Moving to New York
New York! New York! Mother of all melting pots and all on an island measuring only 13 miles long. No matter which direction you head — Eastside, Westside, Midtown, Uptown or Downtown — you’ll be amazed at how many attractions and world-famous sights an island just three miles wide can hold. New York sits on the three islands of Manhattan, Staten Island, and Long Island. Here every inch of land is used up and there's a high population density.
New York City (NY) is located in the north-eastern region of the U.S. and is separated from neighbouring New Jersey by the Hudson River. Within NY the area is divided into five boroughs with a huge number of skyscrapers giving it a unique feel. The borough of Manhattan is the heart of New York City and it is home to many multinational corporations and expatriates.
Summers are usually hot and winters are cold with an average snowfall of about 24 inches. Each year is different though so make sure you’re prepared.
New Yorkers have long had a reputation for being rude or brusque — but that's not really true. Most New Yorkers are as friendly and accommodating as anyone you could hope to find. English is the official language but every day you will hear large numbers of people talking in every other tongue known to man. They are too many to count or distinguish but Spanish and Italian are two of the easily recognised ones.
Living in the city
Although many people work in Manhattan they often live in a different borough — Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island. Many others live in areas such as Long Island, Connecticut, New York State (outside of the City proper) or New Jersey.
Manhattan offers limitless activity. It has the best museums, entertainment, music and restaurants. Every convenience or necessity is conveniently located, although also a bit more expensive.
Consider the lifestyle that you want for you and your family then explore neighbourhood characteristics, public transport, schools, work, shops, cinemas and churches and decide what suits you best. The most popular areas for expats in Manhattan are Greenwich Village, Chelsea, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. Some who have children choose to live outside of the city where there's more of a residential atmosphere and affordable schooling options. If that's what you're looking for, check out Westchester County, Fairfield County (in neighbouring Connecticut) or New Jersey (south of New York).
Many apartments have either a doorman or an intercom at the entrance. Those without have double doors but if you’d prefer additional safety then good home security systems are available at reasonable prices and many include silent alarm features to call the police when you are not at home.
You should find the city easy to navigate. A lot of it is organised on a grid pattern, with avenues going from north to south and streets running from east to west. So if you’re driving, walking or using the subway, you'll get where you want to go comfortably.
There are more than 100 private schools to choose from in the New York area, including boarding schools. In Manhattan some private schools specialise in international curriculums and languages.
Getting around
Few people living in New York City have cars and for very good reason: parking is difficult and expensive, and there is a greater risk of car theft and break-ins than in most cities. Because of this, insurance rates are very high.
Cars are very useful and sometimes necessary in suburban areas, where parking and security are not such major problems and most accommodation comes with space for parking. Most New Yorkers working in Manhattan will commute by subway or bus unless they are within walking distance.
Be alert in whatever you do. When out on the streets walk with your head up and periodically check street signs to mark your location.