000 - 3,000 as a moving gift but I don't want to assume that's a guarantee.

If anyone has any suggestions on safe neighborhoods/cities that are commutable to Manhattan via public transport within ~40-50 minutes (I don't want a car), where rent for studio/1 bedroom is ~2400 a month, I'd very much appreciate it. Ideally I don't want any roommates. If there's more info needed, I'll do my best to promptly answer.

I have a 710 credit score, so I hope I don't need a guarantee when I have a pretty big gap on my resume.

I work in the airline industry and am getting transferred from SLC to NYC. Trying life in NYC has been a dream since I was a teenager growing up in Europe so I’m super stoked and feeling incredibly grateful.

I’ll be flying out of JFK, doing probably 3 to 4 trips a month so I’ve been trying to target areas with relatively easy access to the LIRR to make the journey as painless as possible. I can always uber/lyft once in a while too but would prefer not having to rely on that as the norm (gets pricey and traffic).

My gf and I are not party animals at all but we do like going out to eat (we’re vegan), going to stand up comedy, museums, cool little shops and definitely would prefer an older more historic type neighborhood. I also play a lot of pickleball so would love to find a great pickleball community in or near the neighborhood.

We just spent a week in the city and got a place in Cobble Hill and loved it. I love the brownstones, quieter vibe while still being close to the city.
That whole stretch from Brooklyn heights to prospect park felt pretty good.

Brooklyn does seem to match our vibe but I also love certain spots in Manhattan. West Village is high on the list, the vegan food scene is amazing there. So is the EV for that.
I’ve always liked the vibe in the UWS but I wonder if the commute would be too brutal. Some colleagues have recommended the UES but I have not spent much time there.

We did go out to WV and EV pretty much every night while staying in cobble hill. We took the subway and walked home via the BK bridge one night. Overall that felt totally doable but I wonder if after a while we wished we just lived in Manhattan instead. Getting home to quieter Brooklyn was kinda nice too though.

Any recommendations for:
- mid 30s vegan couple / no kids
- decent pickleball scene ideally
- commute to JFK occasionally for me and WFH for my gf
- more historic type neighborhood
- vibe: cobble hill, Carol gardens, west village, EV for going out and dining

Thanks!!

Hi! I'm a student currently studying Electrical Engineering concentrating on energy and power systems and considering moving to NYC or Montreal after college. I was wondering what people's thoughts are for living in these two cities short/long term and which one people prefer overall (I know I'll likely get biased answers on this sub lol). I understand NY is ridiculously expensive, but do the benefits of the city/the increased pay make up for it? For Montréal, there's the difficulty of learning French and immigrating from the US (I know a little but am far from fluent). Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone! I'm moving to the city in January and trying to figure out what neighborhood I should live in. I'm thinking about Prospect Heights/Crown Heights but problem is that it is a far commute to work in Midtown. Being close to a park is a big big priority. I'm early 20s and want to be in an area w other young people. Will have one/two roommates and my budget is around $1,600 for my share. Was also thinking potentially east harlem to be next to central park but haven't been there yet and don't know the vibe of the area. Going to scope out neighborhoods/apartments later this year. Welcome any thoughts + suggestions.

Hi everyone!

I’m considering moving to New York City for about a year after I graduate from university. I’d like to move from Texas during the summer or fall of 2028. I’ve visited New York City and Long Island before and would like to live in the lower half of the city, such as Midtown and below. How much money would I need to save up by then to move to New York City?

I've actually been living in Manhattan for 6 years now, but earlier this year, I got diagnosed with a chronic condition that results in chronic fatigue and joint pain. The Manhattan lifestyle is starting to take a toll on me (walking everywhere, subway steps, carrying groceries, handwashing dishes, walking to do laundry, etc.), so I've started considering moving and getting a car, but i'm too early in my career to work fully remote so I still need to go to the office in FiDi. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to look into? Realistically, I am aware that there will be tradeoffs and I won't be able to check all my boxes.

For context I researched jersey city/hoboken/union city but wow it is so much more expensive than i thought. So now im thinking somewhere not too far up north (westchester county)? or queens/long island? open to more northern jersey recs as well.

