How real life in New York works and how much it costs: the experience of a Ukrainian tourist who has become local

When you gradually turn from a tourist into a local resident, New York opens from a completely different direction. The city is so diverse that even when the euphoria from meeting it passes, it does not cease to amaze. Vera Spiridoncheva, project manager at Taskcombank, having visited almost 40 countries, moved to the Big Apple. In the column for MC Today she told how life in this megalopolis is actually arranged.

“New York is a city with an impossible number of people from different parts of the world. Only here you can meet seemingly incompatible couples in love, the interweaving of different cultures, incredible street musicians in the subway, cool Wall Street bankers in the laundry, and accidentally at a private party, find yourself at the same table with George Clooney himself, ”Vera said ...

Before moving to the Big Apple, she, like most people, thought that the whole of New York looks like Manhattan. “Such, you know, the city of lights and opportunities from the film. In reality, everything is different, the girl notes. “You go to another area and find yourself in the dark-skinned quarter, where the persistent aroma of cannabis is.”

Once Vera came to one of these places, and realized this due to the increased attention to her person. "The looks of those around said something like:" Che, you forgot here, girl? " But no one touched. True, one guy nevertheless came up and asked what I was doing here. She answered, they say, for a walk. He said: “Do not be afraid, nobody will touch you, you are under my cover,” she recalls. - I don’t know, it was an attempt to meet or something else. But after his words I, though tensed, went further — interest was stronger than me. "My trip ended without incident, and many cool photos appeared in the archive."

Gradually, when you turn from a tourist into a local resident, many things inherent in this city cease to amaze you. For example, a guy with a naked torso in the subway or a very full girl in pink leggings and a short top. “You yourself already begin to tell the seller in the wine shop“ Hello, how are you? ” and you’re not waiting for an answer, ”Vera added.

Your habits change too. “You are satisfied with a bagel for breakfast (it’s such a bun spread with“ anything ”). You get used to using Google maps all the time: in another way, I don’t understand this metro, ”Vera said.

Illusions about this metropolis also disappear over time. “You no longer think that all of New York is preparing for the marathon, because Manhattan is far from the whole of New York,” the author said.

Moreover, you acquire new habits. For example, you start ordering products on Amazon. The politeness of the locals who have done nothing and say “sorry” is no longer surprising.

The frantic rhythm of this city, attracting more and more people here in search of opportunities and a better life, is becoming familiar. “You get used to measuring everything in money. Then I really understood the meaning of the phrase “time is money,” the girl shares.

How is ordinary life in New York arranged and how much does it cost?

Accomodation

The cost of housing in New York, by the standards of Ukraine, is several times more expensive. “I stayed with friends in Manhattan. But you need to understand that it is also very large and is divided into parts. I live in the Upper East Side, not far from Central Park, ”she said.

The cost of renting a more or less decent apartment starts at $ 3 thousand, but to find one, you need to try very hard. “There is such a thing as rental control. Earlier, when people fell into a certain category, they were given a discount on an apartment and fixed this cost, ”said the Ukrainian. - Here I have a neighbor, Eddie in our opinion: he looks like a drug dealer, he constantly smells of grass - in general, a modest guy. So, he is just renting a house on such conditions. ”

She also cited an example from the series Sex and the City. The heroine of the movie lived on 72nd Street and on Madison Avenue, paid a rent of $ 800. Once the owner set her a condition: either to buy a house, or look for another. Since she did not have money to buy an apartment, I had to look for another. It turned out that prices in this area start from $ 2,5 thousand.

Cash

“In New York, you can’t do just a card, you need cash. For example, renting a boat in Central Park or paying with a card in an Arab shop will fail, ”Vera explained.

On the subject: In 2020, a “cashless ban” will begin to operate in New York: what does it mean

Leisure

When you turn into a local resident, you begin to see who is a tourist and who is not. And you yourself will not do what travelers usually do. “You will never go to Times Square unnecessarily, but choose a Broadway show, MoMA Museum of Modern Art and a walk past the Flatiron Building in Manhattan,” said the immigrant.

Also new entertainment formats are opening up for you. For example, street fairs or a hot dog festival that takes place in a park on Coney Island Peninsula.

Many New Yorkers spend their days off in Central Park or meet friends in cafes and bars for brunch. “This is something between breakfast and lunch,” the Ukrainian explained.

In the summer, trips to numerous beaches become relevant. New York is also replete with theme festivals and festivals - they are dedicated to different cultures and traditions of those countries from which numerous emigrants came.

Food

In New York you can find food for every taste and budget. The cost depends on your eating habits. “Those who are obsessed with good nutrition and healthy lifestyles are buying expensive organic products. Some eat affordable fast food, while someone buys food in small budget chain stores - these are mainly kept by Arabs, ”the girl said.

Here are some prices for different items in the Big Apple:

• A bottle of wine - from $ 10. By the way, strong alcohol is sold only in special stores, in the supermarket you will find a maximum of beer.
• A slice of pizza - from $ 1.
• Water - from $ 1. In city parks there are also many fountains with drinking water, where you can get it for free.
• Prosecco at the bar - from $ 12.
• Dinner in a cafe or restaurant - from $ 25.

Transport

Metro is the most sought-after mode of transport in New York. This is because there are constant traffic jams in the city and a big problem with parking spaces: they are few and expensive. One trip costs $ 2,75. There is a special card that needs to be replenished in machines.

The same card applies to buses.

Shopping

It’s easy to dress in New York if you have a good income. There are many boutiques with branded clothing, there are discounts where you can buy good things from last year’s collections at affordable prices. “For example, everyone here comes with Michael Kors bags - in stock stores, the price is from $ 50,” said the Ukrainian.

On the subject: Personal experience of an immigrant: why New York is better than Moscow

Local residents value their time too much and are ready to overpay by buying clothes in the nearest store. “But this is not about me. One trick was told to me: you can buy a dress, put it on a couple of times, and after a week attach a tag and return it to the store. I'll try it! ” - Vera reported.

Monthly Budget

On average, the monthly budget for one resident of Manhattan is at least $ 6 thousand. “It's no frills and provided that you find an inexpensive apartment or room,” Vera explained.

New Yorkers are very open-minded, so making new friends and networking is easy. But it’s important to understand: as soon as the party ends, nobody cares about you - you are left alone with your problems. “From the stories, I realized that for many, New York was a difficult city to live in. It is comfortable here if you have a successful career and a lot of money. Otherwise, it is a struggle for survival. For a huge number of dreamers, the rhythm of life in New York turned out to be crazy. Despite the splendor of the city, there is a lot of dirt, poverty and drugs in it, ”summed up the immigrant.