A Digital Nomad Guide to New York

New York Visa

The United States is very strict with its immigration policies and it is extremely difficult to live in the country permanently as a digital nomad. You have to apply for a visa to be able to enter the US.

There are some exceptions for this for example for ESTA eligible countries. This list of nationalities do not have to apply for a visa in person but can apply for a so-called ESTA online which is a lot faster and more convenient. There is no need to go to an embassy which is a huge benefit for those who qualify. An ESTA can only be used for 90 days and is only valid for tourist purposes. This means that you cannot work or earn money locally in the United States and there are harsh fines in case you get caught.

If you are not from an ESTA eligible country you need to apply for a US visa. This needs to be done via mail or in-person and could even mean you have to participate in an interview. The process can be tedious but the visitor visa allows you to stay in the United States for up to 180 days which is far better than for an ESTA.

Again, remember that you cannot work in the United States under these visa conditions. Acquiring a green card or work permit is very difficult and usually only possible if you are employed by a large firm. Finding a company to hire you from overseas is highly advisable if you want to stay in the United States long term.

Culture and Food in New York

The United States is not necessarily known for its unusual cuisine since you can find most “American” dishes all around the world as a sort of standard option. However, New York has some traditional dishes that are unique to the city because they are prepared in a specific way. 

When you’re walking around the streets of Manhattan you’ll soon notice little food carts everywhere selling different things. The most common options are hotdogs and soft pretzels although you’ll find all sorts of foods are sold by these vendors. Absolutely make sure you try at least one hotdog which is served with relish, crispy fried onions and sometimes even sauerkraut, a German pickled cabbage. Hotdogs usually only cost 1$ or 2$ and are the perfect afternoon snack.

New York is known for its incredible Italian cuisine which has been adapted and Americanised. A New York pizza is usually sold per slice and can be purchased from many small restaurants around town. Pizza is a popular street food and an authentic New York slice has a lot of cheese and sauce and even needs to be folded in half to be eaten efficiently.

Then there is the New York cheesecake which has become a popular term around the world. This rich cake is usually mainly made from cream cheese and served plain without too many toppings. For an authentic experience visit the Cheesecake Factory, a large American restaurant chain with an extensive menu of different cakes and desserts.

A real New York bagel is another treat that is often attributed to New York City. This is a soft and dense type of bread roll which is doughnut-shaped and very shiny. Bagels are not baked but rather boiled which doesn’t technically make them a type of bread but they are usually consumed in a similar way. You can buy them from bakeries or supermarkets and they are most frequently served for breakfast. Top a bagel with cream cheese or cold cuts and turn it into a sort of sandwich. New York is definitely the perfect spot to get into bagels. You’ll find yourself missing them once you leave the city again.

New York is often considered to be very different from the rest of the United States. Because of its ethnic diversity, it’s difficult to attribute a certain culture to New York City. Many cultures are actually represented and you’ll find cultural celebrations from all around the world. New York is a very open place and welcoming for the LGBT community.

Many tourists come to New York City just before Christmas when the whole city is lit up with Christmas lights. This is a magical time to visit New York and you shouldn’t miss it if you get the chance. New Year’s is also a popular event and a great time to experience the nightlife. Then there is the 4th of July, America’s independence day which is always celebrated with a large fireworks show.

New York Nightlife

There are so many nightlife options in New York you might struggle to decide where to start. From loud clubs to swanky cocktail bars and live music venues, there is just about anything you can imagine in this city. As the city that never sleeps New York has a reputation of being essentially open 24/7. If you love going out and enjoying yourself this is the place to go.

Keep in mind that due to alcohol restriction laws most clubs in New York are actually only available if you’re 21 and over. Alcohol laws are strict so always carry a valid ID with you. In most cases, only US IDs or passports will be accepted so take care when you’re on a night out so that you don’t lose your passport somewhere along the way. Some great clubs in the city include Output, 40/40 or 1 OAK which attracts a more upscale crowd. Clubs almost always charge entry fees which are usually somewhere between 20-30$ but can be even higher depending on the venue. In some cases, you can redeem this price in exchange for drinks.

