One of the world’s most vibrant and diversified cities is New York. Almost everyone dreams to live in a city that is full of life. Though there are plenty of things that will attract you to the city including unlimited entertainment opportunities and enormous food options, moving here with family is a very different life experience. If you too are looking forward to moving to live in this incredibly popular city, here we present a guide for you to understand and know.
Let’s know the City in a Glance
New York witnesses more than 800 languages but English (de facto) is the official language of the state. US dollar is the currency that is used there and GDP per capita is USD 63,925. Hotdogs are one of the most popular foods in the city so you will find many hotdogs stands across the city. New York is well known for its diverse culture as four out of ten New Yorkers are foreign nationals. The Metropolitan Transport Authority provides easy bus and train services that are much cheaper than driving your own car. Alternatively, New Yorkers prefer walking over driving a car to their work. It is a loud city with a lot of competition around. The city is known for its fashion and businesses. If you are planning to move there and are ready for a huge competition, try and explore some good NYC moving companies associated with Moving Apt.
Cost of Living
The cost of living of New York City is very high and it is known as the most expensive city in the country; you can have an idea of it being pricey by the average rent of a one-bedroom flat that is $ 2,900. Everything including utilities and transportation is costly in the city. The real estate prices are so high that people rent their housing almost all their lives.
Boroughs and Neighborhoods
New York is a popular city and so are its boroughs. People know these places even without visiting New York ever. Though the city has 5 boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are the most famous among them. While Queens is the largest borough, Brooklyn is known for its historical landmarks and famous place for shooting movies. Manhattan is the most populous borough of New York City.
But you can save on housing by sharing an apartment or room especially if you are a student or single. Also, the cost of living is different at different places, for instance, Manhattan is the most expensive and the Bronx is the cheapest. It is highly recommended to research each area before renting an apartment.
Food and Grocery
The city has several independent and chain supermarkets. Though most New Yorkers prefer buying groceries from local grocery stores, many prefer going to supermarket chains including Union Market, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, and Fairway Market. Other popular supermarkets are Citarella Gourmet Market and Dean & Delucca but they are extremely expensive.
Restaurants/Alcohol
New Yorkers love eating out and have half of their daily meals at a restaurant. You can find cheap food at many local restaurants and street vendors and to locate a cheap eating place is to find one with a queue outside. New York has many bars, probably more than any other city in the world. They offer special prices during weekends and public holidays and keeping an eye on the local newspaper for the same may get you a good deal. Many of these bars also offer happy hour and after work hour discounts on both drinks and meals.
Education
You need to explore the educational opportunities if you are moving to New York with family and kids. The city has more than 1,800 public schools and almost 220 private schools. Though the Department of Education is emphasizing virtual learning currently due to the pandemic Covid-19, public schools offer free full-day programs for kids over three years of age in normal conditions.
Transportation
Most people in New York avoid owning a car and prefer public transport as there are plenty of options. Buses and subways are the best if you want to ditch the heavy traffic of the city. You can also save a lot of money on your transportation by purchasing an Unlimited Ride MetroCard that is issued by the Metropolitan Transport Authority. Using ridesharing apps to get shared taxis is another good option to save money on a comfortable ride home.
Weather
The weather of New York City varies as it has four distinct seasons. While the city witnesses hot and humid summers, it also experiences chilled waves and snowy showers in winters. New York doesn’t have much rainfall.
New York is a beautiful place that has its own charm. Its high-rise buildings and ever-growing job market attract the young generation the most. If New York is your dream city too, then it is wise to be prepared for head-over market competition and high cost of living.
