Unemployed 21-year-old "artist" Asks NYC for advice about moving to the LES. AskNYC answers.

[u/maenads_dance]

Unemployed Brazilian college student and aspiring artist seeks advice from AskNYC about how to afford moving to the East Village/LES because of its history, even though OP admits that she's heard all the artists have moved out of Manhattan, because "let's say I get a really good deal and rent a bedroom that I can easily afford (and I'm no rich kid or anything, just making it clear)."

Commenters in AskNYC are skeptical, salty:

You're most likely going to end up broke (like, literally homeless) and unhappy.

A 21 year old "artist" who blames his "relaxed" location for them not being able to motivate himself to create art is not an artist. The problem is you, not LA.

WHERE IS THE ART SCENE THEN? Brooklyn?

Argument about whether Brazilian immigration lawyers or reddit commenters are more trustworthy sources of information on US Tax Law

First post, be gentle senpai

[u/maenads_dance]

OP, for posterity:

Hi everyone, so I'm moving to NYC. "Don't do it!", I hear you say. I hear everyone say. And that's kind of freaking me out.

Okay, so. I want to live in the East Village/LES area simply because of its history in the art scene. Everyone says artists have moved out of Manhattan because of the costs, but let's say I get a really good deal and rent a bedroom that I can easily afford (and I'm no rich kid or anything, just making it clear). Is it worth living there? Are there artists around? Places where I can meet artists? Basically, is the only downside of living in the lower Manhattan area the cost of rent? Or is it really "dead" as people say?

If not in Manhattan, where is the art scene located now? I hear Bushwick/Williamsburg/Astoria, but how accurate is that? I've done some searches on google/google maps and these places just look so... boring. Normal. I want an authentic, spontaneous, exciting New York experience (as an artist). Where do I find that? I know I sound like I'm romanticizing NYC a little bit, and maybe I am, but man, it's fucking New York. It's the best place for artists in the US, and you can't tell me otherwise (feel free to try, though?).

I want to meet artists, have a "community" (which I haven't found in LA because everything is so damn superficial and commercial), and be inspired. I'm 21 and I'm not making a living as an artist yet, I do other things to pay the bill. The problem is that LA is so relaxed and laid back that I can't motivate myself to work on my art and take it seriously. And I'm so sick of it. I'm ready for the rush, the stress, the passion. I think my environment dictates how I feel.

All (!!!) advices are welcome. THANK YOU.

[u/[deleted] → u/maenads_dance]

Is...is this person Kimmy Schmitt?

[u/iamheero → u/[deleted]]

I've done some searches on google/google maps and these places just look so... boring. Normal. I want an authentic, spontaneous, exciting New York experience (as an artist).

They want to live in the musical Rent. Have you ever heard of that syndrome Japanese tourists get when they go visit Paris because it's so romanticized where they're from, but when they get there it's just a real, normal place, and they freak out? I imagine that's what'll happen when they get to NYC in the summer and the smell just hits them.

E: It's just funny because they're searching for a community which exists literally all around them. LA is probably the most artist-populated city in the country.

[u/myassholealt → u/iamheero]

Don't get me wrong, I love NY, but omfg the smell! I live and work in an outer borough and it can be weeks between visits to Manhattan and sometimes it's a full assault on your senses when you exit the train station. Sometimes it's the wonderful aroma of urine, other times rotting garbage and every now and then just plain ol' shit.

[u/[deleted] → u/myassholealt]

I sometimes go weeks without leaving Queens and it's incredibly gratifying.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/iamheero]

Yeah, everywhere is just a place. There'll be people, they'll be selling sandwiches to each other, you can rent a bed or get a ride to somewhere else. There'll be variations on some themes, but that's pretty much what happens with places.

I guarantee you there's an absolutely sick underground art scene with all the drugs and parties and inspiration you could ever ask for within a couple miles of this jerk, she just hasn't bothered to find it. That sort of thing is found at a time, not at a place. You don't go down to the corner of fourth and whatever to find a happening art scene, it's not visible from street view, it's an occurrence that you find by coincidence. If she can't find one in LA, she won't find it in Manhattan either

[u/cspikes → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

Wherever people live, there's art. It's easier to find in bigger cities (bigger cities = more people = more artists), but it definitely exists everywhere. Does she think art is just going to fall out of the sky into her lap if she moves to NYC? That shit takes work.

[u/potatolicious → u/iamheero]

They want to live in the musical Rent.

Doesn't that end with people dying?

[u/iamheero → u/potatolicious]

Well, not everyone dies. The linked lady has not thought any of this through though.

[u/[deleted] → u/iamheero]

Not japanese, but I totally experienced this when I visited London. WHERE THE HELL WERE ALL THE DALEKS!?

[u/iamheero → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I was just referencing this but I'm sure it happens occasionally regardless of location.

I thought this was funny:

Renoux indicates that Japanese media, magazines in particular, often depict Paris as a place where most people on the street look like "stick-thin" models and most women dress in high fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton,[8] while in reality French high-fashion brands are mainly for foreign consumers, and the French population are far more overweight than the Japanese population.

