Your Best Tool for Abroad & Learning English

June 28, 2017

Part of the New York City experience is being outside and sight-seeing, walking everywhere as much as you can, and taking in the all the beauty the city has to offer. By the time mid-June rolls around, however, you’ll find that the heat starts to feel particularly heavy, and escaping the heat can be tricky, as the subways are stifling, exhaust from cars and buildings seem to make the sidewalks hotter, and of course, walking everywhere can make you sweat more than a car with air conditioning can.

For some great indoor activities that will get you out of the heat and away from the sun, New York City will quickly make you forget about these “dog days of summer” with some of the most classic and creative things to do. Plus, if you’re adjust to the English language, these activities will ensure you’ll get plenty of practice.

1. Minus5, New York Hilton, Midtown

This is one of those spots that you probably only see on TV, but now, you can make it part of your reality! Made completely of ice, the entire space’s furniture and glasses and even bar is frozen. You’ll forget about that blinding heat the instant you step foot in this bar! Kept at a constant -5 degrees Celsius, this spot will surely cool you down—just don’t forget to bring your jacket for this experience, and be sure to bring your winter English phrases with you for a bizarre flashback! Just don’t order a coffee!

2. Frames, 550 9^th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen

You can’t ever really go wrong with bowling, so if you’re looking for an activity to get out of the heat, check out this particularly awesome bowling alley—with neon lights that will remind you of the 70s and the leather couches that will keep you comfortable while waiting your turn, you’ll quickly forget about the rising temperatures outside. The fun music, cool drinks, and excellent graphics will keep you entertained for hours. You’ll also get familiar with some English phrases while playing, like “strike,” “spare,” and “turkey.”

3. Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, Pier 61

You might think that ice skating is just a wintertime activity, but at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, you can cool off any time of the year. With skate rentals available, you can make a spur-of-the-moment decision to kill a few hours here. Who knew that ice skating in August was something you could do? You might learn a few tricks on the ice from your buddies, but you’ll also be able to pick up on a few new English phrases while you’re tearing up the ice, like “axel,” “loop,” and “jump.”

4. Escape the Room, Multiple locations

This new activity is all the rage, and if you’ve never participated in this yet, surely some of your friends have done this. It’s a really creative way to kill some time, have some laughs with friends, exercise your brain, and of course, because this activity requires communication, your English communication skills will be put to the test, so be ready! With only a 60-minute window to “escape the room,” you and your friends will have to work together to solve the puzzles from hidden objects and planted clues.

5. Hit the movie theatre

This might be an easy solution, but it’s always a great idea if the heat is just simply sucking your energy and you can’t take the summer sun any longer. Luckily, there’s not the slightest shortage in movie theaters in New York City, so the options are endless. Whether you’re looking for the latest summer blockbuster or a throwback indie film, you have hundreds of theaters to choose from. Movie theaters are always pumping the AC to cool you down and make your body feel comfortable and relaxed again. And of course, watching a movie and catching up on pop culture is the perfect chance to exercise your English skills. Maybe check out a film that’s willing to put on closed captioning for you so you can read along while you watch to further cement your vocabulary and enunciation. Some of the biggest movies come out in the summer, so you’re sure to find something that will keep you distracted from the blinding heat for a few hours!

June 27, 2017

As the days get longer and the sun seems to get stronger each week, you might find yourself itching to be by the water to help cool down the summertime heat. As you might imagine, being on the beach in New York City is tricky, but there are a few options if travel is limited or if you’re just looking for a quick fix to get your toes in the sand and a few waves to cool yourself down. Plus, if you’re adjusting to the English language, these destinations are great learning tools for you, as these locations are filled with hundreds of people every day, and the beaches have signage everywhere so you can read and hear English all around you. Dig out your swimsuit, pack your sunscreen, and get ready for some fun in the sun!

