Your Guide to Living and Working in New York City.
New York City, the city of flashing lights, is one of the most famous cities in the world and home to nearly 8.4 million+ people dispersed among the city’s five boroughs (Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens) with over 800 languages spoken. What makes it famous is its history, amazing culture, beautiful architecture, delicious food and drink, festivals, Broadway performances, and its people from all over the world.
You might already know that New York City is also called “The Big Apple.” But do you know why it’s called that?
Fun Fact: It’s not because New York state is America’s top apple grower (after the state of Washington). The nickname came from a connection with horseracing, coined by sports journalist John J Fitz Gerald about New York being the biggest and best track to win at. Later, the term was adopted by jazz musicians that indicated that NYC was home to big-league music clubs. “There are many apples on a tree, but only one big apple —New York.”
Getting around New York City
In the city that’s made for everyone, there are tons to see and do. So here are a few ways to help you get around in the city that never sleeps.
- Walking
- MTA Subways and Buses – Start planning your trip
- Taxis
- Ferry
- Bike – See the guide to biking in the city
- Uber
- Lyft
- Zipcar – Find nearby parking spaces
Things to experience during your time in New York City.
With a city filled with a heap of free things to do, awesome viewpoints and a ton of hidden gems, it’s hard to choose what to do first. Here are just some activities to get you started, plus a few picks from Sadè Garcia and Tim Patch, our resident New Yorkers.
- NEW! Skylight – a light, immersive exhibit – Hudson Yards
- Mannahatta Park
- Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
- American Museum of Natural History
- Broadway
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Bronx Zoo
- Apollo Theater
- Coney Island
Check out Trilllist for more things to do
Top Free Things To Do in New York City
- Central City
- Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Bryant Park
- Grand Central Terminal
- New York Public Library
- Walk along the High Line
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Sled the hills of Governors Island
Check out more free things to do in NYC
Cool Neighborhoods to visit
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Best neighborhood for museums, and only minutes away from the downtown scene.
Jackson Heights, Queens
Best neighborhood for traveling internationally without a passport.
Tim’s picks
There are many different neighborhoods in the five boroughs, and they all have something special to offer. If you aren’t sure where to start, I’d suggest starting in Brooklyn – specifically Williamsburg and Greenpoint – followed by a trip just north to Queens.
Williamsburg –
In Williamsburg, browse the latest wares from trend-setting makers at Artist & Fleas or the local boutiques along Bedford Ave. Bowl a few frames while listening to a concert at Brooklyn Bowl.
Greenpoint –
Make your way to Greenpoint for a relaxing day in McCarren Park or explore the underground music scene at one of my personal favorite music venues, Saint Vitus. Cross the Newton Creek into Queens to check out MoMA PS1, the Museum of Modern Art’s offshoot for experimental art.
Places to Eat in New York City
Check out these new up-and-coming spots mixed in with a few classics.
- Bonnie’s – Williamsburg
- Zou Zou’s – Manhattan West
- Soothr – East Village
- Chick Chick – Upper East Side
- Golden Diner – Two Bridges
- Cafe Erzulie – Brooklyn
- Birria-Landia – Jackson Heights
Sadè’s Favorites 
- Carmines
- Blend NYC
- Famous Famiglia Pizzeria
- Los Tacos No. 1
Tim’s Coffee Spots
These are some of my favorite places to grab a coffee in the city.
- The Blue Bottle Coffee cart on the Highline. Chelsea, Manhattan. Blue Bottle Coffee has several retail locations in the city, but this is my favorite. Order yourself a New Orleans-style iced coffee, find a seat for people-watching or meander through the mix of greenery and modern architecture along the parkway.
- Russ & Daughters. Lower East Side, Manhattan. Try an iconic NY breakfast of coffee, bagels, and lox (salmon) or some fresh baked bialys, babka, or rugelach. You won’t be disappointed with whatever you order!
- Saturdays, NYC. Lower Manhattan. Give your feet (and wallet) a rest from shopping in Soho to pick up a cortado in this cafe/surf shop combo. Take a breather in their backyard before hitting the pavement once again.
- June. Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. A great date spot for weekend brunch or late-night dinner. The restaurant has one of the most charming interiors in Brooklyn. Its cozy back patio opens in warmer weather. The neighborhood is a good spot for low-key celebrity sightings, too.
Check out the full list of best restaurants in NYC
How to find a place to live
Before you start apartment hunting, learn about the local rental market. Make sure you know the average rent in New York to get your budget started!
Average Rent in New York
- Studio apartment – $3,237
- 1-bedroom apartment – $3,805
- 2-bedroom apartment – $5,748
Consider these resources to help your apartment search:
- Apartment List
- StreetEasy
- Zillow
- Intern Housing NYC
- Roomi
- Join a New York City Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets group on Facebook
If you need help setting a rent budget, just use our rent calculator. If you find your budget limiting, consider renting with a roommate.
