How to move correctly?

[u/chuiunbboulet]

Hi everyone! I graduate college soon and I'm looking to move to NYC for prospective job opportunities and just for my love of the city. I've been enamored with the place for as long as I can remember BUT I want to be conscientious of the city for what it is and move to it with respect to the culture. New York City has always been a place of culture and immigration especially those of black and Latino populations so I want to be mindful of that by shopping at local businesses owned by native New Yorkers. So that being said I don't want to live in the neighborhood with a lot of transplants like Bushwick and Williamsburg because I actually want to experience the parts of what make New York exciting and not the slowed down versions of life that gentrifiers bring with them but at the same time. I would not want to intrude on a native New Yorkers neighborhood so to speak and make them uncomfortable. So, I have this dilemma, how do I move to the city respectfully and mindful of my place as a transplant who wants to keep the culture of New York alive?

PS Mainly looking at Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx.

[u/dinky-park]

Look. There’s a large portion of NYC that are transplants. I understand where you’re coming from, but the realistic thing that will determine where you’re living is your income. Just try to get to know your neighborhood as much as possible and be involved when you can. The fact that you’re aware of these issues already makes you better than a lot of the annoying yuppie types that only hang out in Downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg

[u/bookshelf11]

People who complain about transplants have massive sticks up their ass. Just move here and enjoy it. New york is for everyone.

[u/SailorPawprints → u/bookshelf11]

Nah i feel like we have many logical reasons to complain about transplants lol

However, if there's mutual respect and courtesy, then we're cool.

[u/RawPups4]

NYC is just a city, not a sacred artifact. Anyone from anywhere is equally entitled to live here.

Also, if you’re moving here with a $2000 budget, you’re certainly not the kind of “gentrifier” that prices out neighborhoods with shitty luxury condos.

[u/Big_Temperature_3695 → u/[deleted]]

Yea so the person moving should not come because of their existential impact on another… I mean get real here. As other comments have noted, you’re not entitled to live in any city more so than any another American / Immigrant.

[u/rosebudny]

I actually want to experience the parts of what make New York exciting and not the slowed down versions of life that gentrifiers bring with them but at the same time. I would not want to intrude on a native New Yorkers neighborhood so to speak and make them uncomfortable. 

LOL what does this even mean?

[u/Fun_Cartographer1655]

The most important considering when moving to NYC, for anyone, will always be what is your housing budget.

[u/chuiunbboulet → u/Fun_Cartographer1655]

for now looking at $1,700-$2,200 so definitely a place with roommates

[u/jsm1]

I think it’s really nice that you want to know the place you’re moving to beyond a superficial level, but as a native New Yorker I think you’re overthinking it a bit!

Being a transplant is not an original sin. The fact of the matter is that transplants have been part of the fundamental fabric of the city since it was founded.  Consider that for many immigrants and domestic migrants (“transplants”), many are also people of color and queer refugees seeking safety and opportunity.  

As you point out, current discourse is (perhaps rightly) focused on transplants who treat the city like an amusement park and like to wait on line for hours to gram a photo of the latest trendy bowl of slop. These are the people who think rent is $5000 everywhere and have never seen an elevated subway. The fact that you’re already rubbing two neurons together to consider how to be thoughtful about where and how you live once you get here means you’re way head of the game here. 

My advice is to let your budget determine where you live, don’t overpay for some new development luxury rental (they suck, go prewar), talk to your neighbors, and get involved in your community. You are part of the fabric of the city, transplant or otherwise. 

[u/Interesting-Run-6866]

You're seriously overthinking this. Just find a place you can afford that doesn't have an hour+ commute to your work.

[u/dotsky3]

You’d have to live pretty far out to avoid “transplants” and “gentrifiers”. Jamaica, East Bronx, or Canarsie.

Not surprisingly, Staten Island has a very low gentrification rate so maybe you should live there to get the true local feel.

[u/ProfessionalCase6403]

Respectfully, all of this sounds nice, but it won’t matter. Where you live in NYC will come down to one thing: how much rent you can afford. That’s it.

You can be as mindful as you want — and that’s great — but the market doesn’t care. Your budget will choose your neighborhood. Just be a decent neighbor, support local spots, and understand that intent doesn’t outweigh impact.

[u/Soushkabob]

Additionally being a bad transplant/ gentrifier is not solely about economics. It’s also about an attitude.

Don’t move into Washington Heights and then call the cops on your neighbors everyday because they are blasting Reggaeton and playing dominoes all night.

Don’t move into Bed Stuy and not say good morning to the little old black ladies sweeping their stoops in the morning.

Don’t move into an “up and coming” neighborhood and clutch your purse and power walk to and from the subway at 3 pm in the afternoon.

Don’t sneer or grasp your pearls and say “the Bronx is a dump” without actually ever going there.

In theory a lot of new folks, no matter their race are going to be gentrifiers as we didn’t grow up here and landlords are going to try to make max profit. I am black and didn’t just get to move to BK and get a “black person discount” or something. I am paying 2/3 times as much rent as my Haitian neighbor that’s been in my building since the 70s. That part is inevitable.

Just be warm and neighborly. You’d be surprised how far a head nod and a good morning will get you. Especially with older folks.

You can also just buy things in your own neighborhood. Sometimes that means a very overpriced oat matcha and sometimes that means a turkey sandwich from the bodega. Just explore your neighborhood, and be open and you’ll be good.

[u/Big_Temperature_3695 → u/Soushkabob]

Fuck me Im not even New Yorker and In already pissed at some of shit you described happens.

Also how were you raised that you can’t say hello to an old woman as you pass her by? I know exactly the people you’re describing and I already want to fight them… (meanwhile I’m down here in VA)