Why I moved to NYC from Miami: To finish school and feel free to be myself

World traveler and Brazil native Tom Larus lived in Los Angeles and Miami before making his way to New York City, where he landed a rental in East Harlem. He is excited by the city’s art and architecture, and his new freedom express himself through fashion. Here’s his story as told to Kelly Kreth.

I was born in Brazil and lived there until I was 20. Brazil is a beautiful country, but I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and explore the world. My first major adventure was when I worked on a cruise ship based in Italy and visited 25 countries across Europe. After three years, I returned to Brazil to finish drama school and then moved to Los Angeles, where I lived for two years. Living in LA was very expensive, so I moved to Miami, where I stayed for seven years.

I lived by myself in Coral Gables. The neighborhood was quiet, and very accessible, which I loved. I could easily visit busier areas like Brickell, downtown Miami, or Miami Beach, and then return to my peaceful home. I lived on the top floor of my building, which offered a beautiful, skyline view of downtown Miami. I loved it.

[Editor's Note: Brick Underground's series The Newcomers features first-person accounts about why a renter or buyer decided to take a chance on NYC.]

My one-bedroom apartment was 725 square feet, with a balcony and in-unit laundry. The rent was $2,550 a month, and garage parking was included. The building had a pool and gym as well. I enjoyed hanging out with friends, spending days at the pool or beach, and hosting dinner parties.

I enjoyed the many restaurants and stores along Miracle Mile. My favorite was Motek, which serves Middle Eastern cuisine. Another favorite was Pura Vida for healthy breakfasts. I spent a lot of time at Merrick Park Mall shopping for home décor at Crate & Barrel.

I work in retail as a design consultant for Wall Boutique, located in Artefacto, a luxury home furnishings showroom. I manage wallpaper and window treatments projects designed by Wall Boutique.

I loved the convenience of being close to work. But I felt unsafe in my home. Just a month before moving to New York, my car—a new green Jeep Wrangler, a $75,000 vehicle—was stolen from the garage. That incident made me feel very unsettled.

Why he decided to move

My decision to move to New York grew out of an opportunity to transfer to Artefacto’s and Wall Boutique’s new showroom in Midtown Manhattan. At the time, I was in my second year of an interior design degree at the Art Institute of Miami, which had declared bankruptcy. By moving to New York, I could finish my degree and advance my career.

Renting in Miami was easier than NYC. In Miami, you typically need an income of three times the rent. In New York, landlords want tenants who earn an annual salary of 40 times the monthly rent, which was surprising. I discussed this with my boss, who agreed to co-sign my apartment.

Another difference: application fees in Miami could range from $350 to $500. In New York, the application fee was only $20, but the process was more competitive, with many applicants for the same unit.

Wanted: A rental for less than $3,000

Searching for an apartment in NYC from Miami was frustrating. Communicating with agents was tough, and missing documents caused me to lose several applications. That's when my company connected me with Yan Gladkov, an agent at Keller Williams NYC. We had a quick call, and I explained I wanted to live on the Upper East Side for under $3,000.

Yan assured me that everything would work out. He showed me several options online and eventually we settled on two of them. I flew to NYC for the weekend to see them. The first was downtown, close to work, but the neighborhood felt crowded and overwhelming, even though the apartment was great.

What he likes about his new place

The second option, in East Harlem, won me over. It was a fully renovated space with park views for $3,550. Plus, it had a washer and dryer in the unit—a game-changer, since I was used to having that in Miami. The big windows, the flooring, everything felt like a yes. We submitted the paperwork, and I was approved, all thanks to Yan.

I moved to New York on August 15th and brought all my furniture. I used Piece of Cake Moving for the relocation, which made the process easy. Everything arrived in three days, and I was able to organize quickly. I also rented a small storage unit at Manhattan Mini Storage for extra items.

What he thinks of life in the city

Adjusting to the city has been challenging, especially since my previous visits were short ones during the pandemic, when the city was less crowded. I rarely used public transportation in Miami and now I’m getting used to the subway system, which is easy to use, though I sometimes miss driving. I no longer have a car.

New York fascinates me with its architecture and art. I’m excited to be here and meet new people. I love my 1935-era building and the East Side, where there are many things to do, including museums and parks. I’ve enjoyed running in the mornings and visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm still looking into options for continuing my studies.

I love cooking at home but miss having a nearby supermarket. The nearest Trader Joe’s is on the West Side, so I need to take an Uber. I plan my grocery trips and buy fresh flowers one time per week.

I’m excited for the cold weather and the Christmas season in NYC!

I miss my friends back in Florida, and my family is all in Brazil, so I’m kind of used to being far away. I see them once a year, but they are all genuinely happy and excited about my new journey in New York. They’ve been supportive, cheering me on from afar.

I love how everyone in NYC expresses themselves without fear of judgment. I always dress very fashionably, and sometimes I felt people in Miami were not open to it. NYC gives me such a sense of freedom and I love it. I plan to stay in New York, finish school, and see what the city has to offer. I hope to make New York my home.