Category: Work

Manhattan has been a hub of commerce and culture since the Dutch first established the colony of New Amsterdam in the 17th century. Over time, Manhattan became a center for finance, media, and the arts, attracting talented individuals and businesses from around the world, with more than 70,000 residents per square mile. Its status as a cultural and economic center coupled with its limited space has made Manhattan the location with the highest cost of living in the entire United States. 

The cost of living in Manhattan in 2023 is so high that it is considered to be 127.7% above the national average. Many of its inhabitants are struggling to afford basic daily necessities such as food and rent, but are unable to leave due to the sheer number of jobs available in Manhattan. Manhattan’s median household income is on par with the national average, yet the cost of living is way over it.

One of the primary factors driving the high cost of living in Manhattan is the housing market. Housing prices in Manhattan have soared since the 1990s, driven by a combination of rising incomes, low interest rates, and a sluggish supply of apartment buildings. While the demand for housing in Manhattan is certainly high, the main reason for the high prices appears to be land use restrictions and regulation, which limit the supply of housing.

Read Also: “Maximize Your Productivity With These 4 Methods“

In a market dominated by high-rises, more housing could theoretically be provided by adding an extra floor to any new building. However, despite the fact that home building is a highly competitive industry with almost no natural barriers to entry, prices in Manhattan currently appear to be more than twice their supply costs. This suggests that land use restrictions and regulation could be the reason for this gap.

The impact of these restrictions can be seen in the average home prices and rents in Manhattan. According to 2023 data, the average home price in Manhattan is $2,434,977, which is more than five times what the average American pays for a home. The average monthly rent in Manhattan is $4,569, which is also significantly higher than the national average of $1,369.

These high housing costs have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in Manhattan. In addition to housing costs, residents of Manhattan also face higher prices for groceries, transportation, and other basic necessities. For example, the cost of a half-gallon of milk in Manhattan is $3.04, compared to the national average of $2.43.

	National Average	Manhattan
Median Household Income	$70,784	$70,663
Average Home Price	$452,510	$2,434,977
Average Monthly Rent	$1,369	$4,569
Unemployment Rate	3.50%	4.30%
Poverty Rate	11.60%	17%
Cost of a Gallon of Milk	$2.43	$3.04

Table 1: Cost of living in Manhattan vs. the national average cost of living. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and The Council For Community and Quicken Loans

“Manhattan is an island, which means that transportation costs can be high,” explains Dan Kettle of money platform, Pheabs. 

“The cost of gas is typically higher in Manhattan than in other parts of the country due to the additional costs associated with transporting fuel to the island.”

“The tolls for crossing the bridges and tunnels into Manhattan can be an additional expense that people in other cities might find surprisingly high. For example, the cash toll for the George Washington Bridge is currently $16.00 for passenger cars during peak hours. Public transportation, such as the subway or bus, is often the most cost-effective way to get around Manhattan, but the fare can add up quickly if you are commuting every day.”

Despite these high costs, Manhattan remains an attractive place to live for many people. Its vibrant culture, diverse population, and numerous amenities continue to draw people from all over the world. However, the high cost of living in Manhattan also poses significant challenges for many residents, particularly those with lower incomes.

For those who cannot afford the high cost of living in Manhattan, there are some alternatives that provide a slightly cheaper cost of living without sacrificing too much in terms of quality of life. For example, Brooklyn is the most populous borough of New York City and has a thriving cultural scene. It offers a wide range of affordable housing options and a diverse population, making it an attractive alternative to Manhattan.

The average home price in Brooklyn is $947,622, which is still very high but significantly less expensive than Manhattan. The cost of living in Brooklyn is also lower than Manhattan, including the price of groceries and rent. 

Read Also: “10 Best Hotels in Manhattan with a View: Experience Luxury and Scenic Views“

Located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Jersey City offers a far more affordable cost of living while still being close to the city. The average home price in Jersey City is $553,300 according to bestplaces.net, significantly less expensive than Manhattan. Jersey City also has a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as numerous parks and outdoor spaces. 

New York can be a dangerous place to live, depending on where you are, but you would think you would be safe at work, right? Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, with many workplace accidents happening all over the state every day. Here are the six most dangerous jobs in New York.

