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Affording an apartment in any city on your own may seem quite challenging. In such a case, you simply need to consider moving in with a roommate or roommates who will help you with paying the rent. This is a smart way that many people use to subsidize the cost of living in the fast paced and expensive cities. Sharing financial responsibility with roommates would greatly help cut down your expenses thus providing relief that you need the most to live comfortably.

In order to find the right roommate, you need to take your time to search for a perfect match of what exactly you want by interviewing several potential roommates before moving in together to determine whether the arrangement would work.

The internet has become the most ideal place to find numerous roommates who also have the intention to share financial responsibilities with like-minded individuals so as to afford the lucrative apartments in the city. Roomiapp is an example of such apps that has helped many people in finding compatible roommates they live to live with.

However, the question many people ask is what the ideal number of roommates is. While some prefer one, others prefer two or even more. Here some advantages and draw backs of having one, two or three roommates.

One roommate

Well, with one roommate, it may seem like prime real estate because you will be dealing with an individual whom you think shares the same interests as yours- until you have your first disagreement. Dealing with a single roommate is all fun when you agree in a number of things, however, this arrangement has its setbacks as well.

It is good that you will talk over issues and agree on the modality of stay but you must watch out for that idiot roommate who will otherwise ruin your bachelor/ bachelorette life. Just think of a time when your only roommate is out; who will be your pregame buddy? Or what if that single roommate is a jerk, whom will you lean on?

Two roommates

Two roommates sound as good idea since you will have someone to talk to when you have issues with the other. Besides, it is good to have a roommate that will help break the silence between the two of you that have fallen out with each other.

The problem with this kind of arrangement is realized when you need to exercise more power and authority on the two who might like each other more than they like you- many people have this kind of insecurity. When the arrangement is organized properly based on certain agreements then it is bound to go really well with you. You only need to work your way out to establish dominance from the onset of the arrangement so that both of them like and want to hang out with you more. Don’t ever allow the other two roommates to become besties leaving you out because sooner, they will start talking shit about you.

Three roommates

According to many people, this is the best arrangement because there is always middle ground. While two may decide to become quite close leaving you out, you will have one to lean on. Life becomes hell when you stay with a single individual or two and you experience some issues amongst yourselves. However, with three, you will easily balance out.

The problem with three roommates comes in as the house becomes more crowded and privacy is no longer there.

Having roommates is a good idea from the perspective of sharing bills in your ideal city apartment; however, you need to be keen with the choice you make. Until you are have an apartment on your own, here’s what to expect with a number of roomies.

Born,  bred,  or new to Flushing you’ll soon recognize things about yourself you inherited by living in Queens. Queens has changed a lot and though gentrification has taken its toll,  Queens is still the badass borough it will always be. You know you live in Queens when…

You take breakfast seriously

With a deli at every corner the options are limitless.  But a true Queensian breakfast is a bacon and egg bagel. Usually the “everything” bagel.

Same goes for lunch

It’s either a Fatboy or a Bushman.

Since we’re talkin eats

Pastrami and pizza operate as their own food groups and you honor that.

Rockaway is all you need in summertime

The nearest beach to queens is worth the dreadfully long ride on the Q.

You enjoy the view of Manhattan

You keep your distance from the tourist invaded city, luckily the view from Queens is stunning.

Everything you need and want is in your borough

Whatever you are lookin’ for, Queens always has more of it at a better price.

You had your spots…

…and at some point in time the Queen’s Center Mall was one of them. Or anywhere that sold Italian ice.

You also knew where not to go

Clubbing in Astoria is just a no, no

However

You will buy your club clothes only in Astoria.

Safety first

You consider it your civil duty to discourage people from crossing Queens Blvd. About a dozen pedestrians a year are seriously hurt or worse each in an attempt to dodge the insane traffic and terrible drivers.

You understand just about any accent

Queens is a notorious immigrant destination. Living in Queens automatically makes you worldly.  You’ve experienced different food,  cultures,  and languages giving you a tolerant and humble outlook on life.

You may not be Italian…

…but at some point you were a Guido/Guidette.

You are (not) a Mets fan.

Depends on the time of year.

You’ve received someone else’s take out at 3am.

