Short term apartments in NYC

by Eileen, Travel Planner

One of the worst feelings in the world is when you realize you’ve been duped.  It’s happened to all of us— something seems too good to be true and then you realize (too late) that it is.  It’s happened to me with concert tickets, “discount” coupons, and unfortunately with apartments.  The hardest one getting over was the apartment.  All my friend and I wanted was an apartment to call our own.  We searched the internet, we asked every friend we knew, and we even called a couple of brokers.  After finding “the one”, we arrived on move in day only to discover a very much present tenant still living in “our” apartment, who had no clue what we were talking about.  Our deposit and the perpetrator where gone, never to be seen again.  Luckily it worked out for us in the end; we found a legal apartment and lived happily there for a year or so.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the horror stories from friends and family— the apartment that was presented to them ended up being unsafe, filthy, or illegal.

Now I’m sure it doesn’t come as a shock to you that New York can get expensive.  It’s hard to find a hotel in Manhattan for under $200 throughout most of the year, and during the holidays prices can get exponentially higher.  We know what makes travelers tempted by the “too good to be true” offers— you’re on a budget and you want the most bang for your buck when it comes to your vacation.  Many people assume that renting an apartment for a few days or weeks is the most cost efficient option left; it is actually illegal.

It is illegal (against the law) to rent an apartment for less than 31 day in New York City.

That’s it.  No “ifs,” “ands” or “buts.” Don’t believe us? Here’s a link to the actual law: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/NYS_chapter_225.pdf

There are several reasons why this minimum is imposed; however it ends up coming down to safety.  The so called apartment units can lack fire alarms, sprinklers, and create fire hazards to residents in the neighborhood.  Most people discover that at the end of the road, when you come to New York and you make it into the apartment.  Unfortunately most people don’t make it that far, for them the road ends when they produce payment.

We had a case last year when someone had produced payment and thought she was all set to go, only to arrive to New York and find out that the apartment she was intending to stay in didn’t actually exist.  I’ve also heard a story about someone just sending off their credit card information only to never hear from the “owner” again.  The most terrifying story I heard was when a couple arrived in New York from abroad.  They were able to get into the apartment and decided to leave for the day, only to find themselves locked out of their apartment when they returned later that night.  Locked inside the apartment were all of their belongings and passports.

If you are interested in economical options for your visit, we suggest looking into hotel in Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.  You would be surprised at how easy it is to get into Manhattan and how much more cost efficient hotels are outside of Manhattan.  We love hotels outside of Manhattan because you get to see real communities and neighborhoods.  New York City has one of, if not the most, comprehensive transit system in the world.  Our subways are in service 24/7 365 days out of the year.  We always recommend investing in a Metrocard since it is a pass that allows you access to New York City.  Getting around the city is as easy as swiping a Metrocard!

Don’t be fooled by anyone trying to rent you a short term apartment – remember that they are knowingly breaking the law by making this offer, and by providing them with your personal information or trusting them with your vacation, you are putting your money and trust in the hands of someone who is knowingly breaking the law.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! We’re here to protect your best interests and provide you with the most cost efficient ways to travel in NYC. For more information on budget trips to NYC, read our New York City on a Shoestring blog or e-mail info@newyorkguest.com!

How to Have an Awesome Times Square New Year’s Eve

by Jeannette, Director of International Sales

The first time I saw Times Square on New Year’s Eve was from Central Park South as I scurried to connect to N train from the 1 line at Columbus Circle. Times Square station had long shut down to make way for the masses of people lining up to celebrate the Millennium at the Crossroads of the World. It was 5pm and the crowd was to 57^th Street and I looked down and thought to myself, nothing in the world would make me ever want to be part of the debacle which is Times Square on December 31st!

Fast forward to 2003,  2 career changes later, now head concierge at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square, I am now literally living and breathing Times Square for 50 hours week. The Starbucks with the line out the door knows my name and order, the deli with the overpriced Matzah Ball soup know I like 2 packs of saltines with the $8 cup of soup and the ladies at the Thai walk up nail place know I have exactly 17 minutes before I have to rush back to my job and make peoples’ New Years dreams come true.

And how do I do that? I let them in on the little known secrets on how to celebrate in Times Square. I start with my diagram of the Square. Each block represents 1 hour, which is approximately how long is take NYPD to herd you like cattle into blockaded squares each holding about 100 people.   The Square begins filling up around 12pm so those lucky ones that are up front, have been waiting for 12 hours to get that coveted spot.

