Frequently Asked Questions about New York City
How do I find cheap accommodation in New York City?
Cheap accommodation in New York would be considered by many an oxymoron, but the one thing you can do to reduce rental costs is to live outside the city centre in one of the outlying boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens. Shared accommodation is often cheaper than renting by yourself, thus if a single expat consider subletting an apartment (consult Craig’s List for options).
Do I need a car in New York City?
No, public transportation in Manhattan is exceptional; subway, buses and rail lines even run out to the suburbs. Taxies can also be widely used but can become expensive if travelling longer distances. Owning a car is often an unneeded hassle as on street parking is nearly impossible to find and is only allowed during particular times of the day. To rent a parking bay in a covered garage is also usually outrageously expensive.
Are New Yorker's rude? Is this difficult for expats to adjust to?
New York is massive and plays host to an incredible variety of different cultures and people of different backgrounds, many of whom are expats themselves. So making new friends won’t be difficult. New Yorkers do have a reputation for being abrupt and curt; however, this attitude is more a reflection of the pace of the city rather than the demeanor of its individuals.
Is New York a safe expat destination?
Despite its nitty, gritty reputation of past, New York is a safe place to live with little more criminal activity than what would be expected from any global metropolis. For the most part crime is relegated to specific city areas; some places in the Bronx and Queens have poor communities and rough neighbourhoods that are not recommended for expat families. These are avoidable and most places in the city are fine. One should be careful walking home alone at night or taking the subway after 11pm in certain places.
Cheap accommodation in New York would be considered by many an oxymoron, but the one thing you can do to reduce rental costs is to live outside the city centre in one of the outlying boroughs like Brooklyn or Queens. Shared accommodation is often cheaper than renting by yourself, thus if a single expat consider subletting an apartment (consult Craig’s List for options).
Do I need a car in New York City?
No, public transportation in Manhattan is exceptional; subway, buses and rail lines even run out to the suburbs. Taxies can also be widely used but can become expensive if travelling longer distances. Owning a car is often an unneeded hassle as on street parking is nearly impossible to find and is only allowed during particular times of the day. To rent a parking bay in a covered garage is also usually outrageously expensive.
Are New Yorker's rude? Is this difficult for expats to adjust to?
New York is massive and plays host to an incredible variety of different cultures and people of different backgrounds, many of whom are expats themselves. So making new friends won’t be difficult. New Yorkers do have a reputation for being abrupt and curt; however, this attitude is more a reflection of the pace of the city rather than the demeanor of its individuals.
Is New York a safe expat destination?
Despite its nitty, gritty reputation of past, New York is a safe place to live with little more criminal activity than what would be expected from any global metropolis. For the most part crime is relegated to specific city areas; some places in the Bronx and Queens have poor communities and rough neighbourhoods that are not recommended for expat families. These are avoidable and most places in the city are fine. One should be careful walking home alone at night or taking the subway after 11pm in certain places.
