I live in New York City - Ask Me Anything!

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

I see NYC advice threads popping up on the travel boards a lot - anyone got any questions for a current Manhattan and former Queens resident?

I'm also married to a born and raised New Yorker, and we're imminently about to have a baby, in case anyone's wondering what it's like to be pregnant in the US.

@Louise7777 Something else to add to You have to treat people as professionals, and if you do, they'll have great loyalty to the organization. I work in non-profit and poaching is rife. Recruiting and hanging on to the best staff is a real priority for most places. If your organization is a terrible place to work, or you're a tyrannical boss, then people will talk about it. The great thing about being in NY is you have lots of options, so if you get treated poorly somewhere, you don't have to stick around.

Where I work is known for being a bit brutal, but having amazing perks. I like it, but I'm not sure what that says about me .

Is this your ‘this is me for life’ place? I really like New York and I’m a central London person myself.

@RuffleCrow Still no American accent, but I had to adopt American words pretty quickly, or people didn't know what I was talking about. I'd say within a few months I was naturally using things like "couch", "vacation" and "apartment" in conversation, rather than "sofa", "holiday" and "flat".

Everyone is from everywhere. DH is a bit of a novelty in being a native New Yorker . My best friends are from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Australia and California, so they all bring their own little dialogue/accent quirks.

I really like it! I'm excited to bring my baby up here because they'll get to meet people from all over the place, and all different cultures without even having to leave their neighborhood.

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD Hmm, probably. The only other places we'd seriously consider as a family would be London, or upstate NY. I like California, but DH isn't a fan - it's much too laid back for his highly strung New Yorker personality.

We were actually planning on moving back to the UK when we had a family, but it's too difficult considering Brexit and the current strict visa laws.

I no longer get an "accent" when I'm in the US, but my vocab and "inflection" changes
kids and DH tease me because it happens about 4 hours into the flight across

as a kid I had a US accent half the year and UK the other half
but it was never a Noo Yoik accent

@AuntieMarys

Having hysterics packing for next week. Cold, wet but then dry.

NYC 10 Day Forecast

Just in case you missed this up thread, I am a bit of a weather nut (I have my own weather station) and this is by far the best long range forecast you can get for free. As of now it looks wet and cool. I second allfur's wardrobe recommendations.

Still no American accent, but I had to adopt American words pretty quickly, or people didn't know what I was talking about.

Being on MN has been really educational for me. I've picked up many UK words or phrases I had never heard of before. I still get a bit nervous using them here, but I haven't gotten bollocked yet.

Thank you for this really interesting thread and all the very best of luck with your baby ❤️ I’ve never been to New York, although my husband has been many times and loves it. I’m really enjoying all your tips and insider information and hope to visit next year!!

@catwithflowers Thanks! Just over a month left and I can't wait. Thoroughly done with being pregnant now.

Come and visit! You won't regret it. There's really something here for everyone.

We are coming over in the summer and visiting some people - what do you really miss from the UK that is hard to get or silly expensive there (it’s usually chocolate, whisky and jam that is requested!)

Where is the best NY pizza??

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD Cheap chocolate! Stuff like dairy milk, twirls, crunchie bars, wispas etc. and Percy Pigs.

Personally, I also miss Bovril, Malt Loaf and Bourjois makeup.

@MozzchopsThirty This is hotly debated. Everyone has an opinion which they defend fiercely. I would go with Joe's in Greenwich Village or Lombardi's on Spring Street.

Everyone's favourite is secretly their local slice joint, so I'll put in a plug for mine - Highline Pizzeria on 28th or (controversial) Artichoke Basille on 14th.

@MozzchopsThirty argh, sorry, not awake yet. Artichoke Basille on 10th ave not 14th Street 🤦🏼‍♀️

I have a bag full of Mars bars and Percy pigs set aside already! Can you get Bournville and jazzies?

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD never seen Bournville, and I think I've only seen Jazzies at Dylan's Candy Bar at a hilariously inflated price.

@allfurcoatnoknickers thank you, ds1 is determined to consume as much true ny pizza as possible

When my sister emigrated in the 80s these were the two things she craved. Red food dye used to be banned (hence the jazzies) and she loves dark chocolate. What about chocolate spreads?

Is the highline pizzeria quite small and on a corner and does takeaway? We ate there and the service was beyond crap!

I have a bag full of Mars bars and Percy pigs set aside already!

We have Mars bars here (it's an American company).

My favorite American chocolate is from Ghirardelli, based in San Francisco.

www.ghirardelli.com/chocolate

It's widely available in NY. I also love their baking chips and use those all of the time.

I think they must taste different because I am always asked to bring Mars bars over by several people when I go to the states! I don’t eat them myself so I have no idea (maybe it’s mike Vegemite - a colleague gets her mum to send it over venasue the uk bought stuff apparently tastes horrible).

@allfurcoatnoknickers

Which century 21 is the best for dcs clothiers (14 & 9) or are they all much the same?

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD it's not on the corner, and only has about 2 tables and a counter for dine in, so I think you're thinking of somewhere else?

@MissConductUS I love Ghirardelli! Especially their limited edition peppermint candy cane chocolate that they do every Christmas.

@MozzchopsThirty I've only been to the FiDi and the Upper West Side ones, but FiDi every time. It's about 3 times the size.

I’m glad - we went to one that the highline overlooks (quite far down) and it was pretty dire service - very rude and aggressive waitress. I’ll need to wrack my brains - maybe something about ‘angel’ in the name? It looked like a trendy studenty place.

‘Works for tips’ my arse!

Sorry OP FDI????