Even though you want to live in New York, you have a lot of doubts about it. That’s fine. You might be wondering things like, “Is New York the utopia shown in American movies and TV shows?” Don’t worry, all of your questions will be answered in a minute or two. After you think about everything, I’m sure you’ll want to start your American dream as soon as possible in the Big Apple. Let’s get started to Know New York!
What are the best and worst things about living in New York?
Advantages
- There are a lot of public transportation options in New York City.
In particular, taxis (there are more than 13,590 of them), ferries, cable cars, trains, etc. But the subway is by far the most popular. It connects the city’s five boroughs in a quick and easy way (Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan). Because of this, most people who live there don’t have or need a car.
- It has a diverse culture and welcoming people.
Even though most people are walking quickly and minding their own business, you might meet people from all over the world and all different cultures. Don’t be afraid to talk to people every now and then.
- There are a lot of things to do for fun.
If you have the time and money, don’t miss New York’s fun nightlife and events. You can see NBA games, Broadway shows, plays, street art, and much more in Times Square. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might be invited to a party on the roof of a building with a great view.
- A wide range of food options- Know New York
In New York, you can find food of every kind and for every taste: Italian, Japanese, French, Mexican, etc. Plus, the dishes are so tasty that it’s almost impossible to stick to a diet in this city.
Disadvantages
- Extremely high rents
Renting an apartment in New York City can cost at least $1,300 per month, and most of them are very small and even more expensive. Where to find cheap places to rent? Scroll down to read more about this subject.
- There is a lot of traffic almost all the time.
This is the hardest thing for people from other countries to deal with when they move to New York City.
New Yorkers have to deal with traffic jams every day as the city with the most people in the United States. It’s almost inevitable that you’ll be more than half an hour late to any place, and you probably don’t want to have to worry about where to park your car.
Your subway system is the largest in all of North America, which is a good thing. So, it’s the best way to get around New York, even though it can be hard to breathe during rush hour.
- The streets smell bad.
There is a big problem with how the city runs, and it is something that people from other countries will never be able to get used to fully. In the Manhattan neighborhood, the smell of garbage from restaurants, sewage, and other things has been especially bad. And there are also a lot of rats!
- Damaged elevators.
If you’ve ever lived in New York, you’ll agree with me that the way the city takes care of its elevators is crazy. If you want an apartment that is more or less cheap, you will probably have to climb a lot of stairs.
Where can I find cheap places to rent?
We already know that the cheapest places to live in New York are on the edges of the city, especially in the New Jersey boroughs to the west and the Nassau and Westchester counties to the east and north.
But if you don’t have a car or don’t like to walk a lot, living in the city might be a good choice for you. If you are traveling alone, you can look for ways to share an apartment or rent a room. Prices can range from $500 to $1100.
Make sure that your monthly income is at least three or four times what your rent costs. This will keep you from getting into too much debt and is often a requirement to rent an apartment.
Try to find a place to live that is less than 20 minutes from a grocery store and a place to do your laundry. If you can find one near a few stores and subway lines, that’s even better.
If you don’t want uninvited guests, keep your apartment very clean and don’t forget to wash the dishes (you know what I mean).
Find out how to get around New York, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Really, it’s not hard to get lost. And if you already decided to move to New York you need to find the best immigration lawyer NYC.
You can save money in New York if you know a few tricks.
How to get by in New York if you don’t speak English.
No matter how good or bad your English is, you won’t have any trouble getting around in the city. The U.S. Census Bureau says that about 27% of the people who live in New York are of Hispanic origin. This has caused a good number of native Americans who live in the city to also speak or understand the language.
All of this means that you won’t have to speak English very much. In other words, New York might not be the best place to practice your native language.
How to find a job in New York.
I have good news for you: there are a lot of jobs in New York. Even though it’s true that you’ll have a better chance if you know some or all of the language, there are many examples of foreigners who speak Spanish who have found permanent jobs.
If you move to New York without having worked before or knowing English, remember that patience is your best friend. More and more stores are looking for workers, so look for “Help Wanted” signs and try your luck in each one.
Your social skills are another thing that will help you get a job. Make friends at every job you get, because even if you get hired, it might not be the best job for you. Getting a recommendation from an experienced and trustworthy person will help you find a great job in New York.