This is NewNYers.com, the definitive guide to moving to New York City as a young professional. We give a running start to the thousands of twentysomethings who move to the city each month, many of whom are unsure how this whole thing is gonna turn out. We’re here to tell you the truth about NYC: It’s not impenetrable, impossible, prohibitively expensive, or too much of a pipe dream to really do it.

Yes, life in NYC is challenging, but if you hold tight to the gratitude and allure you felt in those first few months, it will stay with you for years. There’s too much to appreciate to be jaded.

Sarah Protzman Howlett, founder of NewNYers.com.

In these pages, you’ll find nearly everything you need to get started on your new life in NYC, including how to prepare before you even land. Via the search and categories at right, you can read about how to apartment hunt, how to navigate public transit, and how to spend wisely while you’re having fun, fun, fun! Most of our readers spend a lot of time on this site, devouring the posts and bookmarking them for future reference. We hope you’ll do the same! Now, for the FAQ:

I’m trying to get a job in NYC before I move. Why isn’t anyone hiring me?
Usually because of the sheer number of capable people already living here. It’s hard, but not impossible, to get the attention of a company from, say, Georgia, when there’s an equally qualified person, resume-wise, two subway stops away. Having said that, don’t give up contacting companies in the city, and remember that your network is always bigger than you think. Better yet, fly out for a week of informational interviews and networking events. If you take the leap and move without a job, consider temping — maybe working in the afternoons or evenings while you go on interviews in the mornings would work for you.

How much money should I save before I move?
As you can imagine, there’s no definitive number — but I usually ballpark it at around $3,000. If you have a roommate or two or three, there’s no reason this amount shouldn’t last you at least a couple months, food and PBR included. Even if the New York dream is just a glimmer in your eye at this point, start socking away $20 a week; it’ll buy you precious flexibility and peaceful sleep once you’re here.

Can I afford to live alone? Roommates are soooooo freshman year. 
Not if rent would have you treading at or near the 45%-of-your-income mark. A cool life is way more satisfying than a cool apartment, I promise. Part of the New York adventure is meeting new folks. Move in with someone you don’t know — tiny apartments and bff’s don’t mix — via rooms/shares on Craigslist. Open houses will make your head spin, but you’ll find something right for you. Not to mention they’ll give you great stories to tell.

I have expensive taste and a huge sense of entitlement. Will I survive in this booming metropolis of temptation?
No.

What’s it like to date in Manhattan?
Educational. Bottom line is, you’ll have good dates and bad, but there are great people out there, and it’s important to meet a wide swath of people. You’ll see new places and experience haunts you never would’ve found on your own. And remember, almost everything is funny in hindsight.

Should I send you my own experiences, thoughts or tips?
Yes! Join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter, and email me at sarah.protzman@gmail.com.

Thanks, NNYers!

My living situation is: Living with my significant other.

Joel Lyons, co-founder of NYC Media Buzz, in Central Park.

My first job in the city was: A content editor for a mobile/online group.
My job now is: A marketing associate with a restaurant group.

The best advice I have for newcomers is: Read NewNewYorkers and subscribe to Time Out New York.

The toughest time I’ve gone through since moving here is: I was brave (or stupid) and moved to New York without a job during the peak of the recession….I made sure that I was dressed and ready by 9 a.m. every morning just to guarantee that if someone called for an interview, I could run out the door and go to it. The rejections during that time period sucked, but once I got a yes (and my first job), I was very relieved!

I can’t imagine my New York life without: A smartphone. It makes navigating the city, and finding good places to eat, much easier.

When I was brand new to the city, I can’t believe I: Relied solely on Kmart for all my purchases.

I’m still learning about: The outer boroughs. I live in Queens, so I’ve done a lot of exploring here, but I’m starting to learn sections of Brooklyn and would like to get to the Bronx more often, too.

My proudest achievement so far has been: Becoming the go-to person when folks have questions about the subway. Next goal: mastering the bus system.

