[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/living-in-manhattan-the-complete-guide\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/living-in-manhattan-the-complete-guide\/","headline":"How to Live in Manhattan \u2013 The Complete Guide","name":"How to Live in Manhattan \u2013 The Complete Guide","description":"Manhattan. If you can make it here, they say you can make it anywhere. If you\u2019re looking for […]","datePublished":"2018-09-25","dateModified":"2025-11-03","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Manhattan-1.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Manhattan-1.png","height":1080,"width":1920},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/living-in-manhattan-the-complete-guide\/","about":["General","Moving Tips","Neighborhood Spotlights"],"wordCount":4032,"keywords":["Gansevoort street","Gramercy Park","Living","Living in Manhattan","Lower East Side","Manhattan","Manhattan Attractions","Manhattan benefits","Manhattan Life","Manhattan Living Guide","Manhattan Moving","Manhattan neighborhoods","Manhattan\u2019s traffic","Meatpacking District","movers nyc","moving to Manhattan","NYC Movers","Schools in Manhattan","SoHo","Tribeca"],"articleBody":"Manhattan. If you can make it here, they say you can make it anywhere. If you\u2019re looking for slow living, you won\u2019t find it here. However, for those looking for excitement and adventure, living in Manhattan will provide some of the best working and educational, and entertainment opportunities in the country and the world. In this Manhattan city guide, we\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know about where to live and how to enjoy the city of dreams to its fullest. With that said, Manhattan is not without its downsides. As amazing as Manhattan is, you should consider a few things before you book an NYC moving company.Three Things to Know about Living in ManhattanYour Car is UselessPaying for parking in the City is obscenely expensive, and finding a home or apartment with private parking is nearly impossible. Add that to the insanity of Manhattan\u2019s traffic, and there\u2019s really no reason to keep driving. Save yourself the time and money, and ditch the vehicle. As expensive as NYC can be, you\u2019ll be free from the monthly insurance payments, along with standard maintenance and gas costs.Worried about getting around? NYC is one of the most walkable cities in the country. Plus, there are buses and subway trains that operate 24\/7, 365. And while NYC residents like to grumble about the rising fare prices, getting around NYC is still cheaper than pretty much everywhere else, since you pay a flat fee to get around anywhere in the five boroughs. Manhattan Transportation OverviewModeDescriptionAverage CostCoverageSubwayThe fastest and most reliable way to travel across Manhattan and other boroughs. Operated by the MTA, with 24\/7 service.$2.90 per ride \/ $132 monthly passExtensive \u2013 connects to all NYC boroughsBusIdeal for short trips or cross-town travel. Air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.$2.90 per ride (free transfers with MetroCard)Covers every major street and avenueBikingCiti Bike program offers thousands of bikes across Manhattan, perfect for quick commutes.$4.79 per ride \/ $205 annual membershipWidespread in Midtown and DowntownTaxis & RideshareYellow cabs and services like Uber and Lyft are available throughout Manhattan.$10\u2013$30 typical ride, depending on the distanceIsland-wide coverageWalkingManhattan is one of the most walkable areas in the U.S., with short block distances and pedestrian-friendly streets.FreeEverywhere! If you prefer water travel, you can hop on a ferry to get to different areas of Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and even New Jersey.\u00a0 Of course, NYC is most known for its extensive subway system. Unlike other urban areas, you\u2019ll be able to find a subway going where you want to be, likely in the next 15 minutes. So getting around without a car really isn\u2019t much of a hassle until you want to get out of the city. \u00a0Even then, Metro-North goes to a lot of popular Westchester areas that don\u2019t require a car to get to the downtown areas, so if you want a little time away from the busy city, you can easily hop a train and travel 40 minutes to a quieter town. You can also go to Penn Station and jump on the Long Island Rail Road, or go to the Port Authority for travel to New Jersey.It\u2019s Hard to Get LostRemember the movie, \u201cHome Alone 2: Lost in New York\u201d? Total hogwash. New York is a grid system! Want to figure out where you are going? Simply find the nearest crossroads and do the math. In general, avenues run north to south and streets run east to west. Streets are labeled west if they are west of 5th Avenue and east if they are east of 5th Avenue. If you\u2019re wandering around looking for a building number, know that for avenues, the numbers will go up the further north you go and down the further south you go. For streets, the numbers will go up based on how far away from 5th avenue you go. So for west side streets, the further west you go, the higher