New York City!

[Vihzel]

I was wondering if there are any New Yorkers in here? I've been accepted to transfer to NYU (INCREDIBLY EXCITED) and I have several questions about living in NYC.

 

[Outlaw71]

I was wondering if there are any New Yorkers in here? I've been accepted to transfer to NYU (INCREDIBLY EXCITED) and I have several questions about living in NYC.

Moving from Indiana to New York eh? Well at least the culture is pratically exactly the same in both places.... NOT



Sorry kiddo, only been to New York once for Woodstock 94 so I can't help you out any. But it sounds fun, so good luck!

 

[NYCHitman1]

<--- NYC'er

I hope you have a good paying job or rich parents (which judging by many of your posts, your family seems well off) b/c living in NYC is ridiculously expensive.

 

[lunatic59]

What happened to Paris?

As NYCHitman1 said, bring lots of money. NYC is a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there.

 

[cds0699]

Congrats on getting accepted to NYU and gl

 

[Orion]

I'm a New Yorker. Congrates. I'm sure you heard all the stories about it here. Every city has its good and bad. As for me I can't ever imagine living anywhere else. I hope you like it here.

 

[Vihzel]

Thank you! I decided to not go to Paris because I was accepted to transfer. This was the last semester I could transfer since they don't accept senior transfers. I understand that it's going to cost a lot of money to live in Manhattan. My dad has to make a minimum of 80x the monthly rent per year since he'll be a guarantor? That's insane. My parents will just be paying my rent for me and I will be working as a real estate agent to support myself. I'm already anticipating paying roughly $1800-1900/month for a studio or 1 bedroom and assuming that I should make a large budget for myself monthly to pay for utilities, food, transportation, and so forth. I also believe that I will be living in the UWS since my job is located there. My classes will be held at Greenwich Village or Midtown.

I do have questions about living in Manhattan. I'll start with a few regarding food:

- How do you do grocery shopping?
- Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal?
- Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's)
- How do you take your groceries back home? I'm so used to just filling up my car.
- What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? I currently spend about $300/month or approx. $10/day on food.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I've always wanted to just go spend a week in NYC. I've got explorer's blood in me somewhere I think and I'd love to go there and just explore. Everything I've heard about it is that it's just ridiculously expensive to live there.

 

[zildj]

I'll be in NYC in 2 weeks to visit. Cant wait!!

yea, any best spots?!?

 

[shawn1224]

Good question. I've always wondered how New Yorkers get all their groceries home without a car.

 

[trackball]

I do have questions about living in Manhattan. I'll start with a few regarding food:

- How do you do grocery shopping?
- Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal?
- Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's)
- How do you take your groceries back home? I'm so used to just filling up my car.
- What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? I currently spend about $300/month or approx. $10/day on food.

Fresh Direct! Grandma is an OG NYCer so I go a few times a year, but she always has everything we need because she orders from there for all our needs. Rarely need to run to the Food Lion. I believe the prices are in line with a grocery store, and they deliver to your building.

 

[ScorpDX]

Fresh Direct! Grandma is an OG NYCer so I go a few times a year, but she always has everything we need because she orders from there for all our needs. Rarely need to run to the Food Lion. I believe the prices are in line with a grocery store, and they deliver to your building.

+1 for freshdirect.com I have a friend there and him and the roommates use that for groceries. I think there's some other services like that available as well. Just the one I know of.

The other option is to get one of those mesh grocery bag things like walmart sells and just stop by the market on your way home every few days. You can carry a few days food in there pretty easily. Just grab whatever on the way. NYC has a lot of small markets on the corner where you can get things. Usually one within walking distance of any of the larger living areas.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Thank you! I decided to not go to Paris because I was accepted to transfer. This was the last semester I could transfer since they don't accept senior transfers. I understand that it's going to cost a lot of money to live in Manhattan. My dad has to make a minimum of 80x the monthly rent per year since he'll be a guarantor? That's insane. My parents will just be paying my rent for me and I will be working as a real estate agent to support myself. I'm already anticipating paying roughly $1800-1900/month for a studio or 1 bedroom and assuming that I should make a large budget for myself monthly to pay for utilities, food, transportation, and so forth. I also believe that I will be living in the UWS since my job is located there. My classes will be held at Greenwich Village or Midtown.

I do have questions about living in Manhattan. I'll start with a few regarding food:

- How do you do grocery shopping?
- Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal?
- Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's)
- How do you take your groceries back home? I'm so used to just filling up my car.
- What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? I currently spend about $300/month or approx. $10/day on food.

Luckily, I don't do any grocery shopping at all. I have the benefit of my fiance taking care of that portion of things. Cereal doesn't cost $7. You would probably pay somewhere in the $3 range for your typical cereal (fruit loops, frosted flakes, cheerios, etc). All over NYC, you'll find supermarkets like The Food Emporium which sells a mixture of organic foods as well as your normal run of the mill fatty stuff. They also deliver to your home. Many people you'll come to find travel with bags of groceries on foot. Being that we feed ourselves plus our daughter, our budget is a bit higher than it would be for just the two of us. Your best bet would likely be to just buy everything at once then hit the corner stores for any extras you'll require as time goes by.

