Student Life at Columbia University: What It’s Like to Live in New York City
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Home to over 1.2 million international students, including more than 35,000 Indian students, New York City, also known as the “Big Apple” and “The City That Never Sleeps”, is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and offers a vibrant mix of communities.
New York City
Known for famous landmarks including the Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, NYC is also a global hub of fashion, arts, finance and technology, and houses some of the best universities in the world, including Columbia University, New York University, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Yeshiva University and The City College of New York, among others.
In this article, we’ll primarily be talking about student life in Columbia University in the city of New York. So folks, fasten your seatbelts, let’s dive in!
- Student Life in New York
- Student Life at Columbia University
- Types of Student Housing in New York
- Average Rent in New York
- Good Neighborhoods in New York City
- Bad Neighborhoods in New York
- Other NYC Neighborhoods You Should Avoid
- NYC Neighborhood
- Crime Rate per 100k people
Student Life in New York
NYC offers a vibrant and culturally rich student life, with the presence of some of the best universities in USA, diverse courses, better research opportunities, and the possibility of working at some of the best companies in the world, post-graduation, such as Google, IBM, Deloitte, American Express and JPMorgan Chase and Co. among others, too good to pass.
The city’s subway runs 24 hours a day, and the streets offer several popular places to eat, shop, hang out, and more.
The Lexington Candy Shop, located on the Upper East Side, offers delicious pancakes to start the day, and a trip to the New York City Museum is as fun as it is informative. Los Tacos No 1 on 43rd St. of Times Square offers authentic Mexican cuisine, while Central Park is a fine place to have fun or relax.
The cost of living in New York is generally higher, but the remarkable number of opportunities makes it all worthwhile.
Student Life at Columbia University
Columbia University USA is part of the top 10 universities in USA, and is home to over 1,200 Indian students.
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Students can choose from more than 100 degree options across prominent fields of study. Columbia University in the City of New York is renowned for its world-class research facilities, with work focused on several key areas of global concern, including: Climate Change, Mental Health, Data Science, and more.
The university faculty comprises several Nobel Prize winners that is always there to guide its students, while the Morningside Heights campus plays host to the largest athletics program in New York City.
In their free time, students are spotted hanging around cafes, restaurants, and food trucks on the university campus.
Columbia graduates land high-paying jobs after their studies, with an average annual salary figure standing at USD 175,000 (INR 1.5 Cr).
Amazon, Morgan Stanley, and Barclays are some other top companies, in addition to the ones mentioned above, that recruit students from Columbia University.
Types of Student Housing in New York
While there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to housing near universities in New York City, the three main options include Studio Apartment, Ensuite Rooms, and Shared Apartments.
| Type of Accommodation |
What to Expect |
Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment |
· Combined Living and Sleeping Area · Compact Kitchen · Separate Bathroom · Limited Privacy |
· Students who prefer a minimalist lifestyle value affordability and low maintenance |
| Ensuite Rooms |
· Direct Access to the Hallway via the bedroom · A private bathroom · More Spacious than shared apartments · Better Privacy |
· Students who prioritize privacy, convenience, and a more personalized space |
| Shared Apartments |
· Better Social Life · Shared Responsibilities · Better Affordability · Reduced Privacy |
· Students seeking to reduce the cost of living, develop social connections, and learning new skills and culture |
Average Rent in New York
Given below is a detailed breakdown of the average rent in New York per month for different room types:
| Type of Accommodation |
Average Monthly Rent (in USD) |
Average Monthly Rent (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment |
USD 3,263 |
INR 2.84 L |
| Ensuite Rooms |
USD 1,000-USD 1,500 |
INR 87 K-INR 1.3 L |
| Shared Apartments |
USD 1,550 |
INR 1.34 L |
Note: The above information is taken from multiple online sources and is therefore subject to variation.
Conversion rate: 1 USD = INR 87.05
Good Neighborhoods in New York City
There are plenty of good neighborhoods near the Columbia University campus in New York City. These neighborhoods are known for their low crime rates, a thriving student scene, and cool places to hang out, which are ideal for student living.
Mentioned below are some good NYC neighborhoods:
| Neighborhood |
Known For |
Average Rent Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Hill |
· Fine Dining places, low crime rates, and green spaces · Walking distance from the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the United Nations Office |
USD 4,900 (INR 4.26 L) |
| Yorkville |
· Family Friendly Neighborhood · Offers a unique blend of urban and country living · Green Parks and High Rise Skyscrapers |
USD 4,200 (INR 3.65 L) |
| Williamsburg |
· Vibrant student life thanks to the presence of Brooklyn College · Snack places, with several cafes and restaurants for students to hang out at |
USD 4,026 (INR 3.5 L) |
| Morningside Heights |
· Vibrant student scene, home to Columbia University and its student housing · Green Parks, Churches, and historic buildings |
USD 3,500 (INR 3.04 L) |
| Battery Park City |
· Waterfront locations, high-rise residential buildings, and green parks · Convenient access to ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island |
USD 4,150 (INR 3.61 L) |
Conversion rate: 1 USD = INR 87.05
Bad Neighborhoods in New York
Just like any other place, New York has its fair share of bad neighborhoods that should ideally be avoided as you look for accommodation.
Mentioned below are some of the popular bad neighborhoods in New York:
| New York Neighborhood |
Known For |
Crime Rate per 100K People |
|---|---|---|
| Hunts Point |
· A Hub of Illegal Businesses and Violent Crimes |
12,367 |
| South Bronx |
· Facing Economic Downturns and Poverty · Efforts are being made to improve the place, but still far from ideal |
9,488 |
| Brownsville |
· The majority of the population is dealing with poverty and gang-related violence |
9,130 |
| Tremont |
· Famous for property thefts and violent incidents on occasion |
7,480 |
| Fordham |
· Known for a high number of property thefts and occasional violent incidents |
6,661 |
| Bedford-Stuyvesant |
· Popular for shootings and robberies · Has seen an improvement in culture in recent times, but there are safer places out there |
4,000 |
Other NYC Neighborhoods You Should Avoid
The locations listed below have mild crime rates; some of these places still house students studying in local colleges and universities.
However, if possible, try and avoid the following locations, as issues of gang violence, theft, and illegal businesses are also prevalent here:
NYC Neighborhood |
Crime Rate per 100k people |
|---|---|
| Jamaica, Queens |
3,688 |
| East New York |
3,271 |
| East Harlem |
2,671 |
Source of Crime Rates: uHomes and Building Security Services and Systems
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