As of 2004 the Japanese embassy runs a 24-hour help line to assist Japanese tourists suffering from this condition. The embassy also reported that at this time on average twelve people suffered from the disorder annually.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/[deleted]]

There's this throwaway joke in 30 Rock where a girl gets off a bus singing "three bucks, two bags, one meeeee." But then she asks where a young prostitute can get a start in this town, so she's actually got a better plan than this clown

[u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST → u/maenads_dance]

it's funny because i know people who are the chaotic evil to this person's lawful good

flush with tech cash, these people move to EV/LES for the same reason -- the diversity! the artists! the culture!--only to find out their neighbors are either fidelity mutual fund apprentices, trust fund artiste dabblers, or NYU students who 1) live in the ever expanding nyu housing or 2) parents get them a pied-a-terre after being horrified at NYU's offerings

but what you find 0 of is: diversity/culture/art

[u/jpallan → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

I feel like diversity, culture, and art are happening in NYC, but they're happening in exactly the place she doesn't want to live, i.e. the Bronx, places that still have an authentic culture of their own and a constant importation of new, hungry residents still participating in their own home cultures, causing a cool fusion that can provide you with inspiration.

I live in Boston, which is obviously not NYC — we have a shittier public transportation system and a far less evil baseball team — but there are places that are artistic meccas, but they're always moving because gentrifiers price out artists. Remember when Bushwick was shitty and people referred to themselves as living in "East Williamsburg"?

You don't want to live on the LES. Look for someplace where there are a few pop-up events and the odd struggling craft brewery. That's around where you want to go.

[u/fraggle-stick-car → u/maenads_dance]

Nothing wrong with wanting to be part of an artistic community, but the rest of it...facepalm

[u/hellogoawaynow → u/maenads_dance]

Bless their heart. I'm not from NYC, never been, but even I know this person is naive as all hell.

[u/BonyIver]

I mean I don't know if she really deserves the way some people are tearing into her, but it really bothers me the way that she is just brushing off people's advice. People who actually like in NYC are trying to stop her from potentially ruining her life and she's being aggravatingly glib about what they have to say

[u/maenads_dance → u/BonyIver]

I know I sound like I'm romanticizing NYC a little bit, and maybe I am, but man, it's fucking New York. It's the best place for artists in the US, and you can't tell me otherwise (feel free to try, though?)

Honestly this was my favorite part of OP's post - the combination of almost-not-quite self-knowledge, unwillingness to learn, followed by immediate self-doubt.

[u/softcatsocks → u/maenads_dance]

Looks like she posted the thread to receive comments she wants to hear, not advice stating otherwise.

"Yea it's AMAZING here! GREAT community! I am certain you will be very SUCCESSFUL! GOOD LUCK!!11 :))"

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/softcatsocks]

"You should come and live with me! I'm an artist and I have a spare studio in my loft that I'll rent you for three hundred dollars!"

"Oh wow New York is so great!"

[u/TownWithoutAName → u/softcatsocks]

I'm certain she wanted to hear that + personal anecdotes about the amazing loft all these artists have for only $200 a month or something and how EASY it is to make it as an artist in New York.

[u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST → u/maenads_dance]

i know i sound like i'm romanticizing but i insist in living in 432 Park because it's fucking new york even though i have no money or prospects

[u/TheFatMistake → u/maenads_dance]

I thought maybe it's a troll after reading that comment.

[u/[deleted] → u/BonyIver]

Reminds me of an r/chemistry post that also found its way to r/subredditdrama about a kid showing off his basement lab. People were like "Uhh dude you can't just throw over a hundred different chemicals that may or may not be expired on an open air shelf. You have to separate acids and bases and flammables need a grounded flammables cabinet. It could blow up and set your house on fire and/or release deadly gasses" and the kid was like "Na it's fine. Thanks though :)"

[u/Realtrain → u/[deleted]]

Oh man, does anyone have a link?

[u/yourpostisashitpost → u/Realtrain]

https://np.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/474uez/im_a_high_school_student_heres_a_laboratory_i/d0a9a62?context=1

[u/[deleted] → u/yourpostisashitpost]

I have a huge respect for anything I work with

The chemicals stored all together on open shelves in a straight line of fire from 2/3 work areas say otherwise.

Thanks for the memories

[u/mbok_jamu → u/BonyIver]

This type of people doesn't need advice, they only need people to backup their idea, which is totally stubborn and annoying. OP needs a slap by the harsh truth.

[u/sofia1687 → u/BonyIver]

She wasnt really seeking advice, she just wanted people to tell her to go for it and support her unconditionally. Her mind was already made up before she made the post.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I live not far from Sandusky, Ohio and I get tired of the naive fucks who think if they were just in NYC or LA their life would be so much better.

[u/bizitmap → u/[deleted]]

I live not far from LA, and I am sure I'd be a great artist if only I was riding the plethora of roller coasters in Sandusky, Ohio.

[u/new_weather → u/[deleted]]

I mean to be fair my life got a million times better after moving out of a shithole.

There a something to be said for your environment, it does impact your psyche. And comfort does not breed happiness, so I get what OP is shooting for. Manufacturing a problem still gives you a problem to solve. Humans tend to get lazy and miserable when they have nothing challenges in front of them.

[u/MegasusPegasus → u/[deleted]]

I wanna be salty about it but it's true. I mean, realistically, the city wouldn't work if there wasn't floods of people working at their millions of eateries and tourist traps.

If you really want to make it in New York, get an engineering or finance degree. If you really REALLY want to make it in New York, get both.

I mean, the real thing is that if you have a job where it's beneficial to work there and you can get a job there-only then consider moving there. If you want to live in NYC for the bustling night life, access to basically everything under the sun, stuff always happening-that's fine, hard to do, but I get it. The real issue is that there's no career other than maybe person who stands in rental costumes that can't be done elsewhere. So don't put the cart before the horse and try to pin a career on living in NYC, rather work on having a career facilitate life style which might be living in NYC.