I’ve been thrilled to meet: My co-coordinator and friends from the NYC chapter of Media Buzz Mixers; my new friends from Swirl, Inc.; and obviously my significant other.

A gem I recently discovered is: Essex, a farmers’ market/grocery store with a delicious restaurant that makes killer French toast.

Something I hope to accomplish this summer is: Jam with the Central Park Dance Skaters Association.

In early 2010, Erika B., now a popular blogger and aspiring actress/singer, hadn’t even lived here two weeks when we caught up with her. (Here is Erika’s original interview.) Look at her now! I’m like a proud little momma over here.

From student housing to her own place in just 14 months!

First apartment: Student housing near City College.
Now: A one-bedroom on the Upper East Side.

First job: Intern at a boutique PR firm.
Now: Marketing assistant for a large financial and retirement group and I run my fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog, Shoes, Shirts & Other Sh!t. (Note: Check out this incredibly touching essay about how much she still loves living in NYC!)

My best advice for newcomers: If you can live below 110th street, you should definitely do so. I did not like Harlem.

The toughest time I’ve gone through since moving here is: dealing with a roommate whose boyfriend practically lives with us. It’s not fun. (Note: Don’t miss our take on this sticky sitch.)

When I was brand new to the city, I can’t believe I: walked the wrong direction further into Harlem my first day in the city and didn’t turn around when I realized it. Later, I got in a gypsy cab whose driver awkwardly hit on me and gave me his number; then I called my mom and cried hysterically that I wanted to come home.

A New Yorker I was thrilled to meet is: Whitney Port from The City and The Hills. I felt like we had a commonality — both of us moved here not knowing many people and not knowing much about NYC. Look at her now!

A gem I recently discovered is: Abitino’s Pizza. They have the best penne alla vodka I’ve ever tasted. Also: Estate Jewels at the Brooklyn Flea. They seriously have the best vintage jewelry ever.

Something I hope to accomplish this summer is: get accepted to the Broadway Artist’s Alliance College/Professional program. It’s a mentoring program where you get to train with top Broadway performers.

“You know, Aaron* didn’t negotiate at all, and he should’ve. He’s got more experience than you.” —my former boss in NYC, upon completion of my salary negotiation

Many young people new to the professional world, especially women, are timid about naming our price. But you’ll earn more money in 10 minutes of salary negotiation than in three years of cost-of-living increases. So buck up.

In a city like New York, where a raise can be the difference between paycheck-to-paycheck and relative comfort, negotiating skills are your best armor (after being of high character, of course).

Here’s what’s always worked for me:

• Never, ever throw out the first number. They will want you to, but it’s not up to you to decide if what you’re asking is too much money — it’s up to them. Instead, ask, “What is the range of salaries here for my position?”

• Never, ever accept an offer on the spot — always ask for more (even if you’re excited by their initial number), and be ready to defend why. All they can say is no. Take 24 hours, as you’ll want to research the range of salaries for similar positions in your field before you counteroffer, if you haven’t already.

• More or different work for the same pay, even if it’s for a better title, is crap. A career is not supposed to go sideways. Let your boss know that you consider a promotion what they call a reshuffle. If it’s a demotion, find a new job.

• If they won’t budge from their initial offer, ask for a full performance review at six months. Tell them you’re going to work your butt off until then, and that you want to revisit the salary discussion at that time.

• Further, if they won’t give you more money, go for more vacation. You want $5K more, and they can’t get it for you? Ask for another week’s vacation. You can also bargain with things like moving expenses or work-from-home days.

• Related to this: Your vacation time should never decrease when you get a new job, even if it’s a lot more money. Careers are meant to go UPWARD, not downward or sideways, and vacation privileges are integral of that.)

Once you do it a few times and get comfortable, salary negotiation is an exhilarating exercise. It’s just business, and they’re just people. So do your research, earn the respect of your boss, go forward confidently. Even if you don’t get everything you want, you’ll know your stuff, which reflects extremely highly on you and how seriously you take your job.

*Not the real name of my former coworker.

Those kidders.