It’s not uncommon when living in Queens to have a lost delivery guy show up charging you for fried rice. You kindly have to direct him to 31st Ave. This is 31st Road, not to be confused with 31st Drive. Yea,  good luck.

Queens is huge,  so yes you might get lost but you’ll never forget where you’ve been once you’ve lived in Queens.

 

Sarah Parkins was living in her dream apartment with her best friend – a beautiful new two bedroom in the Lower East Side, in the middle of the action.

And then her roommate got a job in LA. Sarah tried to find a roommate on Facebook and Craigslist, but couldn’t find anyone she liked enough and ended up moving out at the end of the lease.

For Sarah it was frustrating, but for her landlord, it was maddening because that beautiful $4000 apartment sat empty for 3 months.

Filling apartments is the endless hustle of NYC landlords. Almost nothing besides a catastrophe costs landlords more money than empty rooms.

And the problems are only getting worse for landlords who don’t act.

The market is changing, are you ready?

Analysts at Ten-X Commercial predict that by the end of 2018, vacancy rates across the city could be as high as 11%. Even the savviest landlords will struggle to keep their apartments filled if they keep doing what they’ve been doing.

Even if the number of vacancies is only a fraction of that, the loss will be massive. Just look at today.

According to calculations by shared housing marketplace, Roomi, landlords are collectively losing $199,021,129 per month due to vacant rooms, at a citywide vacancy rate of 3.45%. If the worst case does come true, and vacancy rates rise to 11%, within 12 months landlords will lose $634,560,121 per month.

How to fill vacant rooms, fast

So what’s a landlord to do? There’s only so much you can change the rent on your listings, and there are only so many brokers you can get to fill your empty apartments. The most competitive market in the country is about to get 2-3x more competitive in a few months.

According to Roomi, the answer is to avoid having to fill empty apartments in the first place. One of the biggest issues apartments end up vacant is because one roommate moves out and the remaining roommate(s) can’t fill the apartment before their lease is up, so they end up moving.

Roomi is a platform where individuals can open list empty rooms in their apartment, to access hundreds of thousands of people looking for a room. It solves the classic roommate matching problem in a way that is safe, secure and transparent. That’s because Roomi offers background checks, social media verification, secure messaging and more to make people feel safe about who they’re renting their room to or moving in with.

For landlords, this solves the empty apartment problem in the most elegant way possible. It fills empty rooms before they can even become empty apartments. Their role in the process is minimal. All they have to do is get their tenants to list their empty rooms on Roomi, using marketing materials provided by Roomi, and Roomi takes care of the rest. For qualified landlords, Roomi even boosts their tenant listings, so they get seen ahead of the rest of the existing listings on the Roomi platform.

Here’s what you need to do…

If you’re a landlord looking to get ahead of the market, you can learn more about Roomi here.

Despite the coming changes, few landlords have found an effective way to act. For most, Roomi is the solution to one of their most significant challenges.

Learn more about how Roomi is helping landlords fill their empty rooms: https://listings.roomiapp.com/endvacancies/

“Before moving to NYC I wished I knew that making and keeping friends would not be easy. I wish I knew that getting and staying employed would not be easy. But most of all I wish I knew that someone would have told me ahead of time that Joe’s Pizza is the best damn pizza in the city.”
-Varun Ramprasad, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

New York City is a prime destination for tourism and living. The social life, career opportunities and bragging rights can’t be beat! But the first year in the Big Apple can be really rough, especially if you move here without doing a little homework first or have friends in the city to turn to for advice. So the team at Roomi has created a list of super helpful things to know before moving to NYC with real, honest and handy tips from Roomi customers who already made the big move. Read up and be ready for everything NYC has to offer with these tips and tricks to save money, have fun, and stay sane in one of the coolest places on Earth.

“Before I moved to NYC I wished I knew that the dating scene can be exhausting due to all the options!”
-Fausto Matta, Baltimore, MD

1. Rent is insane.

“Before I moved to NYC I wished I knew that Manhattan rental prices and spaces weren’t the average and weren’t the only option. Now I live in a Brooklyn apartment double (maybe even triple) the size that costs $300 less per month. Face palm.”
-Sibabalwe Mona, Johannesburg, South Africa

The average rent in the Big Apple is $3,105. A two bedroom averages $3,407 and a one bedroom goes for $2,730. You might also have to deal with the infamous broker fees which may not exist where you come from. Rent prices will definitely be one of the hardest things to overcome if you live in New York City.

