Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in New York
These are some of the most relevant pros and cons of living in shared flats in this American city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in New York
- You can choose accommodation in the district that you prefer, be it Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island. Of course, remember that the city is very large, so we suggest you look for an apartment that has good transport communication with the institution you are attending.
- Depending on your budget, you can choose between single rooms or shared rooms.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in New York
- Some spare rooms only accept people of the same sex, especially in the case of women in shared rooms. This can be a disadvantage if it limits your options.
- In shared rooms, you will not easily have time or space for yourself, since you will share all the spaces in the apartment. This can be overwhelming, as the pace of the city is already frenetic.
App for your international exchange programme in New York
If you want to make the process of international exchange to New York easier, we recommend that you use some of the apps that have information, data and tips about life in the city. For example, some students from previous years assure you that over time you will learn to find the best offers and discounts in the city, being able to enjoy more activities and experiences thanks to that.
How to meet people in New York?
In addition to befriending your roommates, upon s your arrival in the city, consider the following alternatives if you want to meet people before arriving and once you are in the American city:
Student associations in New York
Almost all universities and colleges in the city have societies and clubs you can join, depending on your hobbies and interests. This is a simple way to meet other people in a similar situation as you, being able to enjoy different activities and events with them.
Facebook groups for international students in New York
On this platform, you will find generic groups for all international students who are going to be in the city, regardless of which institution they are going to. In addition, you can join the groups that the international offices or societies of your university create.
WhatsApp groups for international students in New York
Surely you will find groups on WhatsApp, Telegram or Discord servers that you can join to be in more direct contact with other young people. Take the opportunity to propose your plans and to find other students who want to join.
Tips for sharing a student apartment in New York
We share some tips to keep in mind when living in shared apartments in this American city:
- If you are used to living close to nature, we recommend that you look for accommodation that has easy access to some of the city's parks, be it Central Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park in Brooklyn or Van Cortland Park in the Bronx. You can relax in green areas and escape from large buildings.
- Take advantage of discounts for students in different fields! Find your university student ID and present it at museums, theatres and other places to get discounts. This way, you get to enjoy much more of all the entertainment in New York with your roommates.