I (still) live in New York City - Ask Me Anything

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

I did an AMA four years ago and thought it might be fun to do another one since I'm seeing more and NYC advice threads popping up on the Holiday board.
Anyone got any questions for a current Manhattanite? I love to play tour guide 😊.

I'm also married to a born and raised New Yorker, and we have a four year old in elementary school and a 5 month old baby, so feel free to ask away and pregnancy, birth, maternity leave and schools in the US. I see a lot of misconceptions on here I'd be happy to chat about.

Me and my mum are going January for her early 60th. Any restaurant recommendations?

we’re not fussy eaters :)

I’m planning on bringing my friend over for the first time next sept (it’s my most visited place) I’m happy to go with the flow but I want her to have a special unique time. Any hidden secrets you can recommend. Where would you take a visitor that’s not the normal well know spots.

Where do you go for your food shopping?

@Livingoncaffeine We do eat out a lot, but have cut way back on the takeaways because of inflation. Def cooking at home a lot more right now, but the cost of groceries has gone up a lot too. We shop in Trader Joes a lot for the best value.

I get 6 months maternity leave, and I'm taking 6 months and 1 week. 4 months of that is on full salary, then I'm taking a few weeks of holiday then the rest is on NY SMP which is about $1000 a week. But I have to pay taxes and my health insurance out of that. The 1 extra week is the only one I'm taking unpaid. Most of my friends have similar - in big firms 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave is becoming the industry standard. DH got 16 weeks of paternity leave on full pay! He took the whole lot, but broken into 2 chunks.

@Fireisland Trader Joes, Whole Foods and the Farmers Market. Fresh Direct and Thrive Market for getting grocery delivery. Fresh Direct is like our Ocado. Spendy though, so we don't do it all the time.

@LibbyL92 SO many. What do you like and where are you staying? Help me narrow it down a bit!

Thank you!

we’re staying at the Riu Plaza Times Square (46th street I believe)

we’re not fussy eaters and love everything!

somewhere special happy to spend around $250 for the both of us x

Have you been unfortunate enough to get bed bugs?

I'm flying out tomorrow and I'm so excited! I'm staying in midtown for 3 nights and would love to find a few nice independent/boutique shops to buy some clothes/jewellery. Thank you

What are people's misconceptions about you as an "Englishwoman in New York"? I've always wanted to live somewhere where I am the one with a different accent 😅

@allfurcoatnoknickers what time should we get there - what I have read suggests 6pm - is that still correct?

I've just come back, I love it so much have been about 5 or 6 times now

Do you find it's changed since covid? I thought the subway had more mentally unstable people on it!
Eating and drinking was expensive, I don't know how you manage

It's still my place I want to go to for a midlife crisis and just get a month Airbnb and wander round

No. They're actually pretty unusual in private homes.

If you only had 2 days to visit New York, what would your favourite sight to vist be?

How do these work? How do you get off if your on top & there’s cars underneath.

Any recommendations on where to stay thats not too central but easy to get to the centre? Trying to keep costs down so don’t mind having to travel in.

I love NY, absolutely love it. Have been several times, with my next trip planned for Jan 2024. Can you tell me how cold it will be please?

Do you have plenty of school options for your older child, or was it very competitive?

@LibbyL92
For a celebration:
Ci Siamo
Zou Zou
Queensyard
Peak - the restaurant at The Edge viewing platform
RH Rooftop
American Bar
Serra at Eataly Midtown
Don Angie
Bad Roman if you can get a reservation

For a nice lunch/Dinner:
Spanish Diner
The Mermaid Inn
Jack's Wife Freida
Clinton Street Baking Company
Cafe Chelsea
Community Food and Juice
Blue Box Cafe at Tiffany
The Grey Dog
Los Tacos No1
PJ Clarke's

So many… one of my absolutely favorite places is fish cheeks.. maybe OP has been!

Thank you so much for taking the time to list those! I’ll have a look now :)

one last thing, any roof top bars for cocktails with great views that you would recommend?

I love hearing from locals rather than tourist recommendations!

Jewelry you want Catbird - if you do one plane make it this one. Also Pippin for Vintage, Pamela Love and Alexis Bittar.

Clothes boutiques are few and far between because the rent is so mad, but I recommend checking out Artists and Fleas in Chelsea Market and the Brooklyn Flea for indie designers. Also take a wander around Soho and the West Village and see what you can find!

Who do you think will win the next Presidential election?

I coming to New York next week, just me and my 7 year old. I’m stressing a little about safety/subway due to being alone with a child. Any advice would be great.

Everyone thinks I drink way more tea than I actually do. Also people often comment in surprise that I have really nice teeth. The stereotype that Brits have terrible teeth is still going strong. Some people are also surprised that I'm married to an American and not a Brit on an expat package.

Hovering around freezing, but very crisp and bright. Bring sunglasses!

I'm also married to a born and raised New Yorker

How do I achieve this, please?