Thinking about moving to New York City? The Big Apple offers a whirlwind of new experiences and encounters for those ready to take on city life. From world-class restaurants to world-famous museums, here are 19 things to know about living in New York City!
NYC at a Glance
- Located in New England on the East Coast in the southeast corner of New York state, NYC is a large metropolitan area. It’s just under a four-hour drive from Boston and about a two-hour drive from Philadelphia.
- The New York City population is nearly 8.4 million, making it the largest city in the U.S. Despite being a dense concrete jungle, NYC is a great place to raise a family, with 41% of the population consisting of families with kids under age 18.
- New York City is split into five distinct boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
- New York is a globally renowned city known for iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square—and more!
- A hub for finance, culture, and entertainment, the Big Apple is home to iconic areas like Wall Street and Broadway.
Experience Life in the Big Apple
While living in the Big Apple is expensive—the NYC cost of living is 131% higher than the national average and housing costs are about 403% higher—there are few cities around the world that offer as much history, culture, job opportunities, shopping, dining, and nightlife as New York City, making the costs worthwhile to residents. The largest city in the U.S., in terms of population, only takes up around 300 square miles of land—there’s so much packed into the city that it’s divided up into five major boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. And within those NYC boroughs are tons of safe and affordable NYC neighborhoods, each with their own unique vibe!
Q: What salary do you need to live in NYC?
A: The salary you need to live in NYC depends on a few factors, including your household size, where you live, and your lifestyle preferences. A single adult must earn $75,000 to $138,000 to live comfortably in the city, but can save about 30% on living costs if living in Brooklyn or Queens instead of Manhattan.
Celebrate Diversity in NYC
New York City is recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. The Big Apple’s multicultural population influences its art, music, food, and more—and festivals held throughout the year celebrate a wide range of ethnicities, religions, identities, and cultures. Visit Little Italy, once home to immigrants in the late 1800s, to experience Italian customs, food, and language with events like The Feast of San Gennaro. Try authentic Asian food in NYC and attend events like the Lunar New Year Parade & Festival in Chinatown. Or celebrate all kinds of cultures through music, dance, food vendors, and more at the NYC Multicultural Festival.
Q: When did NYC become so diverse?
A: New York City was recognized as incredibly diverse in the mid-1920s, as more than one-third of the city’s population were immigrants. At that time, NYC was home to more Jewish people than any other city, and many African-American people immigrated to NYC after WWI, leading to Harlem becoming one of the largest, most famous urban Black communities.
Get Familiar with Public Transportation
Over half the people living in New York City don’t own a car and rely on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to get around. Operating 24/7, the NYC subway is often deemed the quickest and easiest way to travel throughout the Big Apple, with 472 stations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Hundreds of local bus routes typically run every 15 minutes, including more than 70 express bus routes and 20 select service bus routes to take advantage of. Looking for a flight? The NYC metro also has three major airports—John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)!
Q: What is the cost of public transportation in NYC?
A: Subway and bus fares in NYC are typically below $5, and express buses are below $10. Seniors and those with qualifying disabilities pay half the regular fare.
Pursue a Career in NYC
Searching for a job in New York City? The Big Apple has many big-name employers and a lower unemployment rate than the other top two largest cities in the U.S., Los Angeles and Chicago. Financial services, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and education are all industries deeply rooted in the city. Residents looking for jobs in NYC have a wide variety of options, ranging from established Fortune 500 companies to up-and-coming startups. When it comes to the best companies to work for in NYC, though, companies like Button, Schrodinger, Inc., Onna, and Hiro Systems are at the top of the list.
Q: How many small businesses are there in New York City?
A: There are over 180,000 small businesses in New York City. While there are many larger companies and corporations in New York, there are plenty of small businesses to support as well!
Further Your Education in New York City
With dozens of universities and colleges in New York City, it’s a great place to pursue higher education. Study at Columbia University in Morningside Heights, New York University in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Fordham University in The Bronx, or Yeshiva University in Upper Manhattan—these four NYC universities are recognized as some of the best in the country. New York City also has some of the world’s most famous fashion and art schools, including Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, LIM College, or Pratt Institute. In addition, NYC is recognized as one of the top cities in the U.S. for internships. Students looking for internships in NYC will find a variety of opportunities ranging from NBCUniversal to Google. Whether you’re interested in studying at a women’s liberal arts college or earning an advanced law degree, the Big Apple has the school for you!
Q: What are the best colleges in New York City?
A: The highest ranking colleges in New York City‘s boundaries include Columbia University and New York University. Columbia University is the best college in the U.S. for economics and philosophy, and New York University is the best for performing arts.