• Hung out with new friends/fellow bloggers at City Bakery during its hot chocolate festival. Get a vegan chocolate chip cookie and people-watch from the upstairs seating area. We did!

• Oyster Bar is still overpriced (hey, it’s New York), hot and crowded, but I love the lights in there; if you’re around for lunch, the catfish po’boy is BOSS. Upstairs, I wandered the Grand Central location of Pylones. Bummed that I forgot to pop in the new NYC Transit store.

• Westville Chelsea. I’d never heard of this joint til my friend Kelly recommended we hit it up for a light, healthy fare (I’m trying to watch my processed-foods and carb intake). Its small plates of market vegetables are to die for…I even ate brussels sprouts!

• A water taxi cruise (via Goldstar) reminded me that seeing the skyline from the water is one of my favorite things to do in the city for under $20…plus, you get to hang out at the South Street Seaport before and after.  This particular boat looked more like the Staten Island Ferry (I prefer the old schooner types they use in summer), and it was narrated by a tour guide trying too hard to be funny.

• Rockwood Music Hall to see Sarah Jarosz. (She’s back Saturday, April 16. Go! Seriously.) Rockwood has performers in 45-minute to one-hour sets, all night long. Here’s the schedule. Remember, it’s free to get in, and it hardly matters who’s playing — this folky club brings the goods, always. If there’s someone you really wanna see, get there early for a tiny table up front.

Searching for an apartment in New York City is like a jungle hunt. In my first experience, I felt like a young lion cub. I prepared for my hunt by making appointments with recommended brokers, with the paperwork to go in for the kill. During my initial hunt, I often felt another species I didn’t fully understand was preying on me: the elusive New York real estate agent or broker.

When I moved to New York in October 2009, I didn’t know anyone. I’ve experienced the hunt and moved three times in my first 13 months in New York. In that time, I learned that  finding a place often becomes a second job and that brokers (for the most part) are here to help. Here’s the lowdown Sarah’s friend Katie gave me before I moved here:

• Timing is key. Most landlords don’t know if their tenants will be leaving until a month before the lease is up. Once landlords or management companies are notified, they alert brokers throughout the city who then post their listing in their database. It can take awhile to secure a place, especially if you have to discuss finances, involve a guarantor, etc. but a week should be fine.
• Brokers are going to need paperwork, which can include:
  - Bank statements
  -  The last few pay stubs
  -  Social security card/birth certificate/passport
  - Brokers are very particular and often require:
  -  Tenants to make 40 times the rent
  - Guarantor to make 80 times the rent
  -  A broker’s fee

She also suggested CitiHabitats, Manhattan Apartments, Ardor NY, and management offices of buildings for leads on places.

So we started with appointments at real estate agencies like mentioned above. These agencies often have agents assigned to specific neighborhoods in the five boroughs, mostly focused on Manhattan. In my experience they always require a broker’s fee, equivalent to one month’s rent or a percentage of it.

During my initial hunt, my roommate and I visited these companies with a limited budget, all of our paperwork and a guarantor. After viewing roughly 15 apartments in our price range outside of our desired neighborhoods, we decided to hit Craigslist instead of using the bigwig agencies. If you have a bigger budget and few or no neighborhood preferences, an agency like this may work for you.

Here’s where searching for an apartment becomes like a second job. My roommate and I have used Craigslist for each of the three times we moved.

Scour Craigslist and call about everything of interest to you. The great thing about Craigslist is the apartments are often posted by brokers no-fee and fee-based. If you see something you like, call to inquire. If the specific listing doesn’t work, ask the broker if they have anything else that fits your needs.

If you’re moving from another state, visit the city two to three weeks before you move to look at places and meet with realtors. In my experience, the turnover rate with available apartments is typically two weeks before the move date.

Trust your instincts when dealing with brokers, or anyone from Craigslist. Some may not have your best interest at heart. When the timing is right, you’ll find your apartment.

