NYC Lifestyle

NYC lifestyle is fast-paced and busy, but it’s really a mix of different routines, neighborhoods, and experiences, not just one constant vibe.

Let's look at a map of the city for starters, we'll just stick to Manhattan for now.

Here’s what Manhattan looks like from above. If you’re a tourist or thinking about moving here, don’t be fooled by how small it may look, the neighborhoods are way more spread out and different than you’d expect. For these next two myths just keep this map in mind, you're going to need it!

"Everything in NYC is walking distance"

This is the rumor I am most excited to debunk because it could not be further from the truth. A lot of people think you can walk everywhere in NYC, but that’s not really true. While walking is definitely a big part of life here, the city is way bigger than people expect. Getting from one place to another can take a long time, especially if you’re going between boroughs. Most people rely on the subway or busses every day, and commuting is a huge part of living in NYC. So even though it’s known for being walkable, it’s not as easy or quick as people make it seem.

Movies and social media make NYC look like everything is super close together, like you can just walk everywhere without thinking about it. But in reality, distances are bigger than they seem, and getting around takes planning. People who live here know that walking is only part of it, not all of it. Is it still one of the most walkable cities in America? Yes. Have I walked from The Bronx to Lower Manhattan? Also yes.

My Experience:

I love walking and if you are thinking about moving here you should love walking too. Much of my experience has been on foot, but the same amount if not more has been on the subway or a bus. Any local New Yorker knows that it is honestly better to walk to 20 blocks to your destination rather than even attempt to get a taxi or an Uber. If you want to get to your location in 3-5 business days, go ahead and call a car. Though, this city is walkable it is not as walkable as it is made out to be. I'm going to let you in on some NYC lingo. I’m going to let you in on some NYC lingo. People say “uptown” and “downtown” all the time, and it’s more about direction than exact location. For example, if you’re standing on West 65th Street (uptown), someone might say they’re WALKING “downtown” even if they’re just heading to like 45th Street. 20 blocks? Not too bad right? Wrong. Downtown isn't just a few blocks, it actually goes all the way down to FiDi (the southern most tip of Manhattan), so don’t be fooled into thinking you can walk from uptown to downtown so easily. You’ll also hear “crosstown,” which means going east to west, and somehow that always takes longer than it should, especially with traffic or buses. Then there are neighborhood names like SoHo (South of Houston), NoHo (North of Houston), and Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal Street), which locals use all the time instead of full names. And one thing you’ll learn fast is that when someone says “it’s only a few blocks,” it’s probably not as close as it sounds, especially when you’re the one walking it.

Look at the map above and you will clearly see what I mean. The red circles shows how far uptown to downtown truly is.

"NYC is Loud and Chaotic everywhere"

People love to say NYC is nonstop noise and chaos, but that’s not true for the whole city. While places like Times Square, Midtown, or SoHo can feel overwhelming, there are plenty of neighborhoods that are actually quiet and more relaxed. NYC is made up of different areas, and not all of them match that loud, fast-paced stereotype most people think of. A lot of residential neighborhoods feel calm and normal, even if they are only a couple blocks away from NYC hotspots. The writer in Arts and Climate Change NYC states that "The city has always overwhelmed me and I’ve found pockets of peace within the chaos." They give examples such as a library and quiet parks. NYC is known for some of its bigger parks like Central Park or Prospect Park, but there are unknown calmer parks scattered all around the city.

NYC is usually shown as loud, crowded, and nonstop, which makes people think the whole city feels like Times Square all the time. Movies, TV, and social media usually focus on the busiest parts of Manhattan, so that becomes the version of NYC most people picture. In reality, that is only one side of the city, and there are plenty of quieter neighborhoods that feel much calmer and more residential. For example, a movie like Wolf of Wall Street depicts NYC to be a high speed crazy social scene, and while it is, it is truly not like that everywhere.

My Experience:

NYC is definitely chaotic, but that is not the only thing it is. If you are planning on moving here or visiting and chaos is not your thing, there are definitely areas you will probably want to avoid, at least most of the time. But if I am being honest, some of those busier spots are places you kind of have to see at least once, especially if you are visiting. They are crowded and overstimulating, but they are also part of what people picture when they think of NYC, and what makes NYC so special. I have been in places where I was so overstimulated I could not wait to leave, and I have also been in places that felt calm enough to barely feel like the city at all. Personally, I like the faster paced areas, but that is just my preference. A lot of people move to NYC and want the exact opposite. My mom hates chaos more than anything, which is why she stayed on the Upper East Side, where my grandparents live. When I lived there, I could walk ten blocks North or South and never feel overwhelmed. Of course, you are still in a city, so things like sirens and honking are unavoidable, but that does not mean every neighborhood feels loud or chaotic all the time. It really just comes down to preference, and the city has a place for pretty much every kind of lifestyle.

If you want to see the more chilled and calm part of NYC as a tourist, or if you want to move here and know what areas to avoid. . .the red squares on the map above depict that for you.

NYC Lifestyle

Let's look at a map of the city for starters, we'll just stick to Manhattan for now.

"Everything in NYC is walking distance"

My Experience:

"NYC is Loud and Chaotic everywhere"

My Experience:

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