Manhattan - NY City Map
To most people, Manhattan is New York. Of the five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan is the most prestigious. It is the most expensive and the most exciting place to live amongst the boroughs, with great arts, theatre, nightlife, and restaurants. You may want to plan on having a roommate or two to help with rent payments.

This borough is one if the easiest to navigate in the city. As you head north, the numbered streets get higher; head south and the numbered streets get lower. Fifth Avenue divides the city - East Side is east of Fifth Avenue, West Side is west of Fifth Avenue, and Downtown is generally considered anything below 34th Street.

Brooklyn/Queens - NY City Map
There are many beautiful and culturally vibrant neighborhoods within these large boroughs. Some rents are as expensive as Manhattan. Look for neighborhoods that are close to subway entrances and nightlife, and keep in mind how long your commute time will be. Queens is the nation's most ethnically diverse county. Brooklyn is known for its breathtaking views of Manhattan and the NY Harbor. The up and coming boutique neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens are as hip as any Manhattan neighborhood.

Bronx - NY City Map
The northernmost of the five boroughs, the Bronx is the birthplace of Hip-Hop, the former home of Edgar Allen Poe and the borough where Babe Ruth made his name. This borough has changed a lot over the last few decades; it is no longer the symbol of urban decay as it was a generation ago. Rentals are more reasonable but there are still many poor neighborhoods. It seems more remote to me than Brooklyn and Queens.

Staten Island - NY City Map
The least populated borough with the most suburban feel. The only way to get to Manhattan without a car is by ferry. Ferries only run certain times of day and for those that tend to have sea sickness this would not be ideal. If possible stay away from Staten Island only because the commute could be difficult at times.

NEW JERSEY - There are also many New Jersey cities very close to Manhattan - Hoboken, Jersey City, etc. - get a Path Train map or a New Jersey Transit train map and see what cities are tied to the system. Some are very nice.

TOOLS FOR GETTING AROUND:

Cross Street Finder - www.ny.com/locator - I have found it incredibly helpful!

Google Maps www.google.com/maps Everyone knows about Google nowadays. You can google your destination, find out the address,and get directions on how to get there whether by foot, car, bus or train or any comination of these; this is most helpful to use on your smartphone!

MTA Trip Planner http://tripplanner.mta.info/ is also a great site, similar to HopStop - it gives you the "exact" times subway trains and buses arrive.

AND

Sit Or Squat www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/sitorsquat is a great website that finds public restrooms -- they even have an app for your smartphone!