1. Coney Island; West 37^th Street to Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn

This spot is probably the most popular summertime destination for New Yorkers, as it’s easy to get to, has almost three miles of beach, and it also has the additional perk of a boardwalk, amusement rides, and courts to play volleyball, handball, or basketball. This would also be the best spot to practice your English, as there are dozens of shops and restaurants, it’s always filled with people, and because the sun generally puts people in social moods, it’s the perfect time and spot to meet some new people! Get ready for a fun day!

2. Rockaway Beach; Beach 9^th Street, Far Rockaway, to Beach 149^th Street, Neponsit, Queens

This is another timeless favorite of New York City locals. This beach also has an impressive boardwalk, but the best part of this destination is that it’s the only beach in the city that allows surfing! Even if you don’t surf yourself, it’s still amazing to see surfers of all skill levels test out the waves. Rockaway also has plenty of concession options should you get hungry or thirsty. Practice your English surfing phrases (“Hang Ten”), and get ready for some great entertainment!

3. Cedar Grove Beach; Ebbitts Street and Cedar Grove Avenue, Staten Island

If you have the capacity to travel a bit to get to Staten Island, Cedar Grove Beach will not let you down. While it’s much smaller and quieter than other beaches in the city, this location is the newest, so it’s still a bit of a secret. This means less people, which also means this beach is a bit more intimate and tranquil. If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the New York City grind, this is the best option for a peaceful getaway. Interacting with others is of course allowed, but because this location is much more removed, it’s the perfect spot to appreciate the quiet and practice your English with a book!

4. South Beach; Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach, Staten Island

Also located in Staten Island, South Beach is a New York City local favorite. This is one of the more activity-friendly beaches in the area—it has a scenic bike trail, offers kayaking, has tennis courts, and even allows fishing. If you’re looking for a bit more physical activity, South Beach is definitely your spot. This another great spot to mingle with locals and practice your English social skills, as you can make teams for tennis, recruit a stranger to go kayaking with you, or simply make small talk with other fishers.

5. Orchard Beach and Promenade; Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park

This is the only public beach in the Bronx, and it’s quite legendary among the locals because of this and has been dubbed “The Riviera of New York” since the 1930s. Just over a mile long, Orchard Beach has a promenade, plenty of food and drink bars and carts, playgrounds and picnic areas for families, and over two dozen courts for volleyball, handball, and basketball. This beach also allows barbecuing, so be sure to pack all the necessities for hosting a killer outdoor meal—which is also a great way to mingle with other beach-goers. What better way to put your English skills to use?

June 22, 2017

One of my favorite parts of the warmer weather in New York City is simply being outside. It’s such a refreshing feeling to walk out of my apartment building and not get immediately slapped in the face with a blast of frigid, winter air. I love being able to feel the sun’s heat on my shoulders, I love the smell in the air from the flowers and blooming trees. Even the sound of children playing on the playgrounds has a more jovial ring to it. This time of the year, I’m always looking for things to do outside and ways to spend as much of my time outdoors as possible.

My first summer here, I discovered that many of the New York City parks host movie nights. They’ll put up giant projectors for the film, open their lawns for people to lay under the stars, and provide you with a relaxing and entertaining evening that you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re new to the English language, this is a great way to get some English practice in outside of the classroom. If you request it, the park will even put the closed captioning on the bottom of the screen so you can hear the English and read along, which will more thoroughly guide you through the experience of the movie. In one night, you can practice your English, enjoy a stunning New York City night under the stars, and see any of the dozens of American cinematic films New York City has to offer this summer.

1. Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan

I chose this one first because it’s one of my favorite spots in the city. A quick walk over the 103^rd Street footbridge, this island is an awesome, tucked-away location, making it feel like a secret within the city. I tend to go here before heading to Central Park because it’s not as populated, and it’s right on the water of the East River. This season, Randall’s Island Park is celebrating its 25^th anniversary, so they’re honoring this milestone by showing movies from 1992. Because it’s not as populated as other parks in the city, this is your best option when it comes to gathering a group of friends, packing a picnic basket with movie treats, blankets, and chairs. Socialize before the movie to brush up on your English social phrases, then during the movie, catch up on some cultural American classics on the giant projector.