Enjoy Fashion & Shopping Galore
It’s no secret that NYC is one of the best cities for fashion. Around 900 fashion businesses have headquarters in New York City, marking it as a home to top designers, stylists, photographers, and fashion publishers like Vogue. Watch international designers’ collections modeled on the runway during New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Lace up your comfiest fashion trainers before taking on Fifth Avenue to shop at luxurious stores like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Head to SoHo to peruse boutiques like Flying Solo or high-end designers like alexanderwang and Balenciaga. Visit the flagship Macy’s in Herald Square. Look through a variety of vintage shops like L Train Vintage in East Village, NYC. Get trendy home decor at stores like abc carpet & home, Herman Miller, and Fishs Eddy in The Flatiron District. Or browse record stores, consignment shops, unique boutiques, and other top shops in Greenwich Village.
Q: Is there a fashion district in NYC?
A: The Garment District, also known as the Garment Center, Fashion District, or Fashion Center, is located in Manhattan. This area encompasses 24 blocks and 6,500 businesses.
Find Pride with the LGBTQ Community
New York City has a long LGBTQ history and a thriving queer community. All throughout the city are LGBTQ historic sites that have been fundamental in the city’s fight for LGBTQ rights and recognition, including the Stonewall Inn, The Center, and Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art—the only museum in the world dedicated to LGBTQ art. In addition, millions of people gather in NYC each year during LGBTQ events like NYC Pride, Youth Pride, and more to celebrate the community and those at various stages of coming out. In fact, the New York City Pride March is one of the largest in the world!
Q: When is Pride in New York City?
A: New York City’s Pride celebrations take place throughout the month of June. Events like Youth Pride and the Pride March usually take place at the end of June after other festivities.
Appreciate Outdoor Activities in NYC
It might seem like a Concrete Jungle, but New York City actually has more than 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreation areas spread throughout the five boroughs. Visit the baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, carousel, and playgrounds at Central Park, the largest and most well-known park in Manhattan. Go fishing or horseback riding at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Watch a free outdoor movie on Monday nights during the summer or skate on the outdoor ice rink during the winter at Bryant Park, located behind the New York Public Library. Play cricket, bike on the trails, or go kayaking at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Or feel the peaceful and calming energy of the themed gardens along the elevated High Line, an abandoned train track turned park!
Q: How many national parks are in New York City?
A: There are no large national parks in New York City, but there are plenty of sites managed by the National Parks Service, like the Statue of Liberty and Gateway National Recreation Area, as well as other national memorials and monuments in New York Harbor.
Become an NYC Sports Super Fan
NYC has more professional sports teams than any other metropolitan area in the country. Head to Citi Field in Queens to watch the New York Mets (MLB). See the 27-time World Series champion New York Yankees (MLB) at iconic Yankee Stadium. Snag tickets at Madison Square Garden to see the New York Knicks (NBA), or travel to Brooklyn to enjoy a Brooklyn Nets (NBA) game at Barclays Center—where the New York Liberty (WNBA) also play during the summer months. Get rowdy with the crowd at a New York Rangers (NHL) game at MSG or New York Islanders (NHL) game at UBS Arena. Root for the New York Giants (NFL) or New York Jets (NFL) just outside the city at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Cheer on the New York Red Bulls (MLS) and NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL) at Red Bull Arena, or support the New York City FC (MLS) at Yankee Stadium. And don’t forget to go to the US Open Tennis Championship, played annually at Queens’ USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center!
Q: How many sports teams does New York have?
A: NYC is home to 12 major sporting teams. These include the Yankees and Mets in baseball, the Giants and Jets in football, Knicks, Nets, and Liberty in basketball, Rangers and Islanders in hockey, and New York City FC, Gotham FC, and the Red Bulls in soccer.
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Visit World-Class Museums
You’ll find more than 100 museums in NYC as well as Museum Mile, a stretch of land offering diverse art-viewing opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else. Spend a day admiring over 450,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), the largest museum in the U.S. Explore the breathtaking pieces within Frank Lloyd Wright’s seashell-inspired museum, Guggenheim. Learn about biodiversity and the factors that threaten it at the American Museum of Natural History. Get a chance to see nearly 200,000 works of modern art, as well as a film series covering a variety of societal and cultural topics at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Pay tribute to the fallen and hear survivors’ stories at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum. See paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe and John Singer Sargent at the Brooklyn Museum. Or take a ferry to Ellis Island to embark on a self-guided audio tour of The National Immigration Museum.
Q: What museums are free in NYC?
A: The National Museum of the American Indian and the Bronx Museum are free museums in New York City. Some museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, and Brooklyn Museum have free hours available for locals and students, while others like the Museum of Modern Art and Museum of the Moving Image have specific free days.
