Nothing compares to living in the Big Apple. But if you’re new to the city, the experience can be a bit overwhelming. The hustle of New York is something that not everyone can manage. Any New Yorker would freely announce that the city is the greatest in the world with the best food, greatest entertainment, and an unmatchable atmosphere.

New York certainly has some of the greatest places to eat no matter what your budget is. Visitors can splurge on a $500 dining experience in a top French restaurant or enjoy an unforgettable one dollar slice of pizza.

New Yorkers also have the ability and the privilege of ordering practically any food at any time. So are New Yorkers all heavy people? No, they live in a city where people walk everywhere. If a restaurant is a mile away, no problem! Going to class at the automotive & diesel technology college in NY? They’ll walk. Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg, New Yorkers can see the caloric value of all foods purchased at any restaurant chain. Food is just the start though. Individuals planning to move to New York need to consider some factors that might influence their decision.

First: Oh, the Sounds!

Living in New York will require residents to love the sounds. Silence may be an elusive feature in the city. For 24/7, 365 days a year, the city will be filled with the noises of cars, sirens, screaming pedestrians, and construction. While new residents may miss the sounds of nature such as crickets and birds, the attractiveness and ambiance of the city will set in and provide something that other places cannot. If the noise drives anyone crazy, many of New York’s fine retail locations can provide noise-canceling headphones that should ease the pain. If this doesn’t alleviate the problem, the city also has countless psychiatrists who can prevent you from going completely mad. But probably the best way to find an oasis of solace is to seek out Central Park walking tours. The city’s biggest park and beautiful green spaces will provide relief from the concrete.

Second: The Rent

The rental market is something that all new residents of the city face. Renting apartments in New York is beyond insane. To rent an apartment, people generally must pay a broker fee of 10 percent to 15 percent of the annual rent. Although some apartments don’t have this fee, the competition to obtain living space is ferocious. Keep in mind that ferocious in New York terms is not the same as in Alabama. Alternatively, renters can avoid the fee by skipping the middleman and using a website or service that contacts others looking for roommates. Although the thought of living with a stranger may seem odd, the practice is common in New York City.

Third: Taxes

New York City has some of the highest tax rates in the United States. Residents need to pay three different levels of taxes including local, state, and federal income tax. Taxes depend on a person’s income. Some tax brackets can be as high as 50 percent. Sales tax, at a whopping 8.875 percent, is also high compared to other metropolitan areas in the US. Hey, but not everything is bad! Property taxes are quite reasonable. Sure, you must own property to take advantage of this one, but it’s a start. New residents may need to seek advice from a financial planner, accountant, or consultant to understand how the changes will affect finances. About to pay child support and alimony? At these tax rates, DNA testing in NY is a must!

Fourth: Transportation

The million-dollar question is: do you buy a car or not? According to the census bureau, 56 percent of city residents don’t own a car. However, those traveling outside of the city may require one from time to time. So if you need to invest in a vehicle, many local dealerships can offer deals on new or used automobiles, including those in neighboring states such as VW dealerships in New Jersey.

The truth is that owning a car in the city is a pain. In many of New York’s neighborhoods, including Manhattan or other densely populated areas, finding free parking is as likely as finding a unicorn. Drivers commonly search for hours for a place to park. When you find one, you may not be able to leave the car parked in the spot for more than a few minutes. Many areas require car owners to move their vehicle to allow access to street sweepers. This could mean moving the car and not finding a new spot. However, the public transportation system of buses and subways is among the best in the world.

Fifth: Personal Space

New Yorkers don’t really understand the concept of personal space. As people move through the city streets, everyone will bump into everyone. This is just the way that things function. Such actions are not hostile or aggressive. For the sake of sanity, consider the experience as a bonding opportunity forced by proximity and a need to get somewhere now. If you’re heading home from obstetrics and gynecology care centers where you just learned you were expecting, you might wonder how many city people will make room for your growing belly.

Other bonding opportunities afforded by the city include being armpit buddies with other fellow rush-hour subway travelers. Remember, do to others what you do want them to do to you. Be nice and use a good, strong deodorant. As you bear witness to the dynamics of the city, you will adjust to the concept that personal space is a mental creation.

As the realization that this city is unlike anything you’ve experienced, notice that tourist New York is not the real New York. Individuals living in the city are not concerned with the iconic landmarks that appear in TV shows and are visited by millions of people a year. Residents avoid Times Square like the plague, and visiting the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty is either on their to-do list or was done as a tourist before moving to the city.

The real New York City is inside of its boroughs and areas not sought out by tourists. Saying what a typical New Yorker does is difficult because the city enjoys such a diverse cultural population. People can do practically anything.  The beauty of the city is that people can be who they are without judgment. Your ancestors might have migrated in boats, passed the Statue of Liberty to enter Ellis Island and looked at lower Manhattan with awe to realize a dream, escape persecution, or start a new life. You too can become part of a city without pretenses or requirements. The city is a melting pot of hard-working individuals with the drive to make it.