But what if I CAN'T make it there?
April 25, 2011 4:56 PM   Subscribe

I just graduated, and I have an opportunity to live rent-free in NYC for a couple of months while looking for work. Can you think of a reason this is a bad idea?

Me: graduated in December from a good school with a decent resume, currently working at a coffee shop in my college town. I've been applying for jobs locally, but there really hasn't been much to apply for. (The closest I've come to getting a job was actually my one out-of-town interview... in New York.) My degree a double in advertising and anthropology, and I'd like to work in project management or something similar to that (but I've been applying for advertising jobs and such, too). Also relevant- I don't have any special attraction to New York. I've visited and it seems cool, but I have absolutely no idea if I'd really like it. I've lived in North Carolina my whole life, basically.

My godsister: lives in Washington Heights and is moving in with her girlfriend, leaving her condo empty. It needs renovations before it can be sold, so she has offered to let me live there for free for a few months until the renovations are done. I would probably still pay utilities, but that would be it.

To my name, I've got a $1000 savings bond, and that's it, no other savings. Also, my student loans are coming due soon. I couldn't pay them working at my current job if I tried.

So here's the question, I guess: I have no idea what the job market is really like in NYC. My plan is to go, get a service job like I have now, and try to save money and look for jobs while I still have free rent. But if I get up there, spend my savings, and still have no job, I'm screwed, right? And what if I can't get a big-girl job but can find a barista job- can I live on a barista's salary in NYC once I have to leave this free apartment? I feel like this is a great opportunity, but since I don't live in New York and have only visited it a few times, I feel like I could be missing something important. Help me out!
posted by showbiz_liz to Work & Money (34 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Go for it. This is a great opportunity and if NYC is a place you'd like to live/work while starting your career - it's so much easier to find a job locally. Job market is getting better but not gret yet. You'll have to be careful witih your spending - but I can't think of a reason not to at least give it a go. Also check with temp agencies to see if they have any temp-perm placements in your field. It might not have benefits to start but can help get your foot in the door.
posted by TravellingCari at 5:02 PM on April 25, 2011


The initial issue that I see is that the cost of living is much higher in New York. Meaning food, mainly, but also transportation and entertainment costs.

But if you want to do it badly enough, and are willing to look for any job, you'll make it work. I think people with the opportunity should give New York living a go. It's pretty fantastic.
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:02 PM on April 25, 2011


$1,000 will not get you far in NYC, even if you're living rent free.

If you're ready to hit the ground running and aggressively pursue employment you could probably make it work.
posted by dfriedman at 5:04 PM on April 25, 2011


Sure this could go wrong, as anything can, but chances are it won't. I was in debt when I came to NYC, I worked for a temp agency in one position before I landed something else that could pay my bills and my student loans. Rent-free living while you get your sea legs is a great opportunity. Come to NYC.
posted by safetyfork at 5:04 PM on April 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


I grew up a bridge-and-tunneler and recently looked into renting a flat. The short answer is, yes, you will be homeless once the renovations finish. Unless I grossly misunderstand how a barista is paid, this is not the sort of job that lets you maintain a flat in Manhattan alone. With room-mates and a really unhealthy work ethic you might be able to scrape by, but it's really not a good idea. To give you an idea what you'd be working with, what most places consider a middle-class lifestyle costs 100k annual before taxes in Manhattan.

On the other hand, NYC is not Manhattan alone! I bet a barista could make rent on a small studio in Queens or the Bronx, or a two-bedroom if he found a room-mate. The only thing that would hold me back if that were the plan is the $1000 balance. That leaves you no margin for error, and New York is not hospitable to the indigent.

Food would not be a problem, but I would shop almost exclusively in Flushing, which may not work for you. I can't comment on transportation and entertainment---my idea of a good time is a long ride up the green path.
posted by d. z. wang at 5:06 PM on April 25, 2011


And what if I can't get a big-girl job but can find a barista job- can I live on a barista's salary in NYC once I have to leave this free apartment?

