Useful Apps when you move to America 2022

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 and they will make everything in your life a little bit easier. There are options for everything but here’s what I’ve collected so far.

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.

Banking

What’s going on with banking? And why do people keep asking to “Venmo” you?

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 – 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’m the President of the Charity and we help kids in need! Here’s more.

Transport

Obi – Can’t be bothered with public transport and want a car? This will compare Uber, Lyft, other ride shares, 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!
Uber – Uber…
Lyft – Younger sister of Uber but the big up and comer, probably #2.
Revel – A new breed of blue Teslas popping up all over the country
Via – Ride sharing with regular ride deals
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).

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.

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 & Resy – The leaders for booking dine-in dinners
Eat24 – Another food delivery app similar to Delivery.com
Caviar – For a slightly fancier delivered meal

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!

Weather

Dark Sky – My pick of the bunch at the moment for accurate reporting of the weather (sorry Weather App)

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.

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
Do Not Call Register – Federal Trade Commission’s (Government) spam filter