2. Bryant Park, Manhattan

This is another one of my favorite spots to catch a movie at dusk. While this location is much more popular and tends to be more crowded, it’s still an awesome experience to know that you’re sharing the evening with hundreds of other New Yorkers looking to enjoy a warm night in New York City. The great part about this location is its proximity to the Hester Street Fair on the Fountain Terrace. This alleviates your need to pack food; pick up some great treats to snack on during the movie, and don’t forget to pack your blankets and maybe a sweatshirt for those cooler nights. With this spot being much more populated, this gives you the chance to mingle with other fellow New Yorkers and practice your English skills. With a movie showing every week, you definitely won’t run out of options!

3. Cedar Hill, Central Park, Manhattan

This spot is my next favorite just because it’s Central Park, and what’s not to love about this spot?! Located just off the East 79^th Street entrance, the field is easy to find, and again, you’ll be amongst hundreds of other New Yorkers, so it’ll be a really cool experience if you’re looking for something to do on a beautiful day. The other amazing perk of these evenings is that the experiences are completely free, so there’s no need whatsoever to worry about entrance—just bring your friends, your snacks, and your blankets! These evenings also tend to be pretty populated, but again, it’s the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow New Yorkers, and you’ll get the added bonus of brushing up on some of America’s favorite and most classic cinematic features!

If you’re located outside of Manhattan, there are also plenty of other fields and parks in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, so just do a quick Google search in your area, and you’re sure to find something in your neighborhood!

After enduring a long and cold winter in New York City, it can be so refreshing to have cooperative weather that doesn’t require three layers of clothing, hats and scarves, or even closed shoes. For me, turning my heat off and opening the windows in my apartment is the official launch of spring in New York City. While not every day is guaranteed to be beautiful, the first signs of spring or even early summer can be enough to completely change your mindset. I find myself taking the long way home, eating my lunch outside, and meeting friends for dinners way more often than I was in the colder months.

If you’re new to New York City and learning English, this is also one of the best times of the year to experience the thrills of the Big Apple. Restaurants open their sidewalks for outside dining, shops and salons keep their doors open to allow the fresh air in, and there are more street vendors out than any other time of the year. The warm weather tends to put everyone in good moods, it brings people out of the apartment buildings, and it encourages people to be social and spend time outdoors again. Since I’ve been living in Manhattan, I’ve been the most social during the warmer months because I was more excited to simply just be outside in the fresh air. As a result, this is the most ideal time for practicing your English with your friends and anyone else you interact with along the way.

1. 9/11 Memorial

September 11^th was an international tragedy, and if you find yourself with a day off, I highly recommend visiting the outdoor memorial in Lower Manhattan. This stunning tribute to those we lost in the attacks will take your breath away, and it will immediately take you back to the very moment you found out about the event. The memorial is surrounded by incredible information regarding the attacks, the victims, and hope for the future—while the mood in this location tends to be quiet and respectful, it’s still a great way to practice your English-reading while simultaneously learning more about the attack’s impact. Pick up the informational brochures to practice your English reading, and be sure to ask the guides questions in English.

2. The Cloisters

A part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this is a museum in Upper Manhattan with incredible medieval history and a stunning outdoor scenic location. While you’re walking the grounds on a beautiful spring day, you can take in the rich European history from this museum; if you can, make sure to visit the garden area of the experience. These spots have been designed to resemble the actual presentation of the medieval gardens, and expert historical horticulturists actually tend these gardens to truthfully resemble the real structure and dynamic of these buildings. As any museum has written information to guide you along, the Cloisters also does so you can again engage with your English vocabulary and put your learning to good use! Don’t forget to ask questions along the way and take in the beautiful outdoor scenery!

