by Sophia Perry
You have finally graduated from college - congratulations! We know that that was not easy, but it was a walk in the park when compared to what comes next. As you are here reading this article, you are probably considering moving to NYC after college. And, why wouldn't you? NYC was and still is the number one place in the world to either make it or break it. And, if you do make it, trust us, you will feel successful, accomplished, and prosperous.
So, do not think much; moving to NYC after graduating from college is a good idea. There is no doubt that you will find a job that suits your needs and preferences in this mesmerizing city while also having the time of your life taking in everything New York City has to offer.
But, before you start packing your bags and buying a one-way ticket to NYC, keep on reading to see what you must do first.
Apply For Several Jobs
If you are moving to NYC after college because you have already found a job there, feel free to skip this step. But, if you have not, it might be a good idea to research your job options before you start looking for moving labor in NYC. Having a job waiting for you comes with many benefits - for instance, you will have a secured income right from the start (that is something you need in a place as expensive as NYC), and you will know exactly where to look for your accommodation.
Thus, check job-search websites first. If you find a position that suits your skills and experiences, apply for it. Apply for several positions because the competition game is strong in NYC, and the chances of getting every job you apply for are improbable. Of course, have your updated or new CV and your cover letters ready and on hand!
Find Your New Home Before Moving
Another thing that you should do before you start looking for movers to hire is to start looking for your new NYC home. Of course, you can move to the Big Apple without having a home there yet, but that may be very stressful and complex. Just think about it - you will have to spend a small fortune on hotels for your stay and a small fortune on short-term storage for your belongings. And not only that - if you do not have a home waiting for you in NYC, you will have to move again once you do find it. We can all agree that doing this is very time, energy, and money-consuming.
Thus, do yourself a favor and find your new home before moving. Start by figuring out where exactly you want to live. NYC is huge, and you do not want to live somewhere where you will have to spend two hours commuting to work. Next, figure out what amenities you want in and out of your home (square footage, number of bedrooms, furniture, appliances, etc.). All of this will help you find a home that suits your needs and budget. Use home-search sites or hire a real estate agent for this.
Find a Storage For Your Belongings
Once you have found your New York City home, it is time to start looking for storage. Of course, if you do not have a lot of belongings, or if you have enough money to spend on a bigger apartment in NYC, you can skip this step. But, let us be real, nobody travels with just one suitcase, and nobody (at least not recent graduates) can afford a bigger apartment in NYC. And, renting storage in NYC makes sense - it is much cheaper than renting a bigger apartment.
Thus, start looking for storage nearby that can keep your items safe and sound until you need them again. Those can be your seasonal items, extra clothes and shoes, extra pieces of furniture and household knick-knacks, bike, etc. You can rent short-term storage, which is a temporary solution for your belongings. This is a good idea if you plan on moving out frequently. If you are not, then look for long-term options - they are cheaper in the long run.
Declutter Your Belongings
However, just because you can rent a unit for all of your belongings does not mean that you should relocate all of the items you have back home. For that, you will have to buy more packing materials, pay your movers extra, and rent a bigger storage unit. And for what - for items that you probably do not even need? Do not do this to yourself. Declutter your belongings before moving. Pack only what is absolutely necessary for your new NYC life.
If you have some items that are damaged, broken, or simply useless, just let them hit the bin. And, if you have some items that are in good shape but you do not use them anymore, either donate or sell them. Donations are always a noble thing to do - you can give your items to a local charity or a friend or family member who needs them. On the other hand, selling your items is a great thing to do if you need money for your move. You can either sell your items online (Craiglist, for example) or organize a yard/garage sale.
Find (or Hire) Helping Hands
Last but certainly not least, before moving to NYC after college, you should find or hire some helping hands. A moving crew will take care of every moving-related task while you deal with other, more important things. However, if you do not have enough money in your budget for a full-on moving service, you can choose just services that are absolutely necessary for you.
For instance, you can rent a moving truck only. Also, while the guys from NYC Mini Storage advise hiring packing services because professionals know how to keep your belongings safe during transport, loading, unloading, and for their time in storage, this is an expense you can save money on by doing it yourself. Just learn how to do it correctly.
But, if you decide to opt for a DIY kind of a move, that is okay too. Just make sure you know what you are doing. That is, make sure you gather your packing supplies, pack your items properly, arrange for transportation, stack your things properly so that they survive the relocation, find friends to help with all the heavy lifting, etc.
Moving to NYC after college is not as easy as you may think. Moving in general, no matter how far, is highly stressful. Do some research on the topic before the moving day arrives.