“Rent is so expensive. If you’re an adult in your late 20’s you’ll probably still need a roommate! Save as much as you can since each move costs so much!”
-Abby Salgado, Houston, Texas

But it’s not all bad. Some places are more affordable than others and good deals do exist. Check out this article to learn more about the rent scene in each of the five boroughs. Staten Island might surprise you with its affordability compared to the Bronx, where rents are rising faster than you could believe.

“Before I moved to NYC I wished I knew that I should have moved to a less desirable neighborhood that still offered an affordable rent. I had the chance to move to an amazing apartment in Bedstuy 12 years ago but chose not to because the area was kinda gritty. The rent was reaaaaally affordable but I passed and regret it to this day.”
-Stacey Walters, New Orleans, LA

2. The cost of living is nuts.

“Before I moved to NYC I wished I knew that it’s not like the movies. It’s VERY competitive. Commutes home can be up to an hour even if you don’t live far. Everything really is expensive. Negotiate your salary hard!”
-Abby Salgado, Houston, Texas

NYC has some of the highest income tax rates in the country at 7%-12% and a cost of living 68.8% higher than the national average. Rent is so high, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision. Don’t let that happen to you or the cost living will leap out of a side alley, tackle you on your way home from work and run off with your fun money.

“Keep your expectations in check – a lot of regular things here are astronomically priced (like rent and movie tickets) and not everything is common (like washer and dryers in the units and closets that fit adult clothes!).”
-Whitney Williams, Chicago, Illinois

Planning a budget and sticking to it is important in any city, but that goes quadruple for New York. Which brings us to our next point . . .

3. Roommates are a requirement.

“Be prepared to hustle. Rent goes up every year for most people. And sometimes your job salary doesn’t go up with it. My rent only costs me 1/3 of my monthly paycheck after taxes but I also have roommates to cut costs. If I didn’t have roommates I would not be able to survive in a studio, let alone an apartment without roommates.”
-Kayla Preston, Maryland

Because it’s so expensive, a roommate should be treated as non-optional. Water, shelter, food, roommate. Those are the four requirements of any New York City Survival Guide. But this is actually good news! You moved to one of the biggest, most awesome cities in the world because you enjoy being around people. Maybe it’s social, or perhaps for you, it’s strictly business. A blend of motivations is pretty common. Regardless of what drives you, there are many reasons, financially, socially and for your career, why NYC is the best place to have roommates.

“The best advice I was given & would give to someone else moving to NYC is to move to Brooklyn. Everybody commutes, so don’t confine yourself to neighborhoods close to work if they don’t fit your budget and lifestyle.”
-Sibabalwe Mona, Johannesburg, South Africa

4. Don’t experience the city alone.

“Always get a roommate for your first apartment in this city. Sign and notarize a roommate agreement regarding expectations, rules and consequences for breaking the agreement. Submit this agreement to your landlord along with your lease. It will give you peace of mind.”
-Stacey Walters, New Orleans, LA

If saving money on rent and experiencing NYC in all its glorified awesomeness isn’t enough to motivate you to find yourself a partner in crime, then think of your health. Studies have shown that living alone can shorten your lifespan. It shouldn’t come as a big shock, people are social by nature! That said, being independent offers unique life experiences. Like investigating that weird sound in the kitchen at night armed with a cardboard tube and protected by little more than Ninja Turtle underpants… Only to find out it was just a massive leak ruining the floor. What a relief. But a little independence goes a long way for city living. So take a dip into that lifestyle, it’s good for you. Just don’t be SO independent that you find yourself without a community and support group here in the city.

5. You know what cars and bedbugs have in common? They both suck in NYC.

“Before I moved to NYC I wished I knew that having a car wasn’t worth the parking tickets!”
-Whitney Williams, Chicago, Illinois

You seriously don’t even need a car in NYC. The public transit system and your own two legs can get you to all kinds of places and wherever there’s a gap, there’s a taxi ready to serve. You don’t want to get stuck choosing between (legal) parking fees and eating out. And pay attention, renegades in the crowd . . . entire career paths have been built around the art of dispensing parking tickets in this town. It’s just not worth it.

