Having lived in NYC as a student for the past four years, I have come to deeply appreciate the perks of living and studying in this city that never sleeps. These are things that I never thought of when I was deliberating on where to pursue my schooling four years ago. Here are my 8 perks of living in New York City:
1. There’s always something to do
The City that Never Sleeps. The Empire State. The Capital of the World. The Big Apple. New York City has many names and dull is not one of them.
The city offers an endless list of fun attractions, events, and sights all year long. In the summer, there are free concerts and movie showings in public parks. Numerous events such as Electric Zoo (New York’s Premiere Electronic Musical Festival), Governor’s Ball, and the US Open take place. In the Fall, a stroll through Central Park to enjoy the changing foliage is truly breathtaking. Then in Winter, the multitude of Christmas-themed events such as Bryant Park’s Winter Village and Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting allows you to indulge in the holiday spirit. In the Spring, the blossoming Cherry Blossoms in Central Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are worth viewing as the warm weather returns to the city. These are just a few of the countless things that New Yorkers have to look forward to each upcoming season.
As a student, it’s great to know that I can enjoy plenty of exciting things to do on a budget and for free. When I first moved into the city to begin school, my upperclassmen recommended the Skint – weekly newsletters, which details free and budget-friendly activities that are going on in the city that week. I’ve been a long-time subscriber of the Skint and appreciated all the budget-friendly and free activities that they notify subscribers about.
Even if you do not have plans for the weekend, simply walking outside is an adventure itself. There is so much to see, do, and eat just by taking a stroll through the city.
2. Diversity in culture and food
New York’s melting pot has brought together a wonderful diversity of ethnic groups. Consequently, the city is a mosaic of rich cultures and cuisines. No matter what you are craving, you will find it in this concrete jungle.
A place that I frequent often is Koreatown, which occupies streets between 5th and 6th Avenues and 31st to 33rd streets with delicious restaurants. It is compact but offers a rich and diverse Korean culinary experience that offers anything from delicious all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque to colorful shaved ice topped with mounds of mango.
Chinatown in Lower Manhattan is densely packed with bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants. There are places selling delicious Shanghainese soup dumplings, BBQ pork buns, and 5 pieces of dumplings for just $1.75.
Nearby is Little Italy where streets offer endless options to feast. In Harlem, you can delight in soul food such as Sylvia’s Restaurant and Red Rooster. Discover hidden gems in St. Marks Place such as the Spot Dessert Bar.
3. Discounts
There’s a wealth of places offering student and corporate discounts. Make sure to check out what your institution or company offers – for example, some of the latest discounts I get are 10-15% off of restaurants near my school. I also get discounted US Open and Broadway tickets, to name a few things.
At certain museums, if you show a student ID from any institution then you get a discount. The Metropolitan Museum student ticket is $12 (compared to the original $25). You can check out a list of NYC Museums that offer free and discounted student tickets here:
4. Dress to express
In NYC, you can feel comfortable dressing up or dressing down. Got those loud pair of pants that have been hiding in your closet? Whip out a statement piece and you’ll be strutting down the city’s streets like it’s your own catwalk.
5. Your favorite artist will actually come to the city
Whether your favorite artist is well known or little known, you may snag a chance to see them at an event or concert. With over 8 million people in NYC, it’s a no-brainer to have the city on an artist’s tour list. I’ve really enjoyed watching some up-and-coming singers that I discovered on Spotify, as well as catching popular artists such as Pharrell and Elton John at free concerts in Central Park. One of the highlights this summer has been watching my favorite comedian, Ali Wong, on her Milk and Honey Tour.
6. Shopping
The city offers seemingly infinite opportunities to shop. From famous department stores to trendy thrift shops, you’ll find something to satisfy your retail pleasure and manifest your fashion style. Looking for books? Visit the multitude of independent bookstores including The Strand. Looking for manga? Check out the Kinokuniya. If you are looking for something, it is likely that you will find it in NYC.
7. Your friend will want to visit you even more
NYC can be an expensive place to visit. But now that you’re that friend that lives in NYC…it means a free place to crash. I’ve enjoyed having a steady stream of friends who have crashed at my place over the years – it’s been a great opportunity to stay connected to friends from all stages of life.
8. Buy Nothing’ FB Groups, Marketplace, and Craiglist
Having a limited budget may hinder you from getting the items and furniture you want. However, there are a lot of people constantly moving into and out of the city and are looking to part way with their belongings. See if there’s a ‘Buy Nothing’ group in your neighborhood – individuals will give away items for free or you can post an ISO. In the group I am part of, I’ve seen people give away a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer, concert tickets, and more.
To furnish my apartment on a budget, I’ve heavily used Facebook Marketplace where there is a plethora of furniture, tickets, books, clothing, and more.
9. Plethora of ways to get around
NYC is truly a gem of a city, as it offers a multitude of ways to get around. Public transportation may be old but you cannot deny that the MTA subway and bus get the job done. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the subway is truly a reliable and cheap way of getting around the city. If mass transit isn’t your thing then taxi cabs are abundant and Uber/Lyft can be called and often show up in less than 5 minutes. You can read more about getting around in NYC here:
10. Art and Music
Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Lion King…these are a few of the many Broadway shows you can see in NYC. Regarded as the highest caliber of professional theater in the English-speaking world, Broadway boasts 40 theaters in New York City’s Midtown. Living in a city with an opportunity to see the greatest theatrical performances is truly a blessing.
The Lincoln Center houses internationally renowned art organizations including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballet.
For more underground or intimate types of musical experiences, you can check out organizations such as Groupmuse and SoFarSound. You can check out my recent review of SoFarSound here:
What are some perks of NYC that you love? Share them in the comments below – I’d love to hear them!