Some people say bring crossword puzzles, drink water sparingly and make sure to have sandwich on hand!   I say run unless you want to be cold, hungry and possibly soiled.

So what do I tell people when the ask where to spend their New Years in Times Square?

There are countless restaurants on the side streets leading up the main event. A reservation at one of these gets you coveted NYPD pass giving you a reason to be loitering about. Try getting a spot on 47^th or 46 on the east side, and you might catch a glimpse of the concerts in Duffy Square.  Most of the restaurants have loose policy when it comes to toasting the New Year so if you are lucky, you just mind find yourself wandering into Times Square just after the ball drop with a glass of champagne with confetti in your hair as the revelers are running to the toilets and subways to get out of Dodge!

This year’s event features performances by Taylor Swift and Carly Rae Jepsen and my top pick has to be St Andrews on West 46^th.  There multi level party features open bar and different dining options so come midnight look for me, reveling in 46^th Street with my glass of cheer in hand! You can call me directly at 646-867-8253 if you want to join in the festivities.

 

 

 

Hurricane Sandy: How Can You Help?

The Manhattan Skyline, blacked out by Hurricane Sandy

It’s been more obvious than ever the past few days: You love NYC as much as we do. All around the world, people want to help. While we remind you that serious efforts should be made to help our wonderful neighbors in New Jersey and the more seldom visited sections of New York City (Staten Island, the Rockaways) as well as Manhattan, we really appreciate the outpouring of love and affection for our area and are happy to provide information on ways you can help!

Donate

Definitely the quickest and easiest way to help is with a donation.  Here are some ways you can donate a small amount easily (every little bit helps!)

• American Red Cross: Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10.
• Salvation Army: Text “STORM” to 80888 to donate $10
• Humane Society: Text “HUMANE” to 80888 to donate $10
• New York Cares: Text “iCARE” to 85944 to donate $10

For more substantial donations please visit:

• The Mayors Fund to Advance New York City and donate to the Hurricane Relief Effort: https://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/donate/donate.shtml
• The Community Food Bank of New Jersey: http://www.njfoodbank.org/

Volunteer

If you can make it into the area, please consider donating some of your time to the relief effort. Here are two great ways to help:

New York Cares, one of our favorite organizations for volunteering in the New York area, has waived their usual orientation requirements for Hurricane Sandy volunteer projects. Check out the available projects here: http://newyorkcares.org/volunteer/disaster/

The New York Parks Department is looking for volunteers to help with clean-up efforts throughout the city: http://www.nycgovparks.org/stormupdate/storm-details

Visit!

Make no mistake, New York will get through this. We’ve gotten through worse. Believe it or not, one of the best ways to help us get through the aftermath of this tragedy is by planning a trip to visit us! The NYC economy will take a hit in the aftermath of the storm – many restaurants, hotels, and shops have been closed for the majority of this week, quite a few restaurants in the city sustained serious damage and lost all of their inventory. We will rebuild, but we need business to keep us going! What a great excuse to visit the best city in the world and be doing a good deed at the same time, right? Fill out our quote request form: http://www.newyorkguest.com/vacation-packages/#quote to start planning your visit. We’d be happy to give you recommendations of specific restaurants and areas of the city to visit that really need your help!

 

 

 

Shakespeare and Sandy on Red Hook

by Vanessa, New York Guest Sales Associate

Double double toil and trouble, Sandy’s surge, makes oceans double.

Flooding in Red Hook during Hurricane Sandy

In the day following the hurricane neighbors and residents alike made haste to soggy Red Hook, to “survey the damage” thus proving that curiosity is no longer a vice. While some of a certain variety ogled, many more set to work long before city officials could begin to assess the damage, to retrieve their surly section of Brooklyn. What sea water did not recede to where it once came, remained in the hallowed depths of basements, so that every house floated atop its own murky ocean.

Red Hook, without the storm, is a nook of salt and brine wedded precariously at the seam of the Hudson and the Atlantic along the southern tip of Brooklyn. As New York City officials assessed the incalculable damage of Sandy, old men of the neighborhood, besieged by tattoos, weathered skin, and oxen strength began the task of cutting back tangled trees, pumping basements, and ultimately rebuilding Red Hook with the same affection a captain feels for his ship. Red Hook with its myths and misdemeanors is the perfect demonstration of neighborhood pride where residents feel as much of an obligation to care for its streets as officials should. For them, there is no I in storm.

Crack of glass, rot of leaf, flood of basement, no relief!