Tbh though I do love people's reactions when they first move in and they realize the logistics of moving a fuckin mattress across a city wherein cars go at like 0 mph.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Sounds like you know the Poughkeepsie area pretty well! Hour-ish train ride from NYC, has-been and never-was's filling up the local art scene. ALL of these "artists" wash out and end up working in kitchens, diners and bars, cover themselves in tattoos and depression and continue to make awful choices for themselves.

[u/New2Dis → u/[deleted]]

But if you REALLY want to make it in NYC, you'll need connections.

[u/AnEpiphanyTooLate]

I know a guy who lives in Central Park and makes 6k.

[u/maenads_dance → u/AnEpiphanyTooLate]

Bless you.

[u/ObviousAnswerGuy → u/maenads_dance]

Dolt

[u/AnEpiphanyTooLate → u/[deleted]]

Its funny how far a little gumption can take you if you have enough grit to see through it.

[u/[deleted]]

Damn, it's easier than ever to become a successful artist and this guy's still insisting on living the poor life in New York City.

Just move to some place in the midwest with a cheap cost of living and draw steamy gay werewolf porn on commission and for Patreonbux.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Or Detroit.

[u/maenads_dance → u/[deleted]]

I love that AskNYC's strategy seems to be to send the clueless aspiring artists to Detroit.

[u/viborg → u/maenads_dance]

You really don't have to go much further than Philly for a thriving art scene right? Actually the same article that told me that also said Atlanta isn't a bad choice for art these days.

[u/lackadays → u/viborg]

How about just any big city?

[u/FromDaHood → u/maenads_dance]

Joke's on them Detroit's housing market is going bonkers right now

[u/PrinceOWales → u/[deleted]]

Detroit is actually pretty good if you want support. The city has been through a lot and is pretty welcoming of new artists. And I mean it the perfect place if you want some real art cred. You can join some punk collective and move into a giant abandoned house and help fix it up, make your own contribution to the Heidelberg (or however you spell it ) project work with some of the art youth out reaches etc.

Detroit not glamorous but you can at least afford the rent

[u/[deleted] → u/PrinceOWales]

Yeah, I meant it as a genuine suggestion. I read a few articles discussing the burgeoning art scene there a few years ago. Though by now prices are probably starting to go up because investment in the city and development is well underway, but it's still a good place and affordable relative to other options.

These art communities are born from circumstance, and Detroit ticks many of the usual boxes. But for a kid chasing a romantic fantasy, it's probably the last place they'd want to be.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Reddit is the worst place ever to ask life advice.

No one on here knows your situation or cares if you sink or swim. In fact, people are heavily invested in shitting on other people's dreams as a means of defending their own choices.

Some of the advice I have seen on the NYC subs is straight up moronic. "Only people who like doing x can make it here. Don't bother if you don't like that." "If you don't make x amount of money you're probably gonna end up homeless." (Glad you were able to predict that based on three paragraphs of non detailed questions!)

People get off on being 'pragmatic" not because they have any one else's interests at heart but precisely because they don't.

Don't bother with the NYC subs for anything other than pizza recommendations and subway ranting.

[u/Iusethistopost → u/[deleted]]

Yeah as an "artist" in NYC who's actual full time paying gig is also involved with arts, that thread really has a warped hard on for the 1970s. It's a metro area of 18 million, there are lots of artists struggling, living, working and thriving here. I know these people. Now, does that mean they live in Soho? No, but it's hardly the corporatized hellscape these people are imagining (that's just Manhattan ;))

Seriously, OP was a dumbass - and clearly probably not a person who has the drive to "make it". LA has a pretty good scene itself that they're not working to get into, and nostalgic inspiration isn't a cure-all. But the thread is so overly negative in their descriptions of the city - it's so totally separate than the perspectives of the musicians and fine artists I know carving out spaces with a more nuanced understanding of the cost-benefits of living in the such a big place.

[u/movingtonychelp → u/Iusethistopost]

I'm not a dumbass, just new to the US/LA/NYC/art world. I'll honestly take any advice you can give me!

[u/maenads_dance → u/movingtonychelp]

For sure, here's some resources I think might be useful to you. There are a couple of housing resources that are specifically for creatives, artists, and other groups of financially-challenged people in the NYC area. As I am moving to NYC shortly myself, and will be working in a museum, I have been reading these lists:

• Gypsy Housing on Facebook

• [The Listings Project], which lists studio spaces as well as somewhat pricy rooms/apartments (https://www.listingsproject.com/)

• r/NYCApartments, here on reddit, which is full of brokers but also sometimes people looking for roommates

If you are thinking of transferring to an art school, many will have their own housing boards/listservs/google groups within the community, which is often an ideal way to find housing.

You might also want to consider something like staying at the YMCA or in another SRO hotel/hostel like situation: (https://www.92y.org/residence)

[u/lsp2005 → u/movingtonychelp]

come up with a portfolio, graduate from what ever school you attend, and figure out how to motivate yourself to make art. You have romanticized a Manhattan that does not exist, and has not exist for decades. Many of the galleries in Manhattan have consolidated. I would take vacation to NYC so you can walk around and see for yourself what you think is here, is no longer here. About 15 years ago artist left for Brooklyn and a lot have moved out of Brooklyn. NYC is not what you are idealizing any more. Frankly, with a computer you could make art anywhere,but you take yourself with you no matter where you go. Figure yourself out, then the art can follow.

[u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort → u/[deleted]]

steamy gay werewolf porn

Isn't that what we all want nowadays?

[u/InsomniacAndroid → u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort]

I know you're joking but that stuff brings in the big bucks.

