The New York Metro Area is the largest urban metropolitan area in the world by landmass and by population density. It extends from New York City to Danbury in Connecticut, and cuts across three states on the East Coast of the United States!
That's a lot of lands, with a lot of people living there. As of 2020, there were about 20.6 million people who call the Tri-State Area home.
The Tri-State Area boasts of many industries like fintech, tourism, finance, international trade, real estate, education, fashion, entertainment, biotechnology, law, and manufacturing. It is considered one of the most important economic regions of the world and it's no wonder that it is one of the most sought-after places to work in the world.
As the residents of the New York Metropolitan area are a diverse lot, so are the options for places to live. There's the option of renting a house or an apartment, renting a room in a house, living in a hostel, kicking it in an extended stay hotel, or coliving.
Coliving is a choice we wholeheartedly endorse, and SharedEasy is our recommended choice among many coliving options in New York.
If this is your first rodeo in New York, this article will help you figure out the best place to stay in the Tri-State Area and how to find the best option. Let's get right into it.
Best Places to Stay in the New York Metropolitan Area
The New York Metropolitan Area is a landmass of about 3500 square meters. That means there's a lot of space, and so many neighbourhoods to choose from.
In no particular order, here are the best places to stay in the Tri-State Area.
The New York City Suburbs
For some people, the suburbs make them think about a white picket fence, a minivan, 2.5 kids, and a dog.
For others, it is the promise of comfort.
New York City suburbs like Ridgewood, Manhasset Hills, Syosset, East Williston, and Kensington are the top five choices of people that live and work in the Tri-State Area.
These people point out the low crime rate, the excellent quality of the schools, the proximity to their commute, and the property prices as factors that influenced their decision to live and work in these places.
Valley Stream, Nassau County
This was picked as one of the best places to live by Money Magazine. The factors considered for the ranking included economic and educational performance, affordability, convenience, safety and way of life.
Valley Stream is a small village about 35 minutes from Manhattan, near two highways and served by the Long Island Railroad, allowing for access to an easy commute. It has a reputation for being nice, clean, and safe.
Workers in the financial district will enjoy living here, far away from the hustle and bustle of Wall Street, but close enough that they can be at their desks in just under an hour.
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a farming town located near the University of Connecticut and Bradley International Airport. This allows for short commutes for the residents of this small farming town.
The town has a historic Main Street with eateries and shops and has a huge sense of community.
How To Find The Best Options to Live in the New York Metropolitan Area
Now that you have an idea of the best places to live in the Tri-State Area, the next thing to do is to secure the best options that will afford you maximum comfort and set you up for a great living experience in the Tri-State Area.
Here's a list of things you can do.
Research
The Internet is your best friend when you're doing research. Once you have decided where you want to live, do your research.
Check up on all the options that are available in the neighbourhood. Read up on the types of buildings available, the availability of grocery stores, restaurants, delis, libraries, basically all the things that are a must on your list.
The most important thing you should research is the security of the neighbourhood. What is the probability of some mishap happening to you on the street corner of your neighbourhood?
Once you're done with your research and you're satisfied, you can move on to actively look for a place to live.
Get An Agent
For newcomers to the Tri-State Area, trawling through thousands of listings may seem like a never-ending chore.
Agents can help you filter through the listings and help you find apartments that match your specifications.
The only drawback is that you might have to pay a retainer fee to the agent, which might be a lot if you also have other things you have to shell out for.
Join Community Facebook Groups
Community Facebook groups are groups on Facebook that a particular community uses to disseminate information to its members.
This is a great opportunity to find out about rental opportunities before they are put out to the general public. It's also a great way to meet potential roommates, and to get first-hand information about the community.
Use Websites
If normal renting is not your thing and you'd love to sublet or try the coliving thing, there are a lot of websites you can use to achieve this.
Most of the websites cater to the two categories, so they would be the best bet for someone who is open to trying both and would not want to pay subscription fees for both websites.
Conclusion
Moving to the Tri-State Area can be both exciting and daunting, but with our guide to finding the right place to stay, we hope you don't get too terrified.
We hope that you get the best out of your new job or new role and that you enjoy living in a safe community with people that take care of you and treat you like family.