<p>one important thing to know that a lot of people dont know beforehand: know several routes to get home. when i first lived in nyc, there were countless times that for whatever reason the subway wasnt running per normal, and because i was only familiar with that one subway line, i had to take a cab home because i had no clue how the bus schedule worked or the easiest/safest alternative trains.</p>
<p>In the Bronx: Bronx Zoo, Bronx Botanical Garden. For fun visit City Island, a small community in the northeastern part of the Bronx with nice little shops, informal restaurants and lots of boats. Walk around some neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens. The Brooklyn Museum. Once, take a Circle line cruise around Manhattan. Not just touristy - also gives you a perspective on the island.</p>
<p>A few suggestions to give yourself a jump start on the fascinating history of New York City: read Russell Shorto’s “The Island at the Center of the World” and when you get there make sure to visit the Museum of the City of New York and New York Historical Society.</p>
<p>What college will you be attending or where will you be working? That will elicite better advice on where you should live.</p>
<p>I grew up in NYC, Brooklyn is too far from Morningside Heights at least an hour on the train. Look at the off campus housing info for Columbia University and Barnard College, they are located in Morningside Heights. This neihborhood is next door to Harlem. There is alot of gentrification going on…so check in Harlem too.</p>
<p>If you will be in Mornigside Heights, you will find a good bit of greenspace (for NYC). There is Riverside Park and Morningside Park, both of which are beautiful (DAYTIME) spots. I also heartily recomend the Cloisters…absolutely breathtakingly beautiful!!! The Cloisters is WAAAAAY up on the northern end of the island, though…a good long bus ride, but well worth the trip!</p>
<p>My daughter will be going back for her second year at Barnard this fall and she LOVES it there. I am sure you will be very, very pleased.</p>
<p>Regarding what clothes to buy … A couple of years ago, I was in NYC in March. There were some cold days, and I was struck by how similar all the young women’s winter coats looked. Most wore cloth coats (looked like wool) that ended about mid-thigh, and they were usually black, but occasionally another solid color. So if you want to have something to wear on the first cold day (don’t want to wait and see what everyone is wearing), this is what I would suggest. Current New Yorkers can weigh in if the fashion has changed</p>
<p>Definitely black! I live here and there’s no other color. If in a pinch, brown may do.</p>