Find Kid-Friendly Places in NYC
Believe it or not, New York City has plenty to offer for families. If you’re looking for kids activities in New York City, visit one of several museums guaranteed to be fun for the whole family! Learn about topics like nature and science by climbing through indoor and outdoor play areas like The NEST and AirMaze at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Check out artwork created by children from across the globe at the Manhattan Children’s Museum of the Arts. Experience the art exhibits, storytelling series, workshops, musical performances, and more at Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling. Or discover exhibits that bring science, technology, and math to life such as The Big Bubble Experiment and Rocket Park at New York Hall of Science.
Q: Where do families live in NYC?
A: Some of the best neighborhoods for families in NYC include Battery Park City in Manhattan, Park Slope in Brooklyn, and Forest Hills in Queens. These neighborhoods have safe living in NYC and offer great family-friendly things to do!
Check Out New York City’s Zoos
The five zoos and one aquarium spread throughout the city provide entertainment in NYC for all ages! Spend the day exploring more than 265 acres and spotting over 700 different species at Bronx Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the U.S. Enjoy some hands-on learning through exhibits like Barn and Garden at the Prospect Park Zoo. See snow monkeys, grizzly bears, ruffed lemurs, and great views of the city at Central Park Zoo, managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Check out the Aviary dome from the 1964 Worlds Fair at Queens Zoo. Get a glimpse into underwater habitats in the aquarium with floor-to-ceiling windows at Staten Island Zoo. Or watch penguins at Sea Cliffs, spot the sharks in the Ocean Wonders tunnel, enjoy the beauty of tropical fish and eels in Conservation Hall, or attend a live sea lion show in the Aquatheater—all at New York Aquarium!
Q: Are the zoos in New York City free?
A: The Staten Island Zoo is generally free to everyone, and the Central Park and Queens Zoos are free for all IDNYC cardholders. The Bronx Zoo has free entry on Wednesdays if you book your ticket in advance, and the New York Aquarium offers Pay-What-You-Wish tickets on Wednesday afternoons.
Spend a Night On (or Off) Broadway
The Theatre District, often referred to simply as Broadway, is one of the most well-known areas of New York City. Home to 41 Broadway theaters with 500 seats or more, Broadway is famous for having hosted The Phantom of the Opera at Majestic Theatre for 35 years. Today, you can catch revolutionary shows like Hamilton at Richard Rodgers Theatre, The Great Gatsby at Broadway Theatre, and more. There are a number of Off-Broadway theaters to keep in mind as well. Off-Broadway includes theaters with fewer than 500 seats and those outside of the geographically defined Broadway area. Catch Off-Broadway shows like Titanique, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, or Empire: The Musical. No matter what shows you choose, if there’s one thing you can’t miss while living in NYC, it’s the incredible theatre scene!
Q: What is the oldest theater in New York City?
A: The Lyceum Theatre is considered the oldest Broadway theater in New York City, opening in 1903. New Victory Theater is technically the oldest theater overall with its 1902 opening, but it has served many different functions over time.
Attend Events at Madison Square Garden
Residing in the heart of Manhattan, Madison Square Garden (MSG) is known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” The venue is home to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team (NCAA D-I), and the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament. And that’s not all you can find at MSG! For years, this event center has hosted all kinds of bands and musicians, as well as events like boxing matches, circuses, graduation ceremonies, and more. But the longest tenant of Madison Square Garden is Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which has held Best in Show competitions at the Garden since 1877!
Q: Where is Madison Square Garden in New York?
A: Madison Square Garden is located in Midtown Manhattan on Seventh Avenue, directly above Penn Station. It also sits between 31st and 33rd streets.
Discover the Spectacular Music Scene in NYC
The Empire City is known for many things, and its music scene is one of them. Get tickets to see DJs, indie bands, and electronic music artists at Elsewhere, a 24,000-square-foot warehouse nightclub in East Williamsburg. Attend a show where The Beatles were once helicoptered in for two sold-out shows at Forest Hills Stadium (also the original home of the U.S. Open and Davis Cup). Listen to heavy metal and punk bands seven nights a week at the darkly-lit Saint Vitus Bar. Find live music at basement jazz club, Village Vanguard, which has been around since the 1940s. Catch a show at Blue Note in Greenwich Village, where it’s not uncommon for a legend to make a guest appearance on stage. Or support small venues that feature up-and-coming artists, like Mercury Lounge in the Lower East Side.
Q: What music is New York known for?
A: NYC is known for its impact on and presence of various music scenes—from modern salsa and hip-hop being solidified in the South Bronx barrios and rock flourishing in the now-closed CBGB music club, to Manhattan’s title as the Jazz Capital of America.