If a loud club is not what you’re looking for then maybe check out one of New York’s many cocktail bars. Prices will be quite expensive so expect to pay somewhere between 12$ and 18$ per cocktail. Some of the best must-try bars around the city include The Long Island Bar, Maison Premiere and the Dead Rabbit.

If you’re looking for more affordable nightlife options in New York city you should try out venues like Jimmy’s corner, Botanica Bar or B-side. These bars are a lot less fancy than some of the expensive cocktail bars but their prices are far more affordable. You can find a draft beer for as little as 4$ if you’re lucky which is a decent price for New York.

Bars and clubs tend to close at around 4:00 am in New York city although some are open later unofficially. If you’re out late make sure to take an Uber or taxi home as the subway can be unsafe during this time of the night. This is not always the case but try to at least avoid taking public transport at night when you are alone. 

New York has a very large comedy scene which is a great way to spend an evening with some friends or a date. Go to one of the popular comedy clubs like the Comedy Cellar, the New York Comedy Club or the Broadway Comedy Club. You can watch a wide variety of shows from both established comedians as well as newcomers. Open-mike nights are very popular where anyone can go up on stage and try their hand at stand-up comedy.

Then there are the live tapings of late-night shows you can attend in New York. Oftentimes you can simply wait in line and they will select people for the audience. For others, you have to buy tickets in advance. Some live shows taped in New York include The Daily Show, Late Night and the Tonight Show.

Things to do in New York

• Stroll through Central Park
  

  If you go to New York City without walking through Central Park at least once, you haven’t really experienced the city. The 843-acre park was built right in the middle of the city and is one of the most famous attractions. Within the park are several ponds, including a large lake in the centre. There are also about 50 fountains, 21 playgrounds, several sports facilities and about 25,000 trees throughout the green space. There is definitely enough to see here if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

• Visit the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
  

  The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is located where the World Trade Center once stood. The bronze plaques surrounding the memorial are intended to commemorate the 3,000 people who died in the 2001 terrorist attack. In the museum, you will find more information about the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. Also on display are parts of one of the planes and a damaged fire truck. The entrance fee for the museum is 26$ and really worth it if you are interested in the history of New York. Visiting the memorial is free and there is no entrance fee.

• Go up to the top of the Empire State Building

  The Empire State Building is 90 years old and still ranks 47th among the world’s tallest buildings. The highest floor lies 373 metres above the ground. On the 86th and 102nd floors, you will find the observation decks accessible to visitors. In good weather, you’ll have a beautiful view over the whole city in all directions from here. The combination ticket for both observation decks costs $75 per person. If the lower deck is enough for you, you can get the entrance for $42. The building is open to visitors from 12 noon to 2 am and offers a beautiful view of the city that never sleeps, even at night.

• Visit the Statue of Liberty

  Seeing the Statue of Liberty while you are in New York is an absolute must. Whether from the shore or directly from the small island, this statue is definitely a sight worth seeing. With its 93-metre height, it is one of the tallest statues in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. A ferry ride to the small island costs $19.25 and includes an audio guide and, if desired, a ranger guide. Climbing up to the crown of the statue costs an additional $3. As tickets here are limited and of course in high demand, you should book this at least a few months in advance. If you buy a ticket on-site, make sure that it comes from an authorised stand selling entrance tickets. There are always fake vendors around who will sell you tickets that are not valid.

• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge

  New York is full of interesting landmarks, including the famous Brooklyn Bridge. It connects Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River and was the first permanent way to cross the river when it was completed in 1883. The bridge can be crossed on foot or by car and offers a great view of the New York skyline in both directions.