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cantor Roof

If you plan on going to the Met at all this season, be sure to visit one particular part of the museum: this spring, the roof of the Met will be open for a customized art display, which will stunningly overlook Central Park. Celebrated as one of the best museums in the world, Cantor Roof always delivers the best of the best in terms of international displays. So while you’re here, you’ll not only learn about the international artist and the inspiration behind the artwork, but you’ll be doing so by consuming the content in English! You’ll be getting fresh air, practice with your English, AND exposure to international culture, all in one stop! Be sure to stick around afterwards to visit the Garden Café and Martini Bar, also on the roof. Overlooking Central Park, this will be the perfect way to cap off an informational and educational day.

April 24, 2017

Last month, I shared some great ideas for spending time outside in New York City as the sun stays out longer and the temperatures become warmer and more comfortable. Because there really are so many options, I’ve decided to build off a previous post and share more exciting activities for the warm weather!

1. Frieze Art Fair

I wanted to include this one first because this takes place at Randalls Island Park—a destination that I love so much because I think it’s NYC’s best-kept secret. It’s a quick walk via footbridge over the East River, and once you’re there, it’s like being on a private little island, a perfect getaway from the speed of the city—which makes this event at the top of my list. Another great aspect of this event is that it has an international touch to it, displaying artwork from galleries all over the world. You may not need help translating your way through this event if you’re new to the English language!

2. South Street Seaport

This is another one of those locations in New York City that will make you pinch yourself. If you ever feel like you can’t get nature while living in NYC, then you’ve never been to this destination. Because this location is right at the bottom of the island, you have stunning views of the water with your choice of incredible restaurants, unique shops, and pretty spectacular spots to just hang out and chat with your friends. This spot is heavily detailed with signs and directions, so if you’re new to English, it will be simple for you to navigate and provide you time if you need help in translating.

3. Five Boro Craft Beer Fest

If you’re a huge beer fan like me, this should be right up your alley. This is the chance for more than 100 kinds of beers to be exposed to other beer enthusiasts. This is a great opportunity for you to sample all kinds of brews without having to commit to a full 16 oz. glass, and what better way to meet other people that share similar interests? This kind of event garners all kinds of people all over the world, so you will most likely be exposed to other languages other than your own native language and English!

4. Cinco de Mayo

You might hear this phrase starting to come up around the date of May 5th, as it’s a Mexican holiday in which the United States has recognized this date to celebrate Mexican-American culture. This is a great day for many restaurants and bars to whip up their best Mexican-inspired dishes and cocktails. So if you’re in the mood for a killer margarita or some high-quality tacos, this is the perfect time to wander into your local Mexican place—and maybe pick up some Spanish phrases and take a break from learning English for a day!

5. Bacon and Beer Classic

This is one that’s on my personal list of things to do this season. Again, I’m a huge beer fan, and who doesn’t love bacon? Be sure to arrive with an empty stomach and make sure you pace yourself while you wander from sample to sample, trying out the best in bacon and beer. This is another chance to test our your English skills by looking up all the sponsors on social media and joining the hashtag conversations—you might also learn about other spots in the arena that you didn’t even know about!

6. Spring Concerts

As you can imagine, another one of the greatest reasons for living in New York City is the proximity to so many great entertainment venues. Some of the biggest and most celebrated musical talents from all over the world ensure that they include New York City in their tour—they know they’ll guarantee ticket sales in these venues, and they know their fans hail from all over the world, so they’ll get the best of the best in their fan base! Whether you’re looking for a huge venue like Madison Square Garden or if you’re looking for a more intimate arena, like a local bar, you’re sure to find some of the most entertaining musical shows you could ever ask for—and as I mentioned in a previous post, music is one of the best vehicles to practice your English skills!

