Many of us dream of living in NYC, the city that never sleeps, full of opportunity and inspiration. The most populous city in the US is brimming with culture and redefining fashion trends. It is all about superlatives and grandiosity, from the tallest buildings to historic landmarks, where people share ideas and compete on an everyday basis. Despite the noise, the crowds, and expensiveness, everyone keeps coming to this hub of many industries and joining the population of over 8.4 million.
The city got its most famous nickname in the 1920s from a horse racing column in a local newspaper. The “Big Apple” was used to describe the big money prize. The Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum is the city’s oldest building, and it was built in the 1640s. When we say that it is diverse, we mean it. Almost 40% of the residents were born outside of the country, and the number of languages spoken is rather impressive – over 800. it is easy to see why it’s so appealing for someone moving internationally. When moving across the world, there aren’t many places that could come near the experience of residing here, and most would argue that it is unique.
Pros and Cons of Living in New York
Frank Sinatra, in his famous ode to the Big Apple, sings “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere; it’s up to you.” This rings very true when looking at living in New York pros and cons. Whether you are working in Europe as an American and want to go back home to the US, or you are a foreign citizen but want to become a part of one of those expat communities, the Big Apple is a place that offers so much to anyone willing to make it work here. With so many languages spoken here, it won’t be difficult to break the language barrier and mix in with the crowd.
Let’s Look at the Pros
The open doors to many opportunities that the Big Apple represents are definitely a pro. The biggest names in the tech industry, fashion, journalism, whatever comes to your mind, they are all here. There are plenty of career opportunities in the city, and if you manage to land a job before you move, don’t forget to inquire about a relocation package, among other questions to ask the employer. The Big Apple is often described as the cultural capital of the world. It is a place that is rich in museums, art galleries, breathtaking libraries, and world-renowned performances.
Some say that the US is one of the friendliest countries in the world, but you may find residents of this city a bit blunt. This is because everyone is in a constant hurry, but making new friends with whom you’ll love to go out is pretty easy. You also have great opportunities at making serious business connections. Networking options will make keeping in touch with friends a lot easier, but it is also a good environment for introverted people because everyone minds their own business. Green areas are sprinkled throughout the place, and it is a perfect getaway from the hectic atmosphere. Central Park, should we say more? And the fashion scene is important here because when it comes to world trends, this is where it’s first known about.
And What about the Cons?
The con of making a career here is that with over 8 million residents, the competition for almost any position is fierce. You will also notice that the city’s dirty, especially during the hot, humid summer, and that it has many homeless people. See the video below on some realistic expectations about life in the Big Apple.
Best Neighborhoods in The City That Never Sleeps
Choosing a neighborhood in the Big Apple is perhaps somewhat more difficult than in other places. Those who have to pick one often have to calculate many things – how many subway lines are close by, do they want to be surrounded by crowds and noise, and above all, how much will it all cost? But, before deciding on the neighborhood, you must first come to know the boroughs. There are five – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Living in Manhattan has its perks, and for some, it is the best part of the Big Apple. It’s the heart of the city, with many business districts, but also is the most populated area, with over 1.6 million residents on 22 square miles. As opposed to Manhattan, living in Staten Island will bring you a more suburban feel. It has only 500,000 residents, residing mostly in single-family homes, and a lot of acres covered in parks. But, it is the only borough that isn’t connected with the subway, so you would have to travel by ferry or bus.
Experiencing the NYC Neighborhoods
Wherever you want to be located in the Big Apple, whether you’ve decided on living in Brooklyn or perhaps living in Queens, you will have to walk a lot. Most neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly, but some parts have better walkability than others. Choosing a location has a lot to do with what you prefer – lower rent, the proximity of parks, a close subway stop nearby, or clustered shops, bars, and restaurants. Here are some of the neighborhoods, among hundreds that the Big Apple has:
- The Financial District,
- Chinatown and Little Italy,
- TriBeCa, Nolita, and Soho,
- The Lower East Side and East Village,
- Greenwich Village,
- Chelsea and the Meatpacking District,
- The Flatiron District, Union Square, and Gramercy Park,
- Times Square and Midtown West,
- Midtown East and Murray Hill,
- Upper West Side,
- Harlem.
Making a simple stroll through the different parts of the metro area will have an impact on you, and it may seem like you’ve traveled to a different place. Each neighborhood has its scents and colors, and you could even say that Big Apple has multiple personalities. From living in the Bronx to more suburban Staten Island, there’s excitement everywhere you look.
