Comparing New York City and Munich

my family might be relocated from munich to the big apple. is there anyone in this community from NYC, who can give me an idea about how the cost of living in NYC compares to munich's costs. there are many webpages, but i would appreciate practical information. thanks for your help.

eh, the cost of living in NYC is much higher, especially housing, food, beer, and drinks at the bar. Good luck with the move.

Presently living 100 km from NYC, and I concur w/ mrbrain. Having been to both frequently, cost of living in NYC appreciably higher. Seems like you can rent a small, two-room apartment in MUC for 700€... good luck finding that in the City for less than double... nah maybe triple that. Parking a car? ...Brace yourself. Of course you can trade culture, safety, convenience for lower costs of living in certain neighborhoods / outer boroughs.

Moved here from NYC. Brace yourself, it's going to get a lot more expensive. OTOH there's 24-hour transportation, cabs are more reliable and cheaper, and there's a lot more to do, not that you'll do much of it while actually living there. It's a gourmet paradise.

Overall cost of living:
rent: double to quadruple, 10x or more if in the best parts of Manhattan
food: more
utilities: more
parking: im-fucking-possible
public transportation: more than double

It's still a hell of a town.

woof.

Someone told me that buying a place in NYC is actually a lot more affordable than here in Munich. They figured it was that places were on 99-year leases, not actually bought outright, but they couldn't say for certain. Can anyone confirm or deny?

That about sums it up I think.

They are really not comparable at all. One is one of the top 5 cities in the world, and one is a big village. If you have kids, living in NYC can be a challenge. Not great green spaces and generally public schools above the elementary level can get a bit dicey. May want to check out Jersey City or Westchester county for more affordable housing and a more suburb lifestyle (if that is what you are looking for).

I was/am a big fan of the upper West side. Much more interesting than the upper East. Riverside Park is quite nice now, and less crowded than Central park, but you are sandwiched between them which is nice.

I have not lived there for 6 years, so I don't know what is happening with the real estate market. I heard it is still pretty hot despite 9/11.

Good luck. One either loves or hates NYC, but everyone should live there once in their lives.

I adore NYC, but comparing it to Munich is like comparing the big apple to a big orange or something (for lack of a better analogy).

Gemini makes a very good point about education, so depending on income, living in the burbs might be a better option. I know someone who even though she is American, she grew up going to the International School in NYC. That would give your kids an international perspective at least. Also, Brooklyn is up and coming. I know several people who live(ed) there, and it is very convenient to lower Manhattan, more affordable and you get more for your money, maybe even a small patch of grass in the back yard.

And as BadDoggie said, everything simply costs more (except the taxis). BUT it comes with a lot more as well. Truly the city that doesn't sleep. Can't be bored there, even when the black snow is piled onto the side walk into a massive 5 foot high mound. NYC is one of my favorite places. Good luck!

edit: If you live in the city, make sure you move into a building with a doorman

Yea stores, banks and offices are open past 5 and even on Sundays!!!

Is it only me that finds the back of a New York taxi the tiniest space in the world? Its a strange mystery as to where all the leg space disappears?

I do think there is something "magical" about Central Park. In theory it's just a park but I love it.

All the space in a crown vic is for the front seat and in the trunk. That bomb proof wall they put up between drivers and passangers also doesn't help.

NYC rocks, definitely one of my favourite cities. I'd never want to live in the city proper tho, the concrete & buildings as far as the eye can see would do my head in.