The Curbed New York moving guide

So you’re thinking about moving to New York City? You’re not alone: Even though it may seem like there’s an exodus of New Yorkers to places like Los Angeles (or, heck, even upstate), the city’s population continues to grow. Between 2010 and 2017, it jumped by 5.5 percent, an unprecedented rate of growth that’s taken the city’s total population to 8.6 million.

There are many reasons people move here, and even more reasons to stay. New York is a vibrant city where it’s truly impossible to be bored, thanks to the sheer number of restaurants, parks, culture hubs, nightlife hot spots, and other ways to stay entertained. There are pockets of unconventional beauty and diverse neighborhoods in every single borough. People are friendlier than the city’s cranky reputation would have you believe. And if you’re willing to put up with the frustrating parts of New York City living—it’s expensive, super dense, and not always the easiest place to live—you’ll be rewarded beyond measure.

To help you navigate a move to New York City, we’ve created a guide with everything you need to know about living in the Big Apple. (Pro tip: Most people don’t actually call it that.) Consider this your introduction to all NYC has to offer and how to make the most of it, including how to find the perfect neighborhood to live in, everything you need to know about renting or buying an apartment, and what to do if you have any problems with your new place.

And once you’ve settled in, consult Curbed NY’s beginner’s guide to NYC for everything you need to know about making it in New York City. —Amy Plitt

▸ Should you move to New York City?

Thinking about moving to New York City? The first thing you should know is that it’s a city of extremes. And while living here isn’t always easy, it’s often thrilling. Before you make up your mind, here are 19 things to know about life in the Big Apple.

FIND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

▸ How to pick a neighborhood

Even if you have the means to afford to live wherever you want in NYC, there will be trade-offs. Here are 11 things to consider when picking a neighborhood.

▸ The most walkable places to live

New York City tops WalkScore’s list of the country’s most walkable cities, but some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

▸ The neighborhoods with the most bang for your buck

Where can you live in New York City that’s relatively affordable and has lots of great neighborhood amenities?

FIND YOUR HOME

▸ The best websites for finding an apartment

These are the tools you need when starting your New York City apartment search.

▸ The New York City renters’ guide

From setting a budget to finding deals, here’s everything you need to know about renting an apartment in the city.

▸ The New York City homebuying guide

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or in need of extra guidance, this guide will help you on your house-hunting quest.

▸ An expert’s guide to renting a New York City apartment

Curbed’s editor-in-chief Kelsey Keith shares her expert tips, from finding the perfect place to decorating it once you’ve moved in.

SETTLE IN

▸ 10 NYC tenants’ rights your landlord doesn’t want you to know

Here’s what New York City residents should know about security deposits, building violations, and other housing laws.

▸ Tips for fixing anything in your neighborhood

How to get the city to plant a street tree, fix a pothole, and other common problems.

GET INSPIRED

▸ Inside New York City’s best homes

From a converted factory in Gowanus to a designer’s own apartment on the Upper East Side.

▸ This 400-square-foot Williamsburg studio is one couple’s home sweet home

A compact Brooklyn space is enlivened through DIY projects and custom furnishings.

▸ A 190-year-old Tribeca townhouse is reborn with historic—and eclectic—touches

“We wanted to do something totally new that would match the house without seeming artificial.”

▸ In Bushwick, a designer’s own home embodies a quirky, open ethos

A designer focuses on natural light and the textures and colors of a wide palette of materials, creating a space that evolves as continuously as his practice.