Study in New York, The United States

New York City, often referred to as the “Big Apple,” is not only the largest and most populous city in the state of New York, but with over 8 million residents it is the most populous city in all of the United States and one of the largest in the world. The city is comprised of five boroughs, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, each of which is also a state county. In terms of land area, New York City, with just a shade over 300 square miles, is by no means large when compared to other major U.S. cities such as Houston and Los Angeles, which only makes its massive population and efficiency all the more impressive.

New York is truly a “melting pot” of various ethnicities, cultures, religions and languages (an estimated 800 languages are spoken in New York City). This includes people with a wide range of European, Asian, African and Latin American backgrounds, most of whom come to New York to explore enticing opportunities in education and business, as the city possesses a great deal of global clout when it comes to commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, literature, technology, education and entertainment. By any measurement, New York is unarguably the most culturally significant city in the United States, and according to some, the most cosmopolitan city in the world because of its diversity.

The history of New York dates back to 1626 when Dutch colonists founded the city as a trading post and called it New Amsterdam. In 1664, after the English had gained control of the region, the city was renamed ”New York” by King Charles II of England in honor of his brother, the Duke of York. After what Americans call the “War of Independence” or the “Revolutionary War” with the British, New York once again changed hands, and the rest, as they say, is history. Between 1785 and 1790 New York served as the capital of the United States (now in Washington D.C.), and ever since that time it has been the largest city in America by population—a population that was and continues to be bolstered by immigration. Since the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, when millions of people came by boat to the U.S., landing first on New York’s Ellis Island, the city, and the Statue of Liberty that stands proudly in New York Harbor, has continued to greet and welcome people from around the world to the “land of opportunity.”

The average household income in New York City is $50,000, and while that’s on the high side of income when compared to other U.S. cities, it’s a mere pittance when you consider the median home and condo values in NY—a whopping $517,000. These high prices can be attributed to many factors, the most significant of which is the city’s stunning density—8 million people packed into 300 square miles. As a result, only the very affluent can typically buy real estate in the city, which is the reason why the majority of New Yorkers are forced to rent instead, at an average monthly cost of $1100.

While getting around in a city this populous may seem like an utter nightmare, you may be surprised by the city’s remarkable efficiency. New York boasts one of the most sophisticated transportation systems in the world, and because of this, only a small minority of residents ever dare to drive an automobile on New York’s congested streets, relying instead on New York’s intricate underground subway system, taxicabs, buses and, well, sidewalks to get to work, school and other activities. In fact, at least half of all New Yorkers admit to not even owning a car—a stunning statistic, perhaps, to those living in one of the more expansive Western states in the country.

As you might imagine, there are branches of every major bank located in New York City (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, etc.), along with hundreds of foreign banks serving international residents and tourists. Dining and shopping is considered world-class in the city, but there are also thousands of little corner stores—bodegas, delis, pizzerias—where residents can purchase food and personal items.

In terms of climate, New York is known for its cold winters and moderate amounts of snow, and the summers, while certainly humid, are usually bearable. In between, there are plenty of beautiful days for enjoying some of the wonderful sights and attractions for which New York is famous, including Wall Street, the UN headquarters, Time Square, Lady Liberty and the Empire State Building. Come nightfall, New York City becomes a sea of flashing neon lights, and offers many diversions from the hustle and bustle of the hectic school and work day. From the glitz of Broadway to professional sports teams like the Yankees, Giants and Knicks to hundreds of little pubs, nightclubs and eateries, it’s nearly impossible to spend a dull moment in New York City.