“Before I moved to New York City I wish I knew about mattress protectors. There wasn’t really too much about New York City that I wasn’t expecting, except for an unfortunate experience of having bed bugs when I first moved to New York City! I had to throw everything out. The only thing that I could save with my clothes after washing them three times.”
-Kayla Preston, Maryland

Bed bugs in NYC are beyond gross. It’s bad enough they are disgusting, vile, spawns of evil. They are also resilient, tough to see, and oh yeah, mutating. In New York, it’s going to get crowded. You will brush shoulders with all kinds of people. Some of which could make your evening or your career. Others you won’t so be thrilled about. So while you might be tempted, for perfectly reasonable reasons, to snag that “free sofa” on the side of the road… just don’t!

6. There are actually lots of affordable things to do in NYC.

“The best advice I was given & would give to someone else moving to NYC is to move to Brooklyn. Everybody commutes, so don’t confine yourself to neighborhoods close to work if they don’t fit your budget and lifestyle.”
-Sibabalwe Mona, Johannesburg, South Africa

With so much doom and gloom about the cost of living and rent, you’ll be happy to know that NYC has a ton of cheap stuff to do. Check out this article for free and affordable activities, including parks for you crazy outdoor active types, cheap and delicious eats for the foodies, plus museums, galleries and music concerts for our hipsters in the crowd. Saving money isn’t as hard as you might think either. You can save on energy bills with these 5 energy saving tips for renters.

7. Watch out for scams.

Online scams, shady brokers, and opportunistic bottom feeders are not, contrary to some gritty movies, the majority of the population in NYC. There are plenty of great people to get to know. But. sneaky scammers are out there. They want your money and they are pretty flexible with how they acquire it. So stay enthusiastic about moving to the Big Apple, because it really is one of the coolest places on Earth. But just watch out for any shady deals. (If it sounds too good to be true… it might be not be a real deal!) If it helps, Roomi launched a new background check program to help make it even more secure to search for roommates in the city. Safety, background checks and keeping scammers off our site is a big focus for us.

“Use Roomi! That’s how I found my current roommate and it’s been great.”
-Varun Ramprasad, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We hope these little gems of advice will help you be totally prepared for your big move to NYC. Good luck!

 

About Roomi

The industry leader in the shared housing marketplace, Roomi is a free mobile app designed to simplify the roommate and housing search process. CEO and founder Ajay Yadav developed Roomi to address the “obvious need” for a tool to help people find housing and compatible roommates. Launched in 2015, Roomi is based in New York City. To learn more visit roomiapp.com

Summer in NYC brings to mind catching the night view of Manhattan from the park, heading to bars and clubs with your friends, and going to outdoor concerts. But the idea of getting hot and sweaty when it’s 90 degrees and humid is less than thrilling. But you know what happens when you try lots of new restaurants and don’t engage in enough exercise. It could happen to you. And if you look over and see your roommate sitting on the couch with their cheek smushed up against the air conditioner, then it could happen to them too.

There’s a lot of great gyms in NYC. But not all of them fit a millennial’s budget. So you and your roommate should check out this handy list of the best affordable gyms in NYC, where only the affordable choices made the cut. They’re a great way to stay (or get) in shape, meet cool new people, have fun, and let someone else pay the AC bill for once.

Blink Fitness

With no shortage of locations across New York City, there’s bound to be a Blink near you. This isn’t a place to lift a gajillion pounds, slam it down on the ground, then run a celebratory lap around the gym on your knuckles while hooting like an over-caffeinated gorilla. Blink Fitness puts feeling good at the top of the priority list. Everything is focused on building and supporting a more positive mood. Even the colors on the walls have been scientifically proven to improve your mood. Rates are as low as $15 a month with no long term commitment, though several other options are also available. The personal trainer rates are super reasonable too with 30 minute sessions as low as $27.

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour has three locations in New York City. Midtown, Soho, and Madison Square Park. 24 Hour has different gym “levels,” each with different amenities. All NYC locations are Ultra Sport gyms. Midtown and Madison both have free Wi-Fi, but only the midtown location has an indoor pool. They all offer classes, personal training, and access to popular workout equipment such as TRX suspension systems. If you’ve never tried TRX, it’s sort of like gymnast rings but more adjustable. There’s a ton of different workouts you can do if weights aren’t your thing. But if they are, then they’ve got no shortage of those too.

