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.

I was in New York on Friday and Saturday two weeks ago, went to the theatre (very good seats from the half price booth), had dinner in a busy restaurant, got a busy train to Washington from a lively Penn station. How things have changed. I was in Boston last Friday and it was already getting unusually quiet.

@RuPaula Yep, still allowed out. My friends in San Francisco who are under "Shelter in Place" are allowed out too, to walk the dogs, go for a run, go to the supermarket etc.

We just have to stay 6 feet away from other people, and stay in as much as possible.

@Chemenger We were joking about getting cheap Hamilton tickets and the next thing we know, Broadway is closed .

Are you guys all panic buying like everyone over here seems to be? It’s crazy in the shops here!

@RuPaula def not as bad here as in the Uk. No one has space to stock pile anyway, but the supermarkets are really busy and running low on a few things, and we're also short on loo roll

You can't get a delivery slot for love nor money though. It's all got to be done in person.

I’ve just booked the first available delivery and it’s 7th April. I’m only concerned as I have a 2 year old, but some people here as much worse off than me.
I’m wondering about your dogs, if you’re in a flat/apartment do they spend a lot of time inside normally? Do they have a litter tray?

@RuPaula I hope you get everything you need in the delivery!

We take the dogs 4 times a day. 1 short walk, 2 longer walks and a quick pee break before bed. A dog walker does their middle of the day walk. They don't use pee pads. When we take them out we either go on walks around the neighbourhood or we take them to the dog park.

Even under full lockdown, dog walking is an "essential"

How’s everything going over there now? Have things changed?

@RuPaula It's a ghost town. No one out on the streets, shops and restaurants closed, everyone is social distancing and staying home. Also the police have been giving permission to break up groups of people, so there are officers everywhere.

But we have food, and loo roll, and take out delivery and wine shops count as an essential service, so there's that.

I'm terrified by the temporary morgues and the giant temp hospital they're setting up by my flat, but I'm trying to just focus on getting through this.

How is it now? Are you all ok still?

Maybe I missed it but how come you moved there and how did you get a Visa? Did you meet DH there?

More personal but how did you afford a 1 bed brownstone? I know people in finance who earn heaps but still rent.

Just read your latest- sounds awful :(

Congratulations OP! I hope he grows to have a proper New 'Yoik' accent

I take it all the tourist stuff is all closed? I've been seeing people still in times Square on the news.

Ah yes, American accents ! My son moved to New York 15 years ago and works in Manhattan, lives in Belmore. I smile every time I hear my little grandchildren talking to me on FaceTime. Sometimes they have to ask daddy what nanny means( garbage/ rubbish, path/sidewalk,crisps, etc). It’s quite strange listening to your own grandchildren talk in a completely different accent to you and their dad!
Was supposed to visiting in June, that won’t be happening.

Hi everyone,

Still here, but overwhelmed by trying to work full time and also look after DS, who is now very mobile. Also had a lot of family stuff going on :(

Anyway, in answer to your questions:

@Plipplops It's grim. But less grim. We're still sheltering in place, and likely won't be back to the office until July at the earliest, BUT the NYC cases and deaths are trending downwards. The hospital ship left and the field hospital by me is closing. So, we're moving in the right direction.

@HelloItsmeAgain1 I met DH when we were both graduate students in England. We lived together in the UK, then his visa ran out, and he went back to the US. We were long ditance for a bit, but ultimately got engaged and I went over on a fiancee visa (K1). I then got a green card, and now I'm a citizen.

We don't live in a 1 bed brownstone, we live in a 1 bed flat in a brownstone . We bought a fixer upper. Loads of people chose to rent though - tennant protections are great here, and it's more convenient. I used to live in a doorman building and if a lightbulb went out I could call down to the front desk and they'd come and change it. We were also allowed to paint the walls, put up pictures, have pets - loads of stuff that's rare in the UK.

@NowSissyThatWalk EVERYTHING is closed. All the museums, broadway, the Highline, everything. Times Square is a major thoroughfare though, so people will still be going through it to get to work/to get across town. My neighbour is a key worker and has to go through/around Times Square every day to get to work. If I wanted to go for a walk up there, and stroll around I could.

@Knittingnanny I'm sorry your trip got cancelled :( I was supposed to go back to England at easter, but we had to postpone until Christmas. I'm actually really curious to see how DS ends up sounding. I think he may end up with a proper NY accent, but we'll see.

He will! Mine have absolutely no part of daddy’s accent at all. Although he’s lived in USA for 15 years ( since he was 21) he hasn’t got an American accent at all.
They met at university here when my daughter in law came over to recruit for summer camp, the rest is history, green card, citizen
However the little ones are also dual passport holders I think. In case they want to play for England says daddy!

Thanks OP!
PS) @RuPaula love your name