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December 10, 2019 Posted in City Guides
Eva Johnson

Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.

A Moving Guide to the 5 Boroughs of New York City

Are you planning to join the 8,398,748 people who call the Big Apple home? If so, it’s only natural that you’re looking to find out more about the 5 boroughs of New York City in your search for the perfect home.

The Statue of Liberty Figure out which borough fits your lifestyle the best

Throughout history, this metropolis has developed so much that it boasts opportunities and reasons to move like excellent places to live, work, raise a family, or look for entertainment. The city’s current administrative organization was established in 1898 when the neighboring counties merged into a single municipal government, following the consolidation of the NYC itself. Now that you’re moving to New York, you need as many moving day tips and details as possible about these excellent places to find out what makes them so desirable.

You’ll be living in one of the most famous cities in the United States and around the world soon. There is no doubt you are excited about it. But relocation is not all just about excitement. You are also somewhat overwhelmed by all those important decisions that you need to make, as well as the sheer volume of information that makes decision-making even more challenging. You don’t want to make any moving mistakes that might spoil the entire experience for you. One of the most crucial choices you should make is right there before you, and you don’t know which way to go. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you learn more about NYC boroughs and make up your mind. Let’s begin.

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Climb the Career Ladder in Manhattan

Having a significant place in history as the birthplace of the city itself, being its cultural hub, as well as the economic and financial center, Manhattan is so popular all around the world for a reason. If you were worried about getting a job before you move, you’d be happy to hear that there are plenty of job opportunities here. Whether you’re looking for a career in the financial or corporate sector, biotechnology, or tourism, you should be able to find one without much trouble.

If not excellent job opportunities, some of the most exciting things to do in New York and even in the United States will lead you to this area anyway. Some of the many top attractions here include Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. Thus, it’s no wonder that most people think of this area in particular when someone mentions this metropolis.

Do keep in mind, though, that this area can often be overcrowded, and driving down such crowded streets is usually a real challenge. If that doesn’t bother you, make sure you hire highly recommended professional New York City movers who can provide you with auto shipping services and transport your car across the country to your future home. But make sure that you know how car shipping works.

Neighborhoods in Manhattan

Once you choose the district that fits your needs, your work is still not done. Each area consists of quite a few neighborhoods, which brings you to the next choice you need to make. This, too, can be a difficult decision, given how many options you have and everything these areas have to offer. But you have to narrow your choices down one step at a time to find your perfect place to move to in Manhattan.

To help you do that, we’ve singled out some of the top-ranked neighborhoods in this area that you might want to consider:

  • SoHo
  • Chelsea
  • East Village
  • Tribeca
  • Greenwich Village
  • Garment District
  • Harlem

Before you decide where to move, don’t forget to consider the cost of living in New York City, especially in its most popular area, which is quite pricey. Just like you need to plan your moving budget on time before you pick the best time of the year to move, you should think about your expenses in your future place of residence, too. Consider relocating during the cheapest time of the year, selling or donating unwanted items to save as much money as you can and reduce the costs of moving.

Finding a good job in New York is easy, even close to your apartment, all you need is a way with people and skill. Residing in Manhattan is quite pricey

Embrace Diversity in Queens

Did you know that Queens is the most diverse urban area in the world, ethnically speaking? In addition to a diverse population, Queens also has a rather diversified economy. Many people flock to this area in search of the right place to call home, so many that it would rank as the fourth most populous place in the United States if considered a separate city.

NYC is one of the best cities to raise a family in the US, so Queens as a part of it, might be the right choice for you if you’re moving with kids as it has many peaceful neighborhoods that give you the small-town feel while living in a bustling metropolis. If you like the idea of moving to the suburbs, you’ll like the feeling you get in this part of NYC.

What to Do in Queens County

To begin with, you need to know that Queens as a borough is coterminous with the county, i.e., the boundaries are the same. Within these boundaries lies an area of 109 square miles, and there’s a lot to do and see. When you unpack after the move, start exploring.  There are plenty of things to do and see no matter if you are moving during the holidays or in summer. You might find it interesting to visit the Museum of the Moving Image or the art gallery Flux Factory. It is also a good idea to spend a lovely day in the Botanica Garden or Alley Pond Park, or any other beautiful park, for that matter, especially if you decide to move with your dog. This county has something for everyone.

NYC Did you know that about 48% of Queens residents are foreign-born?

Beware of the Rising Costs in Brooklyn

Some time ago, Brooklyn, coterminous with Kings County, was widely known as the more affordable replacement for Manhattan. If you, too, were hoping to find an affordable place there, we should warn you about the recent rising costs of living there. In case you managed to find a job before moving to another state and have a well-paid job waiting for you, this area is worth considering, as it is an area suitable for young professionals, but also families, should you decide to start a family there. There are plenty of charming neighborhoods to choose from, and the entire area is walkable, so you might not even need your vehicle there.

Brooklyn Is the Right Choice for Families

Many traits make this area suitable for families, from many peaceful parks, family-friendly activities, walkable areas, to the sense of community. When it comes to safety, don’t forget that you can always use some tools to check how safe your neighborhood is before you start packing or hire experts with packing services and get the process started.