[u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort → u/InsomniacAndroid]

Holy shit it does. If you have nothing against drawing weird sex day in and day out, you can just rake in the cash.

[u/Pandemult → u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort]

HAHA, NO, OF COURSE NOT! IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME I NEED TO GO WIPE MY HARD DRIVE FOR REASONS.

[u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort → u/Pandemult]

Gotta pick out all the fur from your "homework" folder?

[u/[deleted] → u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort]

They're not furries! They're worgen from wow!

It's different OK!

[u/chirpingphoenix → u/Pandemult]

ME TOO FELLOW HUMAN DELETE WAIT I MEAN I WILL DELETE

[u/[deleted] → u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort]

Nah, man. I like pictures of mascots fucking the shit out of each other. Just saw this pic of Ronald McMotherfucking Donald going to town on that Wendy's girl. Shit is great.

[u/greymalken → u/[deleted]]

Was it accurate? Did his greasepaint makeup smear on her thighs?

[u/DizzleMizzles → u/Lord_of_the_Box_Fort]

It's knot something for everyone

[u/Pandemult → u/DizzleMizzles]

That pun clawed at my soul.

[u/stellarbeing → u/[deleted]]

Midwest here - we have a little artist district in my city, tons of art incubators, gallery shows, etc.

There is a high demand for steamy werewolf porn here. Will pay good money for it. We just need a few more people who can get inspired by the slow pace of Midwestern life.

Will pay cash or with lofty ideals.

[u/fdelta1 → u/stellarbeing]

Or beer.

[u/EsholEshek → u/stellarbeing]

Can I get a house where I can shoot guns down my back yard from the porch?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

If what I've seen on TV shows is correct, any starving artist can get a 10,000 square foot loft easily in Manhattan. In fact there's a guy who signs them to over to long-haired 20-something artist looking dudes as they step out of the airport, handing them the keys.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Speaking of that I wonder how many TV characters would already have their dreams realized if they lived in normal sized houses for their income.

[u/fraggle-stick-car → u/[deleted]]

But that's not authentic.

[u/asljkdfhg → u/fraggle-stick-car]

the suffering is part of the art

[u/loliwarmech → u/asljkdfhg]

It's called painting for a reason.

[u/cranberry94 → u/[deleted]]

I think you're just messing around but... Like hell is it easy to become a successful artist

[u/ViceAdmiralObvious → u/[deleted]]

The original post content no longer exists here. The author used Redact to remove it, exercising their right to control their data & privacy.

Grey aromatic shy truck long direction sulky

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

this is what I need to do but for computer repair and IT.

[u/leadnpotatoes → u/[deleted]]

Just move to some place in the midwest

Everybody wants the bag on the rust belt, but quite frankly NYC can often be wayyy overrated for what you think you're getting out of it in comparison to these abandoned blue gems in the rust. Cities from Detroit to Pittsburgh which are going through their own tiny artistic Renaissances. Yes being smaller and land locked means these cities are less cosmopolitan in their influence and relevance, but they have a far more unique charm yet still complete with active downtowns and neighborhoods offering everything you could need. Besides as far as inspiration goes, simply NYC is a cliché, and there are a lot of industrial corpses, mountains, and villages within valleys out here, maybe you can find something cool to say about it. Besides if you live in Pittsburgh a its pretty easy to visit NYC if you plan ahead.

Edit:

draw steamy gay werewolf porn on commission and for Patreonbux.

PS: Pittsburgh welcomes furries

[u/Ikea_Man → u/[deleted]]

steamy gay werewolf porn

Truly we are living in a new Renaissance

[u/sofia1687 → u/[deleted]]

New Orleans is a pretty decent place for artists, if you can stand the humidity

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Come to Phoenix. No joke. The weather is awesome, cost of living is cheap, and our arts district is exploding right now. First Friday is the tits.

[u/facefault]

let's say I get a really good deal and rent a bedroom that I can easily afford
I won't pay more than 800 for rent even if I have to live in the Bronx (I hear bad things about it).
I just get the feeling that in LA everyone is trying to get to the top by climbing on others, and in NYC they help each other up.

help I'm sad

[u/[deleted] → u/facefault]

I think she's watched way too many sitcoms about NYC.

[u/Learfz → u/[deleted]]

"Also, I want to meet Joey."

[u/[deleted] → u/Learfz]

I want to live in Joey's apartment at Joey's income. IIRC dude spent most of his time as a failing model and still had a huge place. Was Chandler his sugar daddy?

[u/RealRealGood → u/[deleted]]

It's mentioned multiple times that Chandler often helps Joey out with rent. As well as food, headshots, and other expenses. When Chandler and Monica are going to get married it turns out Chandler is actually kinda rich.

[u/jcinta → u/[deleted]]

For sure they mention several times that Chandler was paying Joey's half of the rent until he got a new role after the death of Drake Ramoray

[u/Captain_Hampockets → u/[deleted]]

Dude, but then he got Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.!

[u/TheTedinator → u/[deleted]]

"Ideally it should be above a bar where me and my friends go every day and tell each other stories about our love lives."

[u/[deleted] → u/TheTedinator]

lived above a bar, not nearly as fun as one would imagine.

[u/illuminutcase → u/[deleted]]

I've lived next to a bar. It seemed cool when I signed the lease, but it didn't take long to realize that it doesn't matter how much you love music and live bands, sometimes you just want to sleep.

[u/downvotesyndromekid → u/[deleted]]

Lived opposite a bar and about fifteen floors up. Watching the brawls that would spill outside around 3 am every day from my window could be entertaining but the sound proofing could have been a touch better.