• Walk the High Line
  

  The High Line Park is an old railway line that has been closed since 1980 and was turned into a public park. Since there is always a lack of green space in big cities, the 1.45-mile long railway line was completely redone and is now home to countless plants and even small trees. It is very popular with pedestrians and joggers as there are no traffic lights or vehicles to watch out for. From the High Line, you occasionally have a great view of parts of the Hudson River, and there are many places to sit and relax. While you stroll up there, you can still see the old railway tracks, which now blend into the atmosphere with beautiful flowers and plants. The park is open around the clock and there is no entrance fee.

• Walk through Times Square

  New York’s Times Square appears in many American movies and TV shows. The famous theatre district with its numerous neon signs is a sought-after destination for tourists and the subject of many photos. Around 460,000 people walk through Times Square every day. In addition to the 40 or so theatres and musical venues, you will also find numerous cafés, restaurants, the occasional fast-food chain, but also a few high-class restaurants. When the sun sets, Times Square becomes an impressive place with its countless illuminated signs. 

• Visit Battery Park

  Battery Park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan. From here you can see the Statue of Liberty, and the ferry to the island departs from here. The park was named after the former gun emplacement that was once located there. The trenches are now decorated with flowers and monuments. The park on the shore is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Among other things, this is probably the best place to watch the sunset.

• Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral
  

  St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the United States built in the neo-Gothic style. The 123-metre-long and 53-metre-wide building stands is an impressive sight and a popular photo location. The interior of the cathedral can hold up to 2,400 people. It is a truly breathtaking piece of architecture and well worth a visit if you are in the area. You can also marvel at the huge organ with around 9,800 different pipes that can fill the entire interior with sound.

• Admire the plants in the Botanical Gardens of New York

  As in every major city, you’ll find Botanical Gardens in New York. The 250-hectare site contains more than 1 million plants divided into 50 different collections and sections. You can also see a piece of the former forest here that once covered the whole of New York. The main conservatory, built-in 1890, is one of the main attractions and offers a magnificent orchid show every spring. The entrance fee is $22 for the gardens and a ticket to the Conservatory will cost another $6 on top.

Best Time to Visit New York

The best time to visit New York is somewhere between the end of June and mid-September. 

December to February mark the wintertime and will be very cold with a chance of snow. In winter, temperatures rarely rise above 9°C during the day and can drop to -2°C at night. Rain and snowfall can be frequent, so you should always wear warm and weatherproof clothing. From December to February there is an average of around 9 hours of daylight, although this can be shorter due to high cloud cover. 

From March to mid-June, spring arrives in the city and more people can be seen on the streets. The change is also clearly noticeable in the rising temperatures. While it is still quite cool in March, it gets much warmer from April onwards and temperatures reach up to 25°C during the day in June. For this period, you should still dress warmly at first, with the option of taking off a layer in case you feel warm. At night, however, it can cool down to 15°C from time to time. 

In July, temperatures finally reach their peak and sometimes climb up to 30°C. In the summer, the average daytime temperature is around 25°C and at night, it usually doesn’t get colder than 22°C. However, there is a 30% chance of rain during these summer months. Therefore, it is best to carry an umbrella when travelling in the city in case a rainstorm hits. 

From the end of September, temperatures drop just as quickly as they rose in spring. While you can still expect around 20°C at the end of September, temperatures drop to as low as 8°C during the day by the end of November. The probability of cloudy weather is around 60%, although less rain is expected than in the summer months. 

New York for Families

New York is not the most family-friendly city in the world. It’s large and loud and sometimes hard to navigate. That being said if you move to New York as a digital nomad with your family you will most likely not be living directly in Manhattan but somewhere in a quieter neighbourhood which will be a lot more manageable.

If you don’t mind living somewhere a bit further away from all the action you could have a very enjoyable time in New York. Just keep your budget in mind and think twice whether you want to spend all this money on living in a large city with your kids. Rent is incredibly expensive in New York, even in the suburbs. You’ll end up paying thousands each month which doesn’t include your commute or living costs.

Having a car is almost always a necessity when it comes to moving somewhere new with your family. Especially with younger kids, you don’t want to depend on public transport to get around. New York is known to have rough areas and especially late at night it’s not advisable to take public transport with kids.

