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.

If the kids like climbing then Central Park is excellent - lots of rocks to scramble on. It’s also fun to watch a baseball game. I haven’t been to the zoo though. It’s a nice park to mooch around and see the City from a different angle. So many amazing blocks skirt the park too.

@jackparlabane I too, am a bit useless at Brooklyn. Although any local diner should do you a good breakfast - ask your hotel!

The only time I ever go to Brooklyn is for the Brooklyn Flea: brooklynflea.com/ or Smorgasburg: www.smorgasburg.com/

The best pancakes in NY are supposed to be Clinton Street Bakery, or their sister restaurant Community. You have to go early though or there are lines out the door. I am partial to Community, but acknowledge it's a schlep from Brooklyn. Clinton street is much closer.

I adore the Brooklyn Museum - they also have a great restaurant, and you can get a joint ticket with the Botanic Garden, which is next door.

RE: Playgrounds, check out Hudson River Park: hudsonriverpark.org/explore-the-park/activities/play-areas
They have a few fun looking spots, a great promenade with views of Jersey and a carousel.

I actually like August in the city - it's always deserted and it's also restaurant week, one of my favorite times of year.

Also, I was running (or as much as one can run, when 8.5 months pregnant) all over the lawns at central Park this weekend. Most of the ones at the southern end are open, and there are some great playgrounds round there too.

@julensaor Yes and no. DH is American, but we met when he lived in the UK. He sponsored me on a fiancée visa, which wasn't hard, but was very expensive and time consuming. 18 months from filing to approval. It was supposed to be 6, but we got stuck in a government shut down, and then USCIS lost a bunch of my paperwork.

Getting my provisional and permanent green cards and citizenship was very straightforward though. There was just a lot of waiting.

Getting my provisional and permanent green cards and citizenship was very straightforward though.

I'm so pleased you're official a Yank!

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD I love to take the dogs for a good scramble over the rocks in Central Park. Great way to start the day

@MozzchopsThirty Check out what's on at The Intrepid. Bound to be some interesting Fleet Week stuff

@LizzieMacQueen I treated myself to a salad and a donut at Whole Foods for lunch today. It came out to $22! Shouldn't have put so much pasta in the salad 😑. It's a sometimes treat...

This is cool, and free though you have to get your timed entry tickets beforehand. Impressive shopping centre next door.

@LizzieMacQueen You were right in my neighborhood! Hudson Yards is a 5 minute walk from my flat.

Still haven't been in (on?) the Vessel though. Too pregnant for that many stairs.

@allfurcoatnoknickers If you dare to go there's an elevator for those with mobility needs. Spectacular views from the top - down the vessel not of any skylines.

Here's a photo taken earlier today.

‘Cakeandchampagne’
....,...
“Do you wear colourful clothing” 😂🤣😂🤣 where did this come from ???!!!!! And why??!!😂🤪🤣🤪🤪

@MC68 I think because New Yorkers have a bit of a rep for wearing all black, all the time?

I'm wearing navy and white today though, which isn't exactly colorful.

@LizzieMacQueen it didn't even occur to me there might be a lift! That's such a gorgeous photo 😍

@MissConductUS Actually naturalized last week! Swore in as a citizen with people from 47 other countries.

Thank you all!

My US passport just arrived so I'm getting proper excited. Couple more questions:
Is LaGuardia airport fairly straightforward? I just need to get from it to the subway, apparently by shuttle bus.

Is IHOP worth going to or should I just go to an independent diner?

Lastly, how mixed are various areas racially? Last time I stayed in Harlem which seemed similar to my bit of London, about 40% each black and white, but then I went into a supermarket and had ladies asking if I was OK as I clearly wasn't local. I asked how they knew and one enjoyed snapping back, "Lady, you's white!" We chatted for quite a while but they didn't believe black and white folk would go to the same supermarkets in London.

Actually naturalized last week! Swore in as a citizen with people from 47 other countries.

You go sister!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!

When I land at JFK, should I just jump in a yellow taxi or should I prebook? Worried about getting ripped off, or an epic wait.

@JaneyJimplin Go straight to the taxi line and get a yellow cab. They're a fixed price to
Manhattan so you can't get ripped off.

Ignore all the touts in the airport going "taxi? Taxi?" They WILL rip you off.

Thankyou allfur, that's really helpful.

@jackparlabane LGA is pretty straight forward, but some terminals are under construction so are a bit of a mess. If you have luggage, I suggest getting a cab.

Wouldn't bother with IHOP, but you might like this article: www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/absolute-best-pancakes-in-nyc.html

Harlem is a majority black neighbourhood and historically has been for a long time. It has a fascinating history. I think about 70 atm? Don't quote me on that though. I go up there sometimes - there are great restaurants and an excellent vet - and don't feel weird about it, but the ladies were probably a bit bemused to see you in a supermarket, rather than at a trendy brunch spot.

I'd say that most of NY is very, very diverse, but then you do get areas like China Town, Spanish Harlem and Harlem which are majority one race. Interesting map here: archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/01/23/nyregion/20110123-nyc-ethnic-neighborhoods-map.html?_r=0

@MissConductUS It was a relief to finally get it done!

Oh we just got back 😢😢😢
Both ds's loved it and ds1 wants to live in Brooklyn when he's older

I miss is already!!!!! Trying to think what job I can do and live in New York 🤣

Mozzchops so pleased you had a good time, and sorry about all of the rain.

Trying to think what job I can do and live in New York

You're a nurse! There's a huge shortage of nurses here and the money is excellent (like double what nurses make in the UK).

www1.salary.com/NY/New-York/Staff-Nurse-RN-Intensive-Care-Unit-Salary.html#viewsimilarJobs

I think it's also an easy visa to get as we have lots of foreign nurses in our hospitals, clinics and surgeries.

@MozzchopsThirty You'd make a killing as a nurse here!

So glad you had a great time. Any highlights?

Holy shit!!!!! That's a lot of money.
Sadly not that easy, I'd have to take the NCLEX and I haven't been clinical for 6 years which would hamper my chances

So tempting though! Do they have family nurses (FNP) or similar to our district nurses??

@allfurcoatnoknickers highlights were the one world observatory, 9/11 museum and the yankees game

Highlights for the dcs were one world observatory, yankees, shopping and riding the subway