No matter where you come from, living in New York City can be a big change. But New York isn't all Times Square and flashing lights, it's also quiet tree-lined streets and tight-knit communities. The city is made up of five boroughs – Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Within each one there are countless neighborhoods, each with their own unique character and lifestyle.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous borough and is known for its neighborhoods and numerous cultural and recreational attractions including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park, and Coney Island.
Bronx
The Bronx is a diverse and exciting community with over 60 landmarks and historical districts, including Yankee Stadium, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Bronx Zoo, as well as miles of parks and public lands.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the most densely populated borough in the country and home to the city’s iconic skyscrapers, Wall Street, Central Park, and cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History.
Queens
Queens is the largest and most ethnically diverse borough in New York City. Its residents speak over 125 different languages and it is a destination spot for some of the best ethnic dining in the city. Cultural and recreational attractions such as the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, Flushing Meadow-Corona Park (home of the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament), and Citi Field draw many people to Queens.
Staten Island
Staten Island is the third largest, but least populated of the five boroughs. It is connected to Brooklyn via the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and to Manhattan via the free Staten Island Ferry. The borough is home to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, and the Staten Island Yankees minor league team.
Nearby Communities
Many people choose to live nearby, but outside of the five boroughs of New York City. There are a number of areas that are supported by transportation systems that allow for easy commuting to work in New York City, including
- New York State (north of NYC): Westchester and Rockland counties
- New Jersey (west of NYC): Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties
- Long Island (east of NYC): Nassau and Suffolk counties
One of the most daunting parts of relocating to a new city to start a new job is finding a place to live. We’ve put together a list of things you should consider and common questions about housing in the city
Here are other resources we've compiled to help you learn more about living in the New York City area, including information on the cost of living, banking, and transportation.