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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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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 15:40

Roundaboot · 15/10/2023 15:10

I'm bringing my 16 year old son to NYC in a couple of weeks. I have done lots of planning but realised that I've not done much research into places to eat, thinking we'll just eat as and when we see places. However it'd be good to have some places in mind. We're going to be staying in LIC, is there anywhere there you'd recommend?
Also, I'm really keen to walk at least some of the Highline - where are your favourite spots?

LOVE LIC, I lived there for years. Casa Enrique is a must. If you want to splurge a bit, go to M.Wells. The JACX food hall is good too, as is Partners Coffee. I also like Levante Italian restaurant. If Blend on the waterfront is still open, I recommend checking that out too.

I'd start at the Hudson Yards end of the Highline - a new bit just opened up there, and then work your way down to Chelsea Market and get off at 17th street.

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Roundaboot · 15/10/2023 16:50

That's brilliant, thank you! I think you were on a thread a while ago when I was planning this trip so thank you for your advice there too. I'm so glad that we've decided to stay in LIC rather than Manhatten

Papyrophile · 15/10/2023 18:52

Reading this thread is making me wish I had pushed harder to buy my brownstone in Jersey City for $98K, with an octagonal library. But then I would not have had the life I have now, which I love too.

whatt2do · 15/10/2023 19:34

Shamelessly jumping on as heading to NY with DS 18 and I'm excited as I use to go all the time with work but it's a good decade since my last trip.

We're staying in the East Village. Any food or restaurant reconnections in that area? And maybe a bit niche but where are the best vintage stores these days. Basically DS just wants to eat and shop whilst tolerating my desire to walk the highline and get to some galleries 😃

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:13

@whatt2do Well you are in luck because there's an excellent vintage/thrift store by the 26th street staircase on the Highline: cityoperathriftshop.org

I'd also recommend he check out Buffalo Exchange and the other vintage/thrift/consignment stores on 26th. I think one's called Second Street? He should also check out New York Vintage around there and any and all the branches of Housing Works, there's one on 17th street.

In the East Village, Cafe Mogador and Veselka are institutions. S'Mac is also fab - it's a whole restaurant that just does Mac and Cheese. I also rate Soothr for Thai and Shabu-Tatsu, which is hot pot. Fish Cheeks - mentioned upthread - is in NoHo, but not too far from the East Village.

This is a great list here: www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/the-best-restaurants-in-the-east-village

Oh and if he wants to go somewhere trendy for brunch - Poco, Sons of Essex and Hotel Chantelle. You don't go for the food, you go for the people watching 😂. They're very see and be seen.

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:14

Papyrophile · 15/10/2023 18:52

Reading this thread is making me wish I had pushed harder to buy my brownstone in Jersey City for $98K, with an octagonal library. But then I would not have had the life I have now, which I love too.

You'd be a millionaire!

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Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:15

Roundaboot · 15/10/2023 16:50

That's brilliant, thank you! I think you were on a thread a while ago when I was planning this trip so thank you for your advice there too. I'm so glad that we've decided to stay in LIC rather than Manhatten

Wait. I thought of one more thing: Focal Point brewery. You can bring kids/teenagers and you're allowed to bring in food from the surrounding restaurants. It's a big space with outdoor seating.

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Roundaboot · 15/10/2023 20:20

Perfect! I noticed a few taprooms in LIC and I'd love to check at least one out but wasn't sure what the deal would be with bringing under 21s

CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 20:21

Hi OP. Is the Subway expensive to use?

DevonCream · 15/10/2023 20:24

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 12:55

@DevonCream There's a lot to unpack here.

Where/why are you staying in the Bronx? It's a schlep to all the touristy stuff and a lot of it is not very safe. Please tell me you're not doing Air BnB - there's been a crackdown on them recently and you're at serious risk of having it cancelled at the last minute if it's not a legit one that follows all the rules.

I would never eat a dirty water dog, so cannot advise on whether they are all the same or not. For Pizza I like Ovest, John's of Bleeker and Artichoke Basille, although none of them are super cheap. If you're talking dollar slices then anywhere will do. For bagels, Brooklyn Bagel, Absolute Bagels and Zucker's are all great. Also recommend getting a chicken over rice from a Halal cart - the best one is allegedly The Halal Guys.

Don't go up the ESB because you can't see the ESB. I bet the teenagers would like the Summit though.

Like PP said, Katz's is expensive, as is Ellen's - also the food at Ellen's is notoriously terrible.

