New York City—America’s cultural and financial capital and the Big Apple—is a place full of wonders and attractions to fill your life with diverse experiences. Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island all have something unique to offer. While there’s no doubt that New York City can be an exciting place to live, it also comes with its large share of cons. Here are all the real pros and cons of living in New York City that you should consider before moving there.
Pros of Living in NYC
- Exciting Career Opportunities
With America’s financial capital standing in the heart of the city, New York City is home to many corporate headquarters and international organizations. Finding an exciting career opportunity may not be a difficult task for those who are familiar with the industry or have the right education.
- Diverse Culture
Living in NYC will introduce you to people from all over the world, who bring with them their cultures, languages, and cuisines. Your atmosphere will be full of diversity and excitement, allowing you to make the most of your time here.
- Shopping and Entertainment Scene
New York City is the epicenter of shopping, nightlife and extravagant entertainment. Be it prestigious shows at Broadway, thrilling night clubs, exclusive comedy clubs, and world-famous fashion boutiques, you name it and NYC will have it.
- Vibrant Food Scene
New York City’s food scene is phenomenal, and it’s virtually impossible to not find the dish of your choice here. To give a few examples, NYC is home to some of the world’s most renowned pizza shops, delis, bagel shops, bistros, taco joints, and much more.
- Best Location and Transportation
From the bustling Times Square to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, New York City is home to many of America’s most famous landmarks. The city is also well connected with a reliable, easy to use and extensive transit system.
Cons of Living in NYC
- Expensive Real Estate
Living in NYC means facing some of the nation’s most pricey real estate, and this includes buying or renting an apartment. Owning an apartment in the much desired Manhattan would require substantial savings.
- High Taxes
New York City’s local and state taxes are not friendly to the middle-class citizens and can easily burn a hole in your pocket. The taxes in NYC are the highest in the whole country so it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
- Growing Crime Rates
Crime rates of some boroughs in NYC have been gradually increasing over the years, with robberies and shootings being a horrifying reality. Although the city has been making a push to improve its safety, crime still remains a concern.
- Traffic and Pollution
The number of cars and commuting individuals has been steadily rising, leading to congested streets and toxic air quality. The air quality in the city is monitored and is known to be severely below the national standards more often than not.
- Housing and Living Expenses
The extreme cost of living in New York can be unbelievable, and keeping up with the trend of the lifestyles of the Big Apple can be tough. Monthly living expenses can include rent, electricity, internet, transportation, and food, and depending on how and where you live, expenses can easily add up.
New York City is known for its vibrant culture and career opportunities, which can appeal to many and make them want to move here. Despite its great advantages, NYC does come with certain cons that may or may not be deal-breakers for some when it comes to living in this city. It is necessary to clearly outline and analyze all the pros and cons of living in NYC before taking the plunge and making a decision.
