New York City continues to enjoy the greatest level of fame. Finding someone who has never heard of The Big Apple would be challenging.
Over 8 million people now live in New York. Additionally, a New York moving company’s records show that number is increasing annually. And it’s not surprising that some tales about this wonderful city have traveled widely given its expansion and notoriety.
Consequently, we will discuss urban myths in this post. Of course, there may be some instances where these assertions are supported by facts. But most of the time, they are blatantly false. And pop culture is primarily to blame for them. You may read some of the most well-known and persistent urban legends about New York City on this page.
For individuals who have never been to New York or are considering moving there, it aims to provide light on the reality. Without further ado, let’s look at some common misconceptions regarding living in New York City.
The Cost of Living Is Exorbitant
There is a widespread belief in rural communities that city living is prohibitively expensive. Many people think they wouldn’t be able to afford to live in the city even if they made a lot greater pay there. You may spend $100 on brunch or $20 on a beverage in New York City. Then there are the theater and museum tickets. Which are more expensive here than they are just much anywhere else in the United States.
Living in New York without becoming bankrupt is doable, though. There are always things you can do for nothing. There will always be free activities like concerts, and movie evenings in the park. And free museum nights that occasionally happen in New York. A cup of coffee or groceries won’t cost much more in the outer borough than they would elsewhere, as you’ll discover if you go there.
Gourmet eating establishments, renowned chain restaurants, and stores like Whole Foods are exceedingly pricey in New York. You do not have to spend money there, though. Living in New York doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive if you do your research and create a sensible budget. New York is also one of the best cities for finding inexpensive food. For instance, the city is dotted with restaurants that serve dollar-slice pizza. There are a ton of fantastic hot dogs, gyro, and dumpling stands.
Rental Rates for Apartments
Even while there are ways to cut costs when buying food, renting a house is a little bit more difficult. People who hire movers in Queens for a move to New York are frequently forewarned about the high cost of housing in the city. However, even if you are forewarned, the cost could still shock you. You must therefore use particular caution when looking for an apartment. Because if you’re not careful, you can find yourself paying more than $2000 for a studio apartment even in the city’s more affordable districts.
Manhattan in New York
Many people just consider Manhattan when they hear the words “New York City.”
However, only around 1.5 million of Manhattan’s 8 million citizens live there.
In reality, New York is divided into five distinct boroughs, each with its unique subculture. Therefore, if you intend to relocate to New York, you must select the ideal NYC area.
Just to be clear, no, there is no view of the Statue of Liberty from anywhere in New York.
For the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this might be true, but it’s pure fantasy when it comes to New York.
New York Is an Environmental Catastrophe
If you’ve ever visited New York, you probably observed that it’s not a particularly green city. There are towering skyscrapers everywhere you turn.
Given how much cement there is, it is understandable why the city has the moniker “concrete jungle”. However, New York can now claim to be an environmentally conscious city as a result of recent government initiatives. To begin with, the subway system is now accessible to the majority of the city. Which will aid in the resolution of New York’s significant traffic issue.
Additionally, there are steps to combat climate change. One of the many initiatives is to whiten the rooftops of New York. That will lessen how much sunlight they absorb. Which helps to cool the city.
Additionally, there are fees associated with upgrading inefficient older buildings. The Empire State Building, for instance, will significantly reduce its carbon footprint after renovation. Of course, New York has environmental issues, just like every other big city does. But it might be overstated to label it a catastrophe.
New York City Poses a Threat
The idea that New York City is a dangerous place is one of the city’s most pervasive urban myths. It has likely existed for a long time.
Whether this report is true or not, it’s not as horrible as you may assume. Is there a major metropolis somewhere in the world without crime? New York is more hazardous than it should be, just like any other big city. Furthermore, it is undoubtedly riskier than both the locals and the government want it to be. It is not, however, more dangerous than any other major American metropolis. So, one of the urban legends about living in New York is that it’s unsafe.
We can say that New York might be a lot safer than several US cities that are not half as big. This is because of some recent policies. For instance, while being much smaller, Chicago and Detroit have much greater crime and murder rates than NY. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to categorize New York as an unsafe city. If you are looking for safety in a broad sense. However, have in mind that when relocating to NY, individuals typically opt for safer neighborhoods.
The Most Incorrect of All Urban Legends About New York Is That It Never Sleeps
The City that Never Sleeps is another moniker for New York. In addition to The Big Apple and Empire City.
Even if New York City is livelier than many other cities, it could not be a city that never sleeps. Poorer neighborhoods do slumber at night. As anyone who has ever been stuck in one of the outer boroughs can attest.
Small businesses are never open late. This indicates that there are no restaurants, liquor stores, or mini-marts nearby. Furthermore, even some of the busiest tourist destinations, like Times Square, shut down their attractions for the day at some point. And your options become much more limited if you visit some of the less well-known locations.
There Is Enough to Do in NYC Even Though Many Venues Close at Night
After reading the above section, you shouldn’t naturally conclude that there isn’t anything to do in New York.
If you’ve ever visited, you know that there are so many alternatives available in New York City. So much that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
When visiting New York, there are countless things to engage in. The nicest part is that there is something to suit everyone’s preferences. You can check out some of the famous eateries, visit Times Square, or attend a Yankees game. You might also visit Chinatown to shop or the Statue of Liberty’s summit.