WHAT DO OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY?

Students who get the big news that they are going to school in the Big Apple have one big question after they get over their excitement: what do out-of-state students need to know about living in New York City. It's said that everyone should live in the city for at least a period in their lives, and it's true; the city offers everything from culture and education to good food and a diverse group of people. So what do students from out of town need to know about the city that never sleeps?

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Walking is a Part of Life

Everyone in the city walks. With so many things close together, walking makes the most sense. Students regularly walk to and from different school buildings, which saves time; the Big Apple is notorious for terrible traffic. And with diners, clubs, restaurants, museums, galleries and so much more within blocks of each other, walking is the best way for a student to get acclimated to the city and how it works. Students are encouraged to walk around their college's area for a couple of days when they first arrive so they become familiar with the area.

Get to Know the Transportation System

The city is known for having one of the best transportation systems in the world. The subway, which can be accessed using the MetroCard, can take a student anywhere in the five boroughs; stops are often located near airports and train stations, making access to cities upstate and other states easy and reasonably affordable. The bus system is also widely used in the city; some buses and subway lines also run all night, ensuring people always have a way to get home. It's advised that students make a point of getting a student MetroCard, which offers discounts, upon arrival so they are never short of method of getting home.

Convenience is the Name of the Game

The city has a delivery system for everything: laundry, food, clothes, and even transportation. All five boroughs have bodegas, a type of grocery store, restaurants, drugstores, and even department stores located somewhere within the borough limits. This means that students will never have to go far to get what they need; many times, it can be brought to them for a small price. Even the colleges and universities located in the city are convenient, with many school buildings just a few short blocks away from a subway stop. The convenience of the city means that students can focus on their studies without worrying too much about day-to-day chores.

The City is About Adapting

To live in the city means to adapt, something that many students forget when they first arrive in the city. While most of the city is convenient and provides students with opportunities they normally wouldn't receive in other places, it does require a period of transition. The city has its own rules and customs which many students may not be aware of, such as subway etiquette, learning to discern between street sellers and bootleggers, the different languages spoken in the neighborhoods, and more.

Living in the city is a dream for many people in America. It's a one-stop destination for the fashion, business, banking, and culture worlds and delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. So the last, and perhaps the most important, thing that answers the question of what do out-of-state students need to know about living in New York City is that it will change their lives.