New York State (USA)

11th state, established on July 26, 1788

Location

Located on the northeastern coast of the USA, right on the Atlantic Ocean. The state’s area is 141,300 sq. km.

It borders states such as Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Part of New York State shares the US-Canada border.

Capital of New York State: Albany

Major cities: New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany.

Climate and Landscape

The climate in most of New York State is humid temperate, while in the mountains it is more continental. There are four seasons, familiar to residents of Eastern Europe.

Temperature in New York State

Winters are not too cold (rarely dropping below -12°C), while summers can see temperatures above +30°C. However, due to the many lakes and rivers, the temperature can feel cooler than it actually is.

Be prepared for high humidity (over 50%) throughout the year.

Note: In winter, snowstorms can hit the eastern coast, where New York is located. Snowdrifts can reach 1 to 1.5 meters. Snowstorms can even occur in spring, up until April. The record snowfall (nearly 60 cm) was in 2016.

Additionally, New York State regularly experiences tornadoes, floods, and storms.

Across much of New York State, the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains stretch out. The region is mostly covered by coniferous and mixed forests. Additionally, about 13% of the state’s territory is made up of rivers and lakes.

Population

To immediately understand the diversity of the state, especially in New York City, it’s important to note that over 800 languages are spoken here. Can you imagine the scale of linguistic diversity?

A wide variety of people from different nationalities live and work here, in approximately the following proportions:

• Whites (around 62%)
• Hispanics (around 17%)
• African Americans (about 15%)
• Asians (around 6%)

However, it’s reported that the Chinese are considered the fastest-growing demographic group in New York City.

The Russian-speaking diaspora is present here! It is considered the largest in the Western world. Mainly concentrated in New York City in the well-known areas of Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay (Brooklyn). Brighton is often called “Little Odessa,” as Russian and Ukrainian are heard everywhere.

Whether or not to settle in this area is a personal decision for every immigrant. However, people who have gone through the adaptation process in a new country advise stepping out of the “comfort zone,” speaking the local language more, and trying to fully integrate into the culture and daily life of the USA (or any other country where you plan to live).

But that’s for another time. More on the Russian-speaking areas in New York will come soon.

Take a look at how the population is distributed across the state. This map clearly shows where the epicenter of everything is located.

Crime

Here’s some good news! Despite the high national diversity and the large annual flow of migrants, New York City is recognized as the safest large metropolis in the USA.

It’s worth noting that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. presidential elections, there was an increase in violence (2020-2021), but it has since returned to normal.

PS. It was truly a tough time for the entire world.

The state of New York is a relatively calm place for work and life. But in any city, you should study the neighborhoods and choose one where crime rates are low.

In New York State, as of 2017, there were 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people annually. This is a very low figure compared to other states.

Economy

In 2017, the GDP of New York State amounted to $1.7 trillion. If the state were a separate country, it would rank 11th in the world’s economic rankings.

The economic hub of the state and the world is New York City.

It is considered a global center for stock market trading and is home to the famous New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

Main economic sectors – logistics, tourism, fashion, healthcare, international trade, legal services, education, arts, traditional and new media, IT, restaurant business, and a dynamic real estate market.

Minimum wage in New York State – $11.8 per hour.

New York State for Business

New York State is a very promising place for starting a business in various fields. There are two positive factors for this: stable economic development and reasonable working laws.

The state is home to headquarters and branches of renowned companies where many Americans and foreigners dream of working:

• Mastercard Banking and Financial Services Purchase
• Bank of America
• JPMorgan Chase
• Tiffany & Co
• MAC Cosmetics
• Bloomberg
• H&M
• Pfizer
• IBM
• Sony
• McKinsey & Company
• Horizon Media
• PepsiCo and others.

Additionally, a large number of startups are born and developed in New York City every year, second only to Silicon Valley (California) and Boston (Massachusetts). The city has two IT development centers – Silicon Alley and the New York Digital District.

