What is moving to and living in New York like?
Many people dream of living in New York. But what is it really like to move here? To build a new life in this popular expat city?
In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad. I want to share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about the city and country the expat lives in.
I’m excited to share some expat advice on life in New York!
Expat Life in New York City, USA
Name: Yasmin Love Interlandi
Age: 26
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Her Story:
“I’ve always had a passion for traveling and living life outside of my comfort zone.
My father moved to Istanbul, Turkey when I was 12 years old. I used to visit him in the summer months and became comfortable traveling long distances by myself from a young age.
When I turned 19, I participated in Walt Disney World’s International College Program, in Florida for three months. During this time, I lived with a girl from Long Island, and after our program finished, I went to stay with her while she was living in New York, which is when I met Anthony for the first time.
Flash forward five and a half years; there’s been a long-distance relationship, a successful K1 Fiance Visa, a marriage, and a new life in New York City.”
Why Did You Move to New York?
“I’ve always been fascinated with New York ever since I was a little girl, so it was a dream come true when I actually got to move to New York!
My husband and I live on Long Island now, about a 45-minute train ride from Manhattan. We chose this area as my husband was brought up in this area.
We wanted to live close to his side of the family, as all of my family still lives in Scotland.”
Also Read: Things to Know Before Moving to New York
What Do You Like About Living in New York?
“New York is such an amazing place to live. There is always something happening.
Living so close to Manhattan gives you access to a variety of tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and museums.
The career opportunities in Manhattan are also more extensive than in Scotland. I work in Marketing, so it’s very exciting to have a range of companies to choose from, with a lot of the big-name brands being headquartered in NY.
Long Island specifically I find an absolutely beautiful place to live, and such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
We live 5-10 minutes from multiple beaches and during the summer months it’s the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather.
The weather in New York, in my opinion, is perfect because you get definitive seasons. The winter is very cold but you get rewarded with a really warm summer, which is so different from Scotland, as we get a lot of rain there.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in New York?
“New York State is one of the most expensive states in the USA, so you have to be prepared for that if and when you move here.
What life in New York would cost for you of course depends on your lifestyle, and where in NYC you choose to live. But to get an idea of the cost of living in New York, check out Numbeo.com. I find their data quite useful, also to compare it to the cost of living in other places.
Another dislike is that there are A LOT of people living in New York City, and with that comes a lot of traffic. The amount of cars that are on the road here is crazy! Even on the weekends there is always some element of congestion which can be pretty frustrating.
Oh and also, moving from Scotland to New York meant that I gave up the right to good quality chocolate; the chocolate in the US definitely doesn’t compare!”
Is New York Safe as a City to Live in?
”Yes, I personally feel safe living in New York.
Like any big city, some neighborhoods are safer than others, and you learn quickly which areas to avoid late at night. But overall, it’s not the scary, chaotic place some people might imagine from watching movies or reading the news.
Most of the neighborhoods where people actually live and work, especially in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and parts of Queens, are lively and well-patrolled.
I take the subway often, even in the evening, and haven’t had any issues. Of course, I stay alert, especially in less crowded stations or if I’m walking alone late at night, but that’s just common sense in any major city.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in New York?
“During the summer months, my favorite thing to do is go to the beach.
As I said we have so many beaches that are close to us, for example Long Beach and Jones Beach.
There are also a variety of breweries, beach clubs, and wineries on Long Island, which make for a great day out.
Or I hop on the train into Manhattan to explore places such as Greenwich Village, Central Park, Times Square, etc.
The list goes on and on, you could spend weeks in the city and still have loads to see and do.”
Also Read: New York on a Budget – An Insider’s Guide to Things to Do in NYC
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in New York?
“That’s a really tough question as there are so many.
I love the Stone Street Tavern in the financial district of Manhattan as it’s got a great atmosphere and outside seating for those warmer days.
On Long Island you have Rockville Centre, which has a multitude of bars and restaurants to suit any kind of craving!
In the summer, the Nautical Mile is great as they have loads of waterfront bars/clubs and really great places to eat such as Hibiscus at Elliot’s.”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in New York?
“There are a lot of expats in New York.
I would recommend joining Internations.org as they organize a lot of NYC expat events, which give you the opportunity to meet others in similar situations.
As an expat in New York it is really easy to meet people. Meetup.com is also a very useful platform to meet people, both Americans and expats, and join fun activities throughout the city.
In general, there is a huge international community in New York City as it’s such a melting pot of cultures. But, I’ve yet to meet another Scottish person!”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in New York?
“If you’re coming to America through a fiancé/spouse visa make sure that you do a lot of reading and research about what it entails. It will make the process a lot easier for you if you understand all the steps.
