Content Comparison

Information about housing, transit, and other aspects of student life in NYC will be updated here regularly

Housing 

Students are responsible for researching and securing their own living arrangements (except for students inBridge to the City/Education program). If you live in the tri-state area, you may also choose to live at home and commute. The SU Off-Campus Living team has compiled an Independent Living Checklist for students engaged in a housing search. Although some tips are relevant to the Syracuse area, the checklist offers helpful general guidance.

Short Term Housing Options in NYC 

The following list includes short-term housing options that former Fisher Center students have utilized. They are listed in alphabetical order.

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Disclaimer: all prospective tenants are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment when evaluating a prospective rental unit or landlord. Inclusion of any property, manager or landlord in the list above does not constitute, and shall not be construed or reported as (1) an endorsement or approval by Syracuse University of the landlord, its properties or its business practices, or (2) a warranty or representation by Syracuse University as to the quality, safety or other features of such property and/or its owners or management agent(s). Syracuse University expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise with regard to such property or rental units, or with regard to disputes between landlords and tenants concerning such property or rental units. 

Food

Restaurants Near the Fisher Center

Since the choice of restaurants in our area can be overwhelming,  Fisher Center staff have shared some of their favorite local food options on the map below (click on the thumbnail to enlarge):

Food Discounts

Too Good To Go is an app that fights food waste by letting you rescue unsold food at restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, etc. Prices are often 1/3 of the original price and you can search by neighborhood near your apartment, internship, or the Fisher Center.

Transportation

You don’t need a car to get around NYC. Here’s some advice about the travel options you have here:

Transit websites

Find maps, schedules, fares, trip planners, and service status alerts from the following public transit agencies:

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) City Transit  subway and buses in NYC. An MTA mobile app is available.

• Long Island Rail Road commuter rail on Long Island. MTA mobile app includes LIRR information.

• Metro-North Railroad commuter rail north of NYC to Westchester  and Putnam Counties and Connecticut. MTA mobile app includes Metro-North information.

• NJ Transit commuter trains, buses, and ferries to New Jersey. An NJ Transit mobile app is available.

• Register online for Notify NYC Emergency Alerts that can be personalized to the zip codes where you live, work, and study. Notifications include weather alerts, information about major transit disruptions, and other emergency updates. A mobile app is available.

Subway 

It’s convenient, quick, and affordable. Each ride is $2.90, but depending on how often you plan to ride the subway, you may save money with a 30-day unlimited Metro card ($132). The MTA charges $1 for each new MetroCard purchased at a MetroCard vending machine, station booth, or commuter rail station. They have now installed OMNY, the contactless payment system. You can use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device to tap and go. You will get free transfers if you use the same card to transfer to a bus. You get free rides after paying for 12 fares within 7 days.

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• The closest subway line to the Fisher Center is the 6 train. On lines that run north and south like the 6, The Bronx means uptown, and Brooklyn means downtown.
• Rush hour is typically 8:00am - 10:00am and 6:00pm – 8:00pm. This is when the subways get more crowded, and taxis/buses go slower because of the traffic. If you’re commuting during this time, be prepared to wait for a train or two to pass before you can get on. Trains also run more frequently during rush hour, so you won’t have to wait long for another to come.
• Some stations have electronic signs that say when the next train is coming, and the MTA Mobile App offers estimated arrival information.  
• If you get a seat, great, but please offer it up to the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women if the train gets crowded.
• If you’re confused or lost, ask someone politely. New Yorkers love to give directions. Or ask the conductor. They are located at the front and middle of the train. You can also ask the subway attendant when you enter the station.
• No A/C in the car? Move to another one after the train STOPS.
• Some subway entrances have BOTH uptown and downtown trains. Some ONLY have one way. Before you go down the stairs and swipe, read the sign and make sure you are going the right way.

Bus

The bus is a good option, especially if you will be going east or west across town since there aren’t many subway lines that go that way. If there’s a lot of traffic, the buses can be slow. You can tap OMNY to pay your fare or use a MetroCard or change (no bills). Local buses cost $2.90 and Express buses cost $7.00 Express buses go to boroughs outside Manhattan and all of them have M in their bus number (Bronx= BxM#, Brooklyn=BM#, Queens=QM#, Staten Island=SIM#).

Taxi

Taxis (or Uber/Lyft rides) are convenient, but you pay for it. If you’re going somewhere in the city with four people, it can be cost effective to take a taxi since you’ll be splitting it four ways.

• You hail a taxi by putting your hand up on the corner of the street. Make sure you aren’t “stealing” a corner from someone who was waiting before you.
• You can tell a cab is free if their number on the top is lit up. If it’s not, it’s off duty or busy.
• When you get into the cab, tell the driver where you want to go. When you get to your location, you can pay by cash or credit card. It’s customary to tip 20 percent.
• ADVICE: Stash an emergency $20 bill in your wallet or phone case. That way you know you always have cash to get home in case the cc machine isn't working it the taxi (it happens).

Walking

This is a walking city. Many folks will walk 20-30 blocks to work and that’s typical (20 blocks = 1 mile). The avenues are long and the streets/blocks are short. Determine how long it takes you to walk 10 blocks and factor in the weather to decide if it’s worth it to walk or not.

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