Elmsford is part of the New York area. This page covers the whole metro.
Big-city feel, Outdoorsy
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when New York scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
How locals describe New York
The words residents use most, from 97 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"Apart from rent, living in NYC is really cheap. $2.90 gets you anywhere you need to be."
"NY is really tough to live in now. The city is a mess, it is dirty and hot and noisy."
A walk through New York
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around New York
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2016-04. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsEveryday life in New York
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around New York
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What New York is known for
Every year
FebNew York Fashion Week: designers present couture and ready to wear collectionsnyhabitat.com
JunGovernors Ball Music Festival: music festival on Randall's Island with pop and indie artistsnyhabitat.com
NovMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: parade with giant balloons and floats through Manhattanusatourist.com
Busiest time
Summer and Thanksgiving through New Year's: biggest crowds and highest prices during these periodsadventurouskate.com
On a normal week
Watching Shakespeare in the Parklinkedlistnyc.org
Attending free outdoor SummerStage concertslinkedlistnyc.org
Visiting Central Park in autumnfrenchbee.com
Take a tour of New York
"NEW YORK, USA 🇺🇸 Walking Through Manhattan’s Magic | 4K Walking Tour" by Walking OZ, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
One resident lists popular NYC food spots that appear on every food itinerary, including Patsy's Pizza in Harlem and Don Peppe.
“L'industrie , Katz , Magnolia, Los Tacos, Levain... Patsy's Pizza in Harlem is a nice place too”
One resident recommended the Erie Canal Trail as a top spot for both biking and kayaking.
“New York is the Empire/Erie Canal Trail which will scratch both your biking and kayaking itches at once”
One resident listed several favorite beer shops and bars in Manhattan.
“some of the best ones in Manhattan are Carmine Street Beer, the 3 Beer Runs, Alphabet City Beer”
From 16 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident noted that making friends as an adult is hard everywhere, not unique to New York, and lasting friendships can be hit or miss.
“I think overall, making friends as an adult is hard, it's not just a New York thing. Finding lasting friends can be a hit or miss, most likely...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident observed that transplants tend to be more eager to meet new people since they lack the existing social base that longtime residents have.
“a transplant is going to be eager to meet lots of new people, theres less need/eagerness when you already have that social base.”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident recalled that the old stereotype was moving to the city with just a couple suitcases, a modest job, and roommates, figuring things out as you go.
“When I was growing up, the stereotype was that people moved to NYC with a couple suitcases, a modest job, multiple roommates, and just figured things...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoOne resident said people in finance or consulting likely earn enough to cover costs, but questioned whether others moving there can really afford it.
“I get people who work in finance, consulting, etc. they are most likely earning salaries that can cover it. But I feel like a lot of people moving here...”
Read the full commentAbout 7 months agoOne resident who moved back to NYC in their late thirties found it surprisingly hard to make new friends and build a social circle
“I’m 37M, work in finance, and moved back to NYC a little while ago. One thing I’ve found surprisingly difficult is making new friends and building...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident said good connections are rare but people stay open to them given the constant stream of new people in the city.
“Good connections don't come along very often, and so people tend to be open to them. New York is an endless firehose of people that never ends.”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident said dating can be rough but is useful for meeting people and getting acclimated to the city.
“Dating here can be rough. Enjoy dating for meeting folks and doing things to get acclimated in the city. definitely true for NYC. Use dating as...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident said dating is not easy but you can meet incredible people if you put yourself out there.
“Overall - dating isn't easy in nyc but you meet incredible people if you get out there. Whether through apps, IRL, or a combo of both! Side note...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident said dating is hard as a guy because many events are money grabbing and prospects are not great.
“Dating in NYC is hard as a guy, and. NYC doesn't mean much. A lot of events are money grabbing and prospects aren't great. its best to meet...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident said dating apps feel like a second job they did not apply for, checking them on the subway after work.
“I’m 27, in NYC, and I swear dating apps are starting to feel like a second job that I did not apply for.”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoOne resident believes dating in NYC is hard right now but says it's possible without hookup culture despite what people say.
“I think dating in general is really hard right now. Contrary to what people say, you can date in nyc without "hookup culture." yes, it exists.”
Read the full commentAbout 7 months agoOne resident questions the conventional wisdom that NYC is the best place for young singles.