the number, and similarly with the east side.With that said, things can get a bit confusing once you get into Greenwich Village, as the streets start losing their grid formation, so what might have been common sense in Midtown might seem a bit confusing once you go further south. For example, usually streets are parallel to each other, so you shouldn\u2019t see streets intersecting. However, in Greenwich Village, that goes out the window as you\u2019ll see an intersection between West 10th Street and West 4th Street. Bleecker Street, which runs east to west for the majority of its length, makes an upwards turn after 6th Avenue! Still, for most of Manhattan, you should be able to find your way around easily.Figuring out the subway system can be a little harder. One thing to be careful about is which direction you\u2019re going and the type of train you\u2019re taking. Make sure to choose the correct direction, either uptown or downtown. As well, make sure to choose the correct local or express train. One side of the tracks will get you to Union Square, while the other will leave you at 125th Street. As one of the oldest subway systems in the world, the NYC subway is often under construction, so you should always check the signs posted in the stations for information and listen to the announcements on the train if you don\u2019t see any signs. Of course, if you\u2019ve taken the NYC subway system at all, you\u2019ll know that the announcements aren\u2019t always clear, so there will be plenty of times where you\u2019ll be on the correct train, but it ends up taking a different route. Luckily, there are plenty of stops in between, and transfers are free once you\u2019re past the gates.The New York Attitude is RealNew Yorkers are some of the most welcoming, loving people in America. They also want you to get the heck out of their way. Manhattanites know where they are going, and seriously own the streets of the city. So if you want to do well in Manhattan, don\u2019t crowd the sidewalks, don\u2019t bother anyone with headphones on, and never make eye contact with someone holding a clipboard– they either want your signature or your money. However, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help if you need it! Most New Yorkers are more than happy to lend a helping hand, whether that\u2019s giving you directions, pointing you to the nearest subway station, or just giving you their recommendation on the best restaurant in the area.A few other don\u2019ts: Don\u2019t call it the Big Apple. To anyone in the tristate area, Manhattan is just \u201cThe City\u201d because it is the only city that matters. Don\u2019t go to Times Square for NYE. It\u2019s crowded and freezing, and way less fun than it looks on TV. Finally, don\u2019t be afraid to be yourself. Got a freak flag? Let it fly in Manhattan.It Can Be LonelyDespite the fact that Manhattan is home to millions of people, it can be a lonely place as everyone is so focused on the grind. It can be hard to make friends since most people aren\u2019t up for a chat with a random stranger. Heck, most people won\u2019t say hi or smile to you on the streets; they\u2019re too busy trying to get to their next location. If you\u2019re coming from a smaller, more welcoming town, you will be in for a shock. Manhattanites would rather glare at you than smile.Luckily, there are plenty of activities to attend where you can meet like-minded people. There are dozens of meetup groups covering a wide variety of topics, so you can join groups that match your interests. You can even learn something new, like a new language, how to code, etc. The best part is that people are more open to friendly conversations during these events, as that is literally why they signed up! If you\u2019re an introvert, it might seem like a daunting task, but if you want to meet new people, you\u2019ll have to step outside of your comfort zone.Who Lives in ManhattanNo matter your background, language, financial status, or family size, there is a place in Manhattan for you. Manhattan is home to the elites of the Upper East Side, post-grads who stayed in town after graduating from NYU, young professionals starting their careers, and the CEOs who run Wall Street, and everything in betweenManhattan\u2019s demographics illuminate the city\u2019s incredible level of diversity. Manhattan is about 45% Caucasian, with 27% of residents identifying as Hispanic, 15% as Black, and 10% as Asian. Manhattan is renowned for welcoming residents of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Additionally, the city has relatively even splits between men and women and married and unmarried citizens. There are around 1.632 million people in the city alone, so you\u2019re bound to find someone you connect with when you\u2019re living in Manhattan.Cost of Living in ManhattanIt\u2019s no secret that living in Manhattan is expensive. Living in Manhattan costs 50% more than the American average. Residents can expect to pay \u201cNew York City prices\u201d on just about everything, from groceries to utilities and rent to personal services. Cost of Living ComparisonCategoryManhattanBrooklynQueensBronxStaten