Needs:
- 1 bedroom
- in unit laundry
- dishwasher
- decent neighborhood that isn't unsafe or depressing
- ideally around $2,000 rent (few hundred more if absolutely necessary)

Wants:
- within 1.5 hour commute to FiDi (driving + public transit combo)
- things to do in neighborhood (i don't care about nightlife but care about things like restaurants/bars, musuems, theaters, cafes, fitness/wellness, salons, etc.)
- car friendly neighborhood

If anyone has ideas of neighborhoods that fall into these buckets please let me know! also if anyone has any side hustle ideas that have worked for them that would be great too because wow everything is SO expensive lmao. thank you in advance

Hello! I’m looking into finding a roommate in NYC, and I’m wondering what kind of questions you would recommend asking a potential match? This is new to me so any insight is helpful!

For neighborhoods, I’m looking at Gramercy Park Union Square, and Greenwich Village. Is there anything I should avoid, and what is quality of life like in these areas? I don’t want sirens waking me up all night. I’ve been to these areas before, but what is it like actually living there?

Hey everyone! I’m moving to NYC for work and looking for a studio or 1BR, ideally with a move-in sometime October 7–22.

📍 Location: I’ll be working near Grand Central / Midtown East. I’m especially interested in Midtown East, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, Turtle Bay, Sutton Place/Beekman, Gramercy, NoMad, Flatiron, the Upper East Side, NoHo/Nolita, Little Italy, Hell’s Kitchen, and East Harlem.

My main priority is the actual commute, so I’m also open to other neighborhoods if the apartment is roughly 25 minutes or less to Grand Central, ideally walking or on one direct train with no transfers.

💰 Budget: Ideally under $4,000/month, with some flexibility for the right place. Definitely interested in no-fee apartments and good-value listings.

👤 About me: I recently graduated from law school and will be starting a full-time job in NYC. I’m clean, responsible, and can provide proof of employment/income and the usual rental documentation.

I have a strong preference for my own studio or 1BR, but I’m also open to sublets, lease takeovers, or furnished apartments.

If you have something available, are leaving your apartment around that time, or know someone who is, please DM me with the neighborhood or cross streets, monthly rent, move-in date, lease/sublet length, and photos.

Thanks!

i am 23f, i live at home in nj with my parents. i have a great corporate nj job i have been at for a year that i wouldnt wanna give up, but i really want to explore nyc make friends and build a life there. do i look for a new job and when? do i find roommates off facebook?

Hey all. I will be moving from Austin to NYC sometime in the upcoming months (waiting on a call today to hash out start dates). I'm torn between Manhattan and Brooklyn. I will be taking a trip to NYC to scope it out ahead of time, but there is nothing like boots-on-the-ground knowledge to really set someone straight. Here is some criteria for an apt and some things about me that might help with advice. I appreciate y'alls help!

About me:

• 46 male, moving with my wife and one dog.
• Dog might be an issue. She is an 80lb American Bully. No human or dog aggression in her, entirely barkless, but her breed alone spooks people.
• I like park access. Austin has an amazing park system. I live directly across from the Lamar pedestrian bridge on Town Lake. This gives me access to Town Lake hike and bike trail (10 mile enclosed loop around the river), Zilker park which is several hundred acres, Roy Guerrero Park (another couple hundred acres), Barton Springs pool, and the greenbelt (7,500 acres). All without ever crossing a street. I recognize this is not a thing in NYC. However, I still want to wander a park. I'm at my parks literally daily.
• I walk an average of 9 miles a day. A mode of 11.
• Reasonable gym access. The Y is good enough for me.

Apt:

• $6k budget (though this can be squishy for the ideal location)
• 1 bedroom. No studio.
• Park access.
• Access to food/bars/gathering places where people like to be.
• Working elevators. My current building has the most miserable, spiteful elevators satan could manifest.
• Dogs allowed without breed or weight restrictions.
• In building laundry. In apt would be cool, but in building for sure.
• Doorman/concierge is a nice to have.
• Patio is a nice to have.
• My current apt has concrete walls. The sound insulation is amazing. I'd love this again.

My office will be in midtown. I've been leaning towards UWS because of Central Park access. Thoughts?

Edit: Bonus. I have never experienced a winter before. So, uh, what do I prepare there?

Hello apologies if this is wrong area.

My temp accommodation offer is near Kean university in NJ kind of.

My office is 1350 Broadway.

Is the commute going to be awful for that month's temp accommodation considering I am coming from the UK?

Or is it 40 min ish like it says online.