Cacao Prieto’s former and future glory

Red Hook, as it always does, will return to its quiet glory of gnarled iron, biker bars, oysters, and moonshine. With it too, a renaissance of Cacao Prieto, Widow Jane, Key Lime Pies, and Red Hook Winery, mermaids of sorts who swim between the raindrops. These daring few have helped reestablished Red Hook as a mecca for “locavores”, “small-batch-avores”, and the artisanally crazed, redrafting the once entirely unsavory narrative of Red Hook into the perfect semblance of bitter and sweet. Widow Jane with Cacao Prieto are perfect examples of this marriage, recently hosting a fete for the launch of the former’s 7 year whiskey reserve. Between tastings of their various brews, party goers (myself included) feasted on heavenly roasts, thick cuts of chocolate, and pickled everything. When the band strummed its last tune, friends and I ventured nearby to Sunny’s for local beers and blue grass. The next day, we returned to Red Hook Winery where good friends ponder the outcome of this year’s harvest over bubbling cauldrons of fermenting Long Island grapes.

Ferment the flora, roast the pig, Long Island, wrong island to pick a fight with.

When tides recede, and doors reopen, I encourage you to make haste and taste for Red Hook. For more information on Red Hook or any of the locations mentioned this article don’t hesitate to contact us at info@newyorkguest.com

Hurricane Sandy ends, Recovery begins

Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO, Brooklyn just above the flood waters

As anyone on the east coast can tell you, it has been a very challenging couple of days,  and the work is really just beginning. Here in NYC the subway system was shut down on Sunday at 7 PM in advance of Sandy’s arrival, and tours, Broadway shows, museums and more did not operate Monday, nor will they operate today. There was and is severe flooding throughout the city and there is no timetable for public transportation to begin running again. Currently all area airports are closed as well. We have nothing but faith in the city’s emergency workers to get everything up and running again as fast as humanly possible – NYC is stronger than the strongest hurricane!

A portion of the West Side Highway

Our commitment is to be here for those who are currently visiting or planning to visit New York as we manage our own recovery efforts as well. Unfortunately, our e-mail server is currently down due to the storm. We hope to get it working again as quickly as possible but in the mean time you can reach us by joining us at Facebook.com/NewYorkGuest and sending a message, sending a tweet at twitter.com/NewYorkGuest or by commenting below with your contact information. Someone will get in touch with you shortly.

We wish everyone the best and are thinking of those who have a major personal recovery ahead of them. May it be as painless as possible!

How to Attend TV Show Tapings in NYC – Part 3 of 3

by Megan, New York Guest Concierge

Welcome to the final edition of Megan’s TV show taping ticket tips! Today’s topic: The ever-delicious cooking shows.

Rachael Ray Show Tickets
• In Advance: Fill out the on-line form at http://web1-dev.xen1.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/audience-tickets/ Shows tape Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with two tapings per day (one at 11:30am, the other at 4pm.) The studio is located at 222 E. 44th St., between 2nd & 3rd Ave. – if you’re going to the noon taping, you must arrive by 10:15am, arrival time for the 4pm taping is 2:15pm. All audience members must be at least 16 years old. You can request up to 4 tickets at a time – only one request per household (submitting any more cancels both requests.)
• Last Minute: The arrival time to receive a standby voucher is 10:15 a.m. (for the 11:30 a.m. taping) and 2:15 p.m. (for the 4:00 p.m. taping). A standby voucher does not guarantee a ticket to the show. Standby is first come/first served – earlier arrival will give you a better chance at getting in.

Martha Stewart Show Tickets
• In Advance: The ticket-request form can be found at MarthaStewart.com/get-tickets. If the day you want is not available, you will receive a message advising you to check back later. Typically, shows are booked a month in advance. If a date is not posted, it means the audience is full for this show date. You can request up to four tickets – duplicate requests will be deleted.
• Last Minute: Standby tickets may not always be available. If they are, they will be available about two hours prior to show time at Chelsea Television Studios, 221 West 26th Street (between Seventh and Eighth avenues.) The show typically tapes at 10 am and 2 pm, standby tickets are given out when available at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

How to Attend TV Show Tapings in New York – Part 2 of 3

by Megan, New York Guest Concierge

Welcome to the second installment of our tips on attending TV show tapings while you’re in town! Today we’ll tell you about Daytime and Talk shows!

