Manhattan is the beating heart of New York. From Chinatown to Washington Heights, this island borough is bursting with cool places to live. Across the East River, Brooklyn may be the hipster capital, but New York's most densely populated neighbourhood is also home to world-class museums and beautiful public parks. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Williamsburg, known for its chic boutique stores, eclectic restaurants and cool-as-a-cucumber clientele. Don't overlook Queens, the city's most ethnically diverse area and a place historically favoured by the Irish while working in America.

It should be known that the Big Apple has some of the highest rent in the world, so dig deep to pull in family and friends’ connections. Some employers will include subsidised accommodation. But if not, find your New York home away from home via StreetEasy.com, a popular alternative to Craigslist, or NakedApartments.com.

A hot New York minute lasts a season in New York. Summer is notoriously hot and humid. If you’re staying in Manhattan or Brooklyn, use it as an excuse to escape to Long Island or the Jersey Shore on your days off. Or follow the 3pm Friday exodus up the swanky Hamptons for the weekend. For the rest of the year, expect changeable springs, crisp autumns and snowy winters – with picture perfect ice-skating scenes and twinkling Christmas trees.

Temperatures reach highs of up to 30 degrees during July and August to lows of minus 3 in January – so best pack that scarf and bobble hat – and there’s plenty of rainfall here year-round so bring a brolly too!