It’s not difficult to see why so many people flock to the Empire State. In addition to being home to the world’s most famous city, New York has a fantastic job market, highly-rated schools and an extensive assortment of fun-filled pastimes. When considering NY-based relocation destinations, take some time to explore everything Long Island has to offer. With a local culture that can best be described as equal parts urban and suburban, Long Island is packed with famous beaches, fantastic restaurants and more activities than you’ll find in a lot of big cities. So, if a move to Long Island strikes you as an attractive prospect, the following tips are likely to come in handy.
Get Your Finances in Order
It’s no secret that New York is among the country’s most expensive states. Not only is NYC one of the priciest cities in the world, the rest of the state isn’t exactly budget-friendly, either. Additionally, if you’re looking to purchase a home on Long Island, keep in mind that the area has very high property taxes. Of course, this isn’t to say that the Empire State isn’t a fantastic place to live – it absolutely is! However, if you commit to a big move without first getting your finances in order, you’re liable to quickly regret it.
Long Island isn’t just expensive – it’s even pricier than New York City. As such, if you intend to call the area home, you’d do well to secure a good job and/or massively bolster your personal savings in advance of your big move. In addition to making your life on Long Island a lot easier, getting your finances in order will increase your likelihood of being approved for a lease or mortgage. Furthermore, the more money you have, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the area’s abundance of leisure activities. Jumping into a big move without sufficient finances at your disposal may result in you being priced out of Long Island before you have a chance to get settled.
Decide on a Suitable Method of Transport
Like many populous areas, Long Island has a significant amount of traffic. This means that no matter where you happen to be going, you should always plan ahead and give yourself extra time. However, this isn’t to say that a car should be your only means of transport. With first-rate bus and train service, Long Island is home to a convenient and highly-efficient public transit system. So, if you live fairly close to your workplace and the various businesses you frequent, you may be able to get by without a car. Similarly, if you commute to New York City throughout the workweek, using the Long Island Railroad can save you a tremendous amount of frustration. Conversely, if you live a fair distance from the aforementioned locations, it’s generally a good idea to have a vehicle.
Take Care of Housing Ahead of Time
When moving to Long Island, you can save yourself a fair amount of hassle by securing your housing ahead of time. Whether you intend to rent or own, having a new residence lined up in advance of your move stands to dramatically simplify the relocation process. This will ensure that you don’t have to put your various possessions and home furnishings in storage while you search for a new place. It will also prevent you from having to spend a small fortune on hotel costs while getting your housing situation sorted out. If you do find you need storage before your move, consider searching for Shipping Containers for sale in Rhode Island or near you. Shipping containers are perfect for storing large pieces of furniture securely, whilst also being movable, so you won’t have to struggle with finding a self-storage center local to your new home.
Familiarize Yourself with Local Activities
You should have no trouble finding enjoyable leisure activities on Long Island. The area’s abundance of first-rate restaurants, fun-filled festivals and picturesque beaches make it a paradise for leisure enthusiasts. Furthermore, wine lovers won’t want to miss out on the area’s impressive assortment of vineyards or the best Long Island wineries.
It isn’t difficult to see why Long Island attracts so many new residents. Whether they’re New York natives seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple or people who hail from outside of the Empire State, Long Island has a lot to offer fresh arrivals. Still, despite being a fantastic place to call home, Long Island can be a bit intimidating to people who haven’t done their homework on the area. With this in mind, anyone considering a move to Long Island should put the previously discussed pointers to good use.