1. Construction

Construction is considered one of the most dangerous jobs all over the globe. Workers in this industry are exposed to heavy machinery, heights, and power tools. They are at the mercy of heavy metal objects falling on their heads. Hazardous chemicals and the risk of electrocution can harm them. Yet, surprisingly, so many people want to do the job. Luckily, workers’ compensation NY from The Hartford means that at least their medical bills and wages are covered while they are off work.

2. Subway Workers

The New York Subway is incredibly extensive, meaning that a lot of people are needed every day to ensure that the trains run on time and that passengers can be processed correctly. However, it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the city. Workers have to come into contact with disgruntled customers, the transportation system needs a lot of maintenance, and rail workers are at risk of being electrocuted.

3. Driver

Driving is a dangerous job in New York. The congestion is terrible, and there is always the possibility of getting involved in an accident. This is increased the longer you are on the road, so taxi driving and couriering are dangerous occupations. A taxi driver or bus also risks being assaulted, robbed, or even killed while working in rare cases.

4. Electrician

Electrocution is the fourth biggest risk a worker can face in the USA, so it is no wonder that electricians in New York have a dangerous job. Issues such as bad insulation or loose wiring are the cause of many workplace injuries. Domestic electricians also have the risk of facing unhappy customers or vicious dogs as they go about their business.

5. Healthcare Workers

The coronavirus epidemic emphasized how dangerous it was to be a healthcare worker when many of these professionals caught the virus from their patients, became sick, and even died. However, coronavirus isn’t the only illness they can catch at work. Many other contagious illnesses are lurking around the hospitals of New York, and this makes them extremely dangerous places to work.

6. Firefighters

Running into a burning building will always be dangerous, but someone has to do it. New York Firefighters take the risk of getting burned or suffering from smoke inhalation every day. They may be expected to deal with hazardous chemicals too. This is a stressful job, and stress can lead to accidental injury.

These are the six most dangerous jobs in New York. They are not for the faint-hearted, and it takes a lot of guts to even want to take on one of these careers. However, the city would suffer considerably without them.

According to Forbes, 68% of U.S. employees anticipate doing their job from home shortly. Finding remote work has its own unique set of problems.

One of the advantages of working remotely is that you don’t have to be constrained by location or the local employment market. When you include remote work in your job search, you increase your chances of landing a job offer.

What is great about remote work is that you can work out of remote tech accelerators and find help from a community of creatives. These creatives may be able to help with location-based work like Toronto SEO or even help you navigate a new sector like representatives from Volatusdrones.ca

Whatever the case may be, remember that there is a world of opportunity when it comes to remote work and let us learn about them.

Say No to Language Barriers

You may say “remote work” in at least 19 distinct ways. Every company doesn’t use the word “remote job,” so you’ll need to know how to look for one. The language used by employers in job postings should be taken into consideration while applying for positions. You can narrow down your search results by familiarizing yourself with popular search phrases. To do this, you must have a thorough command of the language.

Understanding the Job’s Purpose

There are a lot of “hybrid” jobs out there, which have both in-office and remote components. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of nowhere; you’ll still have to travel for work. To enable meetings with consumers in your zone, you may need to reside nearby. Some government laws or licensing requirements may limit the company’s travel to and from certain places.

Don’t fall victim to Scammers

So do your homework before you hand over any personal information to a “remote employment” company. Product testing or reshipment, refund processing, and secret shopping are frequent frauds. If anything about the job description, website, or recruiter seems suspicious, that’s because it most likely is. The BBB and the FTC are excellent places to begin your investigation.

Show off your abilities

Employers that hire for remote work want candidates who can manage their time well, are self-driven and have a strong work ethic. Don’t forget to include any past remote job experience in your application letter or CV. A section on your resume highlighting your technological expertise is an absolute must. Remote employment requires an understanding of technology and basic troubleshooting skills.

Preparation Is Key

The internet is an essential part of many jobs, so make sure your internet connection is functional before an interview. It’s a good idea to record yourself or a friend answering questions on camera to prepare for video interviews. Is there a spot in your house where you can interview without being disturbed if you do not have a home office? As you speak, glance at your computer’s camera to see what you’re saying.

Remote Work Opens Up A Host of Opportunities

Remote work is no more challenging to get than any other kind of employment; it is just unique. You’ll stand out from other remote job searchers if you immerse yourself in the community and show a genuine interest in your work. I couldn’t be happier to write this piece since remote work has been so incredible for me.