Be careful about assuming that you'll even be able to find a barista job once you get to NYC -- even with experience.
posted by thisjax at 5:07 PM on April 25, 2011


Err...bridge-and-tunneler means I grew up in a New Jersey suburb. Proper New Yorkers would look down their noses at me.
posted by d. z. wang at 5:07 PM on April 25, 2011


Response by poster: I should probably add that I definitely don't plan on living in Manhattan once I actually have to pay my own rent, and also don't at all mind having roommates.
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:12 PM on April 25, 2011


But if I get up there, spend my savings, and still have no job, I'm screwed, right?

Well, no… it sounds like if you get up here, spend your savings, and still have no job, you'll be no more screwed than you are now but $1,000 poorer. Which isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

I say go for it. This is a rare chance to move someplace new – a city where lots of kids after college scratch and claw to make a living – and you get to do it for free. This is just about as little risk as will ever be attached to any experience worth having.

By the way, if you're smart with your money, $1,000 should go a long way toward getting you through the summer, even in NYC. Once you account for rent, living here doesn't have to be much pricier than anywhere else, and things will be cheaper in Washington Heights than in most of Manhattan. Don't eat out or go to bars too much, don't go shopping. Voila.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 5:15 PM on April 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


NYC is an expensive city, but if you're smart, you can live on a budget. You could be a barista as long as you had roommates and lived in NJ or an outer borough, but it would be a bit of a crunch.

Come to New York! You never know what'll happen. Definitely make sure to save save save save save while you're living rent-free, though. This is your ultimate test of gratification-delay.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:16 PM on April 25, 2011


Flushings will not work... It takes like an hour(more??) to get from Midtown to Flushings.

Instead, shop at Chinatown. I think food is cheap if you shop in Chinatown supermarkets. You can get pretty much anything chock-full-of-hormones, antibiotics, and what-not at a cheap price there.

"Traditional" entertainment, e.g., movies, will be *expensive*. But there's so much going on in the city, e.g., Julliard concerts, that is cheap, free and great! Also, the Metropolitan museum is "free". Shakespeare in the park. Smell the horse-shit in central park south... Take advantage of opportunities like these.
posted by jchaw at 5:19 PM on April 25, 2011


I should add that summer is without a doubt the best time of year to be broke in NYC. Everywhere you turn there's free outdoor concerts, movies, you can spend the day on Governors Island for free, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, hang out in Fort Tryon Park and go to the Cloisters ($10 "recommended donation" for students, a.k.a. a buck if you don't mind some dirty looks), go to Coney Island and walk around or splurge on cheap tickets to a minor league baseball game.

Even if you come up and can't find a job (which, to be honest, is an eventuality for which you should be prepared, there are probably enough out of work actors and writers to staff every Starbucks twice over, though it doesn't mean you don't have a shot) I would say it's worth it anyway. Also, if you think you might want to find a "big girl job" in NYC, it will improve your odds dramatically to have an in-town address to put on your resume.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 5:30 PM on April 25, 2011


Go for it! Just be very frugal and take whatever jobs come your way. The worst that can happen is that you'll give up and take the Greyhound bus home to NC, which really isn't all that far away. People come to NY from much more distant places, with a lot less money and/or social capital.
posted by mareli at 5:30 PM on April 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


if I get up there, spend my savings, and still have no job, I'm screwed, right?

It's not like things are going to be great if you stick with your barista job, are they?

I kind of get the impression that someone asking this kind of question probably doesn't want to go to NYC, in which case you probably shouldn't. However, if you aren't having much job search success where you are, you might as well pick up and move and start looking for jobs in NYC-- you'll be local, so arranging interviews might be easier.

My only caveat here is that you should probably look up all of your friends from school who are in NYC now just so you'll arrive with a social circle. Also, if you had posted, "I'm living in my college town and can't find a job," I'd advise, "work with your college's career office!" Moving to NYC is going to disconnect you from any local college resources, so it might help to look up your alma mater's alumni club in NYC to augment your job search.
posted by deanc at 5:31 PM on April 25, 2011


Comparing Austin, TX (lived there for seven-plus years) to NYC, I actually think food, clothing, and transportation is cheaper in NYC.