You maybe should look into living in the surrounding areas outside of Manhattan that are connected by public transportation (subway). There's no real need to move into Manhattan and go broke on a studio apt if you can get a nice one bedroom for cheaper in the surrounding area and still have a quality commute time to work/school.

 

[NYCHitman1]

I'll be in NYC in 2 weeks to visit. Cant wait!!

yea, any best spots?!?

Best spots for?

 

[jamor]

Same as every other city. You just have to purchase what you can carry and take it on the bus with you. Or cab if you have the skrill.

 

[Vihzel]

Luckily, I don't do any grocery shopping at all. I have the benefit of my fiance taking care of that portion of things. Cereal doesn't cost $7. You would probably pay somewhere in the $3 range for your typical cereal (fruit loops, frosted flakes, cheerios, etc). All over NYC, you'll find supermarkets like The Food Emporium which sells a mixture of organic foods as well as your normal run of the mill fatty stuff. They also deliver to your home. Many people you'll come to find travel with bags of groceries on foot. Being that we feed ourselves plus our daughter, our budget is a bit higher than it would be for just the two of us. Your best bet would likely be to just buy everything at once then hit the corner stores for any extras you'll require as time goes by.

You maybe should look into living in the surrounding areas outside of Manhattan that are connected by public transportation (subway). There's no real need to move into Manhattan and go broke on a studio apt if you can get a nice one bedroom for cheaper in the surrounding area and still have a quality commute time to work/school.

Thank you for your input! Is Trader Joe's there one of the cheaper supermarkets? I've been told that they have a lot of deals and such.

My father actually wants me to live in Manhattan and not the surrounding areas. He still has images of the surrounding boroughs from the 80s. I know that there are definitely nice areas in Brooklyn and Queens but I'd really prefer not to have to extend my commute time to school and work. I will most likely be working in the UWS or Chelsea, depending on where my senior agent will be, so that's why I want to live in the UWS. I know that Chelsea would not be feasible as it's crazy expensive to live in that neighborhood. I really don't care that much about space as I am very good at maximizing space... as long as like my kitchen isn't like 2 steps away from my bed. lol

 

[NYCHitman1]

Thank you for your input! Is Trader Joe's there one of the cheaper supermarkets? I've been told that they have a lot of deals and such.

My father actually wants me to live in Manhattan and not the surrounding areas. He still has images of the surrounding boroughs from the 80s. I know that there are definitely nice areas in Brooklyn and Queens but I'd really prefer not to have to extend my commute time to school and work. I will most likely be working in the UWS or Chelsea, depending on where my senior agent will be, so that's why I want to live in the UWS. I know that Chelsea would not be feasible as it's crazy expensive to live in that neighborhood. I really don't care that much about space as I am very good at maximizing space... as long as like my kitchen isn't like 2 steps away from my bed. lol

A lot of Manhattan apt's are relatively cramped unless you've got like Trump $. There are quite a few Trader Joe locations in NYC. The old woman usually purchases our produce from there. As far as deals go, I'm not so sure you'll find them at Trader Joe's but it wouldn't hurt to go anyways. In most cases, you'll find that you will shop around at multiple stores as opposed to just one.

 

[KENNECTED]

Thank you! I decided to not go to Paris because I was accepted to transfer. This was the last semester I could transfer since they don't accept senior transfers. I understand that it's going to cost a lot of money to live in Manhattan. My dad has to make a minimum of 80x the monthly rent per year since he'll be a guarantor? That's insane. My parents will just be paying my rent for me and I will be working as a real estate agent to support myself. I'm already anticipating paying roughly $1800-1900/month for a studio or 1 bedroom and assuming that I should make a large budget for myself monthly to pay for utilities, food, transportation, and so forth. I also believe that I will be living in the UWS since my job is located there. My classes will be held at Greenwich Village or Midtown.

I do have questions about living in Manhattan. I'll start with a few regarding food:

- How do you do grocery shopping?
- Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal?
- Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's)
- How do you take your groceries back home? I'm so used to just filling up my car.
- What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? I currently spend about $300/month or approx. $10/day on food.

1800/1900 on the upper westside. I think not. Add about 400/500 to that for a crappy studio. Morningside heights/Central Harlem may get you a 1 bedroom for that.

• How do you do grocery shopping? Like anyone else. I go to the grocery store and pick thing out. Toss them in my reusable bags, load up my granny cart and walk home. When I dont feel like doing that I use a service like Fresh Direct.
• Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal? Possibly, depending on the brand. But that could happen anywhere.
• Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's) Pathmark, Food Emporium, C-Town, Key Foods, Associated. Some neighborhoods have smaller or neighborhood stores which can be great.
• How do you take your groceries back home? I walk. If I have a lot of groceries, I take my "granny" cart. Sounds like you live in a car centric city. Get over that NOW! NYC is a walking city. Invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? Depends on what you eat and will you be eating at home that often. I'm single dude and I often spend about 200 on groceries a month and I'm a cheap coupon cutting whore.