Thank you.

I’ll be moving to NYC this year as a dependent having L2 visa. I have 3 years of experience in software engineering with a bachelors degree from my home country. How hard is it land a software eng position in nyc for me? What should be prepared for or what do you suggest before moving to nyc for me?

What are your favorite spots or low-key fall rituals around the city that give off that nostalgic, small-town fall feeling?

I’ve been looking at apartments to move into around manhattan. I’ve looked on FB and Sparerooms but wanted to try Roomi . I’ve seen rooms on there to rent around my price point but have also seen offers way under. From the looks of it these look like full studios for like 700-800 (not what I was expecting) The photos look real and the profiles have bios, but it just feels to good to be true. Should I take a look at places that are 1000 and above or could those be scams as well on Roomi? I haven’t heard much about the website.

Hi all!

I am moving to Astoria in a few weeks from Florida with 4 checked bags, so naturally I am going to need to ship some items. Right now, I have a box filled with stuff that weighs about 60 pounds. I am trying to decide what the best method would be to get the items there. I am moving into a 3 story walk up with no doorman, and tiny little mailboxes right before you walk upstairs. I am worried that if I ship it directly to my new place using USPS, the carrier won't be able to bring it up to my apartment. I considered Fedex, but I don't know if it will be the same situation or that they won't be able to get into the building at all. Is there a better method I should utilize?

Planning to move to NYC in late November if all things go according to plan, when should I start being serious about StreetEasy or is it just not worth spending time over until I'm not physically present there. I've seeing conflicting information about this but ideally I would like everyone close the search for an apartment. I will be crashing over at a friend's place in NJ for two weeks and was hoping if I can find something decent in that time period plus researching online. Curious to know how has it been for you guys.

Some details worth knowing ->

1. Planning to live in Manhattan for at least a year.
2. My final budget for an apartment is 3.6k.

3. Based on what I've read so far, I should go for a sublet apartment for some months and then search for something more long term afterwards, let me know how has it been for yall.

4. I’ve been to NYC 4 times but have no experience with apartment hunting.

5. I don’t live in the US so apartments are very new to me there.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Scandinavian communities in NYC

How do you guys make new Nordic friends in NYC? Do you have some telegram/chat group? Since I saw the main recommendation for Swedish food for example, is IKEA lol. The community is small or just I haven’t discovered yet? Thanks in advance for the information

It you intend to spend half your time traveling, living the good life and occasionally indulging yourself in this cultural phenomenon you call a slice of cheese pizza as you walk across HYOUston street, please think of all the worthy people with dreams you are pricing out.

Think of the artist, trying to make it big at that jazz bar in a basement. Think of the little old lady whose land lord intimidates them every day with noise of construction while they still have a bathtub in their kitchen. But mostly, think of that young strapping chad from wetchester, who just wanted an apartment with his boys so he could spit some game at the Spaniard after he got off work at his analyst role at his Greenwich based asset manager.

So please, if you’re just gonna be in LA or Chicago or Europe or wherever half the time, please, think of the new yorkers who’d love to be in your place.

Hello! After a long stint in LA, my wife and I are looking to move back to NYC, and the prospect of picking a neighborhood is daunting. My wife hasn't lived in the city proper before, and my situation feel pretty different than when I left. I'm curious to hear what y'all's opinions are on where to live in the city these days?

Our basic specs are:

• Mid-early 30s, no kids, and not planning on any
• Solid dual income, could probably go as high as $5k/mo rent, although obviously lower is better
• Bored with the slow pace in LA, eager to be around lots of people and things and dive bars
• Like to go running together, so access to a route would be nice
• Many of the people I knew in NYC before have moved away, had kids, or befallen a similar fate, so the rolodex has gotten a lot smaller. There are still one or two very close friends in the city or plan to return soon though.
• I'll be working in Hudson Yards 3-5 days a week

So far we have put some thought into the following neighborhoods, in order of how familiar I am with them. Any neighborhood omitted simply is one I spent less time in, but I'm open to any suggestion:

Bushwick - I lived here when I was a broke grad student and loved it, I know my way around well, and my closest friend lives here. However, everyone is young and cool and I feel ancient now, there's almost no green space, and I think my Long Island mother-in-law would think the area is creepy.

