New York is a city of superlatives: most populous US city, world’s biggest financial center, most expensive city to live in, the city that never sleeps - you get the picture. Tense, crowded, expensive, action-packed, this 24-hour city will exhilarate you one minute, exhaust you the next. You’ll always find yourself in good company here; New York has more lawyers, doctors, teachers, and people who work in arts and entertainment than any other US city. Restaurants are as common as single men and women, and equally as diverse, and going out to bars is considered part of the social etiquette (there are over 200 bars in East Village alone). New York’s five incredibly unique boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island) harbor over 200 neighborhoods, ranging from fishing villages to charming suburbs, from gritty industrial warehouses to towering contemporary sky scrapers. Whether you are a young professional or a family, New York City is a great place to live. NYmag recently voted Park Slope as New York’s top neighbourhood to live in, based on its affordability, excellent public schools, low crime, vast stretches of green space, scores of restaurants and bars, diverse retail sector, and creative residents. Professionals with a great housing budget, on the other hand, would probably be drawn to Tribeca’s light-filled loft-type apartments. What is special or unique about your city? New York City is affectionately thought of by many as being the "capital of the world" owing to its diversity and unique cultural and social attractions. New York (NY) is also referred to as "The Big Apple;" a nickname of uncertain origin. One theory is that the term was originally used in the 1920s and '30s by jazz musicians as a way of saying, "There are many apples on the tree of success, but when you pick New York City, you pick the Big Apple." What are a newcomer's first impressions of your city? No matter which direction you go - East side, West side, Midtown, Uptown and Downtown - you'll be amazed at the many attractions and world-famous sights an island 13 miles long and three miles wide can hold. Are these impressions likely to change? They do not change, but increasingly grow. What is the local language? The primary language spoken in New York is English; many other tongues can be heard in the various communities established here. Spanish is a second language frequently spoken by many New Yorkers. How easily could I live in this city without knowing this language? Without the basic knowledge of English or Spanish, the newcomer will face some challenges. However, New York is a very international city and with help from English speakers, a person may be able to get by in his or her native tongue. What are good things to remember in order to avoid offending the other residents of this city? Because New York is home to so many cultures, there is respect and acceptance of other customs and values. Asking too many personal questions when you first meet someone and/or using certain hand gestures (such as displaying your middle finger) is considered offensive. How might the local weather affect my daily life? The seasons in New York are well marked and varied, and they all have something to offer. Winters are cold and you'll experience snowfall that sometimes impedes traffic. The average temperature in the winter is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring offers enjoyable balmy weather and summers get as hot as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In the colorful fall (autumn), you'll be able to take part in indoor or outdoor activities. No matter what the season, there are always activities to participate in throughout the five boroughs of NY. Is there anything else I should know about the overall character of your city or its people? New Yorkers have long had a reputation of being rude or brusque, but that is not always the case. Most New Yorkers are as friendly and accommodating as anyone you could hope to find.