The View Tickets
• In Advance: There is generally a 12-24 month wait for tickets to The View. You can request tickets at http://theview.abc.go.com/tickets – you will need to create an ABC user account to put in a request. You may only request tickets for one date – requesting a second date will cancel both requests all together. Tapings are Mon-Thurs from 11am-12pm. If you do get tickets, you must arrive at the audience entrance of the studio (320 W. 66th St.) BY 9:30am. They frequently give out more tickets than the studio will hold, admittance is first come/first served.
• Last Minute: Anyone looking for tickets on the day of the show will get a standby number from the View Audience Associate at the studio audience entrance from 8-9am – people will begin lining up for this as early as 5am.

Good Morning America Tickets
• In Advance: ABC does not give out tickets to the show in advance – the limited number of people allowed into the studio are first come/first served on the day of the taping.
• Last Minute: Good Morning America films Mon-Fri from 7am-9am, people will arrive as early as 5am if they want to be close to the barricades/have a chance to get into the studio. There are no age restrictions for audience members. The taping takes place in Times Square on Broadway at 44th St.

Live with Kelly Tickets
• In Advance: Tickets are available on-line one month at a time, approximately one month in advance (ie tickets for May are available the last week of March.) You would fill out the request form at http://www.dadt.com/live/get-tickets.html. Tapings are Mon-Fri at 9am, ticket holders must arrive by 8am (the studio is at the southeast corner of Columbus Ave. & 67th St.) If your desired date is not available on-line, you can mail in a request to:
“LIVE! with Kelly” Tickets
Ansonia Station
P.O. Box 230-777
New York, NY 10023
You can include back up dates in your mailed request in case your first choice is not available. Submissions will be picked randomly from both the on-line and mailed in requests. Audience members must be at least 10 years old, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Last Minute: Standbys are encouraged to get to the studio as early as 7am (people will usually have arrived even earlier – especially on days with a very popular guest/musical act.) Seating is first come/first served with the standby line once all ticket holders have been seated.

The Today Show Tickets
• In Advance: NBC does not give out tickets to the show, as the audience is shot entirely at street level in the plaza.
• Last Minute: The Today Show films Mon-Fri from 7am-10am, people will arrive as early as 5am if they want to be close to the barricades. The taping takes place in Rockefeller Plaza on 48th St., between 5th & 6th Ave.

Wendy Williams Tickets
• In Advance: Choose the date and time you would like to attend at http://www.wendyshow.com/tickets/get-tickets/ Tapings are Mon-Wed at 10am, Thursdays at 10am & 1:45pm. You can choose up to 5 tickets – all audience members must be at least 18 years old. All guests must arrive by 8am for the 10am taping, and by 11:30am for the Thursday afternoon taping. The studio is located at 433 West 53rd Street, between 9th and 10th Ave.
• Last Minute: If you would like to try for standby tickets, you must arrive at the studio no later than 8:30am for the 10am taping, or 11:30am for the Thursday afternoon taping.

How to Attend TV Show Tapings in New York – Part 1 of 3

by Megan, New York Guest Concierge

One of our most common questions from guests is how they can attend a taping of a TV show, so we’ve compiled information for the most popular shows so you can plan ahead or play it by ear – whatever works for you!

This three part series starts with perhaps the most popular genre: Late Night/Comedy

Saturday Night Live Tickets
• In Advance: In order to request tickets to SNL, you must send an email to snltickets@nbcuni.com at some point during the month of August for the upcoming season. You need to include all contact information in the email, and cannot request tickets for any specific date. If you are selected, you will receive two tickets to either the rehearsal or live show for a random date. Only one email permitted per household – audience members must be at least 16 years old.
• Last Minute: A stand-by line forms outside of the 49th St. entrance to the studio the night before the show. Stand-by tickets are given out at 7am Saturday mornings. You need to choose to try for either the rehearsal or live show at this time & will be given a numbered ticket – the rehearsal is supposedly easier to get into, but there’s no guarantee either way. The group gets lined up by ticket number when you come back for the taping & people are sent up until the studio is full. Frequently a cast member, or possibly the host, will come by to say hi to the line Friday night when they get out of their rehearsal.

David Letterman Tickets
• In Advance: Fill out the on-line form at http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/tickets/online.php – you will be able to choose up to 3 dates that you would be available. Tapings are Mon-Thurs (two tapings on Thursdays.) After filling out the form you will be contacted any time within a day of submitting the form to 24 hours before the taping (depending on when tickets become available.) You will need to correctly answer a trivia question about the show in order to secure your ticket when they call you (it’s normally something relatively simple like what is the name of Dave’s band leader?, etc.) You will need to give both your and your guest’s names (if applicable) – you can only get 2 tickets & tickets are non-transferable (they will check your ids at the theater.)
• Last Minute: This is the easiest show to get into last minute! Stand-by tickets are available by either calling (212) 247-6497 starting at 11am on the day of the taping you would like to attend – or going directly to the theater from 9am-12pm (Broadway at 53rd St.) There is greater success for people going in person vs calling & you will still need to answer a trivia question for either of these methods as well.