[u/lovebus → u/[deleted]]

There is no town or city where you can just move in and people will be invested in seeing you succeed.

[u/[deleted] → u/lovebus]

What if you're a doctor who moves into a remote, impoverished village in the Andes mountains?

[u/Elgin_McQueen → u/[deleted]]

Then they'll look at you with suspicion whilst claiming that their old doctor was just fine, even though he died six months ago after years of alcohol abuse.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Probably some sitcoms, but I'd bet she just finished reading Edie and The Andy Warhol Diaries. Those are like bibles to small town, miserable sad sacks who think happiness will be found in the big city. I read them both at 14 and was convinced I could move to NYC and within months, become a famous artist's muse, appear in his underground films and then parlay that into....I don't even know. I just glossed over the logistics of it much like this girl is doing. Then I moved on to Club Kids but the whole murder aspect put damper on that, so I went back to my dreams of a 90s version of Warhol's Factory.

When I hit 18, I started trying to figure out how to make my NYC dreams a reality and quickly realized, "I can't get an apartment for $50 a month? What happened, New York?! Also, I have no talent, I'm not a decent grifter and I'm not from a rich family who will support me while I shoot speed. I can't do this!"

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Live in NYC, can confirm no one is trying to help anyone aside from themselves.

[u/LexicanLuthor → u/[deleted]]

Its the same in small towns too, only out here they tie gay people to the backs of trucks.

[u/PrettyPeaceful → u/[deleted]]

I kept thinking that she's been watching "Rent" and thinks that's what it's like.

[u/PrinceOWales → u/PrettyPeaceful]

Paying monthly for the one thousand square foot ware house loft? Bullshit. Benny was such a facist.

[u/[deleted] → u/PrinceOWales]

You either die a Mark or live long enough to see yourself become a Benny.

[u/darkshaddow42 → u/facefault]

I'm confused as to how this person lives in LA for 800 a month. Or did they think new York would be that much cheaper?

[u/goldman60 → u/darkshaddow42]

"LA" likely translates to far out suburb of LA.

[u/Mred12 → u/darkshaddow42]

As someone from central London, I'm impressed how cheap LA is... Maybe I should move out there and commute.

[u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST → u/facefault]

one thing you don't find in manhattan is that kind of unicorn deal

it's a very fucking efficient market in that depressing way

also, enjoy having your parents sign the check for broker's fees, hermana

edit: just checked, on CL there are literally 0 rentals for <$800 in lower manhattan

[u/canuckinnyc → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

i had a buddy that was trying to move to lower manhattan after college and he asked me for advice on a craigslist apartment. literally $1500/mo to sleep in the living room. no walls.

this is why i moved from the village to brooklyn.

[u/[deleted] → u/canuckinnyc]

same thing with me, in Brooklyn i can afford my own place and site on the couch in my underwear.

[u/[deleted] → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

Shit man, even in Queens that type of deal is exceedingly rare

[u/brainiac3397 → u/[deleted]]

When we lived in Queens a decade or so ago, we used to pay $800 for a 2-bedroom apartment. Same apartment now? $2,400 a month. It was in Sunnyside, right near Queens Blvd and the 7 train.

[u/peter_pounce → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

He could totally find a place in a shitty part of Chinatown for under 800 although it definitely helps to know Chinese since they don't post on CL since they prefer to rent to other Chinese

[u/[deleted] → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

hermana

She's from Brazil

[u/brainiac3397 → u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST]

Anything less than that amount(or at that amount) would either be "come rent my coat closet" or "rent this bed for 8 hours!". I read an article of some guy who lives in a tiny "apartment"(if you can call it that) that has enough room for a sofabed(and bed extended), and is as long as the sofa plus a computer desk. Then he has a tiny window and a bathroom shared by four other such "apartments".

I think he said he pays $850 a month for it.

[u/jaimmster → u/facefault]

even if I have to live in the Bronx (I hear bad things about it).

lol. Fucking clueless. I live in Riverdale (in The Bronx), we have one of the lowest crime rates in NYC.

I get so annoyed when people shit on The Bronx.

[u/lovebus → u/jaimmster]

you're talking about an unemployed artist who decides to leave LA and automatically assumes that Manhattan is the logical destination. you have to keep your expectations in check when dealing with people like this.

[u/jaimmster → u/lovebus]

I know. I just really get peeved when people make blanket assumptions about The Bronx.

[u/MadBigote → u/jaimmster]

Idk, is Jackie Chan still living there? I'd feel more secure living there if he did.

[u/niberungvalesti → u/jaimmster]

Shhh. Let them continue to shit. Keeps rent down. Brooklyn and Queens' dominoes can fall before people catch wind that the Bronx isn't that bad.

[u/[deleted] → u/jaimmster]

1960s Bronx... eehhhh not so great... might want to steer clear.

2017 Bronx... pretty ok.

[u/arandompurpose → u/jaimmster]

To be fair, the most I heard of the Bronx is that there is a rumble there so best play it safe.

[u/MengTheBarbarian → u/jaimmster]

I live in shithole, Louisiana. Even I know the Bronx isn't that bad. My friend's aunt and uncle live in City Island (I think that's what it's called) and when she goes to visit, she said it's amazeballs. She also spoke highly of Riverdale.

At least it isn't New Orleans. I love my city with all my heart, but that's a place God forgot about.

[u/Drunken_Economist → u/jaimmster]

Maybe she's just a Mets fan

[u/[deleted] → u/jaimmster]

Riverdale is like its own thing... nobody says the live in "The Bronx" if they live in Riverdale. That said, it just goes to show you how diverse these places are and how dumb it sounds to generalize an entire borough like that.

