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 in Bridge 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.


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:

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.

Subway tips and etiquette:

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.

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.

According to the FBI, NYC is the safest big city in the U.S. People walk around the city at all hours, but with that said, please be cautious. You should remain aware of your surroundings and don’t walk around by yourself late at night or early morning.

Do not walk across the street at a red light even if there are no cars. NYC drivers can be erratic, and there are many scooters and e-bikes that speed around. It’s crucial to pay attention to the lights and bike lanes because they will not stop for pedestrians.