Great walking city

One phrase not in New Yorkers' vocabulary is: You can't get there from here. And unless there is LaGuardia Airport, you can probably make it there on foot.

Though it might be exhausting and physically uncomfortable (read: blisters) for a while, walking in New York is an unavoidable mode of transportation. It's also the best urban education you can get.

Cost of Living

We're not going to lie to you. New York City is one of the pricier places in the world and definitely in the country. Real estate rental and sales is high. Really, really high!

That's what happens when you have 8 million people trying to live in such a fabulous but compact area. Blame it on the water. There's usually nowhere to go but up. And with a finite supply of housing that means prices like dear new luxury towers soar sky-high.The real-estate exchange rate is rough. So unless you're moving from London, get ready for some serious sticker-shock.

What's New in New York

Take a spin—or a stroll—around New York City these days and you’d hardly know the country is in the grip of a legitimate recession. The streets are still jammed with careening cabs; the sidewalks are still packed with tourists and the locals who love to loathe them; and the bars are certainly still bumping. So what’s changed? For one, New York City is actually getting cheaper. You might still end up paying $12 for a to-go Midtown salad, but if you know where to look, the deals are out there on everything from rents to roach traps. Alright, subway fare did jump 25 cents, but what can you do?

Where to Use the Bathroom

Laugh if you want, but finding a decent relief station on the streets of New York ain't easy! Of course this is one of those things that you never really consider until it becomes a, well, urgent issue.

You'll see a lot of signs that say, Restrooms are for customers only in New York City. And public bathrooms? Ugh! Sure, there are some for critical emergencies, such as those in parks, but you might as well use a port-a-potty at a concert. Yuck Yuck.

Is NYC safe?

As you are traveling about the city, it will probably seem aggressive. And it can be. But it's also quite safe, despite some of dangers atypical and typical of a big city.
Atypical dangers have much to do with the mere congestion of NYC. Everyone is fighting for a small space in the hustle bustle of the city, and almost everyone seems to be in a hurry. Jaywalking is something of a regional pastime for New Yorkers.

Greatest City in World

While NYC may be difficult and frustrating at times, we at BestFriend NY agree with most New Yorkers that this is the greatest city in the world. Why? NYC offers more energy, more fun, more people like you, more career opportunities, more character building experiences, more interesting dinner conversations, more of everything, than most any other city in the world!

Throughout this welcome guide, and throughout our companion online resource center, we strive to warn you of any potential pitfalls, so that you will come to love it NYC as much as we do, as soon as possible.

Cabs

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Thanks!

The BFNY Team

Local vs. Express

In theory, it's a simple idea. Local trains make every stop along their line. Express trains stop at only select stations-usually the bigger ones.

But, of course, transit rules are made to be broken. The New York subway system is like an alphabet in which any letter can switch from vowel to consonant with or without warning.

Bus & Subway

The good old MTA. Chances are, unless you're raking in the bank, you'll be getting to know the subway and/or bus system better than your boss's lunch schedule. Give it a few weeks and you'll even figure out where to stand on the platform so the train drops you closest to the stairs at your destination. Trust me.I know lots of people who could technically afford to take a cab or drive to work. But for most it's just easier (and more cost-effective) to jump on a train or bus. So start studying the map. The MTA has a pretty handy Web site. But if it all looks a little daunting, try HopStop.com. That site will will give you a step-by step route from point A to point B. You can even plug in the time of day so it can take into account service changes!

How to not look like a tourist

New York is always pitched as the quintessential melting pot and it is. Languages, cultures, cuisines, backgrounds and religions of all kinds thrive here. But there is one common denominator, one singular similarity about everyone here: everyone's a New Yorker.

So the best way to get around with the least hassle is to blend in with the rest of the crowd. As you can read in "Is New York City SAFE? it is safe around here. But just knowing some of the mysterious unwritten laws of NY can make it a much more gratifying experience.