Moving to NY for college

College life is one of the most exciting periods in anyone’s life. You are young, carefree and you are moving to NY to study. However, you should act responsibly from the start. As you are now entering adulthood, you should come prepared to the Big Apple. You will have to balance your university obligations with social life and possibly a part-time job. That is a way you should make a plan in order not to be unpleasantly surprised. Moving to NY for college should not be a problem for you. Keep reading to find out more about life in New York City.

New York

Since you will be moving to NY for college, you should know some basic information about this city. New York has more than 20 million people living in its territory, which makes NY one of the most densely populated cities in the United States. Because of its size, the Big Apple is the financial, cultural, and media capital of the world. New York is also the most photographed city in the world, which comes as no surprise as more than 60 million tourists visit this city annually. More than 120 universities are located in NY, among them well known Columbia University, New York University, and Rockefeller University. You should have already found this out since you will soon be a student moving to New York, the city that never sleeps.

Essential things to know

Before moving to NY for college, you need to do proper research. There are many pro’s and con’s to moving to New York, so make sure to cover them all. Make a lost of priorities and find out as much as you can about them. What will interest you the most is the housing options. You can choose between a dormitory and renting an apartment. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

The student dorm will offer you a chance to meet a large number of new people. You will not have to worry about paying the bills. On the other hand, living alone will allow you more freedom and privacy but also costs more.

Finding an apartment

Finding an apartment is one of the essential things to do if you are moving to NY for college. Start saving money even before the move since living in the Big Apple is expensive. Be extremely careful when choosing the apartment and always go and see it yourself before renting. The next step is finding a roommate. Even if you do not like the idea of living with someone else, it is necessary unless you can afford to live on your own. A roommate might end up being your best friend for life or just someone you used to know. In either case, you will have someone to share the excitement of living in New York City.

Transportation

Another important thing to consider when moving to NY for college is public transit. Try finding an apartment that is well-connected to the NYC subway since it is the cheapest way to get around the city. If you do not like the idea of commuting every day, find the apartment near your university. That way you can walk every day to the university instead of using the subway.

Finding a job

Since the costs of living in NY are pretty high, it would be wise to get a part-time job. Find a job that will allow you to work, but which will not affect your studying as well. The extra money will come in handy especially after living in NY for a while. It will also look great on your resume since you will have experience when the time comes to finding a permanent job. This is very important since if you can find a part-time job that is connected to your major you will more easily find permanent work after your studies. Additionally, be sure to establish a budget. That way, you will keep track of your expenses and learn how to be a responsible adult.

Learn to organize your time

When you are moving to NY for college, you will need to organize your time. Maybe it does not sound fun, but it is very useful. You will have a lot of things on your plate and that is why you need to organize. Studying may be the most important entry on your list, but you have to provide yourself with some free time. New York offers many students discounts so be sure to use as many as you can. Certain establishments will grant you a free entry including the following.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• American Museum of Natural History
• The High Line
• Central and Prospect Parks

Must-see attractions in NY

Since you are moving to NY for college, use this opportunity to see all of the amazing attraction that New York has to offer. The Statue of Liberty and Central Park are just the tips of the iceberg. American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim and MoMA should also be at the start of your list.  A Broadway show is a must-see, of course. You can also visit many interesting neighborhoods of NY that are populated by ethnic groups. Places like Chinatown or Koreatown will give you the taste of these countries without actually visiting them. Definitely try as many traditional cuisines as you can since NY is a symbol of cultural diversity. Explore the Big Apple, use this time to obtain your degree, but also to have fun.

Conclusion

New York offers many opportunities that you should take. You will have an amazing time if you know how to organize well. Find a good moving company that will transport your belongings for you. Be careful when choosing the location for your apartment. It would be wise to find a roommate or two to split the bill so you can spend more money on yourself. Find a part-time job that will not interfere with your studies, but which will be a nice addition to your budget. Be sure to explore the city and to meet many interesting people. However, remember that education is the most important and everything else comes second. Do not worry much and enjoy the life in this amazing city.