Some observations.

(plus) Pizza by the slice is cheaper.

(plus) Chinese food is cheaper.

(plus) Halal food-carts are affordable.

(plus) public transportation to everywhere. Get the unlimited metrocard.

(plus) You can walk anywhere!

(plus) clothing is cheap! Shop at Century 21.

(plus) Staten island ferry is free! Very inspiring ride during sunset.

(minus) McDonalds and other fast-food restaurant is significantly more expensive, e.g., they don't have $2.50 happy meals in NYC.

(minus) milk, cookies, and other processed foods from typical grocery stores, e.g., Whole Foods, is more expensive
posted by jchaw at 5:32 PM on April 25, 2011


I moved to New York in 2004 with a free place to live and $1200 in my pocket. I had a job within a month and eventually got another roommate and an apartment in Astoria. I say go for it.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:32 PM on April 25, 2011


Hey there Liz! Remember me? I met you in [college town] and I now live in Brooklyn. I first moved up here and lived cheap in Jersey, jobless, with a tiny bit of savings and roommates for the first few months before moving to Brooklyn. Don't let people tell you that money can't go a long way up here. If you don't have rent, you can stretch it for sure, you just gotta know where to go and learn to prioritize.
The whole getting-a-job thing and supporting yourself is a little harder. But again, with all the free time you'll have, if you literally go door-to-door looking for a barista job, you might be able to swing it. Or network the shit out of yourself if you're going to go the more professional route. If you're really proactive, though, you'll have a better chance. I've been lazier than I should be, so it took me a while.
Also, do you have friends here? When I was poor and sequestered in Jersey, I got pretty lonely bc all my friends were in Brooklyn, and it was a hike. Wash Heights is kinda far out from lots of places you'll probably wanna hang out (just guessing, considering the little I know about you). So, again, you'll have to be proactive to entertain yourself or to meet up with friends (unless they're near to you).
But, I say try it! It's been two years now, and things are finally coming together. I have a place I like, a small good group of friends (also some [college town] transplants), and a job I can tolerate (but I'm still working on improving upon that one).
Either way, MeMail if you want! I'm at work right now so this isn't the most coherent, but I'd be happy to chat more.
posted by greta simone at 5:39 PM on April 25, 2011


Do it! Like elsietheheel, I moved here on virtually nothing. I have no idea how I managed for the first few months, but hey - I'm still here.

Advertising? Get you a three month internship. It would really the best "in" to the industry and NYC. The internship would generally have you in office for about three days a week, which leaves plenty of time for a coffee/food/beer slinging job.

(If you'd like and think it would help, shoot me a MeMail with your student book. I'll have a look and possibly shop it around for you, if I think it would be a nice fit with my buddies in the business.)

Good luck!
posted by functionequalsform at 5:44 PM on April 25, 2011


The only drawback I can see is those renovations: the condo will be renovated while you're living there? What kind of renovations are we talking about --- just painting & other cosmetic stuff, or completely gutting & re-doing the kitchen and/or bathroom? I mean, do you know precisely how much of a construction site you are going to be trying to live in, and how many & how often construction workers are going to be in there?

I don't want to put a damper on your big adventure, but it would seem a good idea to get this stuff clear ahead of time.
posted by easily confused at 6:04 PM on April 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


I basically agree but for this:

(minus) milk, cookies, and other processed foods from typical grocery stores, e.g., Whole Foods, is more expensive


There are a lot of non-Whole Paycheck stores - and even living on the UES I wouldn't call that typical. On the Yupper West Side or Park Slope? Maybe, but not most of NYC or even Manhattan
posted by TravellingCari at 6:11 PM on April 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