IslandRent Index150110958085Grocery Index1201051009095Utilities Index115100989597Transportation Index909510010095Overall Cost of Living145110988590*Index values are based on the NYC average = 100. Higher numbers indicate higher costs relative to the NYC average. Thinking of buying a house in Manhattan? You can expect to pay upwards of $1,000,000 for a condo in the city. The famous Brownstones, however, go for much more, sometimes selling for $5,000,000 or more. Renting in Manhattan is also costly, with the median rent resting at $1,500 per month, not including utilities. Again, the cost of living in Manhattan varies wildly depending on the area of the city you are in. Still, it\u2019s certainly not cheap and is one of the reasons why so many people opt to live with roommates in order to split the costs. With that said, life in Manhattan provides plenty of benefits. Plus, you do save in other areas. For example, you won\u2019t have to worry about car payments or car insurance, since you\u2019re renting, your landlord\/management company will deal with maintenance and water fees. There\u2019s also a ton of free stuff you can enjoy, like hitting the beach at Coney Island or the Rockaways, watching Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park, relaxing in one of the many community gardens dotted around the city, and more.Manhattan NeighborhoodsManhattan\u2019s neighborhoods can be as small as a cross street or encompass a square mile. Manhattanites are proud and particular about their neighborhoods (there are 53 in total), and are happy to tell you why their district is the best in NYC. Here are a few neighborhoods in Manhattan that stand out.TribecaTribeca stands for the \u201ctriangle below Canal Street.\u201d It\u2019s known as the number one Manhattan neighborhood, according to Business Insider. Tribeca residents love the safe, upscale style of this district, which is home to fine dining experiences and boutique shopping opportunities. In an affluent neighborhood, renters in Tribeca pay about $4,100 per month on average for a one-bedroom apartment. It\u2019s also home to some of NYC\u2019s celebrity residents, including Beyonc\u00e9 and Jay-Z.One of the great things about Tribeca is that the other posh neighborhoods like SoHo, Greenwich Village, and Downtown are within walking distance. You\u2019re also relatively close to the Hudson River Park, where you can enjoy a relaxing picnic or go for a run along the water.SoHoSouth of Houston St, you\u2019ll find the trendy neighborhood of SoHo. Filled with cast-iron buildings and lined with cobblestone streets, SoHo is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan. It was developed by artists in the 20th century, who were drawn to the area\u2019s large loft spaces and warehouses. Kindled by its artisan residents, SoHo has grown into a neighborhood offering every amenity, specialty stores, and a one-of-a-kind community.Because of its architecture and cobblestone streets, SoHo is a great place for some amazing NYC pictures. Plus, there are plenty of small side streets where you almost feel like you aren\u2019t in a busy city.Gramercy ParkIf you\u2019re looking for easy access to the rest of the city, while being a little bit removed from the action, Gramercy Park may be the place for you. Gramercy Park is just a stone\u2019s throw away from the Union Square subway stop, so you have easy access to almost all of the major train lines. Developed in the 1800s, the area was intended for well-to-do families living in Manhattan and is one of the earliest attempts in the US at \u2018city planning\u2019. Gramercy is well known for its gorgeous brownstone houses and clean, well-maintained streets. The actual park in Gramercy Park is exclusive, and getting a key to the park is quite an accomplishment, as the only people with access are those who live directly along its perimeter.Lower East SideOnce home to some of the best dive bars in Manhattan, the Lower East Side still has some of the best nightlife around the city and, despite the introduction of luxury apartments and shops, still maintains an unpretentious, no-frills attitude. And while many of the famous live music venues closed a long time ago, there are still some excellent places you can go to support local musicians, such as Pianos and Bowery Electric. During the day, enjoy a nice walk along the East River and maybe walk over the Brooklyn Bridge for some great views.Meatpacking DistrictThis small neighborhood runs from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street and is between Ninth Avenue and Hudson Street, making it only 44 acres. Despite its small size, the Meatpacking District is one of the most memorable locations thanks to its cobblestone streets, access to the High Line, upscale lounges and restaurants, and is home to Little Island and the Whitney Museum. It\u2019s also a great place to view Manhattanhenge, which is when the setting or rising sun is aligned with the east-west streets of Manhattan. For sunset, this happens sometime between May 28 and July 31, and for sunrise, it happens between December 5 and January 8.Manhattan\u2019s WeatherLike most of the mid-Atlantic, Manhattan enjoys a full four seasons, with blistering cold winters and blazing hot summer days. Throughout the year, the temperature in Manhattan can range from 14 degrees to the 90s. It\u2019s important to note that downtown Manhattan gets even hotter than the surrounding suburbs. The close quarters of buildings and the concrete jungle that is New York amplify the heat. If you plan to start a life in Manhattan, you definitely want to invest in both good winter and summer clothes to make sure you can handle the drastic weather changes.Precipitation in Manhattan is a common occurrence. Because it\u2019s so close to the coast, Manhattan is significantly affected by hurricanes that travel up from the South. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, areas below 34th Street were without power for around a week. Manhattan is also famously hit by \u201cNor\u2019Easters\u201d that bring anywhere from several inches to multiple feet of snow to the city.Manhattan AttractionsYou could spend a lifetime in Manhattan and never get bored. Tourists flock to sites like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. Times Square\u2019s bright lights, costumed greeters, and enormous landmark stores are fun to experience, once or twice. But what makes the city unique are the attractions that keep you coming back for more.Enjoy a Show or ConcertBroadway shows outshine theater anywhere else. Yes, we\u2019re probably biased. But it\u2019s TRUE. Broadway is the home of the most amazing shows ever created, and Manhattanites have the privilege of living just steps away from the iconic stages that line the street. Whether you\u2019re seeing Hamilton for the first (or fifth) time or catching classics like The Lion King, Broadway has shows that fascinate, illuminate, and inspire. There are also plenty of off-Broadway and smaller\/indie theaters dotted around the city, so if you can\u2019t afford the Broadway prices, you can still watch some amazing plays.If theater isn\u2019t your thing, Manhattan is home to some of the world\u2019s best performing arts centers, such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. You can enjoy awe-inspiring concerts from some of the biggest names in the classical music world, watch an opera, or enjoy some ballet. You might even be able to snag some discounted tickets!Visit the MuseumsThere are dozens of museums around Manhattan. Once you\u2019re a resident of NYC, you can often receive discounted or pay-what-you-want prices to some of the top museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Some museums also offer a free night, like the Whitney Museum (Fridays 7 pm-9:30 pm), Rubin Museum of Art (Fridays 7 pm-10 pm), and Museum of Modern Art (Fridays 4 pm-8 pm). As you might expect, these times are very popular, so you\u2019ll want to make sure you get there beforehand so you\u2019re not stuck waiting in line.There are other small museums that are just as interesting as the big ones. If you are interested in the subways of NYC, there\u2019s an NYC transit museum. Like design? Check out the Cooper Hewitt Museum. Manhattan Attractions by Type and Entry FeeAttraction TypeNameNeighborhoodEntry FeeHighlightsMuseumThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtUpper East Side$30 (Adults)World-class art, Egyptian artifacts, rotating exhibitsMuseumAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryUpper West Side$28 (Adults)Dinosaurs, planetarium, biodiversity hallObservation DeckEmpire State BuildingMidtown$44\u2013$79360\u00b0 city views, open-air decksObservation DeckTop of the RockMidtown$40 (Adults)Panoramic skyline views, Rockefeller Center accessParkCentral ParkMidtown to UptownFreeLakes, zoo, walking trails, picnicsHistoric SiteStatue of Liberty & Ellis IslandLower Manhattan$24.50 (Ferry + Entry)National monument, museum, harbor viewsPerformanceBroadway TheatersTimes Square$60\u2013$250+Musicals, plays, cultural performancesLandmarkOne World ObservatoryFinancial District$43\u2013$63Views from the tallest NYC building  Get Out in NYC\u2019s ParksWalking through Central Park, you manage to leave the city while right in the middle of it. Miles of trails encourage walkers, joggers, and bikers to get up and go. Street performers draw huge crowds to show off their talents. But Central Park isn\u2019t the only great park in NYC. A personal favorite of locals is Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan. Though it\u2019s small, Bryant Park makes up for its size in events! Evening movies bring tourists and locals together during the summer months. An ice skating rink and pop-up shops mark Christmastime. Bryant Park has different events all year long, making it fun to go back again and again.If you really want to get out of the city without actually leaving it, you\u2019ll want to visit Inwood Hill Park. Located on a ridge, the park is raised 200 feet above the Hudson River and contains the largest remaining old-growth forest in Manhattan. Unlike other parks, it is also largely natural, consisting of wooded, non-landscaped hills. It is also home to one of Manhattan\u2019s last remaining salt marshes, which attracts a variety