March 6, 2017

Learning English in a new city can be a big enough hurdle as it is, and when you add in the extra obstacle of cultural sayings and catchphrases, it can be overwhelming. Slang and verbal shortcuts are constantly changing due to cultural influences like music and television, so it can be hard to keep up, even for us native New Yorkers!

“The City”

As I’ve mentioned before in previous posts, New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Typically speaking, it would be safe to assume that when someone says “The City,” they mean New York City as a whole, right? You’re actually most likely wrong! You’ll find that when someone says “The City,” it more than often generically refers to Manhattan. Because the majority of major business and corporations as well as cultural sites are located in Manhattan, this borough tends to become the default location for generic conversation about New York City. You might also find that if someone is referencing a borough other than Manhattan, they’re more than likely to use the specific name of the borough. In short, if you hear someone use “The City” in a generic way during a conversation, remember to default their reference to Manhattan, and you’ll be just fine!

“In a New York Minute”

You might have noticed by now that New Yorkers move fast, and it might seem like they’re always in a hurry. In New York City, everything is FAST. This expression is used all over the country to reference anything that takes place in an instant or immediately. For example, pretend your favorite musician is coming to Madison Square Garden soon. To express how quickly you’d purchase tickets to the show, you might say, “If my favorite band is really coming to Madison Square Garden, I’d buy tickets in a New York minute!”

“Only in New York City!”

You might hear this quite often actually, as New Yorkers embrace how diverse and exciting their city is. There’s always something happening, and it might seem like there’s never a dull moment here. The first time I caught myself saying this was when I was at the subway platform waiting for my train when I noticed a huge rat just gliding along the ground in front of the platform edge, and no one was reacting! Since this was the first rat that I’d seen since moving to New York, I was startled, but then I realized that the rest of New York City has probably seen hundreds of rats at this point, so they were completely numb to this. I whispered to myself, “Only in New York City!”

“Bodega”

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make upon moving to New York City was not having a beautiful grocery store with wide aisles and lots of variety when it came to brands and price. While there are indeed stunning grocery stores in the city, most of these places are extremely high-priced and cater to those with steep expendable incomes. Additionally, transferring your purchases from the store to your home is something else to consider for those of us that don’t have cars. So, for most of us, we tend to do our grocery shopping at units we call “bodegas.” These are usually corner shops that have your basics, like breads and cheeses, dry pastas, and coffee, as well as regular household products like detergent and shampoo. The aisles are narrow and cramped, and you have to limit your purchases, as there’s obviously no room for shopping carts. I recommend doing the bulk of your shopping here, as I’ve found the prices to be reasonable. For fresh products, like fruits and vegetables, street carts always have the best supply of all your needs, and they’re all so fresh and cheap!

“Excuse Me”

I’ve realized this is probably the phrase I use most often on a daily basis. Whether you’re saying it as a way to politely ask people to move just a bit for you or whether you say it because you’ve accidentally bumped into someone due to tight quarters, you might find yourself saying this a lot more often than you’d imagine. New York City is a city where people are quite close to one another, either in their living spaces, on the subway, or even in their office environment, so if you’re not used to giving up a bit of your personal space yet, you will very soon. I mean, hey—Only in New York City!

February 20, 2017

Before I moved to New York City, so many people warned me about the cost of living and expressed their concerns about money and whether or not I’d “make it work.” Of course I was concerned about this myself, but I was determined to make sure I could do it and afford to live in New York City—and STILL have a life!

I’ve come up with some tips and tricks to make sure living in the big city is practical and achievable so that you can afford all your monthly bills and still have some left over to enjoy yourself and take in all that New York City has to offer!

1. Map out your monthly budget

Add up all of your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, cell phone, memberships, groceries, student loans, and any other monthly payments you are obligated to make. From there, you should be able to figure out how much you have left over for additional spending per month. This will also give you an idea of how much flexibility you have for social activities. Once you have a rough figure in mind, spend some time on the Internet for activities you can do that will help you enhance your English skills. Maybe find an off-Broadway show that offers cheap tickets on Sunday afternoons; read the plot in English before you visit the show so you can appreciate the acting and singing more since you already know the storyline. Bonus: reading the plot in English then watching it in English will cement your language fluidity for sure!

