To think just over 1k for 5 days in NYC is too much

[Oolva]

Especially as I could go to london on the mega bus for a few quid and stay with friends for free. I kind of want to go on holiday with my friend but NYC seems just too expensive for a very low end holiday (flying economy and staying in very ordinary hotel). We could go somewhere in Italy , stay in much nicer hotels for 1/3 of the price.

Aibu cheap?

Basic off peak flights to NYC are £400 return.
I always fly into Newark as I loathe JFK.

Hotels in Manhattan are eye wateringly over priced
AirBnB is illegal, but still goes on : outside Manhattan is a safer bet
There is lots of lovely cheap accommodation for those in the know.

I'm not into shopping
so happily do obscure museums and galleries and parks and riverside walks and the High Line and stuff like that

The best food is on the streets not the Avenues
or around Union Square on Green Market days

I've not been since DeBlasio settled in
but piles of garbage on the streets is around 20 years out of date IMHO

I need to go back - just need a gap in my diary

Bit of a thread hijack, but, this thread has inspired me to look up flights and hotels for a short break in NYC in feb next year. If I was staying in Brooklyn, which airport would be easiest to get to and from? And does anyone have any hotel recommendations for Brooklyn? Thanks.

I don't see why it is an odd thread at all, AFew and Seriously. The OP is in two minds about going and wants to know if it is worth the significant amount of money she will spend on a short visit. Some people have said, yes, they think NYC is the best city in the world, others think it is vastly overrated and wouldn't bother. It's not like the OP's come on here saying that she's exciting about a trip she's booked and we've pissed on her chips. It's all information that she can use to make up her mind, surely?

Nanny
For Brooklyn, definitely JFK as then you can get on the subway to where you are staying
Hotels, no idea : I always stay on Manhattan.

but piles of garbage on the streets is around 20 years out of date IMHO

Where do you think the shops keep the rubbish then. I was there yesterday so piles of rubbish on the streets is not 20 years out of date.

I was there last week and there certainly weren't piles of rubbish on the street anywhere I went. And I walked/ran a LOT of blocks. I guess either you were incredibly unlucky, I was incredibly lucky, or the situation deteriorated sharply in the space of 7 days.

Hmmm

Thanks OP and other contributors - more time for other places now.

If there is a hell it looks, sounds and smells like Times Square.

That wasn't helpful was it, sorry. I think £1000 isn't massively expensive for 5 days. Particularly if you're staying in Manhatten. Remember you'll need -$100000 for tipping everyone spending money too.

I'm another one who doesn't get New York so I'd say unless you really, really want to go I'd save your money and go somewhere else.

*Manhattan

Italy is gorgeous btw.

I don't suppose I should tar all US customs/security officials with the same brush.

Topseyt, you can do it and you would be hitting the mark. I will never forget how appalled I was in Immigration seeing officials shouting louder and louder at elderly people from India when it seemed they couldn't understand heavily accented American English.

I found NYC great, very buzzing. But I have to say if I had $1000 to spend I would go to Copenhagen.

I can't stand NYC and would be happy if I never had to go back, but the rest of my family have never been and are desperate to go so we're visitng in April. 5 nights for the 4 of us is costing £3k for flights and hotel in a mid price hotel (flying from Scotland), so your £1k sounds about right.

Fortunately I have a US dollar account. All spending money will come from it and as I only use the account for visiting the US, it "feels" like free money so mentally I think the whole trip is costing £3k. I'd probably faint if I worked out the proper full amount in sterling for 5 nights.

The only thing I can say in favour of NY is that when I am out shopping or generally walking in the streets in London or really anywhere in the uk I am walked into, jostled and I get the feeling that people don't see me. (I am one of those invisible post menopausal women). In New York, my son noticed it first but I did not have to avoid people they would avoid me. I would walk in a straight line down the street and the crowd would just part to let me through. It was truly amazing. My son says it is because I looked too A.R.D. for them

Really interesting thread!

I've always been curious about going on a trip to New York and this thread has given me lots of ideas for a future trip.

Living in London I've always viewed NY as somehow similar but just on a different continent. Best get saving for a trip one day!

Also getting the distinct impression that Time square is pretty much the equivalent a Leicester Square- full of tourists & overpriced!
Sorry to state the obvious

I love New York, but if you don't want to go you don't have to...

It sounds reasonable to me. But im a teacher and so pay over the top prices for every holiday. Damn you con artist holiday providers..

Love the city but hate jet lag.

I have visited New York once and loved it. It is very different from London (which I don't really enjoy tbh)

I found the people extraordinarily friendly and helpful and loved how the blend of oldish and new (in terms of architecture) worked so well.

That said we went in February when it was a lot cheaper and queues were minimal. Central Park covered in snow was gorgeous but bring your thermals.

Oh and I flew from Dublin so did immigration there and just had to collect bag and leave JFK. Big advantage

Seems expensive. I did 5 nights with flights in a 'four' star (really 3 star) hotel near Times Square for £550.