Five things you need to know when you move to New York

Written by Shelley McKay

Moving to New York is a big deal; it’s exciting, scary, overwhelming, and amazing all rolled into one. Once you’ve accepted living on a movie set as part of your normal life, it’s time to take stock of the daily routine. Here are my top five things you should know when you’re settling in.

Upper East Side – Yorkville. Photo credit: Shelley McKay

1. The weather

As I write this, in January, there is a snowstorm raging outside my window and temperatures are plummeting to the low 20s. New York is a city of extremes. In July and August, prepare yourself for the heat and humidity. Get onto the subway or bus, and find yourself blasted with cold air from the air conditioners, which is pleasant at first but will soon turn arctic. During the winter months, it’s the exact opposite. Nothing can prepare you for the biting wind hurtling between skyscrapers. Take shelter on the bus or subway, but know that this time of year the heating will be cranked up and it will be stifling. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate that there is air conditioning and heating and don’t want to imagine a world without it. Just be advised that in summer you will go from hot to cold and in winter you will go from cold to hot all in the space of a few minutes.

Top tip: Invest in a good winter coat. It’s one of the first things I did.

2. IDNYC

One of the first things you should do when you arrive, is to get yourself the New York ID Card. There are many truly wonderful benefits, such as one year of free membership to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, and the American Museum of Natural History, to name a few. There are also various discounts that apply; my favorite is the 10 percent off at Modell’s Sporting Goods. Using your ID card is a great way to see some of the top tourist attractions for free, and get to know the city you now call home.

Top tip: Get your ID card linked to your New York Public Library account and you can use it to take out books.

3. Grocery shopping

I remember the first time I went grocery shopping in New York. I was amazed at how narrow the store aisles were and how frustrated I became when I couldn’t find the US equivalent to the items in my old hometown. I also realized that it is very rare to be able to get everything you need in one location and I often find that I need to visit at least three stores to fulfil my shopping list. Prices seem to vary greatly from shop to shop as well and with New York being such an expensive city, I am always trying to find the best deal. Cleaning products are in one location, good bread (without the added sugar) in another, and butter and milk somewhere else. At first, I wondered if it was just me being too pedantic. However, upon relating my story to a New Yorker of over 20 years, she stated that she had the same issue. Be prepared to shop around.

Top tip: My local grocery store has a special “international” section where they stock items from abroad. They are more expensive, but worth it if you’re looking for a taste of home.

4. Tipping

I always knew that New York, and the US in general, has a big tipping culture. I have no issue tipping for good service, but it feels like you are expected to tip for everything here. I live in a building with multiple doormen, porters, a superintendent, and a handyman. Little did I know that at the end of the year, it is customary to tip all of these people for the service they have provided you over the course of the year. In our first year, it was a minefield. How much should we tip? What if we don’t tip? I’d read stories online about services being denied to tenants who didn’t tip. My husband and I looked at each other in horror. So, we tip. We tip the friendly doormen more. If they are rude, they get less money. It sounds harsh, but when we only have one breadwinner in the family, we must be ruthless.

Top tip: If a restaurant suggests a recommended tip, check that the amount is based on the pre-sales tax figure. Some restaurants sneakily work the tip out on the final amount.

5. Getting a job

If anyone had told me how hard it was going to be to get a job, I would never have believed them. Before we arrived, I was so excited at the prospect of reinventing myself and being able to pick and choose whatever job I wanted. This is New York after all; the world is your oyster. Sadly, this is going to be one of the hardest challenges you will face. I am a year into my job search, perhaps a bit more worn down, but certainly wiser and more enthusiastic than ever about entering the workforce.

Top tip: Don’t take rejections personally and network as much as you can. In New York it’s all about who you know. This has been the single most important lesson I have learned since I arrived.

My final tip is to explore as much as you can, have fun, and make the most of living in one of the most amazing cities in the world! Welcome to New York.