Pros and Cons of Living in New York: Is NYC the Right Place for You

Before you move, learn the pros and cons of living in New York City. We cover lifestyle, cost, and more to help you decide if NYC is the right fit for you.

Why So Many Young People Dream of Living in New York?

You know what’s funny? I didn’t even want to live in New York at first. It just… happened. One too many TikToks showing rooftop sunsets in Brooklyn, and suddenly I’m down a rabbit hole searching the pros and cons of living in New York. That’s how it starts for a lot of us. NYC isn’t just a place, it’s an aesthetic, a mindset, a mood. For Gen Z, who values freedom, creativity, and nonstop movement, it’s like the city was built for us, even if our bank accounts say otherwise.

Fun fact: there are over half a million college students living in NYC. That’s not a typo. And when you're here, it makes sense. You’re never really alone, even when you want to be. The city pulls you in with its diversity, chaos, and opportunity. 

The pros and cons of living in New York are real, and if you're not ready for the grind, the city will humble you fast.

Pros of Living in New York as a Student or Young Professional

The pros and cons of living in New York can vary wildly depending on your lifestyle, your borough, and your hustle level.

Once you’ve lived here for a while, you start to collect your own list of pros and cons of living in New York, from $1 pizza wins to $1,500 rent fails.

Career & Networking Opportunities in NYC

If there’s one reason I stayed in NYC longer than I planned, it’s the career scene. Like, where else can you intern for a major media house in the morning, freelance for a tech startup in the afternoon, and attend a networking mixer with founders by night,all on a Tuesday? When people ask me about the pros and cons of living in New York, I always start here. Yes, it’s intense. But if you’re hungry, it delivers.

I got my first paid gig just by talking to someone on the subway wearing a tote bag from an agency I loved. That’s what NYC does,it throws opportunities at you when you least expect it. 

Cultural Vibes and Constant Events

No one warned me how overstimulating this city can be,in a good way. I thought I’d miss my college campus life, but within a week, I found free poetry readings in the East Village, a student-led art exhibit in Brooklyn, and a Latinx indie film festival happening in Queens. For anyone who thrives on being surrounded by culture, music, and energy, living in New York feels like a never-ending scroll IRL.

And here’s what makes it even better for students: a ton of it is free or student-discounted. Seriously, I once saw a Broadway show for under $30 thanks to a student lottery. So when people ask me to break down the pros and cons of living in New York, I always say: yes, it’s expensive,but you’ll never pay for boredom.

Public Transport = No Car, No Problem

Owning a car in NYC? Don’t bother. Between the traffic, parking tickets, and the price of gas, it’s a financial trap you don’t need. Honestly, I sold my car before I moved here and never looked back. The subway can be chaotic, sure, but it’s reliable, cheap, and weirdly comforting once you learn the system. You’ll become a public transit pro in your first month.

P.S : The pros and cons of living in New York can vary wildly depending on your lifestyle, your borough, and your hustle level.

Diversity and Inclusion 

The biggest shift that I experienced moving here? I didn’t have to shrink myself. Everyone's doing them, and that is what makes NYC feel like a liberating place. 

You see people in saris, durags, leather harnesses, and thrifted couture, all in the same train car. It's the kind of place where no one stares because everyone is already different. It welcomes you, it’s layered, and it has communities for literally everyone.

The Late-Night Lifestyle & 24/7 Everything

NYC is truly known as the "city that never sleeps." As a student working through the night, or someone finishing a late shift and needing ramen at 2:00 AM, that's a real lifesaver. I've gone to study at 24/7 cafes, experienced concerts after midnight on a whim, and even grocery shopped at 2 AM just because.

I don’t think this aspect of what it means to live in NYC is being discussed enough. The ability to do whatever you want, and whenever you want, even at strange hours, creates a lively vibe throughout the city. It is characteristic of Gen Z life: spontaneous, flexible, and always on. 

Cons of Living in New York (What Students Should Watch Out For?)

The Rent Will Test Your Will to Live

I knew rent in NYC would be high, but I didn’t realize it would feel like a second tuition. Studios the size of cereal boxes go for over $2,000, and if you want windows or a kitchen that fits two humans, you’re paying even more. Honestly, one of the biggest downsides of living in New York City is just how much you shell out before you even get a mattress in the door.

As a student or young professional, you're probably juggling side gigs, school, or entry-level pay, and that math doesn’t always add up. Sure, you’ll find ways to make it work (roommates, sublets, creative budgeting), but when people ask me, Is it worth living in New York? My answer is always: only if you're okay sacrificing comfort for the experience.

Burnout is Built In

NYC doesn’t slow down. Ever. And while that can be exciting, it also means your nervous system is constantly on edge. Between packed subways, sirens, and the pressure to “keep up,” it’s easy to burn out fast. I’ve had days where I felt on top of the world and nights where I cried in a bodega because I missed my bus and my shift started in 20 minutes.

Gen Z talks a lot about mental health (as we should), and living in New York as a student can be a lot if you’re not grounded. One of the more overlooked cons of living in New York is that you’re always surrounded by people, but loneliness still hits different here. You have to protect your peace on purpose.

Space? What Space?

Let me paint a picture: my first “room” in NYC fit a twin mattress, a laundry basket, and nothing else. I had to crawl over my bed to open the window. NYC pros and cons in a single event: you trade square feet for skyline views.

If you’re used to space, get ready to recalibrate. Closet-sized bedrooms, no elevators, and shared bathrooms are standard. 

So yeah, living in New York isn’t for the claustrophobic.

The Winters Hit Different

No one really warned me about New York winters. Brutal wind tunnels between buildings, frozen slush puddles, and that uniquely depressing gray sky that shows up from November to March. 

And the worst part? You’re still walking everywhere because subway delays don’t stop for snow.

If you’re coming from a warmer place, this might be one of the harder pros and cons of living in New York to adjust to. It’s not just the cold, it’s living life in the cold. Classes, jobs, grocery runs, all while looking like a walking laundry pile of layers. 

Pro tip: Invest in real boots and a coat that actually works. TikTok puffers won’t save you.

It’s Not Always Safe or Soft

I won’t sugarcoat it, NYC has an edge. Most of the time, you’ll feel fine, but there are definitely moments when you have to stay aware. Subway lines late at night? Skip ’em. Sketchy landlords? Too many to count. Random street confrontations? Happens. One of the real downsides of living in New York City is that it’s unpredictable in both magical and mildly terrifying ways.

That said, you can stay safe, just don’t be naive. 

Hey, we are not done yet.

A bonus pro for you awaits

Top Universities:  Major Pro of Living in New York

One underrated advantage when listing the pros and cons of living in New York is just how stacked the city is with top-tier universities. Whether you’re into STEM, the arts, business, or liberal studies, there’s a school here that fits the vibe. The likes of New York University (NYU) ,Columbia University, The New School, CUNY Colleges, and Fordham University.

And the best part? You’re not isolated on a traditional campus—you’re studying in the city, with access to real-world experience every day.

So, what's the verdict?

At the end of the day, the pros and cons of living in New York aren’t black and white. It’s more like living in a city of chaos, ambition, and overpriced iced coffee. For students and young professionals, living in NYC is both a dream and a hustle. There are opportunities, communities, independence, and also days full of questioning everything when rent is due and your subway line randomly shuts down. 

But here’s the thing: the pros and cons of living in New York are the very things that make it New York. It’s the city where the word broke has a whole new meaning, and where feeling exhausted is just a version of being empowered. 

If you’re moving next month or still deciding, just know: you’ll never be fully “ready” for New York. Sometimes, you’ve just got to dive in to figure out if you’re cut out for it!

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