Pros and Cons of Living in NYC: A Complete Guide
Everyone, at some point in their lives, has dreamt of living in the Big Apple. Yes, you are right. We are talking about New York City, the city of big dreams. Being the most populous city in the US, it has breathtaking architecture, glamorous and glitzy, amazing cuisine, and whatnot. However, before you decide to make a move here, many of you may have questions in your mind, such as should I move to NYC? or Is New York a good place to live? to get answers to these questions, you need to weigh down to the pros and cons of living in NYC. It will help you arrive at an informed decision. Here, we have come up with the pros and cons of living in New York State and how it can change your life. Let's get started.
Things You Should Know About NYC Before Moving
New York City is an exciting, fast-paced urban hub, but before you decide to move here, there are some important things to know about NYC. Let's start with the basics.
Here are the five boroughs of New York City, each with its unique personality and charm:
Queens
Whether you're drawn to the hustle of Manhattan or the artistic vibe of Brooklyn, each borough offers something special. Be sure to research what each one has to offer before choosing where to live.
Pros of Living in New York City
There are many reasons to move to NYC. Be sure to research before making your decision. Living here doesn't have only one but ample advantages. Let's discuss five of them given below.
Great Education
The first in the list of advantages of living in NYC is its robust education and schooling system. Some of the world's top post-secondary institutions are located here in this city. Whether you are looking for the best schools for your children or the top colleges or institutes to do your degree, you can find some elite and most welcoming institutions.
Some examples of such institutions are - Pratt Institute, Pace University, and Columbia University. If you are in search of a public university system, you can go to the City University of New York, which was established in 1847 and has 25 campuses.
Public Transportation
Is New York a good place to live in terms of public transportation? Well, the public transportation system is quite advanced here. Whether you need a bus, taxi, ferry, train, or bicycle, you can get it all here. And the best part? You don't have to spend a lot of money using public transportation.
In fact, it is beneficial to use public transport instead of owning a vehicle while living in NYC. Because finding a parking space here is a nightmare. You can say that public transportation is a way of life in NYC. You must thank the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for making public transportation a breeze for the general public.
Wonderland Winter
The holiday season in New York is purely magical. The whole city and the major attractions are covered with snow. The street lights up with phenomenal lights and is decorated in a way that brings holiday cheer. Some things to do in winter here are - witnessing the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, trying ice skating at different skating rinks in NYC, visiting the holiday market in Columbus Circle, taking a walk through Dyker Heights in South Brooklyn, and the list goes on. And if you are new to the city, store your holiday decorations conveniently to keep the festive spirit intact.
Excellent Job Opportunities
One of the benefits of living in New York is excellent employment opportunities. NYC has a diverse range of industries. Whether you want a full-time job or want to start a start-up, there are endless possibilities here. So, you must consider this as the reason to move to NYC. There isn't any doubt why the city is called the economic hub for many industries like finance, fashion, retail, telecommunications, and healthcare. But keep one thing in mind. While the opportunities are myriad, the market is also very competitive. So, you have to work very hard to prove yourself.
Combination of Great Art and Culture
If you think that NYC is famous for nightlife only, you couldn't be more wrong. You can come across plenty of art and culture facilities and events here to dive into the world of enjoyment. The city has more than 200 museums. If you are a bibliophile, you can go to one of the largest libraries - The New York Public Library (NYPL), which is on the list of the top 5 largest libraries in the world. The main attractions of the city are Niagara Waterfalls, Lake George, and Lake Placid, to name a few. So, experience great art and culture while relocating to New York.
For those with valuable art collections, NYC also provides specialized services for storing and preserving fine art. If you're planning a move and need to safeguard your priceless artwork, you can hire the services of a professiona Fine Arts Storage Facility in NYC. It's essential for ensuring your treasures remain safe and pristine during your relocation or long-term storage.
Endless Entertainment
From Broadway shows to rooftop bars, the city offers endless entertainment options. Whether you enjoy concerts, theater, or just exploring new neighborhoods, living in NYC means you'll never run out of things to do.
Cons of Living in NYC
While the city offers the glitz and glam to you, there are also some reasons to move out of NYC. What are they? Let's find out.
Most NYC Apartment Buildings are OLD
You have decided to move to NYC. Keep in mind that the buildings here are extremely antiquated in a way that the median age of the buildings is 90 years old. And that leads to the initiation of every kind of problem. Landlords and tenants can face issues like leaks, moldy walls, bad electrical wiring, poor plumbing, and many more. Some issues in the buildings can even result in health risks due to the presence of asbestos and lead paint. In the later stages, this could become one of the reasons to move out of NYC. So, if you decide to make NYC your home, consider NYC storage options for items that need a secure space, especially while addressing home repairs.
High Cost Of Living
Living and moving here doesn't come cheap. Rather, it is expensive. Even the Best Places cost of living index shows that the cost of living in NYC is much higher than in other parts of the US. The factors affecting the cost of living are shelter, food, taxes, health care, and child care.
The average monthly rent for 1 BHK in NYC is 3,739 US Dollars per month. That said, if you live in an urban area, the cost can move to the higher side. However, there are some cheaper alternatives like Buffalo, Saratoga Springs, etc. So, it all depends on the area where you live. Also, everyday costs like dining out, monthly gym membership, and sales tax are on the higher side, too. So, if you are thinking, is New York a good place to live, think again.
Rat Infestation
Being one of the old cities in the US, the city experiences problems like rat infestation. The problem is not going to get better but worse. There are a whopping 2 million rats that roam freely in the city, which you can find in restaurants, parks, and subways. It's better to find a solution to this problem if you have made up your mind to shift here; otherwise, it could become the reason to move out of NYC.
Terrible Traffic
The city is believed to have one of the worst traffic and one of the most congested cities in the US. Also, a report has found that drivers here experience nearly 120 hours of traffic in one year. Let's say, for example, there is a 14-mile distance between Brooklyn's Prospect Park and Upper Manhattan. But you must be surprised to know that it takes approximately 1 hour or even more to cover the distance between the two by car or train. Having a significant population, it is advisable to use public transport and not your own car due to the possibility of getting stuck in the terrible traffic.
Crime Rates
No wonder NYC is safe, but the crime rate has risen after the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall crime rate in the city has gone up by 1% as compared to what it was before the pandemic. The main reason for this is due to the shortage of police. However, the crime cases are limited to only certain areas. So, you can consider the safer parts of the city like Washington Heights Northwest, Steinway, Stuyvesant Town North, etc.
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You have read the pros and cons of living in New York City. So, should you be relocating to New York? Well, it all depends on your preferences. No matter the place you choose, there are always going to be some pros and cons when changing your living environment. Similarly, take the pros and cons of living in NYC into account and make this state your home.
When it comes to moving to NYC, urBin is here to help. Whether you're dealing with large relocations or sensitive items like fine arts storage in NYC, we offer a one-stop solution for all your moving and storage needs.
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