2. Never pass up free!

Keep an eye out in your neighborhood for new businesses opening—usually within their first week’s opening, they’ll invite the community to try out samples, hand out free goodies, or offer complimentary services to generate new customers. If you’re feeling brave and looking to save a few bucks, visit a beauty school for a haircut—they will either offer free or massively discounted services to allow their students to practice on real human heads! And of course, there are endless museums in the city that offer free admission—and that’s priceless for a taste of New York City culture! Interacting will all these divisions in the city will definitely enhance your English speaking and learning skills, and before you know it, you’ll be having casual conversations with your new hairdresser or neighbor without even realizing you’re speaking in fluent English!

3. Just say no

If you say no to just a few things each month, you might notice that you’re tucking away money bit by bit each month. It can be so easy to drop $12 here for lunch or $16 there for a cab ride; but as they all say, all those little expenses add up very quickly, and by the end of the month, you could be looking at your bank statement wondering, “Where did all my money go?” I found that if I’m invited out to a happy hour for a birthday celebration, and I know I should be keeping an eye on my finances, I’ll accept the invitation but instead stick to drinking water (free!)—this way I won’t be spending my money, AND I won’t miss out on the social experience! It might be a bummer at first to turn down a lot of experiences that others may participate in, but ultimately I guarantee you’ll feel better about your finances, and you won’t experience what I call “spender’s guilt.” Plus, it’s definitely easier to practice your English when you’re sober!

4. Check out discount stores

At first I felt embarrassed about shopping at Goodwill stores or dollar stores, but ultimately, my wallet thanks me. If you have the time and the patience to sift through the clothing racks at Goodwill or second-hand stores, I say go for it. Almost all of my work wardrobe is from these stores, and I get compliments on my clothing all the time—when people ask me where I got my top, I proudly announce, “the Goodwill store on 88th and 2nd.” Their reaction is priceless, and I walk away knowing that I paid $3 for my blouse while my coworker spent $40 on hers. I buy my shampoo and toothpaste at the dollar store because no one will be able to tell how much I spent just from my hair. Cheaper doesn’t always necessarily mean worse, and more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.

February 13, 2017

One of the absolute BEST things about New York City is the abundance and variety of food. You can get all sorts of cultural cuisine just in the radius of one block—I can guarantee you’ll never be bored with your options! The tricky thing is that very few people can afford to eat out or order delivery every day, so I’ve come up with a few helpful options for you that will help you sort out your dining budget without sacrificing the rich culinary culture in the Big Apple.

1. Purchase your kitchen staples

Before you even explore restaurants and trendy, cultural neighborhoods for new and exciting food, make a list of your favorite basic at-home foods. For me, cold cereal and pasta are my go-to meals when I’m at home. These are easy to make, fairly cheap, and I’m always in the mood for these items if I’m hungry but too lazy or broke to explore other options. With this in mind, I make it a point to ensure I always have these ingredients at home. Try and make your own list of kitchen “must haves” without using your English dictionary, then head to your closest grocery store or bodega and pick up these staple items. You’ll already feel one step ahead of the game once you have some basics in your kitchen. Knowing that you have “rainy day” ingredients will be enough to convince you to stay in more often and eat at home.

2. Next, pick up your luxury items

Once you have the above basics in your cupboards, make another list of items that you might consider “luxury items” from the grocery store. For me, these are things that I don’t necessarily need, but things that I would want on a special occasion. For example, apples are my favorite fruit, but when they’re not in season, they can be a bit pricey. So I’ll add these to my luxury list. I know I don’t need them, but I also know that if I have them at home, I’ll eat each and every single one! Again, this will deter me from spending my precious money on steep delivery fees when I’m tempted to order take-out. Again, try making this list without referring to your dictionary; then when you hit the grocery store or the bodega, trust your own list, find the aisles without your apps, and see what happens! Even if you buy something incorrectly or purchase something that wasn’t on your list, you’ll have something new and different to try out!