Timeout does a list of great cheap eats: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/best-cheap-eats-in-nyc

As does Eater: https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-inexpensive-affordable-restaurants-food-nyc

There's also great cheap food in Chinatown, I haven't been down there in a while (it's a schlep from where I live with 2 small kids), but dug up this Reddit thread with great recs: https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/vgjpvr/bestcheappeatsinnchinatown/?utmmsource=share&utmmedium=iossapp&utmname=ioscss&utmmcontent=2&utmterm=1

Hi, thanks so much for replying. Staying in Washington heights. In a hotel. Only thing in manhattan we could afford but looks nice and good reviews. Right by a subway.
Kids desperate to go to Katz so might have to suck that one up. Ellen's too. Kids are all Broadway mad. The other food options look great. Will check them all out now x

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:27

@DevonCream Nothing wrong with a Hotel in Washington Heights Smile. Not a Typical touristy area, but lots of my colleagues live up there and it'll give you a taste of real New York. Have fun!

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DevonCream · 15/10/2023 20:31

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:27

@DevonCream Nothing wrong with a Hotel in Washington Heights Smile. Not a Typical touristy area, but lots of my colleagues live up there and it'll give you a taste of real New York. Have fun!

Glad you said that! Phew!

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 20:32

CesareBorgia · 15/10/2023 20:21

Hi OP. Is the Subway expensive to use?

$2.90 for a single ride and $34 for an unlimited 7 day metro card. If you're using Omni/contactless then you pay for 12 rides in one week and the rest are free. Breakdown here because I'm explaining it badly: new.mta.info/fares#

So I'd say it's pretty reasonable.

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whatt2do · 15/10/2023 20:38

@allfurcoatnoknickers
Awesome. I feel you've found your calling after professional life! Thank you so much
By the way just noticed the user name 😂 one ofky favorurite expressions

NotMeNoNo · 15/10/2023 21:36

We've just got back from a few days in NYC (last weekend of September when there were floods).
It was my first visit, felt like a bigger, madder London. One teen wanted to visit the USS Intrepid, the other all the tourist sights. I'd love to go back with DH and just do grown up things, galleries, vintage markets etc. And better weather, we can get rain anytime at home!

painauchocolat123 · 15/10/2023 21:39

Love this thread! I adore NYC and may have the chance to move to the city myself one day for work so it's really interesting to read what you have to say. Very jealous of your life! What did you find were the main culture shocks/challenges in adapting to life in the city as a Brit? Are there things you miss about Europe generally?

Lelophants · 15/10/2023 21:51

Do you get many holidays? I know Americans don’t in general but make more use of weekends?

What are the secondary schools like around you?

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/10/2023 23:12

@NotMeNoNo Oh god that rain was MAD. I was pouring water out of my wellies after doing the school run.

@painauchocolat123 Big culture shock was how thin everyone is and that the basic standard of grooming required was SO much higher than in the UK. Also everyone exercises so much - I was shocked when one of my friends suggested hanging out at a yoga class, I was used to hanging out down the pub.

I miss pubs and pub Culture a lot. Miss being able to hop around Europe easily - although cheap flights to the Caribbean does make up for that a bit.

@Lelophants I get 24 days holiday a year + 3 personal days and sick time on top of that. That's as well as bank holidays. Most people I know have similar.

Secondary schools are a mixed bag - NYC has a grammar system though, so I'm hoping DS is bright enough to test into a selective school.

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BlackForestCake · 22/10/2023 23:15

Kids desperate to go to Katz so might have to suck that one up.

Nothing wrong with Katz other than being expensive. You won't leave hungry.

McaRoonie · 23/10/2023 09:05

What is the high line? Is it just a self guided walking tour?

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 23/10/2023 20:31

McaRoonie · 23/10/2023 09:05

What is the high line? Is it just a self guided walking tour?

It's an elevated park that runs from Hudson Yards down through the Meatpacking District. It's beautiful.

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Papyrophile · 23/10/2023 22:06

Wasn't the High Line originally an elevated railway track along the west side of Manhattan Island that was too expensive to repair as mass transit so repurposed? That's my recollection, but it was still out of service while I lived Joisey City.

Papyrophile · 23/10/2023 22:14

My memories are old now. I can't bring myself to go back there, and DH isn't a fan of cities. My first night out was Max's Kansas City, the second was probably CBGB. Mud Club, Irving plaza, the Ritz, AREA.... the early 80s. It was the most brilliant city to live in; I've hated London ever since (So dull, so clique-y and shite transport.)

Edwintheboyscout · 23/10/2023 22:40

Hi there. Thanks for your thread - it's really interesting and helpful.
Re your reference to Air BnB upthread, do you have any advice for ensuring it's reputable? Relation moving to NY imminently and advised by company to take one whilst apartment hunting.
Also, more generally, do you have any advice for someone moving to NY for work - is there anything crucial they are need to know/do that we might not be aware of or that they need to do in their first week.
Thanks so much!

Forgotmylogindetails · 23/10/2023 22:42

Going to book just me and my son (14)

is there anywhere you would recommend .. budgets not huge but I don’t want an air b and b x

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