Moving to a New City

Congratulations, graduate! You’ve spent most of the years you can remember in school, and now it’s time to venture out into the “real world”: a place where you’ll soon find that you’re required to provide your own sense of structure in order to keep growing, learning, and moving forward.

If you’re like most young actors, you may be pursuing your dreams in a brand new environment. Wherever you choose to take your next steps, I’ve written this guide to help you plan your arrival: what to think about as you prepare to make the big move, and how to set yourself up for success in your new home. So read on, fellow adventurer—let’s get moving!

A Place to Stay

If you’re moving to a new city, the first thing you’ll need is a place to stay. You may already have one lined up (go you!), but if you don’t, you’re not alone—plenty of young folks move to a new city with only their savings, and they crash on a friend’s couch until they can find something more permanent. Living with friends can be an amazing way to get accustomed to a new city—just be sure not to overstay your welcome! When looking for your own place, the most important things to consider are safety and affordability. Do your research, trust your instincts, and stay within your budget!

Lease or Sublet?

If you’re looking to sign a lease, you’ll need to have a decent amount saved up to cover the initial payments. In NYC, for example, you’ll likely pay the first and last month’s rent, plus a month’s rent as a security deposit, and maybe even a realtor’s fee. The leasing process will vary from city to city, so once you determine where you’re headed, be sure to do your research as you make a plan and build your budget!

If leasing doesn’t suit your needs, that’s all right too! You don’t need to be on a lease in order to find a place to stay. Actors are frequently coming and going, and there are always folx looking for someone to sublet their room while they’re out of town for a gig—artist sublet groups on social media are a great place to look!

Some sublet situations may only be for a month or two, which may be a perfect fit—perhaps you’d like to sublet in a few different neighborhoods before deciding where you’d like to sign a lease of your own. If you’d prefer something more permanent, however, and if you’re lucky enough to know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who’s going out on a tour or a cruise ship, you may be able to sublet a room for several months—and you may even have the potential to take over their room permanently, without having to front the initial deposits required when signing a lease.

Moral of the story: don’t be shy about your hunt for housing. A social media blast to your personal network has made many a young actor’s apartment dreams come true!

A Job

Ask any working actor how they make a living, and you’ll almost certainly hear about their “side gig,” “survival job,” or as some call it, their “parallel career.” Jobs in the theatre can be unpredictable and inconsistent, so having another reliable source of income is not only smart—it’s a MUST. Here are a few common ways that actors make balancing financial needs with artistic goals work:

Food Service

A large majority of actors supplement their living by working in food service. Until very recently, all of my non-theatrical work experience in New York was in food service. I’ve been a barback, a barista, a busser, a server, and a bartender.

Food service jobs work well with actors’ schedules due to the hours of operation. If you find a job in a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you may find yourself working during the day—but you can also try and configure your schedule so that you work mostly at night, leaving your days free for auditions.

Retail

Some people prefer working in retail to the more fast-paced, labor-heavy food service jobs. While retail can be a great and reliable gig, the shifts take place during daytime hours. If you do go this route, make sure to find a job that makes it easy to switch shifts/find coverage last-minute, so you can move things around to accommodate auditions and callbacks.

Fitness

Many performers also find work as fitness instructors, dance teachers, or personal trainers. If staying active and having access to a fitness community is important to you, working for a gym or a studio can be a great way to make your money and eliminate the cost of a monthly membership. Win-Win!

Temp Agencies/Staffing Services

Temp agencies or staffing services are companies that connect workers with employers and vice versa. When I first moved to New York, I started working through a temp agency that placed me in one of my first jobs in the city. The pay was low, but I had regular hours and very few responsibilities, so I was lucky to be able to work on audition materials on the job.

When initially meeting with a temp agency, you’re asked to describe your work history and any skills that can help them place you in a job. If you have experience working with specific software, or in a particular field, this is the time to let them know. Their job is to find you work that you’re qualified for, so don’t be shy about bragging about all the things you can do!

The Corporate World

Some actors find themselves working in the corporate world, and temp agencies often connect workers with corporate jobs. Like working in retail: business hours are business hours, and this may not fit your scheduling needs.

You may get lucky and find yourself in a job that lets you take time off to run to auditions—many corporate folks find the life of an actor fascinating and are happy to help support us as we pursue our dreams—but it’s not a guarantee. Pro Tip: be honest about your need for flexibility, and don’t be afraid to ask what’s possible. Best to have all parties on the same page from the get-go!

Remote Work

Remote work is more popular than ever, which is great news for anyone who desires the flexibility to make their money on the go. Companies all over the country offer remote options for a variety of different job positions: copy-editing, graphic design, virtual customer service—you name it! If you’re a self-motivated individual who doesn’t mind the lack of a physical work community, remote work can be an awesome option for artists.