Get Down with NYC Festivals
NYC entertainment doesn’t end at sports and concerts—there are plenty of other New York City events to fill your social calendar! Clear your schedule for the Tribeca Film Festival, which features exclusive demos of games, discussions with filmmakers, and a top collection of short films. See indie rock, jazz, and hip-hop artists perform during the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! summer festival in Prospect Park. Explore the Metaverse, connect with fellow fans, and meet special guests at New York Comic Con (NYCC). Jam out with the biggest names in rap, rock, and electronic dance music at the Governors Ball Music Festival. Or sample foods from around the world at Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, one of New York City’s longest traditions that celebrates cultural diversity through food.
Q: When is the Italian festival in New York City?
A: The NYC Italian festival, the Feast of San Gennaro, takes place in mid-September. NYC also celebrates Ferragosto, an Italian public holiday, on August 15th.
Embrace Your Inner Foodie
With over 20,000 restaurants in NYC, New York City is one of the most food-forward cities in the U.S. So what are some of the best food spots in NYC? Enjoy no-frills Ukrainian dishes like Beef Stroganoff, Bigos, and Chicken Paprikash at Veselka. Order the Legendary Mutton Chop, Lobster Bisque, or the King’s Cut of Prime Rib at Keens Steakhouse. Feast on a Lobster Roll or Fried Sea Scallops at City Island Lobster House, a low-key joint in The Bronx that features waterfront dining. Grab some Carne Asada Tacos or Adobada Quesadillas with Chips y Guacamole on the side at Los Tacos No. 1, located in the Chelsea Market. Savor authentic Indian foods like Bheja Fry, Tandoori Poussin, or Chacha’s Lamb Chops at Adda Indian Canteen. Or treat yourself to Italian favorites like Baked Ziti, Shrimp Parmigiana, or a Meatball Hero at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn.
Q: When is Restaurant Week in New York City?
A: NYC Restaurant Week occurs twice a year, in either January or February as well as in either July or August—specific dates are announced by NYC Tourism.
Become a New York-Style Food Connoisseur
It won’t be long after you move to New York City that you’ll find your go-to place for New York bagels, your favorite New York deli, and the best slice of New York pizza. But until then, here are a few places to check out! Chow down specialty sandwiches like The Chittle, The Mosaic Man, or Pizza Bagel at Tompkins Square Bagels. Savor freshly baked bagels with a variety of spreads—ranging from blueberry cream cheese to bacon and cheddar—at Absolute Bagels. Get Katz’s Corned Beef Sandwich, Potato Latkes, or a Knoblewurst at Katz’s Delicatessen. Try Spinach Knish or Hungarian Goulash at Liebman’s Deli, a neighborhood landmark and one of the last remaining Jewish delis in The Bronx. Enjoy a Pesto Pie, Buddy’s “Cake Boss” Special Pizza, or the Original Margherita Pizza fresh out of the coal oven at Lombardi’s. Or dine on delicious over-the-counter slices of the award-winning NYC Round Cheese Pizza, Grandma Pizza, or Burrata Pizza at NY Pizza Suprema.
Q: What food is New York City famous for?
A: New York is famous for foods like NYC-style pizza, pastrami sandwiches, bagels with lox, New York cheesecake, hot dogs and pretzels from street carts, and more!
Explore The City That Never Sleeps
Whether you’re looking for a low-key night with friends or you’re ready to dance the night away, you’ll find no shortage of nightlife in NYC! Laugh along to standup comedy shows at the Comedy Cellar. Sip a glass of Merlot while you take in the night sky, or attend fun events like Disco Thursdays at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar. Catch up with friends over a local craft beer from Nowadays, which hosts late-night DJs and dance parties in the backyard. Slip through a phone booth to enjoy cocktails like the Mezcal Mule at popular speakeasy Please Don’t Tell. Sample drinks like the Tropic Thunder, Disco Inferno, and Wallflower at chic cocktail bar The Honey Well. Order Prosecco before hitting the dance floor with friends at Rumpus Room. Spend the evening at Grimm Artisanal Ales, where limited-edition brews like the Memoir Imperial Stout push the style and boundary of typical flavors. Head out to try “cocktails with a kick” like the Desert Eagle or Flamingo Stance behind the beaded curtains at Dear Irving Gramercy. Or try your hand at vintage arcade games like Asteroids or Donkey Kong while slurping down exclusive brews at Barcade.
Q: Where is the best nightlife in New York?
A: You can find the best NYC nightlife in neighborhoods and areas like Lower Manhattan, Midtown, West Village, East Village, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and SoHo. However, you’ll likely find exciting nightlife in local bars and clubs anywhere you go in NYC!
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