Read more about the cost of living in New York to help you start planning
Tips and Tricks to Thriving in New York City
You can get more done in a day in New York than almost anywhere else in the world. Here are a few tips and tricks that help.
- Buy a MetroCard! – Highly recommended
- Download Citymapper or the New York Subway MTA Map to help you get oriented in the city.
- Places to order food from:
Tim’s commuting tips
Commuting to and from work or a destination with friends is a huge part of daily life in New York City. A few essential items prepared me for whatever my commute had in store.
Offline city maps – Odds are one of your main modes of transportation around NYC will be the subway. Navigating the five boroughs can be daunting. Apps like the free New York Subway MTA Map are key to getting you from A to B, then C, D, and E. Pro tip: Turn notifications on so you’re up to date when, inevitably, the line you need closes or changes routes.
Pocket umbrella – This one might sound lame, but hear me out. Nothing made me feel more like a proper New Yorker than making an effortless transition from the subway into a torrential downpour, and I could speed past folks waiting in line to buy flimsy umbrellas from nearby street vendors 💪.
E-Reader – You never really know how long your commute will be. Parts of the subway system are over 100 years old, so things break, like, a lot. Many mornings, my Kindle came in handy as I waited for the MTA to put out a track fire or fix a broken signal. Pro tip: Investing in an e-reader or tablet instead of physical books can save you precious space in your apartment.
Noise-canceling headphones – Riding the subway can be a loud experience. I carved out some quiet(er) time for myself on my commute by listening to music or podcasts with noise-canceling headphones. They even helped me meditate in cars full of people. Just remember to pay extra attention while crossing the street!
The Ultimate Guide to NYC — Designed by You
Not sure if you want to live in New York City just yet?
Well, sit down and get comfortable. This ultimate interactive guide allows you to choose experiences that appear on your screen, designing a path that’s just for you giving you a taste of the Big Apple.
https://video.eko.com/shows/60-second-cities-the-world-your-way/the-ultimate-guide-to-nyc-designed-by-you/
Working in New York City
There’s a reason why New York City is the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Because those career dreams can be found all over.
In Bullseye powered by Handshake, New York City on one of the top cities for:
- Non-Profit
- Internet & Software
- K-12 Education
- Accounting
- Healthcare
America’s Best Employers
Every year, Glassdoor releases the best employers to work for in America, according to their employees. Here are the top-ranked large companies that have an office in New York City.
- Bain & Company – Ranked #3
- eXp Realty – Ranked #4
- Box – Ranked #5
- Boston Consulting Group – Ranked #6
- Google – Ranked #7
- Salesforce – Ranked #10
- 6sense – Ranked #3 (small & medium size companies)
https://careerdesignstudio.buffalo.edu/blog/2022/02/14/glassdoors-best-places-to-work-2022/
Where can I find a job or internship in New York City?
Interstride
Select “United States” in the Country dropdown menu, then enter “New York” in the “State” and the “City” textbox.
Bullseye powered by Handshake
Update your Bullseye powered by Handshake profile and set “New York City” you’re interested in working, both now and in the future! Plus, this helps employers find you and get better job/internship recommendations.
💡 Pro Tip: Add to your profile bio you’re open to relocating!
Here is a list of employers hiring for full-time jobs and internships right now in Bullseye powered by Handshake:
- Pfizer 🌎
- Deloitte 🌎
- NYC Department of Education (DOE)
- Prudential Financial – Handshake Early Talent Award Winner
- Harlem Children’s Zone
- ViacomCBS
- ARUP
- NBCUniversal
- Horizon Media, Inc.
- Mount Sinai Health System 🌎
- Aptivio 🌎-Learn more about Aptivio
- Register for their info session on March 1
🌎 The International student-friendly companies that currently or in the past have met one of the following employer requirements:
- Accepts OPT/CPT work authorization
- Willing to sponsor US work visa
- Doesn’t require US work authorization
Browse more employers looking to hire now in NYC
How to grow your professional network
So you don’t have to take our word for it. Talk to UB alumni who are or have lived and worked in New York City. They can give you advice on moving, tips on where to start looking for a job, and everything in between. Start looking for alums in the UB Alumni New York City and Long Island group on LinkedIn.
Next Steps:
If you’re considering moving to New York City, here are a few things you can do:
- Update your Bullseye powered by Handshake profile and add New York City as a location you’re interested in moving to. This helps employers find you and message you about the roles you want.
- Add to your Bullseye powered by Handshake profile bio you’re open to relocate!, especially to Toronto. Employers look at bios often, and it helps make your profile stand out.
Live + Work Series: Toronto | Buffalo | Singapore | Philadelphia