We have completed all of my immigration processes without the use of an attorney or agency!
Life in New York City is very fast-paced and can be overwhelming at times. But despite what you may hear sometimes, New Yorkers are really pleasant and helpful people, so if you get lost – just ask for help!
Looking for a place to rent will also be quite tough – prices and competition are quite high! You may want to find something temporary first, before committing to a longer-term contract.
As said previously, prepare yourself for the elevated cost of living if you’re coming from a relatively low-cost country.
Finally, BE YOURSELF and have fun. It’s a great place to live and if you’re fortunate enough to move to New York – enjoy every minute of it!”
Also Read: Things to Know Before Moving to New York
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a Life in New York?
”Yes, I’ve found these websites very helpful:
- VisaJourney: An immigration community for those moving to the USA through various visa routes.
- Travel.State.Gov: The official US Department of State website where you can find a wealth of information on the various visa processes.
- NY.Gov: A fantastic resource for those of you who are moving to New York.
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in New York?
“Other than what I’ve already mentioned, I’d say the view of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock observation deck is a must and I’d also recommend going to see the skyline of the city from New Jersey!
If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then Junior’s Bakery is definitely worth a visit, they have without a doubt the best cheesecake and chocolate fudge cake. There is one on 45th Street and 49th Street in NYC as well as the original one in Brooklyn.”
Also Read: New York on a Budget – An Insider’s Guide to Things to Do in NYC
About Yasmin – Expat in New York
Yasmin is a Scottish 26-year-old who followed her heart to New York to marry her American citizen husband.
On her blog Yaztalksalot Yasmin shares stories about her life in New York after moving here from the UK.
She gives insight into the entire immigration process and life as an expat in the USA.
About New York City
New York City, with a population of approximately 8 million, is the most populous city in the United States of America.
The city comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial, and cultural centers.
New York City is a center for media, culture, food, fashion, art, research, finance, and trade.
It has one of the largest and most famous skylines in the world, dominated by the iconic Empire State Building.
Other world famous places not to miss in New York are Central Park, Times Square, and Broadway theater.
New York City, the “City That Never Sleeps” is intense and unique. NYC is loved by both tourists and expats, and a city you have to visit at least once in your life!
Also read:
- Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Such a Great Experience
- Moving to New York – Things You Need to Know
- An Insider’s Guide to Things to Do in NYC on a Budget
- Planning the Perfect Christmas in New York
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Great post. I have also recently moved to NY with my husband. I couldnt find a group on meetup or facebook for other expat partners so i have decided to create one. If you have moved to NY or even NJ with your partner and need a community please do join this facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/183876449358724/
I appreciate the advice from Yazmin right on the spot about NYC… NY has a lot more to offer as well and share for other expats to see.
First of all I love this series. Also, I love how people can pack and move to another country. Wish I had that in me. New York is such a beautiful city and I agree very expensive
Great series, we can learn a lot about a place by reading your Ask An Expat posts. It is always interesting to get an a local/not so local perspective. The information about the immigration process is really valuable in this post
I am always very impressed by those who are able to up sticks and move somewhere far from home. So much excitement yes but also far from loved ones and everything familiar. I think in some ways NY would be harder because we Brits think we know it through decades of TV but actually the culture of the US is different to our own. Yasmin’s comment about the chocolate did make me laugh though! I often tease American friends about their awful chocolate (tongue in cheek because British mass market chocolate is dire too but in a different way). But there are some incredible small batch bean to bar makers in the US these days! Interesting to read about the beach, I never really thought about the beaches of NY State and I bet they are wonderful in summer.
I appreciate the advice from Yazmin right on the spot about NYC… NY has a lot more to offer as well and share for other expats to see.
Maybe you should put living in NYC or Manhattan or in her case Long Island…I am sure Yasmin will agree with me that in her town is a bunch of other amazing stuff.. I will invite you to try to do a special research in NY and go out of Manhattan and see NY from other view.
Let me know if you want to do a road trip.
Enjoy your day!!!
It must be interesting to live an expats life and having a community of their own. And being an expat in New york seems a bit challenging yet exciting. Adjusting to the fast pace, high costs, traffic and crowds could be difficult.
I really REALLY like series of yours ‘Ask An Expat’. It is always so much fun to know about these globetrotters.
Great post!
It’s funny because many people don’t consider living in Long Island as living in New York. It’s like if it isn’t the boroughs (not including Staten Island) it’s not the real NY
Even I dream of moving to New York. Thanks to your post, now I strongly feel that I should really make an effort of spending at least a couple of months here for a work assignment.
Great post!
Noted some of your favourite places like the Stone Street Tavern for future reference 🙂