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Original poster

What do I need to buy in NY?

30 replies

Theremedy · 02/02/2025 15:59

Very excitingly we are going to NY for Feb half term.

I don’t want to miss an opportunity to buy any must haves! I’m thinking cosmetics, medications, skin care, tech….

anything that’s either not available in the UK or cheaper in the states.

thanks!

OP posts:
thelittlestbird · 02/02/2025 16:18

Melatonin for sleep
Big tubs of painkillers
Ulta has some good drugstore affordable body lotions etc

thelittlestbird · 02/02/2025 16:19

Ps - very very jealous - I love NYC so much. Highly recommend coffee from Culture Espresso, a NYC independent chain.

RunVelma · 02/02/2025 16:19

Yes to melatonin & painkillers. Also, teeth whitening strips.

Original poster
Theremedy · 02/02/2025 16:22

Thank you!

Yes, melatonin! I get the worst insomnia on and off with perimenopause.

I’m so excited! I’ve been twice before in my youth, but not for 20 years. It’s a long overdue trip back to my favourite city, and I get to share it with my teens!

OP posts:
RunVelma · 02/02/2025 16:25

Not a fan of American sweets or snacks usually, but their caramel M&Ms are phenomenal… crispy, chewy deliciousness. Also highly addictive.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 02/02/2025 16:25

Do you have kids? Baby/kids clothes are a good option. I still have some from when I was in NY. They have nice memories attached.

Original poster
Theremedy · 02/02/2025 16:30

@TakemedowntoPotatoCity I do have kids but one of them is 6ft2 and the other not far behind 😂 We will be looking at sportswear for them though, might get some US exclusive trainers or hoodies!

Also some lululemon for me hopefully.

OP posts:
mitogoshigg · 02/02/2025 16:32

It's very rarely cheaper to buy in New York so apart from things either unique to the USA or not available with prescription here it's not worth it. Just enjoy your holiday! (Also New York is expensive for the USA anyway)

midtownmum · 02/02/2025 16:35

I live in NYC and NOTHING is cheaper here. Trader Joe's has some nice food though. I like their strawberry soda, raspberry sandwich cookies, garlic and jalapeño hot sauce, and the praline pecans (which I no longer buy because they're SO addictive & eating 5000 calories worth of sugary nuts in one go is a terrible idea). Also dekopan/sumo citrus which I've never seen in the UK but which are delicious - cross between mandarins and pomelo apparently.

FreedomandPeace · 02/02/2025 16:36

Twinkies and grits
and a trip in a yellow cab

twigy100 · 02/02/2025 16:37

I know it sounds stupid but I love the peanut butter m&ms you can't get there over here unless you pay extortionate prices.

Mistletoewench · 02/02/2025 16:46

Theremedy · 02/02/2025 16:22

Thank you!

Yes, melatonin! I get the worst insomnia on and off with perimenopause.

I’m so excited! I’ve been twice before in my youth, but not for 20 years. It’s a long overdue trip back to my favourite city, and I get to share it with my teens!

Soo jealous, went in October and had a ball.

Mistletoewench · 02/02/2025 16:51

Mistletoewench · 02/02/2025 16:46

Soo jealous, went in October and had a ball.

Show quote history

Sorry so excited for you I forgot to add, got a baseball shirt for my son, he loved it. Got my daughters a couple of oversized NYC sweatshirts which are trendy for girls.
most shops you can get in the UK anyway.
I always bring back massive bottles of ibuprofen back with me.
I had some lovely cider when I was out there as well, can’t remember the name. Caramel M&Ms are lush

ComtesseDeSpair · 02/02/2025 16:52

I never buy anything in NYC expecting it to be cheaper, or better value - it isn’t. But if you’re simply looking for clothing and accessories that are different to what you’d find in the U.K. then an afternoon on Fifth Ave is an experience. That’s really what NYC is: an experience, A feast for the senses, luxury and excess. It’ll almost bankrupt you, but build that into your expectations and enjoy it.