“It seems to be the conventional wisdom on this sub that NYC is the best place to go for young singles. That certainly makes sense at first glance: there's...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident says many of their friends in NYC are burned out on dating apps and are discussing alternatives.
“Lately a lot of my friends in NYC are pretty burned out on dating apps. A few of us were talking about what alternatives might actually feel...”
Read the full commentAbout 9 months agoOne resident found Hinge best for dates and Meetup useful for finding groups and occasionally dates.
“I found hinge the best for dates, Meetup is great for finding groups to do stuff with. You may get a date out of meetup too- they have a lot of...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident listed several favorite beer shops and bars in Manhattan.
“For shops/bars, some of the best ones in Manhattan are Carmine Street Beer, the 3 Beer Runs, Alphabet City Beer, Milk & Hops, NY Beer Dispensary...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident recommended other good beer bars and praised the city's craft beer scene.
“Other good beer bars are Carmine Street Beers, Blind Tiger, City Beer ... I would recommend checking out NYC's fantastic beer. Other Half...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident advised taking multiple scouting trips before moving and staying in a residential area rather than Midtown.
“Take trips. Take as many scouting trips to the city as possible. Don't stay in Midtown, stay somewhere more residential like Chelsea/UWS/Murray...”
Read the full commentAbout 11 months agoOne resident wished they had realized how important a quiet bedroom is, since an apartment facing a noisy street can ruin the experience.
“My answer is : not realizing the importance of a quiet bedroom / apartment (or not realizing how an apartment facing a noisy street can ruin...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident advised taking care of your legs, bringing money, and finding your people.
“Take care of your legs: you'll be walking a lot. Bring money. Don't forget where you came from. Meet as many people as you can. Find your people...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident says living in New York is expensive, citing public transportation.
“Yes, it is expensive here and is no secret. Public transportation, people watching, cheap food, something to. Living here is expensive and...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident feels that New Yorkers share a sense of community even though things are not perfect
“not trying to stir hate or anything, but it feels like new yorkers (mostly referring to nyc) have this shared sense of community, like yeah things aren't...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoOne resident felt New York had a different vibe due to the concentration of wealthy, well connected and well educated people.
“There's so many people here and so many of them are wealthy, well connected and well educated, New York was a totally different vibe. With a...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 65,817 business locations in the New York area, employing about 1,804,859 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident works full-time and salaried but earns only $16.80 an hour with no benefits as minimum wage rises to $17.00.
“I currently work a full-time, salaried job and make $16.80/hr with no benefits. I'm in NYC, and the minimum wage is going to increase to $17.00...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 months agoOne resident recommends NYS or NYC government jobs since they tend to hire almost anyone with availability, though the pay is not great.
“The best I could recommend are NYS or NYC government jobs. Usually they hire pretty much anyone with availability. Pay isn't great, but there is...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
One resident thinks New York has terrible summers and disgusting winters but is still better in winter overall.
“I feel like in New York, we experience terrible summers, and disgusting winters. However still, I do think nyc is personally better during the winter.”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident says public transit makes for a relaxed commute if you live outside the tourist hubs
“New York City subway, busses, and metro rail. public transit makes for a relaxed commute if you live outside of the tourist hubs. drive during...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident felt New York had a different vibe due to the concentration of wealthy, well connected and well educated people.
“There's so many people here and so many of them are wealthy, well connected and well educated, New York was a totally different vibe. With a...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoOne resident clarified that a claim requiring ID to shop at city-owned grocery stores is false
“ID will be required to shop at city-owned grocery stores in New York City. THE FACTS: This is false. No one will be asked to show ID to shop at...”
Read the full commentIn the last few months“Raising kids in New York City presents a unique set of problems and opportunities”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the New York area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the New York area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 3,471,500 rented homes in the New York area, 61% rent for under $2,000 a month and 86% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the New York area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $3,000 to $3,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $4,500 to $5,997 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,500 to $1,999, that's a yearly income of about $54,000 to $71,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to New York: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the New York DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: New York voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Public schools
12 public school districts in this county, with about 248,236 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
New York keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $300/week about $15,600 a year | $250/week about $13,000 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $277/week about $14,400 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $259/week about $13,500 a year | $200/week about $10,400 a year |
| School-age | $225/week about $11,700 a year |
For an infant at a center: $300/week here, $296 across NY, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 19% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
131 colleges in the county and the wider metro around New York. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.