The BB&B is near Columbus Circle, and it's also near the Time-Warner Center (the upscale mall). You can get virtually everything you need at Bed Bath and Beyond, and that's where many New Yorkers shop for such things. Gracious Home is also not too far from Columbus Circle, and it's a great store as well; you can find some very expensive things and also some bargains.

You can get the computer/office supplies at any Staples or Best Buy. There are several outlets in Manhattan of each.

You might also want to make a trip to Macy's or JC Penney to look for bedding, towels, etc. I think Penney's would be the cheapest option by far. It's near Penn Station (34th Street) and not too far from Columbia on the 1/2/3 train. The Kmart is near there. It's not my favorite store, but it does carry the basics.

And don't forget the Home Goods store on the Upper West Side, the only one I believe in Manhattan.

FYI: There are a lot of big-box stores in the Bronx at the Gateway Center, just across the river from Harlem (not really that far from Columbia). That shopping center probably has everything you need, including Staples, Best Buy, and Target. The shopping center is reachable by subway with a little walk, so it may be a consideration for you (it's quite safe to walk during the day). Car services will help you get everything back to Columbia in one load probably for about $25 to $30, so I think that's worth serious consideration. It would be cheaper than the delivery fee for BB&B. There's a lot of competition from car services there, and they can get a little pushy, but it's nice to have all the stores in one place.

ellenem, thanks for the clarification about Columbus Circle versus Square. Unfortunately, we will be going to NY the last week in August as the dorm won't be available for move-in until then.

sf3707 - Deliveries to the dorm apparently can't be made right to the room - students have to pick up their stuff at some central mail pickup place so we'll have to have my husband hauling stuff up and down elevators after the move-in date.

Doug- Many thanks for taking the time to offer a wealth of info. The car services is something new to me as we don't have that here in LA, where everyone has a car. How does this work? Is there a stand/kiosk in gib stores or shopping centers where you drop off items and they drive it to your place? Can you provide the names of any such services?

As for the Bronx, you say it's "quite safe" during the day. I still have images of the Bronx being a scary area from some old movies - is it a bad idea to go there if we look like lost visitors carrying tons of stuff? Living in LA, I'm comfortable with going to fairly dicey areas during the day and have traveled a fair amount around the world but I dont want to be an easy mark if the Bronx is questionable in terms of crime. Thanks again!

Doug- oops, typo: should be"big" stores, not "gib".

Yes, I have typing issues.

Car Services are just private taxis that aren't allowed to pick people up on the street. I can't give you names because there are dozens of such services in NYC. For this kind of car service, you don't call. There's a stand at the mall where you just get in the next car that drives up. They transport you and your packages to any address, but you don't drop things off. I doubt that there are package drop-offs at this particular mall.

The only difficult thing is that at this mall there has been a lot of friction between the officially recognized services that pick people up at the cab stand and the unofficial services (basically guys with cars). A few weeks ago, a licensed driver dropped a shopping cart on an unlicensed driver (well, this is New York).

In any case, use the official service at the stand and ignore the myriad entreaties you'll receive for better deals. The official services have to pay a fee for the privilege of working there, and they deserve our patronage since they are licensed and regulated by the city. The price difference won't be enough that it matters.

I should have added: Car services are unmetered taxis, so you pay by the trip. Though rates are supposed to be set by distance, you may be able to negotiate a bit on the price, but always ask for and agree on the price before you get in. Drivers also expect a tip of about 15% to 20%.

Thanks Doug - I get it now. I'm familiar with the unlicensed cab issues in various cities. I generally avoid them and am surprised that they are allowed to pick up at the mall stands. Will keep my eyes open to see if the cars have those official stickers - don't want any surprises like shopping car getting thrown my way.

The unlicensed cabs are not "allowed" to pick up at the taxi stands. They just corral customers before they get to the official stand and take them off in a different direction. The police can't be everywhere, though after this rather serious incident, I expect there to be more policing of this. But it's a problem all over NYC.

Even at the airports, as some travelers from Panama can attest (they were involved in a police chase of their unlicensed taxi driver the other night, who ended up crashing because his frightened customers grabbed the wheel, thinking they were being kidnapped ... what they should have done is to get in a regular yellow taxi instead of going off with this guy).

I live not far from Columbia and walking distance to the Bronx Shopping center mentioned and go there often, and during the day, no problem at all, I would not do it at night.

To get there, take the #1 train to 145th St and the #19 bus across 145, the center is litterally right over the bridge you will see it on your left.

Ok there is a bit of confusion on car service and service cars. Car Service and there are several you can call for a car to take you to your destination. In THIS area of Manhattan we have (and yes around Columbia) Service Cars, you don't call, they are not metered and charge a flat rate from point to point. The cost is usually $7 and I don't give them a tip, it's a flat rate. You can of course give the driver more if you wish. They are like taxis but not yellow and without meters and ask the driver the rate to your destination BEFORE you get in. You can hail those in the street and note the liscense plate it starts with "TL", which means the taxi and limo commission.

