Making it Work Before Manhattan

Photo Credit: Sex and the City via TLC Interiors

By: Saylor Small

Where was Carrie Bradshaw before she came to New York City, and did it involve corn fields? Maybe. Are you thinking of moving from your hometown or wondering where to go when you graduate college and don’t know where to start? Well, we know it’s not impossible to leave your roots and make it in “The Big Apple”; the most successful women in big cities across the U.S. have all started somewhere and have learned several tips and tricks along the way – and you’re next! One of the most significant aspects wherever you are (in my case, Nebraska), is to set yourself up for success through preparation, so here are some things to consider when contemplating changing your address to NYC, or any popular U.S. city.

Step 1: Prepare Financially

We’ve all heard the horror stories of financial struggles when moving to major cities and the odds seem stacked against you when you’re working a job, attending school, or facing life’s inevitable hurdles, but there’s nevertheless ways to save money over time so you feel financially secure when it comes time to make the move. In saving money, focus on the cost of living in the area of interest as a top priority. If you’re renting an apartment on your own, make sure to have at least two months rent set aside beforehand so that you can focus on other aspects during your big move. Do your research and think ahead when looking at living arrangements or extra savings!

For example, RentCafé currently estimates that the average rate this year for a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment totals at $3,628 a month. This seems overwhelming, but it helps to break down the math. Two months rent is approximately $7,256, so if you start saving two years in advance, you can put away $302.33 a month, or $50 a week, which paints a more manageable picture. And don’t worry, rent does not have to be that high, even in Manhattan!

Step 2: Prepare Emotionally

It’s not only a geographic change but an emotional transformation as well. The culture of the city you move to will be one you’ll grow to adore, but it will be an adjustment at first– leaving quiet towns to loud traffic and lots of people is definitely different. It is important before and after moving that, on top of feeling secure, you also feel safe and comfortable. Before you officially move, whether months or weeks prior, take a short trip to the place you’re hoping to live to get a feel for the atmosphere. I have traveled to potential cities for myself already and it is certainly a change of scenery. For starters, forget the Midwest experience of driving everywhere and for hours on end, public transportation is real and efficient in all major cities! Getting accustomed to the area will help your expectations and preparations.

Also, expect to feel lonely for a short time after your move; it’s normal! However, there are steps that will make it easier. If it helps you transition, pack your favorite blanket or a candle that smells like home. Call or Facetime your family and friends every day for a week, it’s not “too clingy” to do so, trust me! I fully expect to miss home from time to time when I move, but I know that it’s okay to admit it and plan ahead for it. Take care of yourself and accept how you may be feeling. This lifestyle change will lead you to great achievements and endless possibilities, but be aware of the journey it takes — figuratively and literally!

Step 3: Prepare for Success

It’s undoubtedly a feeling of a “little fish in the big pond” when you’re developing your career in a new and much larger city, so be your own advocate. Whatever your dream job is, go for it now! Before moving, learn how to market yourself by building your resume or portfolio. Take on any opportunity that would benefit your career and learn from the experience– it’s a great way to know what you may be expecting when you move. Push yourself to learn new aspects of your dream job and consider the logistics within it. Negotiating is one of the most important skills to have in the career world– I know that I’ve benefited from it in the past and will continue to use it in the future! It can be extremely useful when you’re moving into a new atmosphere within a career. To prepare for the next big step, use your resources to build on this lifelong tool.

Research and reach out to those with more knowledge on contracts, agencies, and other logistical possibilities within your career that may arise when you move, whether that’s a professor, friend, or a random free webinar you found online, educate yourself, so that you feel confident in kick-starting your career in a new location. Personally, I have utilized all these resources and have found them extremely helpful in planning for my career outside of the Midwest, rather than waiting to see what happens when I leave. In doing this, expectations for your standards within your career will be defined before you move. This will benefit you in the long run and help prepare you for whatever opportunities come your way.

Overall, moving can be difficult no matter the circumstances, but these steps will smooth out the process and set a foundation for fulfillment. Plan now, as this is the time to make your dreams come true! Many women– such as supermodel Ashley Graham (a fellow Nebraskan) or CEO of TransTech Angelica Ross (from Wisconsin)– have moved from Midwestern areas to large coastal cities and thrived, which means that you can too. Carrie Bradshaw may not have had to deal with corn fields before New York, but it would have been an interesting prequel to Sex and The City if she did…