It seems likely that I will be relocating to NYC in a couple of months. I may have a job there (as a musician playing in this Broadway show).
This may be temporary, depending on how long the show runs and how I fit in to the NYC musical community.
Please post any advice you may have for a newcomer, but in particular, I’m interested in housing–where to look, how much to pay, what to avoid (I will probably be able to afford up to $2000 a month). Also if any NYC musicians are around–how do you get your gear to gigs given that as I understand it possession of a car in NYC is generally considered impractical.
Oh, it’s a Dodger show. You should probably just reserve a hotel room for a couple of weeks. I slay me.
Depending on your needs, # of bedrooms and overall size, you can get an apartment in Manhattan for under $2,000. I like the New York Times real estate section. They have thousands of ads for apartments under 2 grand. You’re better off on the west side, for commuting, if you’re working around Times Square. We live on the east side, which is probably a bit cheaper, but the commute is longer, and you have to switch subway trains.
Depending on how much stuff you need to carry, you can take the subway/bus or take a cab. I wouldn’t want to carry much more than a guitar on the subway regularly, but people do from time to time.
If you need to cab it to work, living in Queens or Brooklyn is a bad idea, way too expensive to get in and out of the island. If you can do the subway, there are nice neighborhoods in Brooklyn with more reasonable rent than Manhattan, Williamsburg is apparently hot for the artsy crowd. Park Slope is also nice, but I’m not sure how much you can save by going there.
The question that you must answer is what do you want from your neighborhood? There are deals to be had in every neighborhood, and contrary to popular belief, you can find an apt for less the $2k in virtually every location. Consider where you are moving from, what your lifestyle is, your interests, how you will spend your time, etc. Speaking from experience, you’ll be miserable if you move into a location not suited for you soley based upon someone’s recommendation.
Things to avoid: Real Estate Brokers! 'Nuf said.
I suggest you look on Craig’s List and look for a sublet or share situation. This way, you have a place to live but your not locked into a two year lease. You can then spend a month or so looking at various neighborhoods and finding the right spot for you.
Hope you find what you’re looking for, and savor this opportunity. Not everyone gets the chance to live in the greatest city in the world!
Seriously, I know Dodgers has had its share of duds–Dracula The Musical? And the whole catalog musical thing is pretty played–Good Vibrations, anyone?
But Jersey Boys is great, if I do say so myself. The book, by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman, is outstanding. (Brickman was head writer for The Late Show with Johnny Carson and co-wrote Manhattan and Annie Hall with Woody Allen.) I think it’s a winner.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the advice. Keep it coming y’all!
Well let me just say that I live in NYC, and am also a musical theatre pit musician! So it’s nice to see another one here on the Dope. I haven’t quite made it to Broadway yet, but my contact sheet is growing.
Anyway, for $2000 a month, you’re going to be fine. Prices are really not what they used to be. You could find a really nice place (1 bedroom) in the Upper West Side (my favorite), or even midtown (although there you’re pushing the 2-grand mark).
Seeing as how I’m a keyboardist, I usually don’t have to worry about carting my own equipment, but depending on what you play it really could be a bitch. I’m just telling the truth here… dragging an upright bass onto the A train will not only get you dirty looks but may get you sucker punched as well. So, depending on the circumstances a car may come in handy, although there are always taxis.
I second the suggestion of Craig’s List, although I wouldn’t totally rule out going through a broker. I’m sure you’re a big boy… you can smell it when someone’s playing you. But Craig’s List would be the first thing I would try. Just put $2000 in the “max” box and see what comes up. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Anyway, feel free to check my profile and drop me a line if you want to discuss anything in greater detail, and congrats on the gig!
I live in Manhattan and have a car. It can be dealt with. If you need a car to haul your stuff, then bring a car. You’ll find a way to make it work. If worse comes to worse you can sell or donate it. One piece of advice I have is you should register it in NY as soon as possible. Out of state plates make your car more of a target for thieves than if it was just another cruddy pigeon pooped-on NYC car.
I’ve parked my car on the street in Manhattan for I guess about four or five years now. I used to play drums in a band and we gigged in the city alot, mostly in the village/east village. We had two cars and could always find places to park on the street. We rehearsed in Hoboken and I kept a pickup truck and a small wagon in a parking lot across the street from our rehearsal space. Now, the lot in Hoboken is gone, the wagon hauls my wife and two girls around, and the pickup is rotting up at my cabin upstate! I have to get rid of that thing.
Most of your gear will stay in the theater anyway, right?
I’ve seen people use those folding luggage carts to haul stuff. It really depends on what you have.
Do you know if you have to join the union? I don’t know, but it’s something you ought to check out.
I slay me.