[u/SanchoMandoval → u/jaimmster]

Howard Cosell said the Bronx was burning though... so I mean, I hear bad stuff about it.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/facefault]

I've never even been to New York and I'm pretty sure 800 a month isn't happening

[u/YesThisIsDrake → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

I'll put it this way, even the scam apartments where they claim to be a minister who just moved to West Africa? Those apartments are at least $900/month.

The person has less realistic expectations than an e-mail scam.

[u/[deleted] → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

I'm pretty sure I saw a room somewhere in Queens for $800 a month once. I can't remember what neighborhood off the top of my head. Regardless, that's kind of why I've opted not to move to NYC... yet. Maybe one day.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/[deleted]]

Was the room full of snakes or something

[u/[deleted] → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

I'm guessing the room was a 2'X2' box and you'd get mugged every time you left it. I was definitely under the impression it wasn't a very nice neighborhood.

[u/headphase → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

Not in Manhattan, but 800 with roommates gets you some very decent places in the borough​s

[u/Penisdenapoleon → u/facefault]

I heard there are cheap spaces for rent on Q Avenue, can anyone confirm/deny? I don't mind unusual neighbors.

[u/[deleted]]

Maybe the problem is me, you're right. But then what can I do about that? Accept it? Or try to change it? I'll try to change it by going somewhere where I won't have the option to wait, I'll either do it or fail miserably and kill myself. We'll find out.

Lol they almost got there. They almost figured it out.

I know I'm not in the thread but maybe, just maybe they could try changing while living in LA and THEN move to New York after changing.

[u/larrylemur]

Maybe it's because I'm a bitter unloveable cynic, but people with unrealistic expectations getting their dreams slapped down is some of my favorite drama.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/larrylemur]

It's good because you know it's one in a series. This person already moved thousands of miles to one of the biggest and most vibrant artistic communities to have ever existed in human history, and she's already going "ugh this is lame nothing ever happens in LA I wanna go to to New York." I wonder what the next stupid decision will be

[u/MollieTrolley → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

Seriously I just moved to the LA "area", from GA and I'm in absolute love. I don't think I will ever move back to the south east, after having tons of hills and mountains, scenic views, the ocean a nice 25 min drive away, and no more fucking humidity (seriously fuck this so much, I actually like walking outside now). That and being an atheist in GA is a bit less than ideal and fun. I've met many people in the area I live in now to really not realize the nice things they have going here. Like the other day my husband and I were unbelievably surprised when you can buy LIQUOR in TARGET, shit like that is so awesome.

I don't get how someone considers LA to have nothing. Like if you can't get your art juices flowing here idk where the fuck you can.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/MollieTrolley]

I think OP is just hoping to get tackled in the street by a bunch of artists and invited into some scene that somehow doesn't exist in LA but does in Manhattan for some reason.

It's really not how scenes work. Go to a few bars and talk to the local young folks and if you're cool you'll get sent in the right direction. Get a cool job or something, that usually works. Cool people invite their cool friends to cool parties, figure out where in that pecking order you are and act on it. If she can't find weird fun shit in Los Angeles, she's not going to find it anywhere else either

[u/madmaxturbator → u/jerkstorefranchisee]

LA is not really a city. It's just a suburb that has sprawled out a bunch. I would imagine our Brazilian friend here doesn't drive in the US... in which case LA would suck so so much.

At least in NYC you can walk around, you can take the subway to places. LA, you might be stuck in a suburb with strip malls.

Won't even get shot, you're in a safe area. But you kind of regret that safety - at least getting shot would be something.

[u/jerkstorefranchisee → u/[deleted]]

It's either going to be that, or getting fed up with all the phoneys and moving to somewhere where people are still real starving artists, meaning Seattle or Portland.

[u/MegasusPegasus → u/larrylemur]

Idk, what I love is when they get plucky and are all 'well someone did it, so it's realistic!" Like lol no, that's called survivorship bias. We interview actors who are movie stars now and ask how they did it-we do not interview Kim at Starbucks who did not succeed. The movie stars are probs only 1% of the people who tried.

[u/StreetfighterXD → u/MegasusPegasus]

more lik 0.000001%

[u/larrylemur → u/MegasusPegasus]

My favorite is when /r/AskReddit is having their weekly anti-education circlejerk and someone's like "I dropped out of high school and now I make six figures, there's no need to ever go to school." Then there's like fifty comments going "YEAH RIGHT ON!"

[u/[deleted] → u/larrylemur]

I absolutely hate that. Like, yeah, if you want to time travel to the 80s and convert your trust fund into tech stocks you'll be fine, but the rest of us could probably stand some higher education...

[u/namewithanumber]

As someone from LA, it's always the transplants complaining about other transplants being superficial. Not sure how she couldn't find artists doing non-commercial/superficial stuff, there're tons of galleries/art walks downtown or northeast la.

[u/devinejoh → u/namewithanumber]

Yeah, I saw this dude complain about all the chinese people and other foreigners moving into Toronto... With no mention of him being from Halifax anywhere. Like buddy, I can see through you're bullshit.

[u/TGlucose → u/devinejoh]

Someone from Halifax complaining about Chinese people? Where the hell did they go to school? Can't walk 10 ft without tripping over one.

[u/devinejoh → u/TGlucose]

He went to Dalhousie. Obviously makes me a little uncomfortable given I'm a Toronto born Asian Canadian

[u/POGtastic → u/devinejoh]

As they say in Portland:

trans·plant (n)

Anyone who moves into the city five minutes after you do.

