Would you live in manhattan for the experience?

I know a few friends who want to live in Manhattan and I was wondering if I should give it a chance at least to get the experience of living there. I currently live in a small town very close to the city and my commute there is easy. Problem is I would also like to live with friends, and the ones I know are looking to move out of their homes are looking to live in Manhattan. Our incomes are good enough to afford an apartment in one of the nicer neighborhoods. I recently thought about maybe living in manhattan for some time to get the feeling of being a resident there (and just move out when my lease ends if i end up not liking it), but idk if all that's worth it. What would you do?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, living in Manhattan can be a unique and vibrant experience, especially if you're in your 20s and looking to soak up the city life. Here are some points to consider based on the experiences shared by others:

  • Professional Development: Manhattan can offer unparalleled opportunities for career growth, especially in fields like finance, which can make the cost of living (COL) worth it.
  • Social and Cultural Scene: The city is known for its world-class food, art, nightlife, and shopping. It's a place where you can meet interesting people from all walks of life.
  • Lifestyle: Living in Manhattan means you're at the heart of the action. If you're someone who enjoys being out and about, rather than spending a lot of time at home, this could be a big plus.
  • Housing: Be prepared for smaller living spaces compared to what you might get elsewhere for the same price. However, some find a smaller space adequate, especially if they don't spend much time at home.
  • Quality of Life: Consider the trade-offs like higher taxes, long winters, and potentially less space if you're thinking about starting a family in the city.

If your friends are moving and you have the financial means, it could be an adventure worth trying. Many find that a few years in Manhattan is a great experience, even if they don't plan to stay forever. Remember, you can always move out after your lease ends if it's not for you. It's a personal decision, but if you're leaning towards it and the conditions are right, it could be an enriching chapter in your life.

Sources: Why would anyone willingly choose to live in NYC / SF / CHI?, Why would anyone willingly choose to live in NYC / SF / CHI?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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The question is if you can be spontaneous and act spontaneously if one of your friends calls you to come out now. 

Do you really live closer to the city to do that? 

I would personally move to Manhattan, because I was born and raised in such big cities (Seoul, Tokyo, London).

But I cannot judge if you would feel comfortable.

There are a lot of opportunity cost factors by living in Manhattan and you should check potential trade-offs. 

Are you somebody who is "easy-going" and have no problem to get to know new people and new themes by being curious?

One of my closer friends lived in Manhattan and met a guy, who was quite fascinated by the business model from Netflix before Netflix went big. 

This guy told him about Netflix and my friend invested his money in Netflix. Now, he is his own boss and works as VC investor and philanthropist. 

Only because you live in Manhattan does not mean you will get tons of such ideas. My friend may be a great example how the exception and wonder work, but if you live in a small town, you don´t get such opportunities from the beginning on. 

This is just an example of opportunity cost factors, but the life is more than that. 

 

Yes, move to Manhattan. It will be the best decision of your life.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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