Living in NYC is quite interesting because you don't have to be confined to just Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn.

The New York Metropolitan Area extends beyond New York State to include New Jersey and Connecticut. With a population of 20 million, it's the largest mega city in the U.S., and just a short drive away, you'll find attractive satellite cities.

Jersey City and Hoboken, which are clearly visible across the river from Manhattan, feel more like extensions of New York than just satellite cities.

You can get there in the blink of an eye by taking the PATH train or a ferry from Manhattan. Recently, many young professionals have moved to this area to escape the skyrocketing rent in Manhattan. High-rise apartments along the waterfront offer stunning night views.

Further in, you'll find Newark, the largest city in New Jersey. To be honest, the safety isn't great, but Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a gateway that New Yorkers inevitably pass through when traveling to Korea or taking domestic flights. Additionally, neighborhoods like Fort Lee, Palisades Park, and Hackensack in Bergen County are practically part of the same area, just a 20-30 minute drive from Manhattan.

Prime Residential Areas in the North and East, New York State Line (Yonkers, White Plains, Long Island)

Heading north from Manhattan, Yonkers is about a 20-minute drive away, and if you continue for about 40 minutes, you'll reach White Plains, the center of Westchester County. This area is very clean and has a good school district, making it a top choice for Korean families looking to raise children in a quiet suburban city.

The eastern side of Queens, where Flushing is located, extends into Long Island, which is also hot. Neighborhoods like Great Neck, Manhasset, and Hempstead are notable, especially Great Neck, which has a prestigious school district that matches the educational aspirations of Korean parents, leading to a significant Korean community. You can hear Korean being spoken everywhere, even just at the grocery store on weekends.

Wealthy Neighborhoods and Business Hubs, Connecticut & Pennsylvania Line

Driving northeast towards Connecticut, you'll find Greenwich, CT, one of the wealthiest areas in the U.S.

With its grand mansions, it's a neighborhood that pleases the eyes just by driving through. Stamford, CT, right next door, is a sophisticated business city where large financial and media companies have set up offices to escape New York's high taxes. This line is well-connected by Metro-North trains and Amtrak, making it easy to travel all the way up to Boston.

Lastly, we can't forget Philadelphia, PA, which is about 95 miles to the south. You can reach it in just over an hour by Amtrak from New York, making it a great city for a day trip to enjoy a sandwich (cheesesteak) or tour art museums on the weekend.

Looking at it this way, New York is a place where you can enjoy the fun of choosing a lifestyle thanks to its satellite cities, and that's the true charm of the New York metropolitan area.