Moving to New York from a Nontarget - Making friends/Co-living thoughts?
Hi I come from a non-target school from another country, and I will be starting FT S&T next summer. I am the only one in my school that made it to NYC High Finance and after a bit of LinkedIn searching we only have 5-10 alumni in NYC Finance (more senior). I'm great at networking with MD's and seniors but its a bit tough finding people to connect with on a junior level.
I am also trying to find a place to live in the city (Probably EV/WV, bottom of upper east, or Williamsburg) and came across a couple co-living places. They seem great (and a lot cheaper than a place on my own) but I really want to surround myself with people that have the same goals, drive, and similar work/life balances. And overall integrate myself within the community, is this the best way to do that?
I interned in the city last summer but to be honest being female and having the majority of interns from target schools (already have friends to move in with) it's a bit hard to find someone that I can move in with. Its also difficult to find friends because it seems that most already have their own friends from their school at other banks
I just wanted to get opinions on
1) co-living places; is it worth it, will you meet people in finance/who typically goes to co-living places, does anyone have any experiences or friends in co-living places that I could speak with?
2) Meeting people; How can I fit into the community, meet more full timers and make friends my age? Any way I could find a roommate who's also in a finance or similar career? Are there any communities to be a part of or should I treat this like any other networking jig and cold LinkedIn incoming analysts lmao.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, moving to NYC from a non-target school and starting a full-time position in Sales & Trading is an exciting step in your career. Here are some insights and tips regarding co-living spaces and making friends in the city:
1) Co-living places: - Co-living can be a cost-effective option, especially in expensive areas like NYC. - These spaces often attract a diverse group of young professionals, including those in finance, tech, and other industries. - The environment is designed to foster community and networking, which could be beneficial for someone new to the city. - Some co-living spaces may offer events and communal areas that make it easier to meet people with similar goals and work/life balances. - It's important to research and possibly visit the co-living spaces to see if the current residents and the vibe match what you're looking for.
2) Meeting people & finding roommates: - Networking events and meetups for finance professionals can be a good way to meet peers. - Consider joining online communities or forums specific to NYC finance professionals to connect with others in a similar situation. - LinkedIn can be a useful tool to reach out to other young professionals in the city; don't hesitate to message incoming analysts or associates. - Look for alumni events or groups in NYC that could connect you with people from your school or country. - Some co-living spaces or roommate-finding services might allow you to specify that you're looking for roommates in finance or related fields.
Remember, being proactive and open to new experiences will serve you well in integrating into the community and building a network in NYC. It's not uncommon to feel a bit isolated at first, especially coming from a non-target school, but many have been in your shoes and have successfully built their social and professional circles. Keep a positive attitude, and don't shy away from reaching out to people – many are likely in the same boat and will appreciate the connection.
Sources: Common Co-Living, Why You Should Leave NYC After Your Analyst Stint, Worth It: Moving from NYC to SF/LA?, Why would anyone willingly choose to live in NYC / SF / CHI?, Let's Talk Saving
Facebook is great for roommates, with the caveat that you should meet them in person, make sure they're real, etc. You can do this by booking a weekend trip. I did this for several summers and my first year.
I actually think you're looking for the wrong thing in roommates. 90 percent of your time, including free time, will likely be spent with other finance professionals regardless of who you live with. The hard part is not just meeting, but making friends with people outside finance. SWE are great bc they are always free to hang (so you can schedule things) and have the same budget you do. I still hit up an old roommate from FB that works in gen AI to learn about enterprise software trends that I'm not familiar with.
I would get to NYC a month before and interview places and roommates at the same time. I’ve been through this process several times in NYC and have probably seen 50+ places and interviewed 20-30 people to see if they would be good roommates. You have to be quick when you find the right place, so be prepared to give a cashiers check for a couple months rent and a brokers fee if there is one.
Before you arrive in NYC, start to line up appointments for places and begin talking to potential roommates so when you get to NYC on day 1, you hit the ground running.
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