3. Now make the FUN list!

Now that your kitchen is fully stocked with your dream pantry, you can figure how much money you have left over to try food beyond the grocery store limits. Maybe you’re dying to head to Little Italy to see what great cuisines they have to offer, or maybe you’re fiending for some Polish food, so you make a list of great places to try in Queens. Making these lists will help you come up with a game plan for travel, spending, and limits. The great thing about technology these days is that apps like Yelp provide reviews of these eateries, and most locations have their menus online. Again, this can help you pick out what you want before you arrive—this way, you’ll already know the components in each dish, how much it costs, and what other people have thought about the dishes and the experience. Plus, by having this plan of attack beforehand, you can practice your English vocabulary for both food-related words as well as conversational pieces with your fellow diners as well as your waiter or waitress. There’s no better way to put your English practice to use than real world application!

If you plan these purchases in advance, both with groceries and dining out, it can be close to impossible to experience any spending surprises. Of course, there will be meal spending that is almost unavoidable, like perhaps a friend’s birthday dinner, or maybe a snowstorm delayed your grocery shopping plans for a few days, so takeout is the most practical option. But in my experience, if you put your food spending on a practical plan like this one, you’ll avoid spending too much on food yet still allow yourself the cultural culinary experience that makes New York City such a wonderful place to be.

February 6, 2017

Manhattan is only 13.4 miles from top to bottom and 2.3 miles from east to west. When you stop and think about it in this way, you realize just how small the borough really is! With that, you have to wonder where all the 1.6 million people that live in Manhattan actually live. How can such a tiny place hold so many people?

It can be daunting to find a place to live in New York City with this in mind, especially if learning English is on your long list of daily goals. The renting market is quite competitive, as there are hundreds of people looking for places to live, whether they’re new to the city, here temporarily, or looking to simply switch neighborhoods or try a different scene. The advantage to this is there is never a shortage of great units to choose from!

Before going on your search, I recommend spending some time alone with your online bank account and take record of your overall budget. Make a list of every obligatory bill you have to pay each month: this must include any and all credit card bills, student loans, health insurance payments, monthly memberships (gym, Apple, etc.), cell phone payments, and any other establishments that require payment on a monthly basis. From here, figure out how much you have to spend on rent per month. This will give you an idea of how comfortable you’d like to live: are you okay with spending a bit more on a nice apartment but sacrificing many social activities, or would you rather pay less in rent for a small unit far from the subway in order to have more social spending money? Once you address these questions, you’ll have an idea of approximately the price range of your ideal apartment.

From here, this is where you’ll put your English learning skills to use. Before beginning your search, make a list of questions you envision asking the landlord and/or potential roommates. I’d recommend writing them down—in English!—because it can be very easy to go blank and completely forget what you want to ask. Inquire about safety of the neighborhood, walking distance to public transportation, grocery stores, laundry facilities, etc., and don’t forget to ask about general apartment questions, such as average utility bills per month, noise levels, and roommate habits/behaviors. The more you think to ask in the beginning, the less surprise there will be later if you decide to take the apartment! Writing down these questions in English will help the flow of your conversation, and engaging with these individuals will make you feel more comfortable with the language overall.

Now you are ready for the search! There are two sites that I highly recommend that will help you learn about the different boroughs and neighborhoods.

1. CraigsList

This is a great site to help you learn and adjust to city living. You can search for housing by location, price range, if you’re looking for a place of your own or looking to rent a room, or if you’re even just looking for something temporary. If you’re tight on money, you might start to notice that there are certain neighborhoods that support your budget—make sure you then research the neighborhood so you learn whether you can envision yourself living there. Map out your commute, figure out where the closest grocery store would be, etc—doing this will give you an idea of life in that apartment.

