Welcome to New York

Your life in the Empire State begins

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New York Self-StorageReasons to Move to New YorkMoving to New YorkEconomic OutlookPlaces to LiveResources

Welcome to New York

Rich in a vast array of landscapes from its farmlands and valleys to its mountains and forests, New York state is a melting pot of topography. Home to a portion of the Appalachian, the Adirondack, and the Catskill Mountains as well as the Hudson River and the St. Lawrence River, New York has a little something for everyone.

As the fourth most populous state in the country (after California, Texas and Florida), New York has more than 19 million people (more than 8 million in NYC alone). It's home to the famous Coney Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. But more than that, New York is home to natural wonders, like Niagara Falls, that draw in millions of visitors every year.

If you're thinking of moving to New York, there's a lot to consider in terms of how you want to live. With big cities and small towns, rural areas, and suburbs for miles, New York is a brilliant blend.

New York Self-Storage Facts

Like the rest of the country, New York has seen a surge in self-storage development over the last few years—and not just in the five boroughs. Long Island and Upstate have all experienced significant levels of self-storage development. That is due in part to a lull in new development that occurred after the last recession. With less projects being built at that time, demand for storage space began to surpass availability. One of the biggest drivers of storage demand is relocation related activity, with 60 percent of storage users reporting that they are currently moving from one place to another.

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in New York:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in New York:

1,395

New York is home to an estimated 1,395 self-storage facilities.

49,636,761

New York self-storage facilities cover 49,636,761 square feet of storage space.

2.53

New York storage facilities offer 2.53 square feet of storage per person, which is considered undersupplied by the self-storage industry, The national average is 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to New York

If you're considering moving to New York, but you're not quite sure if it's right for you, think about the following facts:

1

New York is home to the "City that Never Sleeps" and it's called that for a reason. You can literally do anything, at any time of day or night in NYC. The sky's the limit.

2

New York has the 16th highest average income in the country, but also has a pretty high cost of living, so you'll need to manage your money well if you want to make it in good old New York, New York.

3

Nothing beats autumn in New York when the foliage pops with bright orange and red leaves.

4

Apple-picking season. Another fall-time favorite for Upstate New Yorkers during the fall is going to an orchard to pick out your very own delectable, in-season apples, perfect for baking up a delicious apple pie.

5

It’s a hiker's paradise. If you just can't get enough of hitting the trails, you'll love New York because you can always head out to the Adirondack Mountains or the Catskills.

6

The best hot wings are in Buffalo. If you're looking for the hottest wings on the East Coast, you'll likely find 'em in Buffalo, a city home to the zingiest, spiciest wings your 'buds have ever tasted.

7

Foodie fetish in full swing? The Empire State has got a wide range of tastes and textures for every palette, from Indian and Asian cuisine to Italian and Mexican cuisine. You'll never get bored with the food in New York (especially NYC).

8

Halloween is way better in New York. It's got the perfect backdrops for spooky haunted houses and hayrides—especially in Sleepy Hollow where the legend of the Headless Horseman is still going strong.

9

Fan of the fair? New York's State Fair is one of the biggest and best, drawing visitors from all over the state for the great food, music, and rides.

10

New York's brews are some of the best in the country. With about 97 craft breweries, you'll find some of the best local and national craft beer you've ever tasted.

Moving to New York

New York is the fourth most populous state in the country (after California, Texas and Florida) with 19.49 million residents as of 2019. Filled with valleys, mountains, suburbs and cities, New York is one of the most diverse states in terms of topography and demographics.

NYC is a melting pot with more than 80 different languages spoken and numerous different cultural events, foods, and activities. However, many New Yorkers have been moving out of the state (1.3 million in the last 10 years) and the population decreased by 180,360 people from July 2017 to July 2018. Apparently, there are several reasons people want to leave New York, including a lack of jobs within their niche, not wanting to have kids in the city, among other reasons.

New York Economic Outlook

As previously mentioned, New York City is one of the richest cities in the world, with a GDP comparable to South Korea and Canada. If New York state were a country, it would have the 11th biggest economy in the world, according to Markets Insider. NYC's GDP is expected to surpass Tokyo's by 2035. In 2017, it had a GDP of over $1.5 trillion and it's expected to rise to $2.5 trillion in the next 15 to 20 years.

New York (both the state and the city) have a very healthy job market, not to mention more billionaires than any other city in the world. The state unemployment rate is currently at 4 percent as of July 2019, which is higher than the national average of 3.6 percent. The cost of living is somewhat higher than the national average as well.

Here, you'll find a recent breakdown of New York's largest sectors by real value added of GDP:

$412.48 billion
Finance, insurance, real estate rental and leasing
$199.85 billion
Professional and business services
$152.15 billion
Government and government enterprises
$151.33 billion
Information
$139.9 billion
Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance
$72.98 billion
Retail trade

The economic outlook for the future of New York may have been on the decline in the past ten years, with 13 million residents moving out of the state. But that just means more room (and more opportunities) for those moving into the state when things finally turn around economically.

Although the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, New York makes up for it with its wide array of activities, which include Broadway, the arts, museums, restaurants, special events at Madison Square Garden and other arenas.

Who are New York's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Northwell Health
54,000
Montefiore Health Systems
32,000
Mount Sinai Health Systems
29,000
Walmart
28,000
NYU/NYU Langone Medical Center
27,000

Places to live in New York

New York is 54,556 square miles covered with more things to do than you can probably even imagine. Not only is it the home of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, but it boasts plenty of other attractions statewide, including Coney Island, Central Park, the Rockerfeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway, the Bronx Zoo, and the American Museum of Natural History. Living in New York means you have access to a never ending list of different activities and national treasures.

New York City

NYC is one of the most diverse and densely populated cities in the world, with a population of 8.55 million as of July 2019.

Cost of living
129 percent higher than the national average
Median home price
$671,000
Average rent
$4,222 (Manhattan); $1,708 (Bronx); $2,924 (Brooklyn); $2,579 (Queens); $1,466 (Staten Island)
Average apartment size
696 square feet

Buffalo

Buffalo has a cost of living lower than the national average, meaning homeownership is within reach for most who move there. Buffalo was ranked among the most affordable cities in the country. Everyday expenses like healthcare, utilities, and grocery expenses are also below the national average. With warm summers and mild springs, Buffalo is a great place to live if you want to experience all of the seasons.

Cost of living
4 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$86,000
Average rent
$1,067 per month
Average apartment size
781 square feet

Rochester

Rochester, New York is known for its natural wonders, like High Falls, a 96-foot tall waterfall, but its also known for its sprawling job market. According to Forbes, Rochester is one of the top cities for finding a job, and it's also one of the most affordable places to live in the country. Moving there can provide you and your family with a great quality of life and plenty of options when it comes to entertainment - both in and outdoors. Getting around Rochester is a breeze. Thanks to its three major highways, you'll enjoy a quick and easy commute from almost anywhere in the city .

Cost of living
1 percent higher than the national average
Median home price
$79,000
Average rent
$1,047 per month
Average apartment size
886 square feet

Moving to New York Resources

All New York Cities