Being productive is one of the most satisfying feelings at work. To be frank, being productive is one of the most wonderful feelings in life!

Staying idle the whole day and not even accomplishing a single task at work promotes the feeling of guilt. It is also associated with a lack of purpose and a lack of lust for life in some situations as well.

Now, one wants to find themselves wandering aimlessly and feeling as if they are not making significant progress within their lives. This can be an issue for many as they like to set themselves to certain standards and would like to feel as if they are moving forward at a moderate or aggressive pace to meet their goals.

However, remember that productivity applies, not only at work but in other areas of your life. Indeed, you can still be productive in many ways at home too.

Here are four methods to maximize your productivity in various aspects of your life.

Stop Multitasking

Often getting too much on your desk can drain you. In addition to this, multitasking can also reduce your productivity up to 40 percent when you switch one task to another. The University of Sussex says that multitasking can be harmful to your brain, too! In addition, it can also reduce the density of grey matter in your brain.

Hence, stop being a multitasker, concentrate fully on a task, be mentally and physically present at that task, and prioritize others. The key point here is to use your brain and think about each task. How important are they to you? Which task must you complete that day? If you are able to address this question, then you can focus your brain on the most important task that will catapult you from where you are presently to where you want to be.

Prepare a To-Do List

Prepare a to-do list for the next day. To-do lists get you organized and get you prepared for the critical tasks the next day. Moreover, it prevents the loss of time. You have an organized list of jobs for the next day; hence, instead of getting up finalizing your tasks and wasting half of the day, you can prioritize that half into already doing something productive.

Eliminate Distraction

Productivity means keeping yourself focused. You have to ignore the distractions, whether at the workplace or home, to be productive. Avoid extra gossiping at the office or irrelevant stuff. If you tend to work at home, find a separate room for your daily tasks.

You can also ensure to go to another setting like a library or another area where you can focus solely on your work.

After completing a task or some tasks, reward yourself with some free time. You can either enjoy a movie, series or scroll social media.

Get Enough Sleep

One of the primary reasons for lack of productivity is not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can significantly affect the functional level of your brain. Further, sleep deprivation has a negative impact on your performance levels, and it diminishes your focus or response on analytical tasks and logical reasoning as well.

Conclusively, these ways will significantly maximize your productivity, whether at home or work. Remember that being productive requires physical and mental presence both so that you can function at your best.

For many business professionals, the 21st Century provides a myriad of ways to network on social media with people in a person’s industry and beyond. And yet one of the most tried and true forms of networking is making a big comeback in recent years, and its use goes back to simpler times.

Indeed, the humble business card, the corporate world’s favored way to stay in touch with contacts for generations, is being rediscovered as a “must-have” item for networking. Here are just a few reasons why business cards are such a hit with today’s top executives, and why business cards might just be for you.

1. Digital Connections Aren’t as Effective as Personal Connections

In the world of business, online social networks abound: LinkedIn and Facebook enable professionals to stay in contact and communicate with one another about their area of focus.

But what is lost in this digital age is the old-fashioned face-to-face interactions that once gave business relationships solid foundations. Yes, a LinkedIn connection can be a great way to communicate with colleagues and clients, but an in-person discussion is still the best way to make connections that last, and a business card is a great memento of a meeting.

2. Business Cards Create a Strong and Lasting Impression

It is received wisdom in many top industries that a well-designed business card says a lot about its owner. If you’ve ever been to a conference or networking activity, you’ll know that a top-notch business card really makes someone stand out from the crowd.

Moreover, a great business card will remind a person of your meeting each time they come across it. As a tangible item, a business card will also have much more significance to someone than an ephemeral social media page or email.

3. Designing Business Cards Online Has Never Been Easier

One of the greatest things about ordering business cards online is also that the sky is the limit in terms of card design. With the click of a button, professionals can choose their preferred paperweight, coloring, typeface, and overall look to create a business card that is ideal for their industry.

It’s certainly a buyer’s market for business cards at the moment, and that means creating the perfect first impression for new contacts is well within anyone’s reach. And at the end of the day, that is networking at its best!

For these reasons, business cards are truly must-have items in 2021. Bringing a bit of old-school cool back to the business world, business cards have been the workhorse of many industry relationships for years, and it’s little wonder why they are experiencing a surge of popularity.

The first point of contact between you and a client, colleague, or potential business partner, a great business card is one item that should not be missed this year!