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.

@Nanalisa60 I know it well! That's where DH's Grandparents live and his Mum grew up there.

Is there much of a gun culture there?

Have you ever bumped into the 'Wolf Pack' guys? - Good luck with the baby - oh and is the bar run by fire fighters still going?

@TheRollingCrone nope. But then again I rarely go to the LES because it's such a faff to get to from where I live.

What's the bar called?

How much of your salary do you pay a month on your mortgage or rent

@whohaa Not at all, quite the opposite. NYC has some of the strictest gun laws in the county. I don't think you can even drive through the city, on your way to somewhere else, with a gun in your car, even if it's legal and licensed.

I've never even seen a gun except carried by the police.

@ballsdeep I think about 20% joint with DH. Mortgage, property taxes and maintenance fees to my building. We try and overpay on the mortgage as much as possible.

Lots of people pay as much as 50% of their take home pay in rent, although the recommendation is that it should be more like 1/3.

@TheRollingCrone and thanks! 6 more weeks

My friends just moved to Brooklyn, is it safe there?

What is good to do with kids in November in NY?

@whohaa Where? Brooklyn is vast - if it were a city in it's own right, it would be the 4th largest in the US! It encompasses some of the most exclusive, and most dangerous neighborhoods in NYC.

@Boohootoyootoo depends - are you there over Thanksgiving or not?

November is a great time of year to come either way

@allfurcoats - I can't remember! Maybe it'll ring a bell with someone. Best.Bar.Evahhh

@Etino Views from my old apartment. I miss it!! Although the area is so built up now that the view isn't this gorgeous any more .

Thank you so much - I have just booked Vandal - exactly what a teen wants when visiting NYC for the first time!!

We are heading out to Southampton after three nights in NYC - would you drive or train??

Hey - no we are there around the 10th for a wedding - Snug Harbour

@Boohootoyootoo Staten Island is very out of my wheelhouse (only borough I haven't been to) BUT for the rest of your trip, I'd recommend loading up on the museums - my favorites with kids have been the Natural History Museum and the Museum of the Moving Image.

The weather is nice in November - usually doesn't get colder that 5c-ish, and is very crisp and autumnal. BUT I wouldn't bother with either of the botanic gardens or booking in too much time to explore Central Park.

If you want to go up any of the tall buildings (I rate Top of the Rock) then make a game-day decision. If it's foggy then you've wasted money on the tickets.

If you have time, popular things to do with families in November involve getting out of the City - Apple Picking or Leaf Peeping around Beacon is very popular, and you can get the train.

@petitdonkey I am not a Hamptons girl (Fire Island is more my thing...) BUT if you can drive out there not at rush hour on a Friday, I vote car every time. You need a car to get around out there anyway.

I'm glad you like Vandal! Look out for the giant purple bunny. I once dragged a friend there specifically because I had just bought a pair of Lanvin platforms on super sale, and needed somewhere appropriate to wear them. We then had too much to drink and I fell over on the way to the bar at the Bowery Hotel. I have not worn said shoes since. Or been back to the Bowery Hotel.

Omg thanks so much for all this insider info! 👍

(((( Fire Island )))))
Used to go there with my Dad

Is there anywhere in NYC (not just Manhattan) that you consider a "no-go" area for safety reasons?

Will remember not to wear platforms grin

I don't think I am a Hamptons girl at all but we have been offered three nights free accommodation with friends in an amazing houseso hard to turn down!!

I used to live in White Street, TriBeCa back in the 90's. It was a dump. You mention now that it's an area for the super rich! Is it really?!

How funny if it is!

@Wondermoomin That's a really interesting question. The only places that spring to mind are Brownsville and East New York. I'd haven

@Wondermoomin Eurgh slip of the finger. I'd have no reason to ever go to either of those places though. So I wouldn't say I have to actively avoid them.

The area around JFK is pretty grim, and I wouldn't hang around there, but I pass through it all the time on the way too/from the airport.