Most Importantly

No matter what job you find yourself in, make sure that you’re content to be there. While some young actors are very lucky and get regular theatre work early in their careers, it’s likely that you’ll be spending more time working at your survival job than your dream job.

If you’re able to choose, make sure that the people are enjoyable to work with, the work environment is non-toxic, and the hours are flexible. If you dread your day-to-day existence, you might find yourself leaving your city of choice simply because you don’t think it’s worth it to stay. But if you can also find happiness when you’re not doing what you love most, you’re in a great position to pursue your life goals.

Transportation

Whether you’re going to work, an audition, or a date, you’ve got to get there somehow—and walking will only get you so far. So when moving to a new city, it’s important to figure out how to get around.

The Subway

In many cities, the Subway is the most popular and most cost-effective mode of transportation. If you plan to use the subway, be sure to research the prices in your city and factor this into your monthly budget.

While you don’t need to memorize the entire Subway map, you should get to know the lines and stops you’ll use most often. Access and proximity to certain lines and/or stops may be an important factor when it comes to choosing a living space or finding a job.

And when it comes to subway safety, do take measures to protect yourself. While it may be tempting to stand close to the tracks to be the first onto the train, this puts you in a dangerous position; instead, stand close to the wall. And try to avoid empty subway cars—this isn’t just a matter of safety, but also one of personal comfort…sometimes a car’s empty because it contains a smell that you don’t want to share a ride with!

Buses

Buses can be another convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation. Some cities don’t have reliable buses, but you often won’t know until you get there and start using them. Chicago and New York have bus systems that work well, and when used in conjunction with the subway, you can get pretty much anywhere within the city limits without having to walk more than a few blocks.

Again, remember that your safety is more important than convenience. If a bus stop feels unsafe at night, don’t hang out around that spot unless you don’t have a choice.

Cars

Depending on the city you’re moving to, you may not need a car—and having one may be more trouble than it’s worth. But if you find yourself in a city where a car is a necessity, there are some things to keep in mind.

Figure out parking—if you’re in a city where cars are a necessity, there may be ample street parking options. You may need a resident sticker in order to park in some neighborhoods, though. There are also lots and garages that charge monthly rates, but those can stack up—you might end up paying almost the same for your car’s monthly rent as you do your own!

Bikes

Cycling through cities has become more popular—and safer—as time goes on. This is another great option (depending on the weather) and a relatively reliable way to keep a consistent commute (aka avoid subway delays).

If you’re planning to bike in your new city, make sure that you have a safe place to store it (I’ve personally had two bikes stolen), watch out for parked cars (drivers are often watching out for bikes, but plenty of people carelessly throw their doors open without checking to see if there’s anyone on the other side), and WEAR A HELMET. Your brain is more important than your hair!

Find Your People

While the amenities and opportunities of a city are often what brings us there, what gets us to stay are the people we spend our time with and the communities we create. If you build a solid support structure of people you care about, the city where you live will very quickly start to feel like home.

If you’re lucky enough to move to a new city with friends, whether from your school or elsewhere, find time to meet up with them. Especially when moving to a new place, it can be grounding and comforting to spend time with familiar faces. In some cases, living with friends can also be a great fit.

If you’re new to a city and don’t know anybody, you can still make friends wherever you go. Look for activities that attract other young people: there are intramural sports leagues that you can sign up for online; there are classes in cooking or pottery or pretty much anything you can think of. Find something you like to do, and you’ll be bound to meet people with similar interests. And don’t underestimate the power of an audition holding room—your fellow auditioners may just become your very best friends.

Find Your Places

Spend time getting to know your neighborhood, and branch out to other areas. Find the places that make you feel like you belong, and you’ll end up gravitating toward them whether you realize it or not.

Your places could include: a secluded nook in a public park where you can listen to music or write without seeing another soul for hours; the local café where the barista knows your name and your regular order; the bar where you and your friends can swap stories after a day of auditions; the rooftop of your friend’s apartment building, where you get a perfect view of the skyline.

The places that you find may not actually belong to you alone, but it’s nice to feel like they’re yours. The spots you make your own become the things that ground you—even on your tough days.

In Conclusion

Moving to a new city is exciting, scary, overwhelming, and a whole lot of fun. As you take this first big step forward, give yourself the grace to experience and enjoy the transition. It may be uncomfortable at some points, but it’s worth pushing through that discomfort so that you can find a way to stake your claim in your new home.

So, congratulations again—and good luck! You’ve got this.