Of course, a large city like New York has an incredible selection of schools. Public school will be affordable and convenient since the main spoken language is of course English. There are also fantastic private school options such as the British International School of New York, the United Nations International School, the German International School and many more. You’ll rarely find so many international schools in one place so there is a great selection for you to choose from. Unfortunately, they all charge very high tuition fees and are very expensive. Definitely factor this into your budget before you decide to relocate to New York with your family.

Living in New York

New York Transportation

New York City is an incredibly well-connected city and probably one of the only places in the United States where you don’t need a car to get around. The city is so packed that parking is ridiculously expensive. Unless you are coming to New York with your family and living in the suburbs there is no real benefit in having a car. You can get almost anywhere either via bus, subway, ferry or taxi if there is no other option.

The most common form of transport in New York is the subway. The network is extensive and easy to navigate. It operates 24 hours and takes you around Manhattan and the surrounding neighbourhoods. Tickets rarely cost more than a few dollars and can be bought at the station.

If you’re staying in New York for a longer time you should definitely consider getting a metro card. You can use it on both buses and the subway interchangeably and it can be recharged as many times as you like. This system is convenient and much easier than buying new tickets every time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the large number of subway lines make sure to pick up a free subway map from a booth at a station or download one online.

The New York subway system is considered to be quite safe. However, late at night, it might be advisable to avoid using the subway if you are alone. Always keep your belongings close and be careful with pickpockets.

Another good way of getting around in New York is via bus. As a tourist, this might be a more enjoyable way to travel because you get to see more of the city. Buses tend to be a bit slower than the subway though and can sometimes get stuck in traffic. If you’re trying to get somewhere fast they might not be the best option for you. You can use your metro card 0n New York City buses which is the easiest way to pay for a ticket. They only accept coins and no paper money so make sure you remember that if you need to pay in cash. Depending on the line buses will run every 5 to 15 minutes throughout the day. Some but not all even run 24 hours a day.

Taking the ferry is an absolute must if you’re new to New York. You can use it to cross the rivers or go to a different neighbourhood or simply to enjoy the incredible views. The ferries are a lot cheaper than some of the tourist harbour cruises so if you want to see the city from the water this might be a great option. A ride only costs a few dollars and is definitely worth it.

New York is home to the iconic yellow taxis which you’ll see all around town. Recently ride-sharing services like Uber have become very popular. They are slightly more affordable and it’s much easier to find a ride since you can simply locate a driver from your phone. If you’re coming home late at night it’s definitely advisable to take a taxi or Uber.

Fitness and Health

If you like trying obscure new sports and fitness trends then New York is the city for you. You’ll find anything here from underwater cycling, trampoline workouts or indoor surfing. The selection is endless and there are always new things to try. Of course, New York is home to some of the best dance studios in the world so if you’ve ever considered getting into dance now is the time. Classes vary in price and can cost anywhere between 15$ to 250$ per hour depending on the dance school and instructors.

If you enjoy working out in a traditional gym you’ll be pleased to know that New York City has one of the best selections in the world. You can find anything from budget-friendly options, large chains to boutique gyms that are highly focused on a specific target audience. You can find some of the most affordable memberships starting at 15$ per month and prices go all the way up to 200$ per month for more upscale establishments. Take your time picking your gym to make sure you get the best possible deal. Most will offer multiple locations throughout the city which you can use interchangeably. Have a look at Planet Fitness and Blink for some more affordable options and Equinox and the New York Health and Racquet Club for more upscale environments.

New York is also a fantastic city to get into running. Especially the many parks as well as the river banks have some great running tracks. Definitely give it a go even if you usually don’t really run. This is the perfect way to get to know the city while also staying fit.

New York People

Stereotypically New Yorkers are perceived to be rough and not the most friendly. New York is a city where nothing is unusual. Everyday encounters and situations can be so absurd and weird that a real New Yorker isn’t shocked by anything. If you’re moving to New York definitely expect it to be different from what you might know from other large cities. In New York, everything is larger than life and completely unexpected. With just under 8,5 million people there is always something new to see and do. 