If you are going to be in this area and need an extra "hand" for info, please let me know.

NYC has a huge shrtage of yellow (official) cabs. You an get them in Manhattan below 96th St and at the airports. Otherwise getting one can be dicey.

Therefore there are a large number of "car services". Many of these are corporate - with high prices and luxurious cars - and have to be arranged in advance. In other areas of the city there are local car services which are reputable (T license plates) that can either be calld in advance or picked up on the street. There is no meter and you have to find out - or negotitate the price in advance. If you take one of these cars any distance (esp to an airport) you must pay bridge or tunnel tolls and are expected to tip the usual 20%. If you pick up one of these for a local ride the price is negotiable and you may or may not tip. (The drivers of these cars do have a license for T&LC and the cars are insured.)

There are also completely illegal cars - just a guy with a car and no T license plate - and you should NOT take one of these - since the driver may not have insurance - or even a license.

At the airports you should ONLY take a yellow cab unless yuo have arranged for a car service in advance - with an agreed-upon price.

Doug, travelbuff and nytraveler,
I appreciate your explanations of the car services/service/taxi distinctions. In LA, I think we have licensed and "bandit" taxis, along with limos but not what sounds to me are the "in-between' class of service cars with the T or TL plates and no meters. When I was in NY last year, I hailed cabs on streets but since they all had meters, I guess they were the official cabs. (then again, I was mostly in midtown).

Not to sound totally clueless and paranoid here but I still have some questions:

(Oops - accidentally hit submit)
Questions:
1. Do the T cars look like official cabs from the distance - i.e. colorful with the light bump thing on the roof? If not, how do you know you should hail one on the street?
2. Even if you "negotiate" in advance with the T car driver for a fare, how do you know he/she will honor the agreed fare or tell you the right bridge toll?

I would prefer taking official cabs but if the Columbia or Upper West Side areas (where I plan to stay) do not have enough of them, I want to be prepared. Thank you all again!

Ok, you are getting a bit confused, the cars that pick up in this area are cars, every color, and usually in nicer condition and not yellow and no light sign on top. Yellow cabs don't usually go much above 110th St, so in this area you just stand on the corner and stick your arm out, did that tonight and went from 145th to 88th for $12 probably about the same in a cab.

At the airport get a cab, there are usually lines at the terminal and the cab will bring you into Manhattan.

Don't over think this, it all works out great and easier than it might sound right now from so far away.

Also you have friends here who will walk you through it if you have any problems.

In the immediate area around Columbia (around 115th street) you should be be to get regular yellow cabs . If you stay anywhere further downtown including the upper west side (most hotels are between 72nd and 96th) you will not have any trouble getting one (unless it's rush hour and pouring rain, but that's true anywhere in the city). It looks like travelbuff lives around 145th street and while that's not very far from Columbia (30 blocks, about a mile and a half) it does make a difference regarding taxi availability.

Since this trip is in August, you can always check back here to see if any new stores or shopping areas have opened up.

Car service cars are just plain sedans - usually black or dark and they have no lights on top and usually no names on them (a few might have the name of the company in small type near bumper but most won't).

On the east side, definitely 96th and below and probably 110th and below you can usually get a regular cab (available if the light on top is lit). If you don;t see any cabs just walk into the street and raise your arm and a car service car will stop. Tell them where yuo want to go and ask the price. Normally the cost will be similar to a cab. If the weather is very bad or there's a strike or something they will charge more - feel free to negotiate. (I've had them ask $50 for a $20 ride - in a snowstorm - and you can take it or leave it.)

Travelbuff, nyer, nytraveler,
Thanks for your continuing help. I probably sound a bit neurotic. I'm trying to figure this all out in part so I can "educate" my 18 year old when she is on her own.

So it seems like the bottom line is I should take an official cab when it's possible, and if not, I'll just stand and raise my arm and hope it's a car service car with a T license plate. I do know some people who work in NY but they live in the suburbs and don't seem to know much about the Columbia area so you all have been a huge help here!

socalfam: She's going to receive lots of help from her dorm mates, I assure you. College girls travel in packs. You would be surprised at how quickly new students become acclimated to the city after just a few weeks; she'll be showing you a thing or two at your first return visit!

Besides, only the smart ones get into Columbia.

Here's some (perhaps,totally worthless) advice: Try not to worry.

Bowsprit,
I'll try not to worry TOO much. I'd like to think my daughter has a good head on her shoulders but she may be more book smart than street savvy, especially growing up in a beachy Southern California suburb. Again, thank you for your help!

Nah, she'll be fine.

Enjoy setting her up in the dorm. After this first time she'll doubtless want to do it herself. I love the first dorm set-up.

Don't forget to tell her about this travel site. If she needs any help she can always ask someone here.

and....if you really have a few problems, I'm about 25 blocks away, so if you really need help, just ask.

You are a very nice and helpful person, travelbuff.