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New York City

Densely packed, infinitely interesting

by Carla Chadwick

Learn more about New York City Our resources will help you familiarize yourself with the seemingly endless opportunities, resources, and attractions in the “Big Apple.” Attractions Calendar of Events Healthcare Facilities Neighborhoods Nursing Resources Shopping Transportation Weather Web Cams

Famous for their good-natured cockiness, New Yorkers come by it honestly. They live in the largest and arguably most interesting city in the country, and are justifiably proud. This powerhouse city has become the country’s unofficial capital for the same reasons its residents love it: diversity, glamour, and plenty of excitement.

Five is the Magic Number

Although most people think Manhattan and New York City are synonymous, that’s only one-fifth of the story. New York City actually is a network of five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) connected by bridges and tunnels. Within those boroughs, there are seemingly endless neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive flavor. These communities feature dwellings that range from low-income attached homes to mid-priced brownstones, condos, co-ops, and apartments to multi-million dollar lofts—and everything in between. And due to the limited space they have at their disposal, distinct neighborhoods co-exist practically right on top of each other. In fact, it’s not uncommon to be in an upscale neighborhood, then walk only a block and find yourself in an area with a much more economically depressed profile.

Photo Credit: Joseph Pobereskin/NYC & Company, Inc.

In spite of the fact that it only covers 22.7 square miles, and is a mere 0.8 miles wide at its narrowest point, Manhattan often is thought of as the heart of New York City. The bulk of the area’s attractions are here, along with a robust theatre district (38 Broadway theatres, 125 off-Broadway theatres, and 150 experimental off-off-Broadway theatres), countless restaurants, and many of the country’s largest businesses. Some of Manhattan’s attractions, such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, are icons. Their names are so tattooed on our collective consciousness that just hearing the names immediately invokes the feeling of this dynamic city. Less flashy, but more important to everyday life, is the fact that Manhattan is home to some of the country’s most prestigious healthcare facilities. Nine of Manhattan’s hospitals are on U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Hospitals 2002 list, and New York Presbyterian Hospital made the publication’s honor roll.

Borough-ing In

Even though almost 2 million residents commonly regard Manhattan as “The City,” 6 million New Yorkers choose to live in the other four boroughs—some because they prefer the quieter lifestyle in these communities, others because they simply can’t afford the astronomical price tag that comes with Manhattan living. But thanks to smart planning by transportation officials, outer-borough residents still can work in Manhattan by using the many transportation options available to them. The ferries, bridges, trains, and tunnels of the New York City area are an effective means of transportation, especially if you’re savvy about their use. Experienced New York drivers who commute know to listen to bridge- and tunnel-traffic radio updates before they leave each day so they can determine the least-crowded route. This is especially true when inclement weather hits, as is often the case in the winter.

Although they’re generally not as glitzy as Manhattan, the other boroughs definitely have their own appeal. The Bronx is the only borough that isn’t on an island, and in contrast to its sometimes-rough image, boasts almost 6,000 acres of lush parkland. It’s also home to Yankee Stadium, and Riverdale, one of New York’s most beautiful residential communities. Brooklyn personifies the term “bedroom community,” with its tree-lined residential streets and its noticeable lack of tall buildings. It’s home to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Coney Island, and of course, the Brooklyn Bridge, which celebrated its 120th anniversary on May 24, 2003. The city’s largest borough is Queens. It has the reputation of being the most ethnically diverse county in the country; with Italians, Irish, Japanese, Colombians, Indians, Puerto Ricans, Israelis, Maltese, Greeks, and Peruvians all having their own distinct presence in the community. It’s also the site of two World's Fairs (1939 and 1964), and the USTA National Tennis Center, which hosts the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament every year. Last, but not least, little Staten Island is a diverse community that lays claim to 57 miles of waterfront property. Historically known for the Staten Island Ferry, it has a new, but tragic, claim to fame: Its Fresh Kills landfill is where the remains of the World Trade Center went to be sorted and archived.

Expensive—But Worth It

There’s no doubt that living in New York City is an expensive proposition. It has some of the highest property and state income taxes in the country. It also has hefty sales and local commuter taxes, and its housing costs are among the highest in the United States. But New Yorkers take it all in stride. They obviously feel it’s the price they have to pay to live in what some might consider America’s premiere city.