Rec | BE A TRANSPLANT

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move to the only city where you can find a job in the field you studied, move into the least expensive apartment you can find that fits you and your three friends uncomfortably, each participate in the city’s economy by getting a job, frequent the neighborhood stores, use public places, meet people new and old to the neighborhood. Talk to your grandpa, who moved out of Brooklyn 50 years ago, of all the good things about the place where he grew up. His dad was an immigrant, he was a native, your dad was a visitor, you’re a transplant, but maybe your future kid will be a native New Yorker. Your friend who grew up in the east village points to a corner where his favorite restaurant has closed. Points to a bodega covered in flowers, says it used to have bulletproof glass and a turnstile in the doorway. From a pier on the east river, next to the newly built soccer courts swarming with kids, you can see clear across the skyline to the reflective towers of Hudson Yards, Billionaires Row, that shitty glass Jenga building, all kind of hovering over the place like empty storm clouds. You used to hang art for rich people in those rooms, and you hated it. You've been here longer than some of these buildings, briefer than more. Now, in a two apartment house, you live above your landlord in the place her son and grandson used to live. She didn’t raise the rent last year. Crown Heights used to be called something different. I heard Wall Street was named after the barricade settlers built to keep Native Americans out. Fuck, the west village used to be cool? At the cafe, owned by a guy who grew up here, you drink whatever kind of beverage you like because he really doesn’t care, as long as you pay for it.

@slowdazzle

23h ago

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@royallmonarch

shout out historic Weeksville

22h ago

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only come if it’s intentionally + aware !

here’s my misc thoughts lol i’m no expert but this is from my POV as someone who’s lived here full time a bit and grew up visiting all the time. firstly, you’re def right that it is expensive — nearly impossible to relocate to if you don’t have a job secured and aren’t rich. even moreso if you have never visited or have only done one super tourist-y visit--it’s not just Times Square and Statue of Liberty (love her tho) rainbows and butterflies vibes lol. like i seriously do not recommend moving here if you haven’t been to other boroughs, and neighborhoods outside of Midtown, SoHo, FiDi, UES etc. i’ve never been to england so can’t speak to it bit you might find it helpful to look online for comparisons to cities you’ve spent more time in - london and other cities in europe perhaps. consider if NYC would be that much more exciting or “better” for you? also there’s a huge issue of influencers and people who wanna live here impulsively for fun that has driven up rent and driven out lifetime residents, esp working class folks and people of color. (lots of writing out there on the difference between moving to any city vs gentrifying one, and what one can do to not be complicit in the latter). and, my family is from here and i have always loved the city; i did get a job here after graduation but i really wouldn’t have moved here if i hadn’t. so definitely come here intentionally, and arrive with a willingness to engage with your community! sometimes new residents who aren’t as acquainted with the “real” new york and can’t afford apts in the more gentrified or historically wealthy areas (most of manhattan, some parts of brooklyn) have a misconception of the city, so they end up feeling awkward or “unsafe” where they live, and thus don’t give back to their neighborhood. it’s veryyy weird that some people move here only to go to work, eat out and party on the weekends. (not saying this is you ofc! but just a general note). the irony is that NYers get a bad rep for the mind your own business culture and realness--and yeah NYers aren’t “nice”, but people are kind. folks care about and actively help out their neighbors. i saw this in my own fam growing up! and as sinatra himself once said: “if i can make it here, i’ll make it anywhere.” it is a tough place to “make it” for people without roots. but i’d never deny that new york, for many of us, lives up to its reputation as the so-called greatest city in the world ;)

@marxinista

Aug 30, 2024

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Hudson, ny

This past weekend, my girlfriend and I went upstate for some time away from the city. Hudson, is widely known as the Brooklyn of Upstate and it lived up to that moniker. It was startling how fun of a town it is. I had never been Upstate, except that one time I went to Buffalo to hang with Westside Gunn, and I had an eerie feeling: what if it wasn't fun? But, it was. Our AirBNB was dope, and it was good to get away. We went to an Antique store, and it ruled. So many cool old time American stuff in that place that you never see anymore because everyone wants to be disgustingly modern. There was a Victorian, The Favourite style bed with a roof over the bed and it was perfect; an old typewriter, and a wheelchair that a polio patient would have done. There was a bookstore and a bar, called Spotty Dog Books and Ale. Sarah and I sipped on our ciders while I read a biography on John Lewis and she read another book. This is something that New York might have, but definitely needs to promote more. It was heaven on earth in that bookstore. We also went to Cafe Mutton, which was on the New York Times list of best restaurants of 2022. The scenery is great, and the food was tasty; it shocked me how many former NYC residents had moved up to Hudson and were enjoying a meal at Cafe Mutton. I love New York -- it was the greatest city in the world at one point -- but Hudson reminded me why they are things that need to change in the city. I'm too young, much too young, but I did not think a move upstate was out of the question. It is a great town. Check it out!

@jayson

STAFF

Feb 26, 2025

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3 things you need to survive NYC

🏠 decent living situation — awful roommates, deadbeat landlords, or psycho neighbors will make you super miserable so try to get this one locked down! 🫂 homies — making new friends can take a long time, but if you commit to putting yourself out there over and over you’ll connect with some truly inspiring and amazing people 🤑 income (even a little) — yes you can get by on dumplings, no Ubers, no bars, etc. but being broke here feels particularly like a prison because most things are stupid expensive. Be on your grind and then blissfully spend it all away If you end up getting all 3 of these you’re probably gonna be hopelessly addicted to being here just like me. Welcome to NYC :)