• Reaching out and exploring… do the “touristy” things
  • “Be sure to get out of your "5 block radius" comfort zone and explore!!!”
  • “Explore different areas of the city to see what pace you prefer to live in. Different neighborhoods have different vibes.”
  • “Every 10 blocks is a new neighborhood in NYC. Different local stores (same theme, but different stores).”
  • “Buy comfy shoes! You will be doing a LOT of walking!”
  • “Don't be anxious about reaching out to other Duke alums”
  • “Don't be afraid to ask a Duke Alum for help. you might be surprised.”
  • “Join Duke New York young alumni facebook group. Follow our other DukeNY social media. Attend events. Don't hesitate to ask people for advice and suggestions.”
  • “EXPLORE. Be a tourist in your hometown!!”
  • “I used to take long walks and bike rides with no destination/ schedule on weekends just to feel the neighborhoods. I would sit in Central Park and watch the roller skaters/ roller bladers dancing. Try bringing picnic dinner to Central Park great lawn for the free concert series in the summer. Try a new museum every quarter (even if you don’t generally like them). Go to brunch with friends (Sarabeth’s!). Walk around the cobbled streets of Soho. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Watch the NYC marathon finish line (run it!). Do some tourist stuff (Beast Boat, ferry ride over to Statue of Liberty, top of Empire State building). Some stuff sounds cheesy/ straight from movies…that’s good! If it’s someone’s first foray into NYC life, this is a great intro and connects you to the more common cultural thematics. As you stay longer, you’ll find the more intimate layers of the city.”
  • “I love the Skint newsletter, they feature many great free events (shows, comedy, exhibitions, etc.) several times a week and they are oftentimes not your regular NYC events everyone knows, follow nyc bucket list and secret nyc on Instagram”
• Roommates, old friends, and new friendships
  • “Try to have at least a roommate you know and trust you can live with. Once you secure a job and a place to live, the truly hard part is done.”
• Food/Drinks
  • “Take advantage of the farmers markets - cost efficient and supporting local business.”
  • “While it's easy to be tempted in to primarily eating and drinking through your budget, I'd encourage you to try to find other activities and ways to gain community that aren't centered around nightlife”
• Take your time
  • “Some people fall in love with NYC immediately, while others require time to get used to the pace of the city. If you don't love NYC right away, that's OK - it may just take a bit more time. And if you find you really do not want to stay in the city, that is OK too! It is wonderful when people love NYC, but not everyone has to feel that way.”
• Green space
  • “How important is green space? I do love so many NYC neighborhoods and enjoy the views along the rivers, but I can't imagine living very far from Central Park. I spend most of my free time there and it makes the city feel much less of an urban jungle and more of a community because it is shared by everyone - amazing scenery and people watching all year round. I am sure other parks like Prospect Park have the same escapism feel.”