24 hour fitness offers a flexible approach to working out. If you want to go all in and be intense, they’ve got the tools for that. If you’d prefer to take it easy and go one step at a time, they welcome that too.

NYSC Lab

At the high end of affordable is NYSC Lab. They offer a more individualized approach to exercise and higher-end equipment than the other two, hence the heftier price tag. Expect to spend some time talking about your fitness goals, sports, hopes and dreams with the staff. They can help you build a training program around a particular activity or attribute, such as tennis or stamina. They have locations in Chelsea and Upper East Side. $199 gets you unlimited classes per month, or you can grab a five pack of classes for $150, or single sessions starting from $20 if you’re a member, $32 a class if you’re not.

Shape Up NYC

Totally, absolutely, wonderfully free. You don’t even have to be a member of a rec center to take advantage of Shape Up NYC’s various classes. The opportunity to participate in yoga, Pilates, aerobics, and others abound all over the five boroughs.

Summer is hot and sweaty, but don’t let that turn you into a couch potato. Grab your roommate and friends then check these low cost (and free) workout options to stay in summer shape.

What’s your favorite gym or workout spot in NYC? Post your comments below.

Snag that selfie stick, mount up your camera, and set out for the best places to take selfies in NYC. The Big Apple has plenty of photo ops, and if you just hang around long enough, a photo op will find you. Just one of the many perks of living in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Just a friendly reminder, though, it’s a selfie stick, not a bludgeoning tool for self-defense. So always look both ways before swiping the street.

Empire State Building Observation Deck

If you’re new to New York, this is a must. Yes, it’s a little cliché, but you can get an astounding view of the city right behind you. If your parents are worried about you moving to the Big Apple, this is the best place to put their fears at ease by sending a selfie pic of you sporting your brightest smile with the city of opportunity as the backdrop. Unless, of course, your parents are afraid of heights.

Brooklyn Bridge

If you want to bring more waterfront property and emotionally gripping sunsets into the mix, then head on over to the Brooklyn Bridge and get a shot of the skyline with your smiling mug in it. There are plenty of great shots to be had along the pedestrian walkways. Keep it cool, though. This is not the place to do your personal imitation of King Kong. Two tourists got arrested for climbing out onto a narrow beam and getting a little too adventurous in search of an epic shot.

The Highline Park

The Highline Park is an elevated rail system turned gorgeous walking path. It’s located in the lower section of Manhattan and offers views of the waterfront plus great views of the city. With plenty of native plants growing along the well maintained path, this is a pleasant, natural setting to take a selfie in.

Coney Island

Here’s a place a little more off the beaten path if you’ve already racked up selfies in the more popular NYC areas. Coney Island is a big amusement area with over 50 rides. It’s not owned by one place, like Disneyland. Instead, there’s a bunch of little businesses all operating independently, so it feels more like a bazaar then Six Flags. There is a Ferris wheel on site, which is just screaming for selfies if you can keep it all contained within the safety limits of your seat. There’s never a good time to drop a cell phone. But there are some spectacularly bad ones.

Wall Art And Street Performances

NYC has lots of unexpected photo ops that pop up when you least expect it. You can round the corner and find a masterfully crafted piece of art painted on the side of a wall, just begging for your personal interpretation of awesomeness. While fixed locations have the benefit of being . . . well, fixed, don’t overlook the random events that find you when you’re exploring one of the coolest places on earth.

No time to wait. The next viral internet phenomena could have your face written all over it. Grab your phone and keep courtesy in mind as you travel the city in search of the next big thing to hit the internet since Instagram was invented.

Where do you go for selfies in NYC? Post your comments below.

New York City recently hit a new population high point. 8.5 million peoples. Yup. And the Bronx is growing the fastest. Yet it can be surprisingly tough to meet new people if your schedule is already spoken for. Or maybe you just don’t dig that vibe when everybody knows everyone else. It can make you feel more like you’re trying to get your foot in the door in a company than trying to chill and have a good time.

Meetup.com has tons of groups, and it’s less about forming impenetrable cool kid clicks and more about meeting new people, like, all the time. So here’s a few groups you can try covering a variety of interests, from personal to professional. And if you need a wingman, grab your roommate(s) and get them in on it too.