Brooklyn bridge Constructed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge still stands in all its glory as one of the oldest roadway bridges in the United States

Enjoy Peace and Tranquility in Staten Island

With a population of about 500,000, Staten Island is the least populous part of the Big Apple. If you’re looking for the best places to live in New York and stay away from those overcrowded streets and enjoy the serenity and coziness, you’ve come to the right place. In case you start missing the buzzing center, you can always hop on the iconic Staten Island ferry and be there in about 30 minutes.

For some reason, Staten Island is often underrated, but, in fact, it has a lot to offer to its residents. If you’re house hunting, you’ll be glad to hear that places in Staten Island are much more affordable than in the rest of the city. So forget about moving into a smaller home, here you’ll get more room for your money. Not only is it affordable, but it also has a rich culture to enjoy. Let’s find out more about it.

Enjoy the Rich Culture of Staten Island

Thanks to its diverse population, this borough has a rich and diverse culture, too. If you enjoy architecture, don’t miss going to the Historic Richmond District. There are also beautiful art galleries to visit. To learn more about local maritime history, don’t miss the Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

If you’re looking for some of the best restaurants in New York, you’ll find these, too, in this particular area, especially if you like Italian and Chinese.

Staten Island Ferry Staten Island is the least populated borough, so it might be the right choice for you if you want to be away from overcrowded areas

Immerse Yourself in Nature in the Bronx

One of the main disadvantages of the Bronx is probably the fact that it’s not that easily accessible by public transit compared to the remaining four boroughs since its surrounded by water from almost all sides. But due to the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Harlem River, you still have access to beautiful beaches. There are many just as beautiful parks, too. Be sure there will be enough places to enjoy nature anytime you want.

You should also visit the Bronx Zoo, the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States. Yankee fans will, of course, want to go to the Yankee Stadium. All in all, there’s a little bit for everyone. No matter your interests and preferences, you’ll never be bored in the Bronx.

Cost of Living in the Bronx

If the idea of living in the Bronx seems enticing and you’re already thinking about how to change your address when you move, let us stop you for a second and warn you about the costs there. Before you decide to make this place your home, make sure you can afford to live there, as rentals are quite expensive, as well as utilities, transportation, and food. To make it even more difficult to make ends meet there, the median family income is lower than the median family income in NYC. So, don’t jump to tell your friends you’re moving just yet – check whether you’ve picked the most affordable option, to start with, and consider finding the cheapest way to move out of state. For example, you could find free packing materials for moving or learn some packing tips and tricks such as creating a household inventory list or even better, a photo inventory.

Bronx The Bronx River divides this borough into a hilly western part and a flat eastern section

Study the Map of the 5 Boroughs of New York City and Their Neighborhoods

Before you start looking for professional moving services, make sure you’ve made a fully informed decision, as relocation is an important step to take. Whether you’re relocating for a job or you’re moving for a relationship, where you live will affect your life to a great extent once you change your place of residence. So, be sure you have all the information you need about these boroughs to be able to pick the one that fits your needs and requirements and then map out your relocation there.

How Close Are the 5 Boroughs of New York City to One Another?

When you look at the map, you can see that all boroughs are relatively close to one another. Staten Island is the only one somehow separated by New York Bay, but the ferry that leaves every 15 minutes or so makes it easier to get to Manhattan, which stretches as a sliver of land. Queens shares water borders with Manhattan and the Bronx, and it’s closest to Brooklyn, while the Bronx borders Manhattan on the south and west.

How to Pick the Right Borough and Neighborhood

To be sure you’ve made the right choice, one of the first things you should consider is the cost of living, which is rather high in most of NYC. Search for a place where you can live comfortably. Speaking of the cost of living, here’s how much people in NYC make on average depending on their education.

Other Noteworthy Neighborhoods in NYC

In case you’re moving with your kids, be sure you go somewhere close to some of the best New York schools. Look into the map to see where the places you’re considering are located and how close they are to your work, as this, too, can be of tremendous importance. This is also important if you and your partner are moving in together and thinking about starting a family.

An enormous place such as NYC hides a huge number of noteworthy neighborhoods that have a lot to offer. In addition to some previously mentioned, we’d like to mention a few more areas that you might want to take into consideration:

  • Financial District, Manhattan
  • Greenpoint, Brooklyn
  • Astoria, Queens
  • Kips Bay, Manhattan
  • Dumbo, Brooklyn
  • Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • Bushwick, Brooklyn

Map out Your Move and Head to the Borough that Fits Your Needs

When you gather all the information about your potential destinations, take your time to weigh the pros and cons of each of them, and then choose wisely. You can organize a last-minute move, too, but it would be better to map out your relocation carefully. That way, you’ll find it easier to deal with moving stress, overcome anxiety, avoid getting relocation depression, and even enjoy the very process of moving. NYC has something for everyone, advantages of moving alone are numerous, so be sure there’s something for you, just be patient enough to search for your perfect place there.

Views of the New York Skyline All five boroughs have so much to offer

Are You Ready to Go?

The glorious City that Never Sleeps is waiting for you. Whichever borough you eventually choose, you won’t regret your decision to make this place your future home. You won’t have any trouble making friends in a new city, either, considering how open and friendly people there are and how diverse the population already is. You’ll fit in easily.

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