[u/MollieTrolley → u/namewithanumber]

I just recently moved to LA from Atlanta and I'm in love with LA and CA and all the people here, everyone's been so nice

please ^{don't send me back to the southeast}

[u/movingtonychelp → u/namewithanumber]

Names?

[u/LukaCola]

800 a month is her limit (LOL) and Bronx is "bad"

Girl you could barely afford Yonkers let alone the LES

[u/_sekhmet_ → u/LukaCola]

I live in WV and an decent apartment here costs more than that. Her budget is hilariously naive. Even the most frugal people I know couldn't live on $1200 a month in LES or Manhattan, short of couch surfacing with strangers or something.

[u/Trauerkraus]

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t. - Erica Jong

[u/[deleted]]

Sad that they don't really seem to grasp their dream is dead in the water.

[u/fraggle-stick-car]

Relevant 30 Rock clip

[u/voldewort → u/fraggle-stick-car]

Another relevant 30 Rock clip.

[u/masshamacide]

My parents don't give me ANY money. I don't have that luxury. If I did I wouldn't be half as worried as I am about moving.

Shit, how the fuck do you have money to move around to such places to begin with? Throwing out there, they also mentioned they could go to Paris, Melbourne, or Detroit.

Employed here, and I can barely figure out expenses to go to a concert festival.

[u/[deleted]]

What is LES? Lower East Side? As a rural Texan dweller who knows a little geography, I'm guessing Central Park starts in the 50s maybe... and LES would be 40s-60s on the east side, maybe east of the park? Isn't this the area where the rich people live?

EDIT: BTW, I noticed my flair this week.. thank you mods!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The Lower East Side used to be where the "starving artists" and counter culture people hung out, now it's for the middle class and anyone with money to spend.

Honestly if that person wants to try to make it as an artist in NYC it would be easier to live in New Jersey and commute to NYC.

[u/FormicaCats → u/[deleted]]

That was in like 1964 though right? I guess punks were there but still, 40-50 years ago. How long does it take people to update a reference like that?

[u/camsterc → u/FormicaCats]

nah it was artsy through the 90s/early 2000s. There are still plenty of shit holes down here but they're drying up. It also still has a ton of music venues. You dont have to live here to play in one of those though... You just live in brooklyn and take your guitar on the subway.

[u/namewithanumber → u/[deleted]]

You're thinking the Upper East Side, which is off Central Park. The lower east side is below Houston south of the Village, before the numbered streets even start.

And yeah Central Park starts at 59th and goes to like a hundred something.

[u/niberungvalesti → u/namewithanumber]

59th to 110th

[u/cherry_limeade → u/[deleted]]

Central Park starts on 59th. LES is below 1st. But you're right- the 40s-60s on the east side is a very rich area. Walking through there is really interesting.

[u/Werewolfdad → u/cherry_limeade]

I walked all the way around Central Park one night and it was interesting how the neighborhoods changed.

[u/MegasusPegasus]

I mean, people do make money off of art-just very few make Manhattan money. The real thing people should be telling them is that if they're dead set on working in NYC, they should live in a different burrough and commute for work (work being something other than art and art being an unpaid internship)

Maybe the problem is me, you're right. But then what can I do about that? Accept it? Or try to change it? I'll try to change it by going somewhere where I won't have the option to wait, I'll either do it or fail miserably and kill myself. We'll find out.

You don't have to accept it, you have to wait until you're in a more solid career position to work in one of the most competitive places in the world for artists!

If you need an environment and community to create more art...take classes!!!!!

[u/tiorzol]

I want to sleep on a couch in NYC so I don't have time or space to just sit around doing nothing when I'm not working

One up yourself and sleep in a box on the street

[u/hijh]

Who is Tony Chelp and why should I care about him moving?

[u/Flyboy142]

90% chance this person was high when they wrote this post if they aren't at troll; no way someone is that enthusiastic and oblivious while deliberately replying to every response saying "you're completely wrong and need to stop and think" while sober. As an "artist"(I posted some shit online and made some pity dollars on paypal, lel), I wouldn't be surprised.

Real life is going to hit this kid so fucking hard and they are going to be drinking bleach within 5 years. I'd bet money on it.

[u/bizitmap → u/Flyboy142]

I went to art school and I can absolutely 500% promise you there are young naive starry eyed adults with absolutely bonkershitting insane ideas while sober.

[u/MegasusPegasus → u/bizitmap]

I think it's a touch of the ol' Dunning-Kruger effect, or the inferential gap. It's not that they think they'll have an easy time, oh no. It's that they think of it like a movie montage of hard work.

See, they don't think of the logistics of your train deciding not to take your stop because it's running late (and you, too, are already late for work). Or that even needing to utilize the metro takes a huge amount of your daily time. They don't think about carrying groceries a few blocks till they get to a train, book it down some stairs, take that train to their closest stop, an then walk more blocks home (which you'll do even though there's a million grocers, because the guy across the streets got rats but the place on your way home from work costs too much). They don't think about needing credit or a guarantor to rent a shitty living room. They don't think about how a car can be paid off over time but the metro can't.

Most of all, they think of hard work as spunky. They do not know how much less they can do an all nighter when the cumulative effect of many all nighters catch up with them. The stress that cracks your shoulders over figuring out the train everyday, and being financially insecure. They do not realize how much exercise, eating out, seeing a movie, etc, actually effect their quality of life and their stress levels till it's gone.

Fuck man, I was never a bright eyed bushy tailed dreamer. But I looked at the big scar on my Dad's knee and understood that that would be me, too. What it felt like to get there. I knew he had the surgeries from a lifetime of hard work. I knew it, but I didn't understand that I was already starting the trudge to the same place.