Hudson Valley Hikers

Boasting their status as the most active group in the country, this meetup crew has nearly 30,000 members and is totally, beautifully free. No fees, just great hiking for active people. While based out of the Big Apple, they go all over New York State in search of challenging, fun hikes with gorgeous views to enjoy. They also have some other activities going on, like indoor rock climbing in case you’re really sick of hanging around on the ground all the time.

I Wanted To Do That Just Not Alone

Awesome name, right? This group of nearly 20,000 friends is the very definition of honesty in advertising. The name says it all. They do a variety of events that people would so totally have done themselves if their friends weren’t busy, out of town, or have been absorbed by the couch and become a permanent lump in the upholstery. Urban athletics, not-so-urban athletics, and movies with a view are just a small sample of all the exciting stuff this group has to offer.

Alternative To The Bar Fun Things To Do In NYC

A lot of social stuff in NYC tends to revolve around bars and clubs. But not even close to all of it. If drinking shots all night just isn’t your thing and you’re at a loss for how to meet cool people and hang out, this meetup group has got you covered. A free summer speaker’s session, billiards, comedy clubs, and more await if you want to try something a little different. With over 22,000 people looking to hang out, you’re bound to find something to chat with during whatever off-beat event you attend. And just a heads up, their might be drinks available wherever you happen to go, so they aren’t anti-alcohol, they’re just looking to shake things up a bit.

NY Tech Meetup

If you are a working professional in technology or aspire to be one, then this group is the right move for your career. Formed by NY Tech Alliance, they have networking events to mingle, entrepreneurs giving speeches, venture capitalist visits, and a whole lot more. With over 55,000 people signed up, there will be someone to brainstorm new product ideas with, talk startup funding strategies, and heck, maybe even hire you or vice versa.

Free NYC! Free Things To Do In NYC + Beyond (Or Very Cheap)

The Free NYC meetup group is all about having fun without spending a ton of money. You shouldn’t have to decide between having a good time and having something, anything, in the fridge. Let’s face it. NYC is expensive enough to make anyone in their right mind think twice. But keep your hard earned cash for rent and food, and let this group show you how to have a great time on a budget.

So, grab a roommate, pack a friend, or head out solo on a mission to meet new people this weekend. Don’t wait for people to introduce themselves to you. If there’s one thing NYC loves, it’s a strong initiative.

Do you go to a Meetup group? Which one? How is it? Post your comments below.

It’s no secret that introverts and extroverts struggle sharing the same space. One is often perceived as taking up all the oxygen in the room,  while the other appears uninfluential. Luckily,  both of these perceptions are false, introverts and extroverts have a lot to learn about each other and can often make the most fulfilling and exciting roommate experiences of your young adult life.

Give each other a  real chance

Meeting a potential roommate can be a daunting task no matter how many rodeos you’ve been to. There is a lot weighing on your chemistry with this person – like all the plans you have for your future walk-in closet. You want to like each other for the sake of a good living arrangement. If you’re nervous during a first meeting your personality may be amplified and you may also be overly analytical of your potential future roommate. The extrovert may be overly audacious while the introvert will sink back and observe. Until you two are more comfortable of each other,  don’t give into your preconceived notion that you’re incompatible.

Extroverts will inspire you

An extroverted roommate will be a source of inspiration. This person has no issue encouraging you to study,  meal prep,  or catch the first train to work so you’re on time. If they see you trust them,  they will let nothing get in your way.

Introverts will calm you

An introvert often makes a good listener. They observe you and your patterns more than you realize. When you turn to your introverted roommate for advice or a lending ear, expect the unexpected. They know you better than they let off and their words will often be sincere and thought out.

Extroverts will bring the fun

Even if sometimes the excitement is unsolicited, you can count on your extroverted roommate to bring the energy and fun. If you’re not inclined to an early  Saturday morning pancake and bacon breakfast, it’s time to change your ways. There are times your extrovert roommate won’t respect your space, then there will be times you’ll be glad they didn’t.

Introverts will help you become less reactionary

Your introvert roommate always has a cool head. While you can’t stop talking about your terrible day,  they are still digesting theirs. Introverts often look inward for understanding and coping. These self-reliant practices will help nourish an extrovert who often looks outward for reassurance.

