First time visit to NYC
 

Hi guys,

Me and my friend are looking to visit NYC December 2013, were both 22.

Really not too sure on a great location to stay, we want to do all the attractions, visit the main shops and even venture out for some night life.

We're on a budget of a weeks stay for around £400-£500 between us.

Any suggestions on places, areas to stay and things to do?

Thanks

You need to repost in the US forum. No one will look for an NYC post here.

I can tell you, however, that your budget is not possible for December. You'd need double unless you want to stay in a hotel that offers shared baths (possible) or a hostel. Since you are relatively young, that may be a sacrifice you are willing to make, but I'm not sure most of us are going to be able to help you. You need more Lonely Planet--like help.

If you get a hotel way out in Queens, you might be able to find something, but I'd suggest locking in a room you can cancel if you can find one. There's a Quality Inn in Woodside. It's not that close to Manhattan or nightlife, but it's near a subway stop and there are local places to eat and small shops nearby, and you're about 15 or 20 minutes from Manhattan. I think that's about as good as you are going to get. It costs $133 per night before tax, so $150 or so total. That would still cost you over US$1000 for a week, which is beyond your budget.

My advice, which you can take or leave: DO NOT under any circumstances book an airport hotel because transit to and from any of our airports is abysmal and not suited to someone who is coming into Manhattan daily, and if you want nightlife, DO NOT under any circumstances stay in NJ unless the hotel is next to a PATH train stop (that's the "subway" that goes to NJ from Manhattan). You pay more than $6 each way to come into Manhattan from NJ otherwise, and that will wreck your budget.

Wrong forum, but as a NY'er I can tell you that's a tough budget for this town. Maybe some hostels on Bowery.

£400-£500 for the both of you? ouch... plan on street food and ethnic eateries as well as hostels on that kind of budget. If that's really all you'll be able to manage there are some things you can do for free:

1. walk across the Brooklyn Bridge...pick up a hot dog at a stand before you go and let them dress it up for you
2. visit Times Square at night
3. take a free ride on the Staten Island ferry. You'll be rewarded with a great view of the Statue of Liberty
4. Visit St Patrick's cathedral...on par with something you'd see in Europe but in a unique setting
5. Take a stroll along 5th Ave.
6. Grab a morning bagel like New Yorkers do and visit Central Park...it's huge
7. New York is home to the 2nd largest Chinatown in the world. a walk through some of these streets will have you second guessing what country you're in.
8. Sit by the fountain at Washington Square Park....great for people watching

enjoy

another inexpensive way to see NY. The Red Bus. you can get on and off at many of the sights and get a overview of Manhattan.

Belcher91 never reposted and has not returned. Please let this thread die.

Thank you for the help guys - looks like we may need to re think our budget then.

I have seen some decent prices for places in the area of soho. Is this part particularly good and will it offer everything I'm hoping for?

Thanks guys.

Again, please repost in the US forum.

SoHo is one of the most expensive parts of Manhattan to stay in. All the hotels I'm aware of are upscale or luxury, so if you are staying in an illegal "hostel" the I can't recommend it. Give us some more info and we may be able to help guide you. But in short, yes, your budget is not even remotely realistic.

Okay - again thanks for the help.

We have looked as such and have £800 between us for a hotel within a decent distance of the attractions. That's just for the accommodation, so hoping this could find us other or better options.

Honestly, this is still going to be a stretch unless you want to stay in a hostel. But there are some options. There's the Pod Hotel (2 locations, shared bath rooms being cheaper). There are the hotels in Long Island City, Queens (close to subways and a couple of stops from Manhattan but half the price of Manhattan). And there are other budget-oriented hotels.

Please do start pricing some legitimate hotels quickly and see what you can book without having to pay in advance and can cancel without a penalty if you find something better closer to your dates of travel.

If you are willing to share a bed, you can also try Priceline or Hotwire, but that's not likely to be successful in December (the single busiest and most expensive time of the year in NYC),

The Hosteling International - well regarded, large, in Manhattan, near Columbia University - has beds and lockers in shared dorm rooms for about $40 per night - so $80 per night per person. Located right near subway so you can easily get to the rest of the city. If you budget is SO super tight this is what I would recommend. You will not find anything legitimate in SoHo anywhere near this price (there are a LOT of scams out there).

the other thing is that you need to be prepared for the weather. Not sure where you are from but it is likely that it is much colder here than wherever you are - and to get around (foot is best to see more of the city) you will need cold weather gear - since snow is certainly a possibility and cold rain/sleet is very likely if you will be here a week.

Sorry - $80 or so per night for 2 people.

Again guys great information, really considering our options, sort of used to the coldness as I'm from Wales, UK.

I have been given the option of a rental property for $1000 for us both for 7 nights in the area of Washington heights, again not too sure on the location or links with transport.

Washington Heights - assuming this is not a scam - is a neighborhood in transition. If you are right near a subway stop and not on a bad block it could be ok. (Until a few years ago this was a very dangerous, high crime/big drug area.)

However, if this is an apartment you need to understand that short term sublets are illegal in NYC. So unless you are renting a room in someone'w private house a(very unlikely in Washington Heights) you have no recourse if you don't get what you expect - or anything.

Do not rent any place without several references, a landline for the person you are renting from and checking it out on google earth. If they refuse to give you the exact address in advance the chances are it's a scam (and may be even if they give you an exact address).

A couple of months ago 2 young women from Italy came looking for an apartment they had "rented" in our building (a co-op that dies NOT allow sublets) and they were crying when I left them with the super - who took them to the police to make a complaint. They couldn't believe the apartment didn;t exist - and they were out a couple of thousand $ - and had to find a hotel on the spot at walk-up rates.

Again guys, thanks for the help and advice. This will be the property we hope to stay in.

http://www.flipkey.com/new-york-city...ntals/p355334/

What do you all think of the area and location to all the sites?

Thanks.

Did you notice the fees for this apartment?? $999 deposit.....

OK - that is 107th St - nowhere near Washington Heights. You are quite near Columbia University and this is a solid middle class neighborhood - multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and with all gender orientations. Perfectly safe as long as you use basic city precautions.

If you walk over to Broadway you will find a lot of student hangouts - but do remember that the drinking age in the US is 21 - so you will have to show proof even to get a beer.

However, it is perfectly possible that the building does not allow sublets and this may be a scam. One concern is that this is a very low rent for a 2 BR apartment (although a very small one at only 800 sq ft - looks like a 1 BR that has been divided)in a good neighborhood. I would ask for contact info for the references and get in touch to make sure this is not a scam.

I would

Sorry - you will be taking the subway to visit sights - really none right nearby - since this is a residential area. But there are a lot of inexpensive restaurants right nearby.

Rentals of less than 30 days are illegal in NYC. If you're on a tight budget, stay in a Long Island City hotel. You'll have perhaps an easier and faster commute into midtown, if that's your destination, than you will from Washington Heights.