The Price of Living in NYC
Let us be blunt like proper locals would be. Saying that is not affordable is kind of an understatement. It’s the 7th on the list of most expensive cities in the world. Everything costs more here, from groceries to haircuts and eating out. Be prepared when you plan your moving overseas to become a resident here, that besides documents needed to travel abroad, you will have to be ready to keep your wallet open.
What Can a New Yorker Expect Out of Rent and Real Estate Prices?
Affordable housing is a big problem in the Big Apple, with rents for a one-bedroom apartment going up to several thousand dollars. The median asking rent in Manhattan can be $3,000. But, older buildings may have the cost of utilities calculated into the monthly rent. Buying a house or an apartment is a distant possibility for many residents, and only about 30% of them own a house. The median price for a home in this metropolitan area is around $670,000.
What Salary Do You Need to Live in NYC?
Is 100K enough to live in New York City? Or can you live in NYC on 70k a year? Believe it or not, but some landlords will expect you to have a six-digit annual pay to sign a lease. If you’re wondering how to live in another country and, furthermore, in one of that country’s most expensive cities, it is possible. Even with a more modest income, there’s always a way if you want to make it here. Dividing the costs with a roommate is the most common way to overcome the problems with high rent and expensive groceries. But, sharing a home may mean that you’ll have less space for yourself, so either consider using a storage service for any excess belongings or bring as little as possible when you move here.
A Car Won’t Get You Anywhere – Use the Subway System
When you move to another country, it is important to know about the transportation options, and the locals can tell you that the subway system is both a blessing and a curse. The subway cars may be too crowded, or you will have to wait for an eternity on a platform for the train to come. But, it remains the lifeblood of the Big Apple, and it runs 24h a day. It can take you to almost every corner with a swipe of the MetroCard. If you’re thinking about using an overseas shipping company for shipping a car overseas, it is crucial to understand a few things about owning a vehicle in the Big Apple. Side street parking is just hard to find, and the costs of garage parking are pretty high, but if you can’t separate yourself from your vehicle, shipping overseas is a perfect option for you. New Yorkers use buses and taxis beside the subway, but they also move around a lot on foot, so buy yourself some good walking shoes.
The city’s serviced by three airports – LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, which can take you anywhere, from different parts of the country to the various corners of the world. If you have someone dear living in Toronto (some would argue, one of the best places to live in Canada), you’ll be happy to know that there are lots of commercial flights you can take and be there in a jiffy. Walk around and experience some of the Toronto neighborhoods, and be home in the Big Apple just as quickly.
Education and Healthcare in the Big Apple
If you are moving with kids, you should take a look at the school system. New York City’s public school system is the largest in the world, with several selective specialized schools and also approximately 900 additional privately run secular and religious schools.
NYC Health and Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States that provides essential and home-based services to more than one million residents every year in more than 70 locations across the five boroughs. Hospitals provide top-ranked trauma care, dozens of specialties, and mental health services, through a robust network of hospital-based services for children and adults.
Things to Do When Living in New York City
Is living in New York fun? For the locals, there’s nothing that would come close to it in the world. You will be surrounded by places like The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) or the Met, not to mention Broadway, The Empire State Building, or Central Park. There’s just so much going on all the time, at any part of the day, even if you’re on a budget, and that’s a perfect reason to overcome some of that moving stress if you have relocated here with an overseas moving company. It is a haven for foodies and is often listed among the best vegan cities, with a plethora of restaurants and even food trucks with all the tastes of the world. Performances, concerts, bars – all of these options make it hard for residents and visitors to get enough sleep and eat regularly, but so many activities will help you adjust to a new country more quickly.
Fall in Love With the City That Never Sleeps
Moving to another country for the love of a location may not be more true in any other place than the Big Apple. A concrete jungle, but a cultural center, where you can be whoever you want. This is a fast-paced metro area filled with residents who are fast walkers, blunt, and some would say rude, but also kind at the same time. The city that never sleeps, where you can have hot ramen in the middle of the night, or decide to get out of your PJ’s at 10 PM and go out for a drink. If you are moving abroad and dreaming about coming here using an international moving company, be prepared that you would want to stay, despite any cons that it offers. Call for packing services, consider what to pack when moving abroad, get your bags and be on your way.