 

[jayjay1122]

1800/1900 on the upper westside. I think not. Add about 400/500 to that for a crappy studio. Morningside heights/Central Harlem may get you a 1 bedroom for that.

• How do you do grocery shopping? Like anyone else. I go to the grocery store and pick thing out. Toss them in my reusable bags, load up my granny cart and walk home. When I dont feel like doing that I use a service like Fresh Direct.
• Am I really going to pay like $7 for a box of cereal? Possibly, depending on the brand. But that could happen anywhere.
• Is there any equivalent to a typical supermarket like Kroger that's good? (as in not like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's) Pathmark, Food Emporium, C-Town, Key Foods, Associated. Some neighborhoods have smaller or neighborhood stores which can be great.
• How do you take your groceries back home? I walk. If I have a lot of groceries, I take my "granny" cart. Sounds like you live in a car centric city. Get over that NOW! NYC is a walking city. Invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• What kind of food budget do you recommend per month? Depends on what you eat and will you be eating at home that often. I'm single dude and I often spend about 200 on groceries a month and I'm a cheap coupon cutting whore.

+1000!

Sorry Vihzel but KENNECTED has a point here! Have you already found an UWS apartment for that price? Is it south of 96th? Closer to the park or the river?

Also, I know someone else mentioned this, but have you thought about Brooklyn or Queens? You got 3 pretty decent river crossings (bridges) to get into "the city" not to mention the ferry and the train.

 

[A.Nonymous]

$200 on groceries in a month?? Frak that's expensive. I live in the mid-west and am also a single dude. I budget $100 a month and probably spend $20-40 a month eating out as well. So $150 tops and that includes groceries and the times I'm eating out. Honestly I usually end up spending less than $100 on groceries though. Probably in the $75-80 range.

 

[Vihzel]

Thanks for your input! I've been told by several real estate agents that 1900/month is feasible for the UWS. All I'm looking for is a studio, definitely not a one bedroom. I will be apartment hunting the end of June/very early July for an Aug 1st apartment. I'm definitely not looking for the perfect apartment for that price, but if I need to increase the budget then Ill tell my dad. If I have to live in the UES or somewhere else on the east side of Manhattan then I'll do so. My dad really wants me to stay in Manhattan for the first year and I'd like to also. I'll probably move to Brooklyn or Queens after the year if I feel like I really need more space. Something that is extremely important for my parents is safety so anything Harlem is out of the question and Morningside Heights will be fine as long as it's below or right around Columbia. Basically, if my dad doesn't want to live there, then I'm not getting the apartment. I don't have as high standards as my father so really... the apartment has to impress him more than me or he won't let me live there.

$200 on groceries in a month?? Frak that's expensive. I live in the mid-west and am also a single dude. I budget $100 a month and probably spend $20-40 a month eating out as well. So $150 tops and that includes groceries and the times I'm eating out. Honestly I usually end up spending less than $100 on groceries though. Probably in the $75-80 range.

I don't know how you do that. lol I believe I spend right around $10 per day give or take $2. I'll raise my food budget to $450 for groceries for NYC and perhaps $150 for eating out. Overestimating is better than underestimating.

 

[A.Nonymous]

I don't know how you do that. lol I believe I spend right around $10 per day give or take $2. I'll raise my food budget to $450 for groceries for NYC and perhaps $150 for eating out. Overestimating is better than underestimating.

I have simple tastes and eat a lot of peasant food. Not by design really, but just because that's what I like. Chicken fried steak, home made burgers, hot dogs, spaghetti, mac and cheese, meatloaf, etc..... I don't buy the tv dinner type stuff usually. The stuff I eat is simple to make and the ingredients aren't that expensive either. Eating out for me is a good burger at a great local hole in the wall place.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Lol, I hope you can sleep through noise

 

[bigbadwulff]

Not to sound too negative but I lived in Washington, D.C. area and Baltimore. While it was fun when I was young, I find it a pain in the %@# visiting them now. The traffic, costs, and rude people are enough to keep me away. Nice for a visit but I wouldn't live in a big city again. Ever!
Enjoy it while you are young...and don't get too brainwashed by the media.

 

[NYCHitman1]

Not to sound too negative but I lived in Washington, D.C. area and Baltimore. While it was fun when I was young, I find it a pain in the %@# visiting them now. The traffic, costs, and rude people are enough to keep me away. Nice for a visit but I wouldn't live in a big city again. Ever!
Enjoy it while you are young...and don't get too brainwashed by the media.

I didn't meet any rude ppl while I was in Baltimore. I just thought the city sucked ass in general.