Sponsored Content Moving to NYC? Here are 9 Ways to Make the Most of Your New, Small Home

So you’re moving to the Big Apple? Welcome to the birthplace of Broadway, the beating heart of literature, and a national mecca of museums, shopping, and unbeatable bagels.

There’s no doubting the magic of the Empire State. But let’s be real – nobody moves to Manhattan for the square footage. With the average size of a studio in Manhattan just 475 square feet, what’s a soon-to-be city slicker to do?

Easy: Make like 8.5 million of your new neighbors and adjust. Below are nine tips that will help you save precious space, cash, and sanity in your new home.

1. Downsize, downsize, downsize. Then downsize some more.

Chances are, you won’t have a dishwasher. You might not even have a closet. Paring down on space-swallowing dishes, clothing, and miscellaneous tchotchkes now means less clutter later.

Don’t know where to start?

Start shedding stuff before you even start packing. If you’re still stuck, this step-by-step guide from a Certified Feng Shui Consultant will enlighten you on everything from releasing items that cause bad memories to identifying appliances that are secretly nagging you.

2. Reassess your definition of art.

You may not have room to display your entire poster collection, but there are other ways to infuse personality into your space.

What books do you want on display in your living room? Does your bedding complement your new boudoir? Even minutiae like biodegradable and cruelty-free cleaning supplies can boost your kitchen’s aesthetic. Choose these items wisely, as they’ll likely be on constant display.

If you’ve got the landlord’s permission to paint the walls, great! Certain colors can really make or break a room.

Warm, earthy tones like brown and beige tend to encourage conversation, making them ideal for common areas and living rooms. Red can actually stimulate an appetite – so it might not be the best kitchen choice for dieters!

If you don’t have the permission (or know-how ) to paint, consider experimenting with easy-on, easy-off temporary wallpaper instead.

3. Don’t bother installing a home gym.

Treadmill, shmeadmill. NYC is the nation’s most walkable city . Commuters here clock an average of three to four miles a day – even in extreme cold .

If you’re more pedal than pedestrian, don’t worry. You can still bike – sans sacrificing precious hallway space – by swapping your cruiser for a membership with Citi Bike . With 600 stations scattered throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City, it’s the largest bike-sharing program in the United States.

And when it’s nice out, you can select from a diverse slew of free outdoor fitness classes . Speaking of alfresco workouts, there’s nothing quite like a jog or stroll through America’s second most-visited attraction: Central Park.

4. Forget the car, too.

The most expensive city to park in the USA? You guessed it, New York .

Do yourself a favor and get familiarized with the subway system . It can even satiate weekend wanderlust – just hop on the Metro North or Long Island Railroad for quick zips up- and out-of-state.

5. Location truly is everything.

If you’re nixing your car, aim for close access (under a 10-minute walk) to a subway station.

Proximity to everyday staples is also key.

If your apartment or building lacks a washer and dryer, make sure there’s a laundromat nearby. If you’re an accomplished home cook, take note of neighborhood grocery stores or farmers markets . Green thumbs can get their floral fix by joining one of the community gardens scattered throughout the city . Pet owners might want to scope out areas with plenty of outdoor access – get off the beaten park path with hoods near Riverside or Inwood.

6. Keep your friends close – and your roommates closer.

With typical Manhattan rent being more than three times the national average , roomies are the norm for many New Yorkers.

Just make sure to look before you lease with these helpful tips on finding your crash-pad soulmate.

7. Take advantage of all the free stuff…

Who needs a space-consuming TV for entertainment when you’ve got Shakespeare in the Park?

And once you’re officially a resident, be sure to enroll in NYC ID for free membership to the crème de la crop of the city’s cultural and museum scene.

8. … and use that extra cash for disposable goods.

If your oven is too small for your homemade lasagna, don’t worry – this is the city that brought you Seamless.

No room for your Chemex and your espresso maker?

Get the best of both worlds by frequenting your neighborhood coffeeshop.

9. Put extra items into storage.

So you’re packing last minute , and find yourself bogged down by books you haven’t read. Or you realized after one day that high heels and city life don’t mix, but you don’t have the closet space for your Jimmy Choos and your new sneaks.

Use a full-service storage company like MakeSpace to pick up and store whatever you don’t need, and bring it back when you do.