Guides and resources

What nobody tells you when you arrive in NY

Practical guides, explainers and community stories. Filter by format, topic or area and find what you need today.

10 articles6 topics4 formats

August 2026

4 posts
Article coverReading time:11 minGuidesThe Bronx
Housing

Renting without a credit history

What a landlord actually asks for, how guarantors work and which documents count when you have just arrived.

Author:Santiago GilPublished:Level:Beginner
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog
Article coverReading time:5 minListsQueens
Food

Colombian food in Queens

Twelve restaurants we tried ourselves across Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst, with average price per dish.

Author:Laura VargasPublished:Level:Everyone
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog
Article coverReading time:7 minGuidesQueens
Business

Opening an LLC in New York

Real costs, state timelines and the three mistakes that cost Latino founders the most money.

Author:Valentina OsorioPublished:Level:Intermediate
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog
Article coverReading time:9 minGuidesCitywideFeatured
Paperwork

ITIN step by step

Everything you need to apply for your ITIN without a lawyer: forms, accepted documents, where to file and how long it takes.

Author:Camilo RestrepoPublished:Level:Beginner
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog

July 2026

4 posts
Article coverReading time:6 minExplainersCitywide
Paperwork

The NYC subway without getting lost

Current fares, how OMNY works, free transfers and what to do when your card gets declined.

Author:Camilo RestrepoPublished:Level:Beginner
Open the official resourcenew.mta.info
Article coverReading time:8 minExplainersBrooklyn
Work

Summer seasonal jobs

Who is hiring right now, hourly pay ranges and your labor rights whether or not you have papers.

Author:Valentina OsorioPublished:Level:Everyone
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog
Article coverReading time:12 minStoriesBrooklynFeatured
Culture

From Valle to Brooklyn

The story of a family from Cali who arrived with two suitcases and now runs the most loved bakery in Sunset Park.

Author:Laura VargasPublished:Level:Everyone
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog
Article coverReading time:4 minListsThe Bronx
Food

Five Latin markets in the Bronx

Where to find panela, frozen arepas and tropical fruit without paying Manhattan prices.

Author:Santiago GilPublished:Level:Everyone
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog

June 2026

2 posts
Article coverReading time:10 minGuidesCitywide
Paperwork

US taxes without fear

Who has to file, what happens if you have no SSN and how to avoid tax-season scams.

Author:Valentina OsorioPublished:Level:Intermediate
Open the official resourceirs.gov
Article coverReading time:7 minExplainersManhattan
Paperwork

Enrolling your kids in school

Public school is a right regardless of immigration status. Documents, deadlines and who to turn to.

Author:Camilo RestrepoPublished:Level:Beginner
Read the full articlecolenny.nyc/blog

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