Pros and Cons of Living in New York

Many people dream of moving to New York one day. It's exciting just to think about living in a famous city that the rich and powerful call home and you can accomplish all of your dreams. However, there's a lot to consider before you pack your bags and move to The Big Apple, and we're here to help you out. These are the pros and cons of living in New York.

There are many benefits to moving to New York. For one, no matter where you live in the state, you'll always be a drive away from one of the biggest cities in the world, and there's a lot to see and do there. New York is also very diverse, so you'll meet many interesting people and get to sample various tasty cuisines from around the world. You'll also have access to great entertainment and plenty of superb sports teams.

However, just like any state, there are also many downsides to consider. The most significant is that the cost of living is extremely high. A one-bedroom in the city costs more than a mortgage in many other states. There's also the fact that many parts of New York are also very crowded and often quite loud.

To determine the pros and cons of living in New York, 24/7 Tempo consulted many different moving websites, including Redfin, and HousingAnywhere, and we also read input on Reddit and similar sites. We verified crime rates with US News. We think we've created a good list that will provide the necessary guidance. If you do decide to move to New York, you'll want to fit in and speak like the locals. For help, check out this list of the New York City slang no one else understands.

Perhaps one of the most exciting benefits of living in New York State is that you'll always be near the magnificent New York City. There's a certain sense of pride associated with living in or near one of the biggest and most important cities in the world, and you can boast about it every day. If you live near the city, you can go there to see shows, eat at fancy restaurants, and visit the tourist destinations whenever you please. If friends or family come to town, you can show them the amazing place that you call home.

If you plan to work and live in New York City, you'll need a good job and a steady income stream. As of 2022, the median price of owning a home in the city is $800,000. Renters are also in for a big surprise. The same data shows that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $4,600. You do have a chance of a more affordable rent or mortgage by moving outside of the city. There are homes in upstate New York that are much more affordable. However, you may be further away from necessary amenities.

While New York City is amazing on its own, the entire state of New York has tons of beauty to behold. Drive to the countryside during the winter and you can see an amazing landscape covered with snow. There are many natural wonders to see, including the Finger Lakes, the Adirondack Mountains, and the Howe Caverns. There are also various national parks in the state, such as Niagra Falls State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth State Park, and Chittenango State Park. You could spend years exploring all of the beauty and never get bored.

If you live in the city, expect to be bumping shoulders with your fellow city dwellers. As of the year 2020, there were about 9 million people living in the city and that doesn't include the thousands of tourists who visit the city every year. It can get so busy when you're walking around that it's often difficult for vehicles to drive through the crosswalks because there are so many people. The buildings are also close together, so you could hear people next door or walking on the streets. You'll likely get used to it but keep this in mind.

If you live outside of New York City, you'll likely need a car to get around as the state is very expensive. However, if you live in the city, there's a chance that you won't need a car at all. If you're hungry, bored, or want to visit a friend, chances are good that you will be able to walk there as everything is very close together. If you need to go to work or visit someone further away, you can take the train, a cab, or the subway. You won't need to pay for a car payment or maintenance.

In the case that you do decide to buy a car, either to commute to a job outside of the city or to avoid public transportation, realize that you'll likely need to contend with heavy traffic almost every moment of the day. The streets are often heavily populated with cars and cabs and people walking across the street that hold up traffic. Plus, the city often holds big events, so you'll likely have blocked streets which will require you to take detours. That's why most New Yorkers opt to not have a car at all.

For many generations, New York has been the landing spot of immigrants who come from other countries looking for a new life and a fresh start. That's an aspect of the state that hasn't changed. New York is very ethnically diverse. As of the 2020 census, 31% of the state is White, 29% is Hispanic, over 20% is Black or African American, and close to 16% of the population is Asian. It's great to see people from all over the world coming together. As an extra perk, all that diversity results in a wide variety of dining options.

You've likely seen the news footage that shows the city of New York and the state in general being covered by thick layers of snow. If you move to the state of NY, you should be ready for those cold winters. Like many colder places around the country, the winters often have temperatures of 50 degrees or lower during the day and temps well below freezing during the night. The summers may be hot and humid, but the winters are cold, so you'll want a coat and gloves. If you buy a home, you'll also need to winterize the property.

If you're moving to New York and you're job hunting, you have a good chance of success. The state of NY has plenty of the typical opportunities of other states, with banks, grocery stores, customer service jobs, and more that are always hiring. If you want more, head into the city, where, if you're qualified, you can work at some of the biggest companies in the world. You could work at Verizon, Deloitte, Peloton, and more. Most businesses know how expensive the city can be, which is why the average annual salary in the state is $80,000.

Once you've paid high costs for your housing, you'll find that you need to spend even more on taxes. New York is in the top 10 for highest property taxes in the nation. Then there's income tax and sales tax. Overall, New York has the third highest taxes in the country. The state of New York has a sales tax rate of 4%. However, when you purchase items in New York City, you'll get an additional tax of 4.5%. Add them together and you'll be paying a hefty sum for just about everything. Consider the high costs before you move.

One great aspect of living in New York that most people are aware of is that there is constant entertainment and something to do night and day. You can catch multiple Broadway shows, go to the many museums, see tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, eat great food, visit nightclubs, and more. Plus, there are always new events taking place in the city. There's always some band to see, a celebration to join, or a celebrity to gawk at as they roam the streets. You never know who you'll meet, and it's all quite exciting.

While living in New York State provides the average chance of crime, the closer you get to the city, the higher the potential for crime becomes. Recent numbers in 2022 show that the average rate of violent crime is higher than the national average. The average crime rate at that time was 744 crimes committed per 100,000 people. Some other big cities in the country have similar crime rates, while some, like Houston, actually have higher crime rates. While you won't be in constant danger, it's something to consider before you move.

If you're a foodie and you're thinking about living in New York, then you're in luck. Since New York is so diverse, there are many restaurants around the state that serve a variety of cuisines. You can travel around the city and try different meals. Head to Astoria for Greek food, get Latin-American treats in Bushwick, tacos in Sunset Park, and more. You'll even see vendors on the sidewalk that offer tasty meals. Of course, they also have delicious classics, like hotdogs and pizza.

New York City is a big place and so there's a lot of maintenance required to keep it in working order. That's part of the reason why the streets are often dirty, and sometimes, you may see rats and other vermin passing by. You won't see it everyday, but it is possible. If you're moving from a different city, this may not be so alarming. However, if you're moving from a smaller, residential neighborhood in another state, it may be a bit more shocking.

One of the great perks of living in New York is the huge variety of quality educational institutions. When it comes to higher education, NY has you covered with amazing schools like Columbia University, New York University, Baruch College, and Cornell University, among others. There are also many great middle and high schools for the younger kids. Some of the highlights include the Stuyvesant High School and the Bronx High School of Science. There are also over 1,400 public schools in the state, so there's a fit for everyone.

While the winters can be pretty cold, the summers can be hot and sticky. The average temperatures during the summer hover around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While that may not seem extremely hot, when you add in the humidity, it can be tough to bear. The heat can be especially overbearing if you work or visit some of the older buildings that retain the heat. If you move there, consider buying a dehumidifier to rid some of the humidity from your living space.

Finally, living in New York allows you to watch and root for many different sports teams. If basketball is your thing, you have the Knicks and Nets. Football fans can root for the New York Giants and the Jets. Baseball fanatics can sit down and watch the Mets or the Yankees. There are also many minor league teams and soccer teams to enjoy in the area. That's just the tip of the iceberg here. For more, check out this list of the most popular sports teams in New York.