Why I moved to NYC from Boston: To be in the jazz capital and hone my music skills
- Musician Max McMonigle landed within a stone’s throw of several famous jazz clubs in the Village
"I decided to move to NYC about a year ago because I am a jazz musician and that's what I want to do every day. NYC is the epicenter of jazz and the place for me to sharpen my skills," newcomer Mac McMonigle said.
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After Max McMonigle graduated from music school in Boston, he wanted to be in the epicenter for jazz. He lucks out with an easy rental search and lands in Greenwich Village. He is thrilled with his new apartment, even though it is a sixth-floor walkup. Here’s his story as told to Kelly Kreth.
I was born in Fallon, Nevada, but my family is military, so I moved around a lot and lived in a bunch of different places, including Italy and Ireland. The longest place I ever lived was Key West, Florida, so that's where I tell people I'm from.
Most recently I was living in Back Bay Boston. I lived with my drummer and a friend from school in a small apartment just across the street from Berklee College of Music, my alma mater. We got to know the neighbors quickly and even made music with some of them, which is a cool part of being in such a musical area.
I spent most of time in Boston as a recording and performing musician, and part of my time as a salesperson.
[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.]
Our three-bedroom place was really a two-bedroom with a converted living room, so we had no living or dining space. It was probably the cheapest and easiest place to live within a mile of the school. We were each paying $1,350.
I loved the location and my bedroom was the former living room so it had interesting details like stained-glass windows and a bay window right above the ground floor. Our kitchen and bath both lacked windows, something I would avoid in the future
The biggest problem I had with Boston was that everything closed around 8 p.m. so if you wanted to go out you had to do it as soon as you finished with work or school.
I regularly walked around the city, including the Charles River esplanade, The Muddy River/Fenway Green, the Public Garden, and Newbury Street. I used to eat at the same three affordable places all the time on the same corner: Shah’s Halal, Tori Japan, and Amelia’s Taqueria.
Wanted: A studio for under $3,000
I decided to move to NYC about a year ago because I am a jazz musician and that's what I want to do every day. NYC is the epicenter of jazz and the place for me to sharpen my skills.
The NYC rental process was easy for me. Ellen Hunter, an agent at Keller Williams NYC, who is a friend of a friend, showed me 14 apartments and I applied for one that night and was approved for it by lunch the next day. In Boston, I had 17 different agents and it took months to find a single apartment.
Initially I thought I would get a studio in the Village, NoHo, or Soho with my budget—just under $3,000. but we found a one-bedroom, top-floor apartment in the Village for just about that price. I love it.
I moved at the end of August to Great Jones Street, within blocks of several famous jazz clubs.
What he likes about his new place
The building is six stories and my place is big. I have a walk-in closet and full bathroom as well as freshly renovated floors and kitchen. I love my big windows and great light. You can see all the way downtown from the fire escape—It's incredible. The rent is $3,095 a month.
If I really had to nit-pick anything it would just be that there isn't an elevator, but I personally don't mind that.
I’m not particularly close to any DIY laundromats, but wash and fold is awesome, just more expensive. I shop for food at Trader Joe’s and Gristedes. I'm not really an order-in guy. I like to go out or cook at home.
What he thinks of life in the city
The Village is amazing—it has everything you could possibly need within two blocks. It's perfect, busy, and fun but quiet on my street. I honestly couldn’t imagine a better location.
I love the music scene and the life outside; there is always something cool going on within earshot and there's always a bustling bar or brunch place.
My favorite things to do is get good coffee like Amano’s Cafe right down the street and I also love to go to jazz clubs like The Village Vanguard, Smalls, or The Blue Note.
Everything is so close I can just walk. If I need to get somewhere there are more subway stops and bus stations than I could ever use.
Everyone who has visited my place loves it. And I’ve met a few people who are really kind and fun that I am getting to know better. I would like to stay for a while unless something comes up. I love the city and the life here.
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