If you’re moving to New York City you’re likely going to have the time of your life – the city’s night-and-day culture, strong economy and numerous landmarks make it a great place to live. But many new New Yorkers are unprepared for some of the day-to-day realities. From how to pay for hot dogs to handling your air conditioning installation in NYC, here are five things you need to know.
1. Smaller living space. Cost of living is high in NYC, particularly the cost of rent or real estate. In general, New Yorkers live in much smaller apartments than people from other US cities or regions are used to. That doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable – you’ll get used to it quickly, and it discourages clutter – but you may want to sell some things before you move.
2. Carry cash. For a thriving and technologically advanced city, New York is surprisingly averse to credit and debit cards. Many corner shops and restaurants are still mom-and-pop stores, and if they paid the credit card fee on every transaction they’d have to close. Of course, ATMs are abundant, but that carries a fee for you. Try to keep cash on you whenever you go out.
3. New Yorker pride. It’s true that New Yorkers take a lot of pride in their city and in living there – and you will quickly find that transplants are rated by how many years they’ve lived in the city. While you may get some good-natured ribbing, listen to the newbie advice they give you: you’ll learn a lot about getting around, staying safe and where to find bargains.
4. Public transportation. Many New Yorkers don’t own cars at all. They’re expensive to park and most apartment buildings don’t have a free lot for residents. Driving can also be a nightmare, and most locals will go everywhere via subway, bus and taxi. If you do decide to own a car, be prepared not to use it very often – for most errands the subway is easier.
5. Get air conditioning. Most of New York consists of older buildings, and they usually don’t have central AC. At the same time, they overheat quickly in summer. Air conditioning is typically each tenant’s responsibility in the Big Apple, but fortunately air conditionining installation in NYC is not expensive and you can easily add either a window unit or a newer ductless AC unit to any apartment.
What else does someone need to know for their first week, month or year in New York?
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Jess Holmes is part of a team of writers and specializes in writing advice oriented pieces.