New York, New York! It is probably the most vibrant and diverse city in the world. It is defined as a city that never sleeps. It is home to the world’s largest financial center and has the honor of being the world’s most expensive city to live in. If you are on this page, you may be one whose biggest dream is to move to this wonderful city. Probably the time has come!
You may already be living in a large metropolitan city and be familiar with the dynamics of living in a big city. However still, not every metropolitan city is the same, and there are many crucial things to know before moving to another one. Even if you come from a smaller and more modest lifestyle, this guide will show you the most important things you need to know about this unique city.
In this article, we’ve compiled some of the top topics you’ll want to know before packing your bag. Let’s learn the most crucial things to know about moving to New York!
An Expensive Life
New York is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. You probably know, but we wanted to mention this feature of New York in the first place, so prepare yourself for an expensive living from rent to entertainment. It’s a good idea to research the cost of living in the area you plan to move to and create a budget that considers these expenses.
If you are considering renting a flat in NYC, you must know that the rental market in New York might be hectic at times. A “broker’s fee,” which often amounts to 10%–15% of the annual rent, is required to lease an apartment. There are free flats available, but the competition is severe. Last, apartments in New York City are quite narrow. As one New Yorker said, “If both hands can touch opposite walls, you’re in a pretty comfortable home for New York.” If you have a lot of belongings, you may also want to rent a storage area. This is an alternative that a lot of people prefer.
Easy Transportation
There are three different airports in New York: John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. Most of the tourists coming to the city use John F. Kennedy Airport. There are express services, taxis, private vehicles, and city buses to reach the city center from the airport. The buses you can get on with a single-use bus ticket you buy from the airport can take you to the city center in about one hour at an affordable price. In addition to all these public transportation vehicles, there are options such as Uber transportation.
Approximately 56% of New York homes don’t have a car, which can help families save money. In general, owning an automobile in New York is somewhat tricky. The good news is that New York is one of the few American cities where getting around without a car is not too difficult. It is one of the most walkable cities in the states. Additionally, if you don’t mind paying some money, taxis are available everywhere. In terms of transportation, New York provides all kinds of convenience.
Last thing to know: In New York, distances can be deceiving. Even by train, getting between two neighborhoods that appear to be near to one another on a map can take more than an hour. Additionally, there are always delays unless you’re walking, so give yourself more time than you think to get where you’re going.
Diverse Neighborhoods
There are five boroughs in New York, each with a distinct personality and atmosphere. Make sure to do your homework on the areas you’re considering moving to select one that suits your needs and budget. Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan are a few of the sought-after neighborhoods.
By area, Queens is the biggest. Brooklyn has the most residents overall. Manhattan has the highest price. The Bronx is where the Yankees play. Staten Island is only accessible by boat from Manhattan, but Brooklyn residents can drive there by crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. There is much to learn about each neighborhood’s culture.
Most people associate “New York City” with Manhattan and its taxis, traffic, people, and noise. However, not all the city is like this. Neighborhoods farther from the city center have homes, driveways, and even lawns. Think of Little Neck, Queens, for instance.
Popular Restaurants and Shopping Places In New York
If you like to spend time in popular restaurants or shopping places, New York is one of the leading cities in the world for these activities. From chain coffee shops to fast food brands, from Cambodian cuisine to Italian cuisine, New York is home to world-famous luxury restaurants where you can easily find all the flavors you are looking for. The restaurant named Daniel, which is very assertive about French cuisine, is among the restaurants that are considered to be first-class in terms of taste.
If you want to taste street delicacies, you need to change your route. For example, the best examples of Chinese cuisine are in the Chinese Town area. The best of street flavors is located on Houston Street.
Various Job Opportunities
As you may know, New York is a hub for many industries, including finance, technology, fashion, and entertainment. If you’re planning to move to the city without a job, starting networking and looking for opportunities before you arrive is a good idea. There are many online resources for job hunting, and it’s always helpful to have a few leads before you get to the city. You can also consider remote working opportunities that the pandemic has enabled on a global level. You can imagine remote work opportunities at your home or in a lovely cafe in NYC.
Places to Visit
One of the best things about living in New York is that there are so many places to visit. We have listed below examples of the three most famous places:
- Statue of Liberty: The Statue of Liberty, known as the symbol of the United States and one of the most well-known monuments in the world, is one of the rare structures in the Unesco World Heritage List. The statue, built between 1884 and 1886, is also used as an observation tower. Gifted by France on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the statue is made of copper and steel and holds a torch in its right hand and an inscription in its left hand. On the tablet in the left hand is written July 4, 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence. This statue, weighing about 205 tons, has a height of 46 meters. The 7-pointed crown on the head of the statue symbolizes 7 continents and 7 seas. There are 168 stairs inside the statue, and these stairs lead to the right hand holding the torch.
- Central Park: Central Park, which we can call the escape point from the noise and chaos of this big city, attracts a lot of attention with its peaceful and calm atmosphere. With its length of 4 kilometers and a width of 800 meters, the park attracts significant attention, especially from travelers who go on tours abroad; besides its hugeness, it has 120 different plants, 130 different animal species, more than 26,000 trees, 51 statues, 21 playgrounds, and 36 playgrounds. It also houses a bridge! All elements in the park are entirely human-made, including the rivers in its center.
- Ellis Island: Ellis Island, also known as the Island of Hope and Tears, is located at the mouth of the Huddos River. From 1892 to 1954, it was decided to check the immigrants arriving on the island. The island was used as a navy and ammunition depot in previous years. You can enter the island, which was converted into an immigrant museum after 1950.
Besides, don’t forget to visit Empire State Building, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center. These are the most famous places where you can take your guests.
New York Weather
New York is beautiful in every season. The density of tourists is quite high, especially in the summer season. For this reason, in summer, you may be overwhelmed by the high temperatures and crowds, and you may not be able to explore it entirely due to long queues. Therefore, we advise you to choose another period to explore NYC. For those considering exploring NYC in winter, we should say that New York is a perfect Christmas city!
However, rain can surprise some newbies in NYC. NYC experiences a lot of rain, much of it in the form of torrential downpours. Without an umbrella, you will get soaked. Infrequently, there will also be a significant snowstorm, which will likely cause the city to be closed for several hours or days.
Coping With Change
Culture shock is normal, so you should ask questions of your friends who have traveled to or lived in the USA and learn from their experiences. After all, America is a land of cultural diversity, made up of communities from many different backgrounds. Most Americans base their backgrounds on another country and culture. You shouldn’t believe everything you see on TV, but it’s also true that New Yorkers are incredibly kind and talkative. You may find yourself waiting in a line and talking to the person next to you, and this comfort surprises those not used to it.
Conclusion
Although moving to one of the most metropolitan cities in the world is not an easy decision, you will see that it is a decision you will not regret when you realize the opportunities you will have there. This article discusses the most important things you need to know before you start living in New York. Although it is an expensive and crowded city, business opportunities, easy transportation, the abundance of places to visit, being an entertainment and art center are the most important pluses of living in this city. This city, where you can comfortably host your guests from all over the world and meet people from many different cultures, will make you love itself more than many cities you have admired.
The use of the Internet has made many things easier in our age. Before boarding the plane, you can search for the neighborhood you want to live in, the places to visit we have listed above, and the cultural and artistic activities on the Internet.
May your new life in New York bring you health, peace, and abundance!