By Elizabeth Williamson and Feifei Sun
When two fresh-faced college grads moved to New York City from south of the Mason-Dixon Line, they had no idea how tough big city living could be. Here Elizabeth Williamson and Feifei Sun share their tips for surviving—and thriving—in not only the Big Apple, but every city, town, and office in the United States.
Finding an apartment is probably the hardest thing you’ll have to do.
But don’t let the panic and stress rush you into a place you’ll want to move out of in a New York minute (Feifei has lived in six apartments in less than two years!). Moving can get expensive really fast without access to a car, so look at as many apartments as possible before settling down. Don’t let brokers, landlords, or Craigslist posters pressure you into a place by threatening that it’ll be gone the next morning. Take your time, and choose a place where you’ll want to stay for at least a year or two.
It’s a big city – but it’s also a small town.
Once you arrive, you’ll quickly realize that Manhattan is really just a small island and news travels fast. If you gossip about coworkers or new acquaintances, you should bet that the person you’re talking to knows someone who knows someone who would be interested in hearing the information you’re giving away. And you should count on the person you’re talking about hearing that you blabbed. I’m not suggesting you give up gab sessions with your closest girlfriends, but refrain from repeating office gossip, because if you want to get ahead, you’ll need to know what’s going on, and no one’s telling the office loudmouth anything.
Do your research and enjoy culture on the cheap.
Don’t let the $20 admission fee stop you from taking in a day at the museum. The city’s cultural institutions have regular pay-what-you-wish evenings and free admission days. A little online research will help you uncover a list of free gallery openings, movie screenings, and concerts in the park.
Don’t lose the down-home touches.
Don’t let the I-don’t-have-time-for-this New York attitude erase all the little niceties our mothers taught us. Writing hand-written invitations and thank-you notes, preserving that always-polite phone demeanor, and keeping the cussing to a minimum will set you apart.
Think of everyone you meet as a future contact.
By now, it’s been ingrained in you that networking is the key to success, and nowhere is that more true than a big city. Try to keep a friendly relationship with the folks that you meet. You never know when it’s going to help you in the future—whether it’s a publicist friend who can get you tickets to your favorite concert, or a New Jersey family who can help you move with their SUV.
Know the news.
In college, you’re only required to converse socially within your own age group. Now that you’re in the real world, you’ll need to sharpen those cocktail party conversation skills. To be able to contribute to – or at least keep up with – your boss’s or colleague’s conversations, you should work in a daily dose of the news. Read the New York Times cover stories while you’re drinking your coffee or scan The Economist on the subway each morning. Don’t forget to check the New York Post’s Page Six and the Giants’ score from last night’s game: while inter-office gossip may not be encouraged, celebrity gossip and sports are universal in conversation today, whether we like it or not.
Don’t take anything personally, but don’t take anything for granted either.
When your boss is correcting you in the workplace, try to remember that it’s not a personal attack on you, but just a (New York) reminder that you need to pick up the slack professionally. And when you’re silently yelling back at said boss, remember how many people would love to be in your shoes.
Experiment.
New York has it all – from Bikram yoga classes to groups for documentary film fans. There is a class, club, or group for almost any interest. Take advantage – try all those activities you were curious about but didn’t have access to, or weren’t comfortable trying back home. Try out new styles, meet new people. This is the time in your life to figure out who you want to be, and you can be anyone and do anything in New York.
Elizabeth Williamson and Feifei Sun
New York, NY
Elizabeth Williamson graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and now works in public relations. Feifei Sun graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design and works in publishing. Both live the city-girl life in New York City.
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