20 year old son may have the opportunity to pick up a weeks internship at a company close to Wall Street in mid November this year.

He is travelling from home base in Australia.

What would be his best option looking for low budget accommodation for the week- YMCA type or hotel?

Any recommendations?

He will be travelling alone and will not be willing to share a room.

Thanks

Larchmont Hotel

There are 2 very good Y's in Manhattan but they're not downtown. Y Vanderbilt is near Grand Central terminal and Y Westside is near Lincoln Center/Columbus Circle. You can certainly take subway from either to get to Wall st. There are a lot of illegal hostels so I'd be very careful of picking just any place. East Village Bed & Coffee is another idea.

I really have to question the concept of a 1 week internship and the idea of coming from Australia for it.

Agree that a one-week internship sounds very odd. And I certainly wouldn't come half way around the world to do one. It's none of my business - but has this been checked out and proven to be legitimate? Is this a big name brokerage? (If not, a one week internship will be meaningless - and probably even if it is.)

That said, many hotels won;t let under 21's check in - and the time he's coming is high season with sky high rates. I think the only reasonable options are one of the Y's or one of the B&Bs - which may take someone under 21 - if given info on the circumstances.

The other potential issue is weather/clothing. Although November is not midwinter it is colder than he will be used to - will he get cold weather gear before he arrives or have to buy it here? Separately, does the company have a dress code? Most companies in the US allow business casual - but large brokerages and major law firms are two types of company which often require business attire (suits and ties) - esp if someone is trying to make an impression.

(We have a summer intern - unpaid - who is going into his senior year in college and wasn't sure of our policy who came in a suit the first couple of days - until we told him it wasn't necessary - we do business dress only for major client meetings.)

Have you checked with the company that he'll be interning at for suggestions? That would be the first place I would inquire at.

A one week internship is unusual. Are you familiar with this company? Will it actually serve him well back in Australia?

If legitmate, it sounds more like a project for which he either has a special talent or will exclsuively benefit from.

Thanks for responses- He would not be travelling solely for the work experience it would be part of a longer trip that will include travel outside of New York. Time frame of November is unfortunately not negotiable.

Hadn't thought of the under 21 issue- in Australia 18 year olds have full adult status.


Appreciate all info

Great time to be in the city but expensive.

I would look for an accommodation that has at least a kitchette.

Downtown is actually my favorite part of Manhattan.

Is his internship a profession suit and tie thing?

In the US 18 is legal for most things - but not drinking - that is 21. And many hotels won;t let under 21's stay because there have been too many instances of rooms trashed by college kids who rent a room, invite friends, use it for an (illegal) party and trash it.

Also , when hotels do rent to under 21s they often put a large "hold" on the credit card to cover potential damage - can be as much as $1000. So he will need to be sure he has enough extra on one of his credit cards to allow for that (plus the actual room charges). Over a longer trip this can add up - the hotels are supposed to lift the "hold" when the guest checks out, but many take a couple of days to do so. he may want to consider raising the limits on his CCs to allow for this - so he isn't caught spending over his limit.

Try the 92nd St Y or a hostel.

Here's a link from Columbia U with housing options (scroll towards the bottom, they give advice for short-term housing)
http://facilities.columbia.edu/housi...ther-resources

Thanks again for great tips- it is a professional position and may become a 2 week experience,

K_brklyn many thanks for the link- so many resources to explore!