Living in such a large city can feel overwhelming especially if you usually live in more rural areas. With endless possibilities around you, you might feel lonely and isolated initially as it can be quite hard to get to know people as a digital nomad. Definitely seek out coworking spaces and networking events to meet fellow remote workers. Utilise Facebook groups and connect with new people to make friends. A great way to get to know more people is to try out some new activities and hobbies. Take a painting class or try a new sport. Don’t be afraid to make the first step and approach people. People in New York tend to be a bit reserved which might feel uncomfortable at first but you’ll soon feel more at home. It will take a while to get your footing but you’ll eventually fall in love with the city and all it stands for.

New York City is a very diverse and multicultural place. According to a consensus from 2010 44% of the population is white, 28% Latino, 25% African American and 13% Asian American. All world religions are well represented and there is a sizable population of Orthodox Jews.

Some neighbourhoods are grouped together according to nationality and ethnicity. Chinatown is one of the largest of these neighbourhoods and is a popular place for tourists and locals alike. You’ll feel like you left New York behind and entered an Asian city. Come here for fantastic food, shopping and cultural festivals. There is also Little Italy which is located in Lower Manhattan and known for its authentic Italian cuisine.

Some lesser-known micro-neighbourhoods include Little Senegal, Little Poland and Flushing in Queens which is home to a large Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Korean population. Flushing is very well known as a micro-community as around 70% of the locals here are of Asian descent. It is home to the New World Mall, the largest Asian indoor mall on the East Coast of the United States.

You’ll find almost every single nationality in New York and a corresponding community. This is a great city to come if you want to retain your roots to your home country while you embrace a new place. Connect to your own national community in New York or immerse yourself in another. There are endless options. If you’re craving that one traditional dish your grandmother used to make chances are you’ll find it somewhere in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the streets of New York.

New York Insurance and Medical Care

The United States is known to have a very expensive medical system. Under no circumstances should you move to New York as a digital nomad without having medical insurance. Treatments can quickly cost thousands of dollars if you do not have insurance even for minor medical issues. Emergency medical care in general like an ambulance ride or emergency room treatments will be very expensive. Make sure you obtain medical insurance that is applicable abroad from your home country. In many cases, insurance companies will charge higher premiums for treatments in the United States. Keep this in mind and double-check whether your insurance is valid there.

While prices can be high the quality of hospitals and medical care is very good in the United States. New York is a very large city with world-renowned hospitals so even complicated issues can be treated with no problem. There are different types of clinics so choose carefully which one you go to. Emergency rooms will usually have very long wait times so it’s worth booking an appointment with a doctor if there is no urgent need to be treated.

For most medication, you will need a prescription which you can receive from a doctor. Again, medication can be very expensive if you are not covered by insurance. It might be worth taking specific medication that you need regularly with you so you don’t have to worry about finding a new doctor who can prescribe what you need.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in New York

Obtaining a work permit in the United States is very difficult as a foreigner. Anyone who is not a US citizen or holds a special visa needs a so-called green card to be able to work in the United States legally. The green card will let you gain permanent residency in the US and allows you to work in any field. 

If you do not have a green card or are employed by a company who sent you to the US to work you cannot legally earn money there. Make sure you conduct all your work online to avoid being fined and possibly even deported. The US is very strict about its laws regarding work permits. Should you be caught the punishments will be harsh. Make sure you are financially stable enough to earn all your money online before you come to New York. The city is expensive and you might be spending more than you expect.

If you do have a green card or have an American passport you can find a local job in New York. Since the city is so large there are a lot of unskilled jobs available. You could find work in the hospitality industry or in retail without too many problems. Skilled jobs are also available but the market is competitive so there will most likely be a lot of applicants. If you’re looking for additional work online ask around at coworking spaces and networking events for any open job opportunities.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.