This past weekend we planned to meet-up with Sarah Protzman Howlett, author of the blog NewNewYorkers as well as two books about New York. It was nice to meet her in person after having read nearly every one of her posts for insight prior to moving here. She had the adventure she set out in search of and moved back home to Colorado with a new Irish husband and the distinguished pleasure of adding book author to her resume. Although I applaud her courage in moving to New York as a single female, without a job, or a place to live, and also for choosing to leave on her own terms but – I hope she’s wrong when she says in her blog that 3 1/2 in NYC is “everything anyone moving from far away to fulfill a dream would want.”

I think I am going to want more. I think I already do. I’m not sure what my dream is but I know that the fulfillment is out here somewhere. Maybe it’s just being here on this goose chase. Everyone is always so surprised when I tell them I’m from Texas and I have only been here for four months and I LOVE IT. They want to hear about my culture shock, my inability to adjust, and my sorrow for having moved here in the first place. I don’t know how but Paul and I really did dive right in to this new life. We embraced it full on and as of now we are in it for the long haul.

But talking to Sarah did make me think about the things I miss back in Texas: family, friends, my running group, my students, the ease of life – always knowing everything about the city, and of course my kind of Tex-Mex.  So it was really lucky that when I got hungry we were a block away from Rosa Mexicano. They filled my belly with table side guacamole, chicken quesadillas, steak fajitas and warm tortillas (and they scored an A with just 4 pts!). Lunch was fabulous but venturing into Chelsea and entertaining ourselves with the architecture, the window shopping, Chelsea Piers, & Chelsea Market was even better. We walked and wandered so much I was too tired to go up to the High Line, which is an elevated park in Chelsea. Another time I suppose.

Click here to purchase your copy at 20 percent off (sale starts this afternoon) for its debut week ONLY, and scroll down for the full table of contents.

More about the Guide: The advice you’ve come to rely on now fits in your purse or briefcase. Based on the most-read posts from NewNewYorkers.info, The Guide for New New Yorkers goes beyond guidebooks and Google to help young professionals build a happy life in their adopted city of New York. Writer/editor Sarah Protzman Howlett humorously parlays her own New York journey into an encouraging book of essays, advice and practical lists.

Click the image to enlarge the table of contents.

On a personal note, I never would’ve done this second book without your wonderful support for my 2009 memoir, Two Years in New York City. Thank you, readers, family and friends.

Founder Sarah here. I’m not sure how many of you are aware, but I moved from New York to Denver in May 2010.

I have left. And it’s hard to say.

I didn’t flee because I was sick of the grind, getting too old, or so over Manhattan. Why go, then? Well, I fell in love, I got engaged, and I increasingly dreamt of impromptu Wednesday coffees with my parents and weekends at my brother’s. More and more, leaving the party early felt right. I arrived on my own terms, and I left on my own terms, and that was always the plan.

My three-and-a-half years in Manhattan were, I believe, everything anyone moving from far away to fulfill a dream would want. Knowing I’d arrive without a job or place to live — and booking a one-way ticket anyway — forever changed my opinion of what I thought I could do, who I thought I could be. The more I learned about New York City living, the more I discovered my part of it all, the more I was driven to write. And write. And write. I wrote a blog and two books (more on that soon), which led to a steady interaction with so many of you who are building your own versions of the stories I’ve told — plus your own, completely different ones. You are becoming your own NYC experts now.

This blog, for the past seven months, has been my way of holding on to the city when I didn’t want to believe I’d really left. But I’m very happy here, and now I get to watch all of you, over and over again, live out our shared dream. It rocks.

So thanks. Thank you for trusting me, caring about what I have to say. And I hope you will keep e-mailing, reading and asking, even if I’m looking over my laptop at mountains now instead of a gray brick wall on Third Avenue.

What will become of this blog? I’m not sure. But the posts are staying up and staying free; that’s what I know for sure. Passing the baton, however, sounds like a lot of fun.

And, good news: I shall return — this month! I’ll be in town for a long weekend of meetings, old haunts and old friends, and — I hope — hanging out with some of you readers.

Annnnnd publish. Love y’all.