Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Lessons from the Big Apple

I've officially lived in NYC for one month! It's absolutely amazing and I don't know if the honeymoon phase will ever end. :) I thought I would share some lessons I've learned so far:

  • Own GREAT walking shoes. You will walk everywhere! Your feet will definitely be sore! I have a pair of sneakers and a pair of flat boots (with inserts) that are lifesavers, especially since I'm a bit far from the subway but I live close enough to walk to work.
  • Flowers are ridiculously cheap. Two blocks away from where I lived you can buy 2 dozen roses for $8! Men and women, you can afford to ALWAYS buy flowers!
  • The bus is a completely underrated mode of transportation. During the summer it'll be my choice over the sweltering subway stations!
  • My iPhone is invaluable. Google Maps gets me anywhere, whether it's by walking or by public transportation.
  • Walk on the right. Sidewalks, stairs, etc. The other 8 million+ New Yorkers will thank you. Oh, and let them off first on the subway/bus!
  • The weather is fickle. Be prepared for anything at all times! I have an extra pair of socks and an umbrella in my purse at all times.
  • Yes, it can be a lonely city - but you CAN and WILL meet new people. Reach out to anyone and everyone. I have, and so far, it has been great! People will surprise you in a good way :)
  • Cheap food is abundant. Yes, most of it isn't the healthiest...but $5 for a combo platter from the Halal cart near my work lasts me 2-3 meals depending on how hungry I am! (I do get my fill of fruit/veggies from here, though.)
  • Re: cheap food, I have an obsession with food carts. Shout out to New York Street Food.
  • Ear plugs are fantastic, especially with loud roommates and/or a window directly on the street. Case in point.
  • 99% of the city residents are also transplants. I randomly met a native San Diegan in Union Square on Easter!
  • Times Square is a tourist trap. I avoid it like the plague...but maybe that's just my "I-live-in-NYC" mentality ;)
  • Don't buy a lot of stuff if you aren't close to your apartment. Dragging a bunch of bags on the subway is not fun! I try to stick to the one-reusable-bag-only rule.
  • Apartment hunting is a little ridiculous. While using a broker seems expensive, it would be so much less of a headache - so try to look for a place with at least one other person instead of just a room somewhere!
  • Always look around and up. There is so much to see and there is also a lot of amazing architecture!
  • Every neighborhood and borough has a different feel. Check them all out and just get lost. It's really fun and you never know what areas you'll end up really liking.
  • No malls = frustrating to go shopping because all the stores aren't in one location.
I could tell you so much more...but I think this is a decent start!

6 comments:

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com April 27, 2011 at 8:11 AM  

I'm not jealous. I'm not jealous. I'm not jealous. ;)

I love NYC.

Anonymous April 27, 2011 at 11:17 PM  

Wow, New York sounds amazing. I think I'd visit the city just to try food from a truck. It's definitely on my list of places to see sometime.

yj April 28, 2011 at 8:06 PM  

hahaha. the best "mall" is the time warner center at columbus circle--you've got a bunch of stores and even a supermarket (whole foods ^_~)

PLUS, you'll figure out where you need to go get everything.

Also, I see that you knit--there are bunch of SnB groups you can join!

Distar April 30, 2011 at 11:11 AM  

welcome to NY!

re the malls- we find our own "malls"- mine is 5th ave btwn 15/22nd. My fave shops- Zara, Banana, Club Monaco etc- are all present :)

Anonymous April 30, 2011 at 9:01 PM  

FB may not be jealous, but I sure am!!!

Money Rabbit May 17, 2011 at 2:47 PM  

What an outstanding adventure!!! Stories and experiences like this remind me to keep pushing myself to achieve my goals faster so I can travel like you!!! :)

In your experiences, are there places that will lease to you for say, a month? I'd love to go somewhere like New York, but I think I could only conceivably stay for a month, tops.

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