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AMA
Original poster

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

264 replies

allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 13:55

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.

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JFDIYOLO · 14/10/2023 17:42

I like watching the NY rental apartment tours - gets to the point where I think 6K rent a month? That's reasonable! But they all seem to look the same - plain white walls, the odd stripped brick wall, wood floors, silver appliances in the kitchen including giant dishwashers, grey tiled bathrooms, and every so often a shared bathroom with other apartments 😳 and no matter what size they are they all seem to follow that pattern.

Huckleberries73 · 14/10/2023 17:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 17:50

JFDIYOLO · 14/10/2023 17:42

I like watching the NY rental apartment tours - gets to the point where I think 6K rent a month? That's reasonable! But they all seem to look the same - plain white walls, the odd stripped brick wall, wood floors, silver appliances in the kitchen including giant dishwashers, grey tiled bathrooms, and every so often a shared bathroom with other apartments 😳 and no matter what size they are they all seem to follow that pattern.

Have a look at the apartment tours on Homeworthy! Some fun places, like this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Z-3R0DPhY

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OneCup · 14/10/2023 17:52

Is there stuff you don't like about living in the States? Stuff you miss about Britain?

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 14/10/2023 17:55

allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 15:04

@SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything It's horrendous right now. We've been hit really, really hard by inflation and everyone I know is feeling it. Eating out used to be really cheap, but it's got so expensive.

The baby just woke up, but I'll try and do a breakdown like yours later.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky I'll be the one with the two small dinosaurs :). You're going to have so much fun!

That would be a great comparison @allfurcoatnoknickers, thanks.

theladylovescupcakes · 14/10/2023 18:05

What a great thread! I love NY, got married there 26 years ago. Smile

turkeyboots · 14/10/2023 18:13

Any tips for NYC with teenagers?
We are visiting in a few weeks and all they want to do is eat fast food they can't get here!

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 18:14

OneCup · 14/10/2023 17:52

Is there stuff you don't like about living in the States? Stuff you miss about Britain?

I miss pubs, good chocolate, M&S food and John Lewis. I also miss how everyone is just so much more chilled out than most people in NYC.

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 18:17

turkeyboots · 14/10/2023 18:13

Any tips for NYC with teenagers?
We are visiting in a few weeks and all they want to do is eat fast food they can't get here!

I'm not an expert on teenagers but I bet they'd like Museum of the Moving Image, One Vanderbilt, The Museum of Ice Cream, the Color Factory and The Natural
history Museum. Take them for a stroll around Soho and the West Village too.

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willWillSmithsmith · 14/10/2023 18:19

I went to NY many years ago. I really liked it but oh boy it was so so cold (November).

Does NY still have that steam stuff coming out the grates? I used to see it in movies and wonder what it was then saw it for myself when I was there. I still don’t know what it’s all about though!

TomAllenWife · 14/10/2023 18:20

@turkeyboots my teens loved:

  • Staten Island ferry with a bit of shopping at the outlet on Staten Island
  • chick-fil-a
  • one World Trade Center
  • 9/11
  • pizza slices (daily)
  • massive breakfasts
  • times sq (which I hate with a passion)
  • dumbo after walking the Brooklyn bridge
Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 18:39

willWillSmithsmith · 14/10/2023 18:19

I went to NY many years ago. I really liked it but oh boy it was so so cold (November).

Does NY still have that steam stuff coming out the grates? I used to see it in movies and wonder what it was then saw it for myself when I was there. I still don’t know what it’s all about though!

It does! I think it's condensation from the cold air hitting hot pipes.

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ilovebrie8 · 14/10/2023 18:59

This is so interesting! Love NY we went few years back stayed at the Arlo in Soho it smells amazing the hotel but rooms v small!

Walked til we dropped found New Yorkers v friendly.

Wow rents are mega …I thought it wood be expensive though.

willWillSmithsmith · 14/10/2023 19:12

allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 18:39

It does! I think it's condensation from the cold air hitting hot pipes.

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It’s seemed so quintessentially NY to me I was quite excited to see it as I didn’t think it really happened 😁

DoctorMartin · 14/10/2023 19:46

Back to rats - I know there's a problem but do you see them on the street? How often? Just at night or in the day too? How about the subway?

BetterBee · 14/10/2023 19:53

How does health insurance work over there? How much is it? If you have to use it do the premiums go up?

TomAllenWife · 14/10/2023 20:12

@DoctorMartin loads on the subway

This recent trip was the first time I have ever seen them on the street (it was at night)

Kaill · 14/10/2023 20:14

$7.5k per month for a flat like yours is insane! That’s more than most people’s salary in the UK. Is it normal for people to be paying that much rent? Would you say you’re rich compared to most New Yorkers?

A related question I suppose - are normal people renting places like that or are they in stupidly tiny bedsits?

DoctorMartin · 14/10/2023 20:22

TomAllenWife · 14/10/2023 20:12

@DoctorMartin loads on the subway

This recent trip was the first time I have ever seen them on the street (it was at night)

Oh god, I just couldn't go then.

janicegarvey · 14/10/2023 22:13

I love New York .
I'm jealous 😫 also marking place to read and try and think of some questions

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 22:31

DoctorMartin · 14/10/2023 19:46

Back to rats - I know there's a problem but do you see them on the street? How often? Just at night or in the day too? How about the subway?

Rarely see them in the street, but all the time in the subway I'm afraid.

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 22:33

BetterBee · 14/10/2023 19:53

How does health insurance work over there? How much is it? If you have to use it do the premiums go up?

There's no one cost for health insurance - people mostly get it through work, but there's also Medicare and Medicaid. The premiums don't go up if you use it.

I can see how much mine costs later - the whole family are on my insurance but it's really, really good.

I've had two glasses of wine so can't elaborate right now.

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 22:37

Kaill · 14/10/2023 20:14

$7.5k per month for a flat like yours is insane! That’s more than most people’s salary in the UK. Is it normal for people to be paying that much rent? Would you say you’re rich compared to most New Yorkers?

A related question I suppose - are normal people renting places like that or are they in stupidly tiny bedsits?

We're very middle middle class by New York standards - not even close to being rich. We live in a spendy area though - the equivalent of living in Zone 1 in London, so it is expensive. There are areas nice of Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx that are much cheaper. Like living in Fitzrovia vs living in Croydon.

We own anyway, so spend less than $7.5k per month on mortgage and maintenance.

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/10/2023 22:39

janicegarvey · 14/10/2023 22:13

I love New York .
I'm jealous 😫 also marking place to read and try and think of some questions

Really, Ask me Anything! Also happy to ruin New York for you if you want 😂. There are downsides as well as upsides.

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noodlezoodle · 14/10/2023 23:36

I'm a Brit who ended up on the Other Coast but I love New York so much - The High Line is one of my favourite places in the world. Bookmarking this excellent thread for my next trip!