Jimmy Fallon Tickets
• In Advance: Advance tickets can be requested through the ticket office at (212) 664-3056 – tickets are generally given out about one month in advance. You can request up to 4 tickets at a time, all audience members must be at least 17 years old.
• Last Minute: Arrive no later than 9am on the day of the taping at the 49th St. side of NBC studios under the “NBC Studios” marquee. Only one stand-by ticket will be given per person, and they do not guarantee admittance into the taping. Any tickets not given out at 9am will be held at the NBC Studio Tour desk – on the second floor of the NBC Experience Store.

The Colbert Report Tickets
• In Advance: Fill out the on-line request form at http://www.colbertnation.com/tickets/ – there is an interactive calendar that will let you choose an available date. You can request up to 4 tickets for the taping. If no times are listed, you can supply an email address for them to alert you when more dates open up.
• Last Minute: Stand-by tickets are given out at the studio on the day of the taping (513 W. 54th St., between 10th & 11th Ave.) There is no official time listed to arrive, but earlier is always better. They generally give the tickets out in the early afternoon (2-3pm) with tapings closer to 3-4pm. One ticket is given per person, all audience members must be at least 18 years old.

The Daily Show Tickets
• In Advance: Fill out the on-line request form at http://www.thedailyshow.com/tickets – there is an interactive calendar that will let you choose an available date. You can request up to 4 tickets for the taping. If no times are listed, you can supply an email address for them to alert you when more dates open up and/or send them an email at requesttickets@thedailyshow.com. If you choose to send an email, be sure to include your name, the show date you would like to attend, and the number of tickets requested (again, up to four.)
• Last Minute: The Daily Show tapes Mon-Thurs at about 5:30pm. Stand-by tickets are EXTREMELY difficult to get – you would try directly at the theater located at 733 11th Ave., between 51st & 52nd St. Stand-by tickets are one/person and are typically given out in the early afternoon.

Stay tuned for our next installment on Thursday – Daytime/Talk Shows!

New York City on a Shoestring

by Louise, Community Manager

Think a trip to New York City isn’t in your budget? That may not be true! We’re specialists at working within a budget, so we know all the tips and tricks for making an NYC vacation affordable. Here are a few of them:

Plan a trip in January or February

Between the post-Holiday lull and the unpredictable weather, rates in New York are by far the cheapest in the first two months of the year. Sure, you might have to deal with some cold temperatures or snow, but with all the great indoor activities available (shows, museums, restaurants) and plenty of climate-controlled tour buses in which to explore the sights, plus our nifty underground transportation system, you can still have a fantastic time!

Stay in Long Island City or Brooklyn

Bonus to staying in Long Island City: Check out this view!

I know, I know – the inclination is to want to stay in Times Square. But seriously: Times Square is loud and expensive. It’s great to stay there and be in the center of the action, walking distance to lots of places, but will it ruin your vacation if you stay a little out of the way? Not at all! The NYC subway system is safe, clean and reliable and will get you from point A to point B in less time than you think. Long Island City and Brooklyn are both great areas to stay, will save you a ton of money, are quick trips to central locations, and will give you a look at REAL neighborhoods of NYC, where people actually live. Seriously, nobody lives in Times Square.

Check Out Free Stuff

Nobody is going to pretend that New York doesn’t cost money, but there are actually a number of museums that you can visit for free either all the time or on select dates and times. The American Folk Art Museum and the Museum of the American Indian are always free, for example. The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is free on Tuesdays, MOMA is free on Fridays from 4-8 PM, the Whitney is free on Fridays from 6-9 PM, and the Frick Collection is free on Sundays from 11 AM – 1 PM. And these are just a few examples!

Consider Off Broadway Shows

Avenue Q, a Tony-winning Broadway show, now plays Off-Broadway

I just wrote a blog about this recently, but Off Broadway shows can often be just as high quality as Broadway productions and sometimes are even more lovely and original. Plus, they are much less expensive to see than Broadway shows. So if you want to catch a show but Broadway is going to break the bank, check out the Off Broadway offerings – there may be something just as wonderful or even better to see!

