How to Move to New York City on a Shoestring Budget

Small town girl moves to New York with $50 in her pocket and finds fame and success.

This is the fantasy of many. As the saying goes, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." Everyday, thousands arrive ready to for their dreams come true. As the newbies step off the bus, they pass thousands on the way out - those who have failed, given up, thrown in the towel, and walked away from the promise of it all. A very few stick it out and persevere, but most wither under the extreme pressure just to survive. What separates those who stay, from those just passing through? The answer is simple: it is all in the preparation, baby.

New Yorkers are hard workers. They have to be, because New York is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. What the average New Yorker pays in rent (with a roommate, no less) is what other people pay for home mortgages. Surviving in this town without a trust fund is extremely tough, and most come to New York with just a few dollars in their pockets and very little resources. Survival is possible, but rare. The more money you have when you arrive, the easier it is to stay. So, for most of you, the best bet is to borrow funds from parents, hit up Grandma for cash, or work, work, work and save. For the rest of you - those who cannot wait, who have a fire burning inside, or just plain need to get out of the everyday rut that is small-town life - the following tips are for you. This is just the basics (food, shelter, desire), the rest you must discover for yourself. This is the common sense way to move to New York City on a shoestring budget: