OT: [thelist] web companies in NY

[Fortune Elkins]

hiya p!

i've been living & workin' in nyc for 7 years now. frankly, i encourage
everyone to move to new york. it is *so* worth it, even now!!!

matt is right on the money. the only thing i would like to add is that you
might want to start by hooking up with a private company to do intranet work
-- there's a fair amount of that around right now. not great, but will pay
rent for the time being.

however, let's be honest about rent & apartment hunting. this is the most
difficult aspect of coming to new york. prices have fallen somewhat.
however, you will still pay more than $1,700 a month for a studio in
manhattan; in some areas, that 600-sq.-foot studio can be $2,500. when you
get an apartment, remember that it will be a full-time hunt for three weeks,
with intense competition. people will bid over the stated price. they will
still offer up to 15% over the stated price, with "key money" added. if you
use a broker, there will be a fee: often 15% of the whole year's rent. 

often, you will also have to survive a credit check and have references. you
may have to get through a board interview. you will have to have first month
& last month rent, plus the broker's fee in cash ready to pay at any moment,
should you get the apartment. often you will have to pay for the credit
check too. 

so i often suggest to people who are interested in moving to new york that
they just set aside $6 -$10k cash for that apartment hunt. this is often
what it takes to live in manhattan, unless you get *lucky*. you will
probably want to look at apartments in brooklyn or jersey city -- much
easier to get and deal with that first year. you may find that even if you
have a job paying $80K a year that you will want to get a roommate. 

please be aware that a cheap hotel in manhattan is one that goes for $150 a
night. the ones that rent for less are quite unsavory. you might want to
check out the YMCA. or stay in new jersey. just plan accordingly. unless you
have friends or have sold your grandmother for cash, i would seriously
suggest you get the job *before* you come. being employed makes getting an
apartment so much easier. even now you may find that without a job, no one
will rent to you, even if you offer to pay 6 months rent up front. 

with this exception, you will find moving to new york the fulfillment of
your every dream. i can't even begin to tell you how great it is here. . .

i (heart) new york,

f

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