Take a Food Tour

Okay, so I’m partial to food tours because I’m obsessed with food, but if the budget is tight and you’re going to spring for one guided tour, make it a food tour. Why? It’s a guided tour and a meal in one! Most food tours are great neighborhood tours, and you’ll learn about the history of an area from a knowledgeable guide while getting plenty of snacks to boot!

Go For a Walk

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of NYC’s best walks!

So this may not work if you do come in the winter, but if the weather’s nice nothing beats a good, long walk in the city. You never know what you may find, from unexpected outdoor markets to incredible street performers to remarkable public art. Plus, it’s free to take a walk AND it’s a very healthy vacation choice to make. Here are a couple of walks to consider:

• Head down to the financial district and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll end up in the fantastic Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, Brooklyn where you can find great playgrounds, stunning views, delicious ice cream and the occasional flea market.
• Go to the Upper East Side and enter Central Park around 72^nd street (or 86^th if you’re feeling ambitious) and walk south until you reach the exit at 59^th street, then walk down 5^th avenue and do some window shopping at all the famous shops.
• Head to the northernmost entrance to the Highline Park (30^th street between 10^th and 11^th avenue) and walk to the southernmost end (Gaansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District), stopping plenty along the way to admire the beautiful flowers and greenery as well as the fantastic views of the city. Bring sandwiches and drinks and have a picnic along the way!

And of course, the most important tip of all…

Book with New York Guest

We want to help you and what’s more – we know how! We live here, we know the hotels, we know the deals, we’ve seen the shows, and we’ll work with you to create a customized plan that meets all of your needs. That’s what we love to do! Contact us today to start planning.

Tips for Moving to New York City!

by Maeva, New York Guest Concierge & Travel Planner

# 1- Land the job first!

Earlier this year, I came to visit my high-school gal pal in NYC to celebrate our birthdays. In catching up on old times, she mentioned her new job as a concierge and how much she loved guiding people around the city and making suggestions for the best Dim Sum, or Rib Eye Steak. As I joked around with her about how we both naturally love to talk about food and our own experiences, she suggested that I should apply for the position and with my background, I’d be sure to get the gig. And I sure did!

 # 2- Find an Apartment!

Though I was able to stay with my aunt who lived in Yonkers (about an hour and a half away from the city) my first week on the job, I still had to find my own place. I looked everywhere, NYHabitat, StreetEasy, local Church websites, and even Craigslist! Most of the neighborhoods in Manhattan were totally out of my budget, and the majority of the apartments had broker fees that were outrageous! When it comes to looking for an apartment in NYC, it’s better to do it By Owner, which is what I did-thanks to Craigslist, I found a two bedroom basement apartment for $1350 in a neighborhood called Sunset Park in Brooklyn. It took me two weeks to find the place, and three of my friends from Florida live in my neighborhood.

 # 3- Don’t Neglect the Other Boroughs!

At first I was hesitant about living outside of Manhattan since my job was there. I was thinking about my commute and if it would take forever to get into Manhattan. However, all of my friends who work in Manhattan live in the outer boroughs. My gal pal from high school lives in Astoria, Queens, my manager and several of my co-workers live there as well. Brooklyn has become a special place for me because I get to see more trees and fewer buildings. Being an island girl, I need some nature in my life. I also feel like I’m escaping from the hustle and bustle and noise from the city. There are great neighborhoods in Brooklyn like Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Carroll Gardens, and Williamsburg. They are the up and coming trendy locations I enjoy going to. I love Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum-Free Concerts are amazing! I can’t say that much about Queens; though I have family that lives there, I prefer Brooklyn.

 # 4- Sell the car and get a Metrocard

Seriously, don’t move to New York with your car. You’ll end up paying more for parking and gas. A monthly Metrocard is all you need. And if you are worried about groceries, almost every store in the NYC delivers.

 # 5- Get a Roommate Questionnaire!

While you are thinking about getting your own place, you may consider roommates to be a little more economical. When thinking about roommates there is a lingo that you’ll need to learn. Example, 420 Friendly. Uhm, I suggest you google that. There is nothing more important that knowing and understanding the people or person you will be living with. My roommate is an angel sent from heaven just for me. She cooks, cleans, and loves to entertain. We were made for each other. We discussed expectations, habits, things that piss us off, and even décor ideas. It’s always good to be on the same page at the beginning!

Those are my tips for now as this new kid on the block continues on with her Empire State journey. There’s so much to capture here in New York City, so you’ll be hearing from me more often.

A bientot,

Maeva- Travel Planner, Concierge, Foodie Extraordinaire, and Flat shoes enthusiast!