Borough Spotlight: Moving to Manhattan

You’ve heard it before: if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. We’re talking about arguably the most famous city in the world: New York, New York!

It has a rich history full of glitz and glam, a deep appreciation for good food, and more coffee shops and unique hideaways than many people who live there even know about. Manhattan is the heartbeat of the world, a cultural epicenter and an essential checkbox on everybody’s bucket list.

It’s the borough all boroughs connect to – and only the strong survive.

With an estimated 2015 population of 1,644,518, Manhattan saw a population growth of 3.7% over the last five years. People from all over the world travel to NYC to try to make their dreams come true. Whether they strive to be a chef, a businesswoman or the next big musician, everyone from all walks of life is moving to this 23.7 square mile metropolis.

Here are some fun facts about The Big Apple, along with some necessities that will help your move go well:

• In 1626, Dutch explorer Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Native Americans for what is equivalent to $1,000 today.

• Manhattan is the place most people immediately think of when they hear “New York City.” Though four other boroughs are part of NYC, any New Yorker who says “The City” is always referring to Manhattan.

• There are more parks in Manhattan than Central Park. Of course, Central Park is stunningly beautiful, but don’t knock the likes of Washington Square Park, Bryant Park, Hudson River Park or Fort Tryon Park (among many, many others).

Photo Credit: Suitcase Stories

• Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous arenas in the world. Home to the NBA’s New York Knick’s, MSG also hosts a variety of entertainment including MTV’s Video Music Awards, concerts by Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Adele (just to name a few), big-name comedy acts, musicals, circuses and much more.

• Manhattan is known for having some of the best pizza in the world, no matter how you slice it. In fact, the first pizzeria in the U.S. was brought to Manhattan by Gennaro Lombardi in 1895.
  Local Tip: We aren’t going to get into naming names here, so just check out this article: Pizza Wars: Where to Get the Best Slice in Manhattan and try them ALL.

• Tons of museums and art galleries are scattered throughout the city, but if you want to see the most popular venues, here are the 5 Most Visited Museums in Manhattan.

• Manhattan is home to some of the country’s most-watched holiday traditions. Millions across the nation watch (and visit) the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, and even more people tune in for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at Times Square, where tourists and city dwellers gather for hours ahead of time. 

• There’s nothing like the dazzle of Broadway. Broadway theaters have been entertaining guests since 1750. Though there are 40 theaters, only four are actually located on Broadway. Some of Broadway’s most famous shows include: Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hamilton.

• Manhattan is home to loads of secret bars, or speakeasies. These off-the-beaten-path establishments tend to be hidden away, sometimes nestled in the back of pawn shops or behind an innocent-looking brownstone.
  Local Tip: Want to go on your own adventure? Here are 7 of the best speakeasies in NYC, but remember: there are more hidden in plain sight.

• The median price of buying a Manhattan apartment is a whopping $1.137 million, while the median price of renting will set you back $4,228 per month.

• It’s a good idea to do your utility research in order to have all of your necessities smoothed out before arriving. Having your water, electricity, cable, gas, etc., all set up and ready to go will make your move much more streamlined.

Check out these four tips for a successful move to Manhattan.

1. Give yourself planning time

With any move, it’s crucial to pay extra attention to the planning process. Make sure that you start preparing at least six weeks prior to your moving date.

Pro Tip: It is important to check on the moving truck's accessibility in Manhattan. Additional charges are incurred if the building is a walk up as opposed to an elevator building because of the extra manpower it takes to go up and down stairs carrying boxes and furniture.

2. The sturdier the box, the better

Make sure that you invest in some good, durable moving boxes. Your most prized and personal possessions are going to be making their way in to this popular borough, so it’s imperative that they are protected as best they can be.

Pro Tip: Check out your local liquor stores, banks, etc. They tend to give boxes away for free!

3. Pack smart

Think about your current items – think about what you absolutely NEED, and what can likely get tossed or donated. Bring your essentials, but consider getting rid of that old ironing board and investing in some new kitchen appliances once you’re settled in.

4. Take inventory and detail those boxes

It pays to be extra organized. Take pictures of all of your belongings so that you know exactly what you are or aren’t bringing with you. And don’t forget to label those boxes with as many details as possible–nothing is worse than getting to an empty house or apartment with a truck load of un-labeled or sort of labeled boxes. The more you detail your boxes, the easier it will be when you start unpacking and filling your new space.