Founded as the Dutch trading post New Amsterdam in 1624 and renamed New York after the English seized it in 1664, the city merged its five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island — into one municipality in 1898. It sits on one of the world's largest natural harbours at the mouth of the Hudson River, a geography that underpinned its rise as the United States' financial and shipping capital. Wall Street, the United Nations headquarters and Broadway all operate within a few square miles of Manhattan. Linguists have documented more than 700 languages spoken across the five boroughs, more than any other city in recorded history.
Nights sit around 19°C and afternoons around 26°C, though some days reach 30°C.
New York City has real seasons: summer afternoons sit around 30°C, winter ones around 7°C.
Some summer days reach 35°C, and some winter nights drop below freezing.
It rains all year — about 1259 mm in total, from 117 mm in July down to 81 mm in February — so there is no dry stretch to aim for.
Wind is a factor: January averages 20 km/h, enough to notice on a terrace or a bike. Air quality is worth watching: June averages an AQI of 71, while November clears to 54.
Days stretch to about 14.9 hours of light in June and shrink to 9.1 in December — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in New York City are June – August. Expect fast internet (374 Mbps) and a high cost of living (about €4350 a month).
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