How to adapt to the local culture in New York
Surviving in a new environment can be particularly challenging, especially when moving to a big city like New York. Here are some tips to help you adjust to the local culture in New York, regardless of your origins.
The language in New York
Although there is no official language in the United States, English is the most spoken one. In a cosmopolitan city like New York, nearly 800 languages are spoken daily, and only 65% of New Yorkers use English as a language spoken at home. With that said, it is strongly advised to learn and be able to speak basic English before moving to New York. You will also need a good command of English to get a job in the city. In any case, practising English will lead to significant progress and a better adaptation to your new home.
Outings in New York
New Yorkers love going out. After work, they usually grab a drink among colleagues or go out for dinner. The last big count of restaurants done in 2019 concluded that there were over 23,000 different eateries in New York. According to data from Open Table, you can eat at a different place once a day for 22.7 years and never go to the same place twice! It is estimated that New Yorkers eat out four times a week, and according to a retail report by CBRE in May 2019, New Yorkers spend an astounding $8,082 per year on restaurant dining (130% more than the national average of $3,512!). On weekends, from Thursday night to Saturday night, concerts are overcrowded while bars (and on lovely days, rooftops, too!) get crowded in record time. Indeed, New York deserves the nickname of the city that never sleeps!
Friendship in New York
There are so many people in New York that meeting new people is easy. However, it is hard to make real friends by making small talk or through casual encounters. The workplace or university are places where it is easier to make friends organically, and you can join various interest groups, sports teams, and so on to find connections. Meetup.com is excellent for this. Flat-sharing is also a great medium to create strong friendships with Americans and foreigners.
Dating in New York
Navigating the dating scene in New York City can seem intimidating for beginners. The process typically involves initial interactions through dating apps or social events, followed by a series of in-person meetings or dates, which can vary, such as dining out, having a picnic in a park, watching a movie, going to an event, or doing an activity together. As the city is known for its fast-paced lifestyle and diverse population, individuals often date many potential partners before narrowing down their choices, and some people find swimming in these competitive waters to be quite daunting. There are lots of different dating apps that people use to connect. Apps like Bumble and Hinge leave women with decision-making power, and there are other apps targeting niche audiences, such as Swipe for the Jewish community and Grindr for gay men.
Useful links :
Interactive map of spoken language around New York