Living with someone exactly like yourself will prove the chemistry to be limited and superficial. By nature the introvert and extrovert need each other. Your roommate doesn’t have to be your soulmate but allowing yourself the opportunity to enjoy the best in each other will make for incredible roommate experiences.

Moving in NYC isn’t the most exciting of tasks but certainly not as scary as some say. Here are a few moving myths that hold little to no ground.

Movers are all shady

Everyone has this idea about movers, cut rate brutes who will chuck your belongings into a dirty truck, and hope that most of your things are merely scratched. They’d rather pressgang their friends into helping with the promise of pizza and beer at the end of back breaking work.

But this isn’t the case, and frankly, you get what you pay for. You’re more likely to damage your stuff with your buddies who don’t know what they’re doing, than if you get professional movers who have a vested interest and experience in moving people’s belongings in a timely and safe manner. Go to review sites, such as Yelp or The Better Business Bureau to find well reviewed movers and get your items to your new home securely.

Packing is stressful work

Images fill the mind of people in back braces, lifting a person’s weight in books and furniture all day, only to do it all again when you get there. Playing real life Tetris trying to fit as most as possible into the truck so that you don’t have to make as many trips.

There are simple tricks you can do to make this less so. If you have containers, such as jars or empty vases, you can fill them with smaller things, so that you know where everything is. Everyone has a drawer of plastic cutlery and disposable plates, there’s no reason to bring those with you, use them up and start packing your silverware early. Anything you can do to incorporate packing into the normal activities of your life will help make it less stressful for you.

New places bring new problems

You know your super or landlord, and presumably you have an alright relationship with them. Anything you need fixed or dealt with gets a speedy response, generally speaking. But you don’t know your new people from a hole in the wall, and what if they are more lackadaisical in their duties?

Most of the time, your problems are going to be small in nature, though the ego and stress can make it seem bigger. Get yourself a small tool kit and a how-to book of house repairs, and until you can see if your super is reliable, you can have the backup up of doing it yourself, and additionally, a little self reliance is always a good thing.

Fear not your shift from uptown to below 72nd. Myths are just that, you’ll make it just fine to your new stoop.

Maintaining a workout regimen is already a challenge in your busy life and now you’ve taken on the delight that is summertime moving. Here are ways to maintain your beach bod while packing.

Make box hunting a part of your jog or run

Everyone needs boxes for their move, and no one wants to pay for them if they can at all avoid it. While in the packing phase, movers are always on the prowl for boxes from retail places who need to get rid of them. Go for a nice cardio boosting run or jog, and weave your path through retail heavy areas that aren’t so far from home so if you are successful in finding boxes, you don’t have to carry them for a too far.

Make a fun playlist

Whether it’s podcasts or music, nearly everyone at the gym is listening to something as they work for those often elusive gains. Working out while packing should be no different. Make a cool Pandora station based on motivational songs like Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”, or use any of these one hundred song playlists on Spotify found from Fitness Magazine. Your “moving mix” will help keep the blood flowing.

Use proper workout form when packing

No one ever got anywhere by skipping leg day, this is known the world round, but if you’re trying to work out while moving, how can you make sure everything stays firm and tight? When packing the  kitchen where you have empty cabinets of pots, pans, and canned goods, use a proper squatting technique. Do one item at a time, leaving the box on the floor, keeping your back straight -ass to the grass, and you’re successfully doing squats and packing. Increase the weight with more items if you’re looking to build or many lighter reps to just help you maintain.

Do reps every time you fill a box or bag

Topping off your moving box and taping it up means it’s time for a HIIT (high intensity interval training). Consider the weight of the box before you select your workout- safety first and make sure the items packed aren’t fragile. Work your arms and shoulders with an upright row by lifting the box and winging out your elbows. Overhead tricep extensions can be done by lifting the box behind your head, arms at 90 degree angle, elbows at your ears, and slowly lift the box straight up. Bags with handles make for an easy dumbbell curl. If you typical work muscle groups to failure, try not to, you’re still on a mission to finish packing.

With these tricks, fitting a workout in while packing for your move is entirely possible. Look for opportunities every time you have to lift or bend and you’ll be well on your way to staying fit while meeting your move out deadline.