2. SpareRoom.com

This is also a great resource for those looking to split the cost of housing by renting out just a bedroom. Again, you can search by price, neighborhood, size of bedroom, whether the room is furnished or not, and on and on. You’ll quickly learn that you have many options when it comes to New York City living, and you can get really creative when it comes to finding a place to call home.

Of course, with every situation, make sure you meet these people in a public setting first and tell people what you’re up to while you’re looking at the apartment; you can never be too careful! Again, before looking at the unit, make a list of questions in English so that you don’t forget to ask anything—practice asking them and practice some example follow-up questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or personal opinions—everyone else was new here once, too!

January 30, 2017

If you’re not used to heavy snow, brutal winds, and biting cold temperatures, your first winter in New York City might be a harsh shock for you. Before I moved here myself, I had lived in other areas of the country that also had pretty intense winters, so I thought I’d have no problem adjusting. What I learned, however, is that a New York City winter is unlike any other: I’ve come up with some tricks that might help you adjust, even as you’re adapting to the English language.

1. Invest in some serious winter gear

I moved to New York City from Philadelphia, a city just a few hours south, so I thought handling my first winter would be a piece of cake. I was wrong! Since Manhattan is essentially one giant island surrounded by water, this means high winds, blasting cold temperatures, and sideways snow. I was used to this in Philadelphia, but then again, I drove everywhere and had to spend very little time outside. But now, since so much of my commute is spent walking outside, I suddenly realized that my winter gear wasn’t as protective as I once thought! Pay attention to the boots and jackets you see others wearing–don’t be afraid to ask them the brand, the price, or where they purchased it—if anything, they’ll take your inquiry as a compliment that a total stranger likes their winter gear! This will also help you practice your English and help you overcome an apprehension to engaging with others in New York City. Depending on the brand or the product, the cost might seem high, but trust me: after four months of weather this intense, your body will appreciate your investment.

2. Definitely check the weather–constantly

Like most New Yorkers, you probably don’t have a car. This means that for the whole day, you’re committed to carrying everything around with you. This also means bringing your snow boots in an extra bag if snowfall is expected in the evening. This means packing your umbrella if the sleet prediction at 3 pm is accurate. In an earlier post, I sang the praises of The Weather Channel app; this resource will give you hourly forecasts and what kind of precipitation or wind strength you can expect for the rest of your day. I find that I check it out several times throughout the day so I’m not hit with any winter surprises. I’d much rather be safe and prepared than out of luck with cold feet and wet hair. Again, your smartphone can be a great resource when it comes to practicing your English and engaging with other tools that other New Yorkers rely on; this particular app will help you with your weather vocabulary, and chatting about the weather is a great ice-breaker! (Pun intended!) So trust me on this one: you don’t want to be caught in a snow storm in just your heels.

3. Don’t become a hermit!

Hey, I know how easy it is to hole up in your apartment on those super blustery days, snuggle up with some hot tea, and commit to a full evening of Netflix. I get it—just the thought of layering up with scarves, hats, and heavy coats is enough to make you groan and convince yourself to stay in and be comfortable. But you also can’t forget that even though winter in New York City can be brutal, it can also be BEAUTIFUL! I will say that New York City does an excellent job with ensuring the city is a desirable attraction with stunning scenery. During my first winter here, I assumed that after Christmas, the city would become ugly with dirty snow, slush, and general disarray of post-Christmas gloom, but again, I was way off. Stores keep their twinkly lights on, restaurants offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere with soft candles in the windows, and timeless sites and attractions still look breathtaking with a fresh layer of snow. So call up a few friends, pick a spot in a neighborhood you’ve never travelled to, and take in some new sights under the glow of a winter moon. Hit the park with your buddies and practice your English, travel down 5th Avenue and check out the cool sales, and maybe even take a ferry ride and see the city from the water.