Obviously, your phone is an incredibly handy tool, and once you have a cell plan (remember, you have a “cell phone” now, not a “mobile”), you can go ahead and start using some of these very handy apps. Most are available on both Android and iOS.
For iOS users: You will first need to change your phone to be in a US region (which requires US banking details – click here for help), however, it’s quite easy.
Venmo – This is basically how everyone sends each other money whether it be for a drink, meal or a nice hat.
Square Cash (the “Cash App”) – A new-comer to the market which does basically the same as Venmo but makes it slightly easier to transfer money.
Your banking app
Communication
Talking with everyone of your new friends, and keeping in touch with your friends from home is especially important.
Skype – Cheap calls back to foreign countries with great quality (and you can call landlines and mobiles)
WhatsApp – Communicate with the world in one app!
Signal – The secure non-Facebook owned version of WhatsApp for those of you who demand a little more privacy.
Shopping
Amazon – This will take your money and turn it into the fun stuff. A lot. If you’d like to do me a favor and say thank you for this website, please use this link to https://smile.amazon.com and select “Variety – the Children’s Charity of New York”. I work with this fantastic Charity and this lets a little of your money go to them to help kids in need!
Transport
Bellhop – Can’t be bothered with public transport and want a car? This will compare Uber, Lyft, Juno, and a cab’s prices for you!
CityMapper – Probably the most comprehensive getting around app for NYC
Transit – Probably the most accurate and up-to-date listing of public transport information
Pigeon – For up-to-date real information from commuters about where trains are (made by the folks at Google) – SubwayTimeNYC is also commonly pointed to!
CitiBikes – CitiBikes are everywhere in NYC and are a simple way of getting around. More here!
Curb – If you want to catch a yellow cab this will help you out (and you can even use it to pay once you’re in a cab). Do note that this adds a surcharge on top of a normal cab ride.
Renting
Spare Room – The name tells most of the story
Naked Apartments – The name of this one, not so much
StreetEasy– A great app for all things rentals with a focus on empty apartments. They’ve even written up a great guide on Moving to NYC when it comes to housing!
Dining, Food & Drink
Infatuation – A great and simple app for finding somewhere to eat that’s going to be great
Seamless/GrubHub – Great food delivery service
UberEats – Similar to Seamless ($15 off first order with eats-joshp367ue)
PostMates – Similar to UberEats ($100 off with link)
Delivery.com – Similar to PostMates ($7 off with the link)
Drizly – Drink delivery to your door ($5 off with code KFIZW)
Open Table – One of the leaders for booking dine-in dinners
Eat24 – Another food delivery app similar to Delivery.com
Yelp – A place to read reviews from people who in most cases have WAY too much time on their hands
Caviar – For a slightly fancier meal (and I’ve found the deliveries to be better and more reliable)
Sports & Shows
SeatGeek – One of the major new players in seats
StubHub – Good cheap tickets from other people
TodayTix – For Broadway shows
TKTS – Last minute Broadway shows
Tunity – At a bar, can’t hear the TV? This will play the audio from any TV on your phone!
Flights
Just be careful with these though, especially throughout COVID as booking through a third-party has been known to lead to lots of issues.
Skiplagged – Cheap flights jumping onto connections and tail ends
Hopper – Monitors flight prices and helps for when to buy
Security & Privacy
TrueCaller – You are going to receive a LOT of spam calls, this app will help you slow that down