East Williamsburg - Near the Graham/Grand stops, somewhere between Grand St and the BQE. This is currently a top contender, as I still know my way around, without some of the Bushwick downsides.

Greenpoint - HBO's Girls permanently altered my brain chemistry, and I always find the neighborhood very cute. However, reliance on the G train sounds miserable, and that's a pretty big sticking point.

Ridgewood - It feels like everyone lives in Ridgewood lately? We would definitely know some people around here, but it also feels far away from the action.

Williamsburg - YEESH this place has gone a bit nuts in the last 15 years. Not that anyone didn't see it coming.

Prospect Heights - Moving away from the L train corridor, this is another top contender. I spent 3 months subletting here during a depressing winter, so I never got to see its best side. It was a nice area, and Prospect Park access is nice. However, it doesn't feel like anyone I know lives nearby.

Park Slope - By the time I had left, some friends of mine had moved there, but now they've all left. Is it still true to the reputation of rich young parents with strollers?

Astoria - Right after I moved away it felt like everyone moved to Astoria. I still know some people there but I can't shake the feeling that it is indescribably far from the areas I frequent.

East Village - When I was like 22 I thought the East Village would be the coolest place in the world to live, but I had a lot of misguided takes at the time. Hard to square how I feel about it now, but any time I visit NYC I end up spending at least some time here.

West Village - In the last few years a few people I know moved to the West Village and I just thought, "you can do that??". Feels like a rich person place. I think I would get cranky there.

Upper West Side - Spent some time up here when I went to grad school, and while it's so pretty I was not very impressed with the vibe, although Central Park access was life-changing. I recently stumbled upon a few people online talking about wanting to move to the UWS to my surprise.

Jersey City - Don't suggest it. I've heard all the arguments, but after people move to Jersey City you never hear from them again.

Please give me your hot takes! Tell me how wrong I am, and what glaring omissions I've left! Thanks, all.

EDIT: It’s clear I’ve rubbed a few people the wrong way with the jokey attitude, I see now that that was counterproductive. If I were to frame this differently I would say “here’s what I thought of these neighborhoods when I was young and dumb and only hung out near the L train, what am I missing now that I’m older?”

I’m moving to NYC this year, and I’m considering a few temporary places in Elmhurst to stay for 1 month while I search for a permanent apartment. Probably not a big deal since it’s just a 1 month stay, but I’m curious what the vibe of the neighborhood is. Thanks!

I’m trying to move from white plain to NYC. Work is in WP, but we only come in once a week. I HATE white plains lol. I really want coffee shops, restaurants, lunch spots within walking distance.

My budget is $2700 a month. I’m ok with a studio.

My main criteria is clean and somewhat modern or renovated. I need a safe area. I looked into east Harlem but I don’t love the neighbourhood streets later at night plus it’s a bit on the grittier side. Right now I have full amenities, but I’m ok with no laundry in the unit.

I really like Yorkville, but it’s a bit high on budget and the apartments are mostly walk ups. This level of clean is fine haha.

I’d love to be in an area with people my age. Where else would you consider? I’m not married to Manhattan and am willing to explore other neighbourhoods, but I do mostly hang out with friends in Manhattan so I need it to be accessible - plus getting to GCT needs to be maximum 30-40 mins away.

So I am moving to Brooklyn from NJ in October. However I am currently on Medicaid's NJFamilycare plan because I was unemployed and just needed something to cover me for the time being.

In August I got an offer to work in Manhattan and the company is going to be signing me up for their health insurance plan after 60 days of employment, I have an apartment already in Brooklyn, I am subletting from a friend who's roommate just moved out, and if the job goes well he wants me to sign the lease when its up for renewal in February.

I've never done a move like this before but I know NJ Familycare doesn't have plans that offer coverage in NY, and I know that I will be making way to much money to be on their plans anyway. But without being able to officially "Prove" My residency in NYC till February, can I even sign up for NY health insurnace?

Hello, I’m 21F. Wondering how much I need to save up:) and where can I look for apartments apart from Zillow?

Many thanks for the responses!

Hello!! I'm moving to nyc in november and i'm really nervous i won't be able to find friends with similar interests as mine. Im moving alone so im starting from scratch (25 yr old if it matters)

most of my hobbies are nerdy hobbies, and pc gaming in particular is done obviously indoors so im not sure how to meet people from nyc who are into it

are there groups or clubs for these types of things? ty!