Moving in New York City –or any city in general– is no easy feat. I’ve moved to New York City from out of state twice, and in 2023 alone, I moved within the city twice. For someone who hate packing, unpacking, moving and everything else that comes along with it, I have done a lot more moving than I’d like to.

Thankfully, now I know a thing or two when it comes to moving to the Big Apple. It is truly a part-time job and requires a lot of work and attention. I’ve only ever moved to New York City, so I can not speak on other metropolitan areas, but NYC is the place where you can EASILY be bamboozled. With this in mind follow these steps carefully and use your own due diligence.

Some of these tips could work for other cities! Let me know if they work for you. I’d love to hear your success stories.

Moving To NYC

Full guide available here—everything includes direct hyperlinks!

Speed Run Mode (SRM): This is how I found my first apartment in less than 7 days. (See images below.)

Remote Mode (RM): This is how to get the best apartment options when you can’t be there in person. (Having connections in the city is preferred, but not necessary.)

SRM

Get accommodation for a week. (You got this!)
- Specific hotel, apartment, and other options here
Before arriving, set up as many showings as you can.
- Craigslist, Reddit (r/NYCapartments), Trulia, and Facebook groups. (A comprehensive list of 20+ sources for apartment hunting here.)
- Additionally, there are dorms and intergenerational co-living. Usually paring a Senior and student. There is Nesterly and NYFSC which has partnered with NYU.
Look up crime stats on Trulia (website) or this app.
Reach out to the realtors managing the apartment you’re interested in.
- Note: sublets and non-realtor/landlord interactions are super risky when not done IRL. (There is an exception, mentioned here.)
Ask lots of questions, such as: is there a difference between gross vs net rent?
- The rent on your lease is the gross rent. Net rent is the actual amount you’re paying over the duration of the lease. (For example, $2000 gross rent is the rent on the lease. However, if you get “two free months” then the net rent is actually ~$1,600.)
- Want more questions? Know what else you should be asking here.
Like what you see? Proceed by doing the following:
- Ask for the next steps.
- If you’re showing with a realtor:
  - Ask for their full name, company name, and the application.
  - Google the information they give you to verify.
    - (It’s okay if they ask for an application fee or security, but be careful. Try to turn in any money you send with a complete application. Verify that you’re money will be refunded if the application is declined. And ALWAYS try to pay with a credit card in case you have to file a claim.)

RM

Look for apartments on Craigslist, Reddit (r/NYCapartments), Trulia, and Facebook groups. (A comprehensive list of 20+ sources for apartment hunting here.)
Like an apartment? Look it up on Google Street view to scope out thearea.
- Verfiy the building is the same on in the listing (sometimes they [realtors, landlords, owners, etc.] copy+paste images while listing places.)
- Tour the neighborhood virtually
- Look at other buildings; you might see the ones you like more!
Look up crime stats on Trulia (website) or this app.
Reach out to the realtors managing the apartment you’re interested in.
- Note: sublets and non-realtor/landlord interactions are super risky when not done IRL. (There is one exception, mentioned here.)
- Ask lots of questions, such as: is there a difference between gross vs net rent?
  - Want more questions? Know what else you should be asking here.
Coordinate a live video/FaceTime tour with the realtor
- DO NOT ACCEPT ONLY PRE-FILMED VIDEOS
- I you have a connection in NYC having them view the place on your behalf is best
- When virtually viewing with them, ask:
  - for apartment and room dimensions
  - for floor plan
  - where does the landlord/super live?
  - click here for a full list of 10+ key things to check during a virtual apartment tour with a realtor.
After viewing, ask for the realtors:
- Next steps
- Apartment application
- Their full name and company name
  - Google the information they gave you to verify. If you can’t verify their information, deprioritize that place (for pre-caution.)
It’s okay if they ask for an application fee or security, but be careful. Try to turn in any money you send with a complete application. Verify that you’re money will be refunded if the application is declined. And ALWAYS try to pay with a credit card in case you have to file a claim.