Moving to NYC & Exploring The Big Apple

Students walking in NYC

Geographically, New York City isn’t huge, but more people live here than any other city in the U.S.. If you’re coming from a smaller or less populated place, living here might feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning but it will probably also feel exciting. 

As you get to know the city better, its quirks and secrets become known and that makes living here all the better.

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Housing

Searching for an apartment in New York City can be challenging whether you are relocating from abroad or a long-time local looking for a new place. We’ve put together our best advice and resources to help you navigate the apartment hunt.

 

On-Campus Living ⬇

NYU On-Campus graduate housing is extremely limited and managed by a waitlist process. Since on-campus housing is not guaranteed, GPH graduate students are strongly encouraged to seek their own accommodations. 

 

Off-Campus Living ⬇

NYU Off-Campus Housing website offers rentals, resources and a roommate finder tool.

Below are free housing resources you can check out as part of your research. NYU is not affiliated with these organizations, but they’re a great place to start your search. Be cautious of rental scams. 

 

 

Where do NYU GPH Graduate Students live?

Most NYU GPH students live in one of the five boroughs of New York City or in Jersey City. The pie chart and map below give you a full view of the neighborhoods where many NYU GPH students live, and will help you get oriented to the New York City area.

Where do NYU GPH Graduate Students live?
Housing information is self reported. N = 100

Tips from our GPH Graduate Students

Searching for an Apartment

 

Signing a Lease 

  • Be prepared with 2-3 month’s rent before signing
    • First month’s and a deposit (1-month’s rent) are usually required, some places may ask for last month’s rent
    • TIP: be wary of paying in cash, check is safer
  • Tour the apartment before signing or putting down a deposit
  • Plan to stay in one place for the duration of your program
    • Make sure the apartment is affordable long term
    • Try to account for potential fluctuations in rent

 

Amenities 

  • Location to public transportation - account for commute time and distance to closest bus stop or subway station
  • Prioritize your “apartment essentials.” Here are some things to keep in mind:
    • Washer and dryer
    • Dishwasher
    • Central A/C
    • Heat and Water - ask if it is included in rent or separate utility payment
  • Identify whether laundry facilities are available in-unit or in-building. If not, find out where the closest laundromat is
  • Consider security - doorman, keycode, etc
  • Find out if the super lives in-building 

 

Guarantor

  • Reach out to your friends and family first
    • Parents, older siblings, and family members are a good option
    • Identify people who you trust and whose average income is about 80x your rent
  • Ask your roommates if their families would be willing to act as a guarantor
  • Other options include a third party guarantor
    • TIP: payment is typically 80% of 1-month’s rent
    • TheGuarantors
    • Rhino: an organization of real estate professionals and industry leaders who provide support and advice regarding the rental and home ownership processes
    • Insurent 

Broker

Where to find your broker: 

  • Zillow
  • StreetEasy
  • Check with your apartment complex
  • Social Media (Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook) 

TIP: Negotiating with your broker is acceptable, don’t be afraid to work on a student budget.

Transportation

 

Biking

Citibike has several docks around campus. 

 

Taxis

Licensed New York yellow taxis are a more expensive New York City transportation option. Other (sometimes more expensive) options include Uber and Lyft.

 

NYU Campus Shuttle

With an NYU ID, students can access NYU’s free campus transportation service, which shuttles students between the Washington Square campus and residence halls. Service is operated using trolleys, buses, and vans. Service and schedules vary depending on the University calendar. Download the SafeNYU app for real-time updates on the NYU Campus Shuttle. 

 

Saferide

Safe Ride is an on-demand, shared ride service available for transportation to and from NYU facilities in Manhattan, and to three local mass transit stations during the academic term from midnight to 7 a.m. To request service, use the Safe NYU Mobile App or call the Department of Public Safety at (212) 998-RIDE (7433). You can also request a ride via your computer by using the Safe Ride web portal. A van operated by Academy Bus will be dispatched to transport you.

 

Parking

For those commuting to New York by car, there are several parking garages around NYU. Some garages offer discounts to NYU students with a valid NYU Card.

 

Rail

  • Metropolitan Transportation Association (MTA) provides rail service (as well as buses and ferries) in NYC.
  • Metro-North provides rail service between Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and Hoboken Terminal, Connecticut and locations north of NYC.
  • Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) provides rail service between Long Island and NYC.
  • PATH trains provide service between New Jersey and Manhattan.
  • New Jersey Transit: Links major points between NYC, New Jersey (including Newark International Airport), and Philadelphia. Full-time students are eligible to receive a rail, bus, or light rail monthly pass at 25% off the regular monthly pass price through NJ TRANSIT's Quik-Tik program.

 

Bus

Several companies offer bus service from NYC to major cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and more. 

 

Plane

New York has three main airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). 

Supershuttle and Go air link shuttle operate shuttle buses from each airport to destinations such as Port Authority Bus Terminal or Grand Central Station. 

Cabs and car services are also available at the airport and, even though they cost more, they are your best bet if you have a lot of luggage. 

 

Entertainment in New York City

Explore student-created guides and graduate student life resources for ideas on enjoying life in New York City.

See below for additional resources. Note: Inclusion in this list does not indicate NYU endorsement or affiliation.

NYU School of Global Public Health
708 Broadway
New York, NY 10003

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