When I first got to NYC I lived on less than 300/month and made it work for a while. I applied very aggressively to pretty much every job I could conceivably do and sent out maybe 250 resumes via Craigslist, which led to maybe a dozen interviews and eventually a position as a paralegal. On the one hand, it worked out for me. On the other hand, I feel like I got lucky. And I always had a parental safety net. My mom was not excited about my NYC move and would have let me move home to the west coast with her if shit had gone south. I'd think about a backup plan before jumping states and apply like crazy to any and all jobs before moving.
posted by prefpara at 6:37 PM on April 25, 2011


OK, this is may be a little cheesy, but I believe that in general it's better to regret something you did rather than something you didn't do. So I say go for it.
posted by analog at 6:44 PM on April 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I live in Queens and think this sounds like a great opportunity. My only concern would be, if you can't find a job and blow through your savings, are you able to move back home or do you have some other housing back-up plan? If so, go for it. It is easy to live very cheaply in NYC once you get past the rent, especially if you cook at home.
posted by wondermouse at 6:48 PM on April 25, 2011


Find out if that kitchen is functional. You will save a ton of money if you make your own meals.
posted by cazoo at 7:09 PM on April 25, 2011


I've never lived in New York, but I've lived in Chicago, and I have one data point to add: I had a friend who moved to Chicago the same time I did, and within six months he had his own studio on a barista salary. I think it was either $800 or $625 a month (big difference, but no matter). With roommates, it can be done! I'll probably be moving to New York too, soon.

Good luck!
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 7:11 PM on April 25, 2011


What's your backup plan if you move to NYC and aren't able to support yourself by the time you have to move out of the free rent place? Can you move back in with your parents or will you be stranded in NYC homeless with no money?
posted by Jacqueline at 9:27 PM on April 25, 2011


Can you think of a reason this is a bad idea?

nope.

But if I get up there, spend my savings, and still have no job, I'm screwed, right?

Not if you have free rent. You will find a service job if you honestly try, and you can squeak by on that. Don't cash that bond unless you absolutly have to. Work that grunt job while putting in for entry level gigs at agencies (or whatever). Take the free rent and get some exposure to the city! Have fun while beginning to build your network. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in the city as young, free person who's only mission is to explore.
posted by archivist at 10:02 PM on April 25, 2011


Flushings ?

It doesn't take an hour from midtown, and it's not called Flushings.

However, OP, you don't have to go to Flushing for cheap groceries. Good grief, no.

If you're living rent-free, you can do fine in NYC. Take the opportunity, by all means.
posted by torticat at 11:00 PM on April 25, 2011


I've been told (and seen people say on this board) how bad the job market is. I got a job with little experience in Manhattan within 10 days of graduating (in the bad economy). I then found a great job within 2 weeks of getting laid off from said job within weeks. I am not an extrovert, but it is almost impossible not to meet new people in this city.

Go for it, don't look back and you will succeed. If you would like any more info, send me a message.
posted by mtheshark at 11:21 PM on April 25, 2011


Graduated in December

Also, being young is all about making mistakes. If by some misfortune you don't find a job here, you can always move back home. You have many, many years to be young and stupid...
posted by mtheshark at 11:47 PM on April 25, 2011


If you do decide to move to town, memail me - I have a GREAT temp agent I can recommend you. Totally professional, got me a solid gig that became permanent, and 3 years later I'm still here and entirely satisfied. Great way to supplement your income if you have even minimal computer abilities, and your presence on MeFi suggests that you do.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 2:34 PM on April 26, 2011 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: Hey everybody... I did it! I just arrived in NYC at 5pm last night!

The answers to this question went a long way towards convincing me (and assuaging my parents' worst fears), so thanks you all! I can't wait to meet some of you at the next meetup.
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:40 AM on May 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


I'm interested in hearing how it goes for you! Keep us posted, please. I just graduated, too.
posted by sunnychef88 at 12:07 AM on May 29, 2011


Response by poster: I don't know if anyone still has this thread bookmarked... but about a month ago I found a temp-to-perm job at an NGO, it's going really well, and I'm moving into my own place this weekend. Thanks for talking me into it, guys!
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:05 PM on September 28, 2011 [2 favorites]


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