Contrary to what many people think, in New York, in addition to most of the new buildings and skyscrapers, you can admire the architecture of the past with its buildings from the 19th centuries. New York is a metropolis rising partly on the mainland and partly on islands, of which Manhattan is the most famous. Living in New York is a dream for many.
New Yorkers have a bad reputation for being rude and unfriendly, but in reality people are often nicer than commonly thought. Keep in mind that New York has a hectic pace of life. Time seems to pass faster here than anywhere else in the world. People work 60 hours a week. This definitely does not make them prone to conversation or cultivating relationships with strangers.
In New York, you can meet people from all parts of the world. Consider that nearly 1,000 languages are spoken and habits and food come from almost every country of the world. There are people of all colors, cultures and origins in the city. If you take a subway, you will probably see people of 12 different nationalities. New York attracts people of all kinds and from all walks of life: Financial traders with the Wall Street myth, dancers dreaming of Broadway and Mexican immigrants in search of their fortune.
In New York, you can do anything at any time of day or night. It is truly a city that never sleeps. There is everything you want to eat 24 hours a day, and of course: clubs where music is played non stop, museums, stores, restaurants, theaters, exhibitions, events, etc, etc.
As for the cost of living, it must be said that New York is very expensive. Rents are prohibitive, a one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood can cost an average of $3,000. Nursery costs easily exceed $1,000 per month. Every time you go to a bar or restaurant, you have to pay a 20% tip on top of the already expensive bill. The cost of living in New York even exceeds that of San Francisco.
One of the main problems in the city is noise. The noise comes from everywhere. The traffic, the horns, the trains, the people. It takes time and patience to get used to it. Besides the noise, another negative aspect of New York is the trash everywhere.
As for transportation, it is safe to say that New York is a walking city. Most people do not have cars, so they walk or use public transportation, which operates 24 hours a day and is always crowded. Speaking of safety, New York is the safest metropolis in the United States. One can easily walk through the central parts of the city at any time of day or night without feeling in danger.
As far as work is concerned, as soon as one starts working in New York, one is assailed by the feeling that any goal is achevaible and by the perception of the limitless possibilities that the city offers.
From a professional point of view, there are unique opportunities here in various sectors, and the city can also serve as an excellent springboard for starting a career. But you have to work hard, many hours a day, many days a year, but it is New York itself that gives you that extra strength. It overwhelms you and pushes you to keep going. You bring out your competitive side. Living and working in New York is a great life experience. If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere in the world.
Living and working in New York – pros and cons
Living and working in New York, pros
- People of all kinds and origins
- Events every day and at any time
- Lively and full of energy
- Full of business and economic opportunities
- Open-minded people and a multicultural environment
Living and working in New York, cons
- Very expensive to live well and quite expensive to live poorly
- Quite dirty and noisy city
- Stressful and busy city
- Pleasant weather only for 4 months of the year
- Difficult to integrate and make new friends
- Places and squares that are usually very crowded
Living and working in New York, conclusion
For many, New York is the center of the universe. Indeed, it is difficult to find another city in the world with more to do, more culture, or more opportunity. The energy breathed here is hard to find anywhere else in the world. But life in New York is not easy, and despite the millions of people around you, you often feel lonely, especially if you are an expat.
New York is not for everyone. But it is still a unique city. It offers endless possibilities and is a great mix of people from all over the world. New York is a unique place in the world: it’s a rough, dirty, brutal, expensive, crowded, sometimes overwhelming, beautiful, fantastic and inspiring city. You either love it or you hate it.
If you want all the information about moving to USA, read the article: Move to the US
If you want all the information about living and working in USA read the article: How to immigrate to the USA