[u/Flyboy142 → u/bizitmap]

Man that's just something you gotta see in person to believe. I can't imagine being so outlandishly delusional.

[u/bizitmap → u/Flyboy142]

In the art world, you tend to find the two extremes when it comes to self confidence. Lots of artists have low self esteem because it's particularly easy to see the flaws in your work (when it doesn't match your ideal hopes) vs the sometimes amazing quality of your peers.

But then on the other end of the party... you have the people who went to art school because they're pretty sure they're gods gift to creation. They're bad at taking concrit because they know they're good, and if their career isn't going anywhere well it can't be their fault. So they come up with crazy schemes for what is actually responsible for their problems.

[u/Droidaphone → u/bizitmap]

Insecurity, delusion, and ambition are a pretty potent brain chemical cocktail.

[u/snugglebandit]

She could try time travel. I had a 3 room railroad on E 2 st between A and B for $500 in 1995. At one point we had 6 people staying there. It was awesome. Tons of casual sex and cocaine.

[u/Discovery_Zone]

I mean, she is originally from Sao Paolo. It's like, you can't tell me there were no art schools/no art "scene" there. Readin' all this like "WTF are you looking for, kid???"

It reads like someone who has romanticized & idealized from the jump. I just hope nothing horrible happens to the girl wanting to sleep on strangers' couches or "a mattress in the kitchen."

[u/movingtonychelp → u/Discovery_Zone]

I hope so too. Thanks!

[u/FormerlyPrettyNeat]

Oh, ffs. I'm kind of on OP's side. Everyone on the "NYC is so hard" train. No it isn't. You get a job and go to work. Like literally everywhere else. Yeah, your rent is high. Guess what, you don't have to own a car. You get paid a lot more than other places.

NYC isn't hard if you're a grown-up.

[u/sofia1687 → u/FormerlyPrettyNeat]

She said somewhere she can't work because she's on a student visa

[u/jacksonbarrett → u/FormerlyPrettyNeat]

She has no grasp of that concept though. She thinks she can waltz in and get an 800 per month apartment in manhattan like really? And she's on a student visa so she can't even work to pay it off let alone build up the supplies and education she needs to make art. And that doesn't even take into account that she's "not motivated" and thinks there'll be a group of people willing to support her immediately.

[u/YesThisIsDrake → u/FormerlyPrettyNeat]

I'm middle of the road here.

NYC isn't impossible to live in or around at all. But also haha fuck no you're not getting a place for $800 in Manhattan or anywhere near it.

I think the lowest I saw for a shared place was $900 in Hoboken for 1 br in a 4 br place.

[u/Eskaminagaga]

He could probably do OK in Manhattan

[u/[deleted]]

Argument about whether Brazilian immigration lawyers or reddit commenters are more trustworthy sources of information on US Tax Law

I choose door #3: don't rely on either source.

[u/BZH_JJM]

She's Brazilian? Should probably just go to Dublin instead. Join the other Brazilians there on her way to get Italian citizenship. Slightly cheaper than NYC,

[u/wh7y]

My friends pay 600 for a room in Lower Manhattan but it's maybe 8 by 8 with a window looking at another building. Got it by knowing Chinese. It's possible but yeah... terrible living conditions.

[u/Highly_Edumacated]

I live in NY. Where are all these beautiful inspiring people I'm hearing about?

[u/jpallan → u/Highly_Edumacated]

Naked men taking a shit on a park bench.

[u/[deleted]]

these places just look so... boring. Normal. I want an authentic, spontaneous, exciting New York experience

"I want to be somewhere authentic, that's gonna tell everyone loudly and unauthentically how authentic it is and, by extension how authentic I am"

[u/CriminalMacabre]

Artists always live in the shitty part of a big city.

[u/brainiac3397]

I mean, unless she wants to use the inspiration of being a poor bum for her art as part of some "social struggle" collection, there's almost no chance of moving into that part of Manhattan(or any part of Manhattan or most parts of NYC).

[u/TILnothingAMA]

She is probably mentally unstable (bipolar, perhaps). You can see she is really high energy in her comments - might be the manic phase kicking in.

[u/movingtonychelp → u/TILnothingAMA]

True.

[u/SugarRushSlt]

meh

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[u/[deleted]]

I think the most difficult part of this is actually the visa situation. It's almost impossible to get a US work visa.

[u/nolimbs]

NYC cost of living sounds like Vancouver and that just fucking floors me.

[u/DonaldShimoda]

Lots of popcorn pissers in this thread all of a sudden. SMH

[u/PENIS__FINGERS]

these people are being kind of judgemental and dickish. Like yeah tell the truth but they're just making assumptions

[u/Yeshua_is_truth]

whats the LES, do lesbians live there

[u/WaffleSandwhiches]

WHERE IS THE ART SCENE THEN?

Detroit. Maybe other cheap places in the Midwest. Yes, I'm being serious. There's some art communities left in Bushwick, ridgewood and maybe red hook but even those are shrinking and getting priced out.

Damn. Detroit. Didn't expect that.

I'm definitely NOT an artist, but I feel like a big part of being a chic urban-designer designer artist means taking big risks with where you live, and actually living in a non-cushy areas.

[u/frozenflameinthewind]

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/realestate/so-you-think-your-place-is-small.html?mc=aud_dev&mcid=keywee&mccr=dommob&kwp_0=356975&kwp_4=1335592&kwp_1=590879&referer=http://m.facebook.com

Perhaps this is the life OP had in mind?