Life in New York

How to get by in New York on little money: where to get warm in winter and find free food, how to get the City's IDNYC card and ride for half price, where to get online, how to visit libraries, museums and theaters, and where to meet people near you.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

• 1Winter: warm places, heat at home and coats
• 2Free food, clothing and things for your home
• 3311, IDNYC and how the City works
• 4Getting around: subway, buses, ferries and bikes
• 5Phone and internet on a budget
• 6Libraries: a free card, computers and English
• 7Museums, theater and music: every affordable way in
• 8Parks, beaches, pools and free sports
• 9Places and people: where to go and whom to meet

Sources, checked November 2026

• nyc.gov/site/em/about/press-releases/20260206-NYCEM-Issues-Wea…
• portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03702
• on.nyc.gov/warmingcenters
• nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/03/mayor-mamdani-announces-rob…
• nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
• nyc.gov/site/hra/about/about-hra.page
• newyorkcares.org/coat-drive
• nyc.gov/site/hra/help/food-assistance.page
• nyc.gov/site/hra/help/ebt-card-services.page
• foodbanknyc.org/find-food
• feedam.org/community-fridges/ny
• freedge.org
• buynothingproject.org
• habitatnycwc.org/restore
• nyc.gov/311/about-311.page
• portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02498
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/about/about.page
• nyc.gov/site/immigrants/city-services/city-services-summary.page
• nyc.gov/site/immigrants/contact/contact-us.page
• nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents.page
• mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus
• mta.info/omny
• omny.info/fares
• omny.info/omny-card
• mta.info/about-us
• mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/reduced-fare
• nyc.gov/site/fairfares/index.page
• access.nyc.gov/programs/fair-fares
• nyc.gov/assets/fairfares/downloads/pdf/Fair-Fares-FAQ-OMNY-Eng…
• citibikenyc.com/RFBS
• ferry.nyc/ticketing-info
• ferry.nyc/discount
• nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ferrybus/staten-island-ferry.shtml
• govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry
• broadband.ny.gov/consumer-resources
• spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist
• lifelinesupport.org
• lifelinesupport.org/how-to-qualify
• lifelinesupport.org/how-to-apply
• govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-03/html/2026-06531.htm
• everycrsreport.com/files/2026-08-06_IF13283_559a239bd2d4693a27…
• usac.org/about
• link.nyc/faq.html
• nypl.org/help/library-card
• nypl.org/get-help/contact-us
• nypl.org/help/computers-internet-and-wireless-access
• nypl.org/education/adults/english-classes
• bklynlibrary.org/card
• bklynlibrary.org/use-the-library/laptop-loan
• bklynlibrary.org/adult-learning/esol
• queenslibrary.org/get-a-card
• queenslibrary.org/about-us/services/Lendable-Technology
• queenslibrary.org/programs-activities/new-americans/learn-engl…
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/benefits/libraries.page
• culturepass.nyc
• culturepass.nyc/faq
• wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/classes-near-you
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/benefits/museums-and-cultural-institutions.…
• metmuseum.org/plan-your-visit
• nyc.gov/site/dcla/about/pressrelease/PR-2026-6-2-The-Metropoli…
• amnh.org/plan-your-visit/admission
• moma.org/visit
• visit.moma.org/select/uniqlo
• momaps1.org/en/visit
• press.moma.org/news/moma-ps1-to-become-new-york-citys-largest-…
• guggenheim.org/plan-your-visit
• whitney.org/visit/free-admission
• whitney.org/visit
• brooklynmuseum.org/visit
• nyhistory.org/visit
• themorgan.org/visit
• mcny.org/visit
• studiomuseum.org/visit
• queensmuseum.org/visit
• thejewishmuseum.org/visit
• frick.org/visit
• neuegalerie.org/visit
• nybg.org/visit/admission
• brooklynkids.org/visit
• bronxmuseum.org/visit
• about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-part…
• nytransitmuseum.org/know-before-you-visit
• publictheater.org/media/svpd2erk/ticketing-guide-to-the-delaco…
• lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city
• cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage
• tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tdf-membership
• tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/tkts-live
• nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation-centers/membership
• nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters
• nycgovparks.org/highlights/places-to-go/pools
• nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools
• nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches
• nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers
• bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-br…
• bryantpark.org/the-park/hours-and-directions
• gaycenter.org/about/inside-the-center
• gaycenter.org/support/social-groups
• lgbtbrooklyn.org
• nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/heat-and-hot-water-i…
• nyc.gov/site/hra/locations/home-energy-assistance-program.page
• benton.org/blog/doj-ruling-could-impact-who-qualifies-lifeline
• legalservicesnyc.org/resources/i-am-a-noncitizen-am-i-still-el…
• nyc.gov/site/fairfares/contact-us/contact-us.page
• nyc.gov/assets/idnyc/downloads/pdf/idnyc_applicant_document_gu…
• nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/988.page
• justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program
• gaycenter.org/library
• gaycenter.org/contact-us
• destinationtomorrow.org
• law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1641
• communications.cityofnewyork.us/dss-hra-dhs-updates-april-26
• nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page
• nychealthandhospitals.org/locations
• nyc.gov/site/immigrants/about/press-releases/nyc-moia-launches…
• nyc.gov/html/hra/html/services/language_services_en.shtml
• nychealthandhospitals.org/services/language-assistance
• nyc.gov/site/ocdv/get-help/get-help.page
• legalservicesnyc.org/get-help-with-a-legal-issue
• access.nyc.gov/programs/home-energy-assistance-program-heap
• portal.311.nyc.gov/about-nyc-311