MargaritaPracticallyCan · 02/02/2025 16:52

We took our teen/early 20s DCs to New York in the summer, had an absolute blast! We lived in the states for a few years in the early 2010s and had been to NY with DCs when they were little - it was a lot cheaper then tho - clothes now very similar to UK, cosmetics too; eating out is eye wateringly expensive (we enjoyed Whole Foods picnics in the city's parks to keep costs down) but despite the ££ it was the perfect trip for all of us - such brilliant memories. Have a wonderful time!

LittleRedRidingHoody · 02/02/2025 16:58

Anything, literally anything, from Trader Joes 😋 - Everything but the Bagel seasoning is probably the best known one (I seem to be asked to pick up one for everyone I know when I go for work, concerned at some point TSA will flag me for being a seasoning mule) but I also LOVE the Everything but the Elote seasoning - insane rubbed on a buttered, grilled corn cob!

Ghirardelli chocolates, especially the caramel or mint filled ones

Another vote for melatonin

Lululemon is so much cheaper, as is Alo if you're a fan (not sure how much by, I just tell myself this to justify shopping 😂)

dairydebris · 02/02/2025 17:05

Whole foods mac n cheese from the buffet at Bryant Park.
Bagels.
Thrift / pre loved clothes in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Defiantlynot41 · 02/02/2025 17:05

Definitely the seasonings, pumpkin pie spice is great, plus melatonin, painkillers, teeth whitening strips etc

I've always found a bigger range of jeans fits especially for curvy figures (small waist v hip size) eg Lucky Brand jeans, American Eagle etc, and petite fittings for formal wear/jackets and coats as well as dresses, skirts and trousers

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 02/02/2025 17:23

Nothing really. Nothing is cheaper. Buy what you like!

Roundaboot · 02/02/2025 17:28

I was going to say EBTB seasoning from Trader Joe's but see I was beaten to it! I wish I'd brought back more from my trip. I love anything Wintergreen flavoured which is hard to get here so always stick up on that, especially Lifesavers.

Also agree with a PP about thrifting in Brooklyn, some genuine bargains to be had. The day that me and 16 year old DS spent in Brooklyn doing a street art tour and thrift shopping was one of our faves.

Original poster
Theremedy · 02/02/2025 17:30

I think some things are cheaper, Apple products for example, I think an Apple Pencil is less in dollars ($99 v £109) - not massive savings but somethings are definitely less, and have a uniform price across the whole country so NY pricing doesn’t really apply?

Just looking for more things like that! My hotel is right by a Target, so hoping to find some bargains in there. Maybe a mini Stanley! They are £70 in John Lewis, so hoping to find a bargain!

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 02/02/2025 17:43

Theremedy · 02/02/2025 17:30

I think some things are cheaper, Apple products for example, I think an Apple Pencil is less in dollars ($99 v £109) - not massive savings but somethings are definitely less, and have a uniform price across the whole country so NY pricing doesn’t really apply?

Just looking for more things like that! My hotel is right by a Target, so hoping to find some bargains in there. Maybe a mini Stanley! They are £70 in John Lewis, so hoping to find a bargain!

sales tax will be added on
i bought a new iphone 16 in NYC last year and only saved £50

Theoscargoesto · 02/02/2025 17:47

Peanut butter pretzels from Trader Joes. Heaven in a packet and the ones you get here are not the same. And go to Liberty Bagel.

JoanCollinsDiva · 02/02/2025 17:49

I remember going to a target in NY and buying some Clifford the Big Red Dog sandals for ds then 3 who was a huge fan - this was before stuff like this really was a thing in the U.K. and Clifford was always more of an American show. He was so thrilled and wore them to death! Also Jockey underwear which I'd never seen in the U.K. and ended up lasting for years and years.

And the US version of Night Nurse - I had to dose up on it as I had flu when I was there and it was fab - dried all the mucus right up and made me feel like I was tripping 😂

This was years ago - no idea what's good over there nowadays!

BeaAndBen · 02/02/2025 17:50

Lego - or at least, that used to be our usual purchases. You’re never to old for Lego.