About New York |
Alicia Keys couldn't have sung it better herself! New York really is the “concrete jungle” where dreams are made of! There's frankly no other city that offers as many opportunities for people to realize their dreams as here in the Big Apple. It helps that the city itself is quite diverse, appreciative, and welcoming of people of different backgrounds, origins, walks of life, and of course, dreams. To say that anything is possible in New York is an understatement! However, to truly appreciate the city, you have to first know a little more about it.
It's not exactly far-fetch to say that New York is the biggest city in the world. Made up of five separate and unique boroughs, the “Big Apple” is home to a whopping 19.4 million people. That's about the same population as other smaller nations around the world! And as already mentioned, those millions of New Yorkers are made up of diverse people. So while there is a stereotypical caricature of a “New Yorker,” know that they come from different cultures, speak other languages, and more! But don't worry! English remains the main language spoken here! You ought to learn it when you get here!
Perhaps the worst thing you can do on your trip to New York is to schedule it for the months with the most extreme weather! You don't know just how uncomfortable it could get staying in this crowded city when it's extremely cold or intensely hot outside. So with that in mind, the months of April to June and November to December are the best time to go here. Not only do they have milder weather, but getting to see spring and autumn in New York is unlike any other! The city has a special kind of magic during these seasons.
Park Avenue, Midtown, Greenwich Village, and Broadway. These are just some of the many neighborhoods in New York, and they're just in Manhattan alone. As the definitive borough of the “Big Apple,” Manhattan has a diverse set of districts. There are residential areas, full of both luxury apartments and affordable homes, where people can live as normal a lifestyle as possible. There are bustling business and financial hubs, where most New Yorkers work to earn the big bucks. And there are spots where entertainment and nightlife reign supreme. Picking a place to settle down here would be quite the challenge!
The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, The Empire State Building—if it's your first time going to New York, you can't miss seeing these iconic sights. Not only will they shatter your expectations, but you'll also truly understand why they're such famous attractions in the first place.
Now, on your second trip to New York—or when you're already a few weeks/months in on your relocation here—you'll want to explore other places too. There are famous art galleries, comedy clubs, fashion museums, and other hotspots. Ultimately, there's more to see in the Big Apple than what the movies show!
You probably don't need anyone to tell you this, but going to New York is expensive. Even if you think you're going to stay in one of the cheaper districts in the city, chances are you’ll still find it difficult to save a lot of money. For instance, in terms of renting a place, there's rarely an apartment, even if it’s a solo apartment, that would cost less than $1,500.00 a month. Even a trip to the grocery store will cost you a median average of $126.81. And that will only be good for a week or two!
In terms of American social customs, all you really have to do is mind your own business. If you do need help, politely ask people around. Though don't expect you won't face some glares and angry stares. Though they mean well, New Yorkers are notorious for being so busy all the time.
So much so that they tend to act rudely to people who, in their eyes, are wasting their time. Fortunately, that's not the attitude of all the people in the Big Apple. In fact, it's safe to say that such people mostly live or work in Manhattan. Either way, always remain friendly and kind no matter what reaction you get.
Arguably, New York has the most iconic public transport in any city anywhere around the world! Firstly, there's the subway system, which is probably the most iconic of its kind. It may not be the best one in the world, nor is it the least crowded by any means! But it does its part in transporting people to where they need to go, whichever borough that may be! And the yellow cabs? Who hasn't seen a movie (set in New York) or a postcard from the city without a yellow cab on it? There are so many out and about in the city that you'll rarely need a transportation app to get one!
Healthcare remains a hot political issue in the United States. So in terms of assuring you're covered while you're here, it's a different case for different people. All in all, whether you travel here for a couple of days/weeks/months/ or you plan to relocate to New York, you'd do well in getting private health (travel) insurance. The likes of Allianz Care and Cigna Global provide it. With such coverage, you can easily get treated in the city's finest institutions, including the famous Mount Sinai Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital, among many others!
One of the best parts about New York is that it has a diverse set of cuisines on offer. Over on Little Italy, you get to try some of the most authentic-tasting Italian pizzas—as well as a few unique variations—this side of the Atlantic! In Chinatown, steamed dumplings, egg rolls, and a whole lot of noodles await the adventurous foodies.
Of course, seeing as New York is in the United States, it's the American food that are must-eats here! Burgers, French fries, steaks, and apple pie for dessert! What's not to love? And you'll get to taste them all in the best restaurants in the city, from business meal-worthy establishments and cool cafes to even some Michelin-starred restaurants too!
Spending holidays in New York is quite the experience! And that's not just the Christmas season too! Various US holidays are celebrated in this city, from the 4th of July, Labor Day, and, of course, Thanksgiving! The latter is the most famous in New York, mostly because of the big Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that's filled with big balloons, colorful floats, and a whole of merriment. Then there's New Year's Eve, an iconic celebration marked by the ever-famous and much-anticipated “ball drop.” to welcome the new year ahead!
As exciting as relocating to New York is, know that it's not an easy task to undertake. Most especially if you're coming from another country. It involves a lot of paperwork—getting a US visa alone is already taxing!—you need to set up many accounts and you'll need to bring a lot of stuff!
But don't worry! Though it's a complicated process, it's still doable! Especially if you follow the relocation guide we provided. Listed here are top tips, important info, and more you need to know about moving to the Big Apple.
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