of birds, fish, and even crustaceans.Of course, both Bryant and Central Park tend to attract a lot of people! If you\u2019re looking for something a bit more private, there are dozens of community gardens dotted around Manhattan. Since these are located off the beaten path, you\u2019ll often be able to enjoy nature without having to deal with crowds. If you end up living near a community garden, you can volunteer your time on the weekends to keep it maintained, or pay a small fee and get some space (if there is any available).Step Back in Time at a SpeakeasyFun fact: NYC is still home to a number of speakeasies. For a quick history lesson, speakeasies were illegal bars open during the Prohibition Era. They were often found in the back of cafes and bookstores, or in the basements of private homes. Today\u2019s Manhattan speakeasies are an ode to Prohibition living. You\u2019ll have to search to find them, and some even have a password you\u2019ll need to get in! Once inside, you can enjoy the 1920s decor and vintage cocktails made by Manhattan\u2019s best mixologists.Working in ManhattanManhattan has work opportunities in every industry imaginable, but the majority of residents here operate in White Collar lines of work. The top employers in Manhattan are finance, healthcare, and professional services such as marketing. Employment Sectors in ManhattanSectorDescriptionAverage Salary (Annual)Major EmployersFinance & BankingManhattan is home to Wall Street and the world\u2019s top financial institutions, managing trillions in global assets.$120,000+Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan StanleyTechnologyA rapidly growing sector with startups and major firms focusing on fintech, software, and AI innovation.$105,000+Google, Meta, IBM, StripeHealthcareTop hospitals and medical research institutions support thousands of medical and administrative roles.$90,000+Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Weill Cornell MedicineEducationManhattan hosts world-class universities and public schools offering academic and administrative careers.$70,000+Columbia University, NYU, CUNY SystemMedia & EntertainmentHome to major TV networks, publishing houses, and advertising agencies shaping global culture.$95,000+NBCUniversal, The New York Times, Cond\u00e9 NastReal Estate & ConstructionA vital sector managing the city\u2019s commercial and residential growth through constant development.$85,000+Related Companies, Silverstein Properties, Tishman RealtyHospitality & TourismMillions of visitors drive demand for hotels, restaurants, and event management across Manhattan.$55,000+Marriott, Hilton, The Plaza Hotel With the wide range of schools in Manhattan, there are also plenty of opportunities in Education, as well. The average income in Manhattan is $75,000 per year, but salaries can vary greatly depending on your industry, with many Manhattan residents making significantly more than the average.Since the 2010\u2019s Manhattan has also focused on attracting tech companies, and there are now many startups and larger companies based in Manhattan, including Squarespace, PayPal, and more. As well, despite its high rents, Manhattan is also a great place to start your own business! The city offers amazing resources through the NYC Small Business Services, SCORE NYC, and more organizations. There are also grants and resources specifically to help minorities get their business off the ground.Schools in ManhattanManhattan is home to some of the best schools in the country. From pre-K to college, students can explore hundreds of educational paths through both public and private school systems. Some of the best public high schools in Manhattan include Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, and New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math.Higher education in Manhattan is just as prolific. New York University is top-rated for its Arts programs, including one of the nation\u2019s top Theater programs. Columbia offers an Ivy League education and a respected Law School. Juilliard trains our best musicians. The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers exceptional courses in math and engineering. As well, if you\u2019re a New York State resident, you can qualify for free tuition to SUNY and CUNY undergraduate schools so long as you make under $125,000.ConclusionManhattan is crazy and loud, works hard and plays hard. It\u2019s a city of dreams, and living there is a truly unique experience. If you think Manhattan is calling you, pick up the phone, call us (855) 259-2282, and get moving!Transitioning to a city as intense as Manhattan can be stressful, so if you need help with moving to Manhattan, NYC Great Moving is here for you. We\u2019re one of the best NYC movers in the business, and we\u2019ll take care of everything from packing to transport and delivery, so you can focus on starting your new life as a Manhattanite."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Live in Manhattan \u2013 The Complete Guide","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/living-in-manhattan-the-complete-guide\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]