Real Estate

Rental prices in New York State

Always keep in mind that in good neighborhoods of any city, when officially renting an apartment or house, you may be asked for proof of your financial status (a bank statement), and they might request a deposit or payment for several months upfront. However, with a good realtor, we’re confident that you can negotiate a deal that benefits both parties.

Approximate rent for a one-bedroom apartment or studio in New York State by city:

• New York City: $1000-$1300 per month
• Buffalo: $700-$800 per month
• Rochester: $500-$700 per month
• Yonkers: $1100-$1200 per month
• Syracuse: $500-$700 per month

Of course, you can find a room or a place for less; it all depends on the living conditions you’re willing to accept.

The closer the accommodation is to the city center, the more expensive it will be. There are apartments, for example, in Manhattan, where rent costs around $4,000/month or more. Choose what suits your preferences and budget.

Be sure to check the crime rate map and research the quality of schools nearby, as this will help you settle in a decent area for peaceful living.

Buying property in New York State is quite feasible. The farther you go from the Big Apple, the more affordable real estate becomes.

Prices for comfortable housing in New York State start at $150-200K. Naturally, the closer to the global capital, the more expensive it gets. The most expensive real estate in the U.S. is located in Manhattan.

You can explore property prices by city and choose what suits you best on websites such as www.trulia.com or www.zillow.com. Visit the site, enter the city, price range, and type of property to explore. If you have trouble translating city names, use a translator.

Ecology

Since New York State is located on the East Coast, it often experiences storms and snowstorms. There have even been instances where residents witnessed tornadoes.

Overall, the air quality and climate are reasonable. The most polluted air is found in areas with high population density, such as New York City. In the rest of the state, people live more spread out, and there are no significant environmental issues.

Environmental Initiatives

The state of New York is taking significant steps to reduce environmental pollution. For example, as of March 2020, the state banned single-use plastic bags in stores. They can neither be given out for free nor sold. Authorities offer alternatives: either buy a reusable bag or purchase a paper bag.

Attractions

Living in the state offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment. Numerous picturesque towns and beautiful landscapes will attract those who love hiking and camping.

New York State boasts an impressive number of lakes. We recommend, when you have time, to embark on a journey through these spots and more:

• Niagara Falls
• Bear Mountain Park or the animal rescue sanctuary
• Hudson Valley
• George Eastman Museum, dedicated to the man who invented Kodak cameras and film
• The popular Montauk Lighthouse
• Lake Placid in the mountains
• New York City and all its famous landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, iconic skyscrapers, shopping centers, and Brighton Beach)
• Lake Ontario
• Adirondack Mountains
• Lakes and beaches in the Lake George settlement, and more.

Why do people move to New York State?

All the following points were gathered by us from the internet and are, in the opinion of our editorial team, subjective.

• New York City offers great opportunities, with many people believing that you can achieve anything here, or at least quickly rise to the level of a well-off American. This is true, but it’s also important to learn how to not only earn money but spend it wisely.
• The familiar four seasons in weather.
• Relatively affordable real estate compared to California, for example (not counting apartments in the center of Manhattan).
• Beautiful nature, landscapes, and areas attractive for hiking and travel.
• In the state, particularly in New York City, even a newly arrived immigrant can find work without much difficulty.

Possible disadvantages and inconveniences of living in New York State?

• Somewhat colder winters than in Eastern Europe (due to the many lakes and rivers in the area).
• Various weather-related hazards: snowstorms, tornadoes, and strong winds.
• The most expensive real estate in the world is located in New York City.
• High taxes, although locals say, “You can see where the taxes are going.” When you see things improving and changing around you, paying taxes doesn’t feel as unpleasant.
• Apart from New York City and neighboring New Jersey, there are few large cities. Most towns have populations of 100,000-200,000, and everyone seeking opportunities is led to New York City, where most of the state’s population resides.