bardo1

elaine,

I couldn't agree more. I would WANT to know if an area has a substantial gay poplation - it usually means there are plenty of good restaurants & cafes nearby and has a generally nice vibe (though I can take or leave "trendy").

Peteralan

BjorkChop, I can vouch for the fact that mcLaurie would not have made that comment for any reason other than informing C of the fact to be taken into consideration in C's planning. McLaurie has responded to my specifically asked questions regarding gay friendly places and the responses were very helpful and certainly without prejudice.Don't be too hard on one of the most knowledgable and helpful people on this board.

Bokhara

BjorkChop, I'm curious as to why you are (apparently) offended by McLaurie's mentioning something about the demographics of an area which, IMO is no more offensive than, for example, saying that an area has lots of families, or that Little Italy has predominantly Italian Restaurants. Am I missing something?

I wonder sometimes whether we are not just a tad too sensitive & ready to take offence where none is intended.

On another thread, someone is asking for advice on where they could live as they're an inter-racial couple. Would you feel that the people replying to them that such & such an area has lots of inter-racial couples are also being offensive?

Please understand, I'm not criticising your viewpoint - just curious.

PamSF

I do know Mclaurie to give great NYC advice and to be gracious while doing so (for all those folks who insist on staying in Times Square).

That being said, this whole topic does come up from time to time on the US and the European board. It does seem to give readers some indication of what the neighborhood might entail from "quality gentrification" to men demonstrating their affection for one another quite openly.

It's a tough world, spinning in directions most of us have serious questions about.Chelsea should be fine. I'm certain some souls of old are wondering what all the gentrification is about.

I visited an old and gay friend many years ago in Chelsea who insisted I not get out of the cab until he came down to meet me. No doubt he's rolling over in his grave to know the area has gone so very upscale. He was always the trendsetter. If you knew Jack, you'd know The Chelsea is the place to be right now. Granted he might have well moved to the Meatpacking District.
Mind you, he did share a CT farmhouse rental and always,always mmade me laugh!

Lois_L

How did this thread get off the track of addressing C's questions?? You are in an ideal area for young people to explore--lots of fun restaurants, most without the exhorbitant prices of midtown. This area is proud of their big Whole Foods grocery, on 7th at 24th, with lots of prepared dishes, so you can eat in without cooking. There is also a very classy food store on W. 23rd--but I forget the name. However, with so many great restaurants, you may want to re-think the idea of eating in--this is the greatest restaurant city in the nation, you needn't spend a lot of money in that area, and I would not consider eating in when I could have the adventure of trying exotic cuisines and world-class quality. For late-night dinner, my teens love the cool scene at Cafeteria, 7th at 17th (for the non-adventurous, their mac&cheese is great and only costs about $6, I think)--it isn't really a cafeteria, and has very good food. You can probably sample every worthwhile ethnic cuisine within walking distance of this location. Don't forget Murray's Bagel shop, on 7th near 23rd, for breakfast. There's a west side subway line with access from 7th Ave., couldn't be more convenient, let the teens roam around at their own quick pace, and the west side line gets you to Broadway, Lincoln Center area, and right down to the Wall St. area.

C

Thanks for getting this discussion back on track Lois, however, I do think knowing the demographics of a neighborhood is helpful when deciding on a location. Chelsea, being gay friendly, just makes it all that more appealing to us--tolerance at all levels makes for a good experience. This sounds like a great neighborhood to us--but alas, my rental fell through. I'm determined to stay in the Chelsea vicinity though, so we'll keep looking. NYhabitat has been very helpful; I'm sure something will come through for us.

I've got the impression we are actually trying to secure an apartment too soon for April '06 occupancy. I understand it's hard to get apartment owners to commit this early. For peace of mind we may be better off finding a small hotel with kitchenette facilities. If anyone is aware of such a place in Chelsea or Murray Hill, I'd appreciate your comments. I'm quite astounded by the price of hotels and apartments in NYC, seems they've really spiked.

Thanks for great input, and keep it coming,
C

bill_boy

Now that the thread's back ... there's a very good tapas bar/restaurant at 23rd and 10th (about 10 minutes walk from 19th and 8th). It's called Tia Pol - one of the hidden gems in NYC. No reservations, but it's always worth the wait.

Patrick

C. Have you looked at "BigAppleGetaway"? It is a one bedroom apartment in the beautiful World Plaza at 50th between 8th and 9th. It's a great doorman building with subway within the complex and right by the theatre district. It runs $200 a night with a one week minimum (sounds like you'll be there a week?) And they will book that far ahead (although you may need to pay in full up front and in advance.

Otherwise, you are right about being too early for most to commit. I've rented from nyhabitat and it worked out fine, but they kept putting me off for a long time before committing.

www.bigapplegetaway.com

mclaurie

To my knowledge there are no suite hotels in Chelsea. There is a Hampton Inn Chelsea though that could be affordable. There's also a Sheraton Four Points Chelsea that started out affordably but prices have slowly creeped up. I found (by doing a search here) mention of a hotel called the Chelsea Star. IMO it's not really in Chelsea but just north. I know little about it other than reading their website. It certainly looks affordable but has no suites. Check if there are any reviews on tripadvisor.

http://www.starhotelny.com/index.html

In Murray Hill there's Murray Hill Suites and the Shelburne Murray Hill.

I do urge you to also contact furnishedquarters.com and see what they might have in an apartment.

BjorkChop

Bokhara~

I guess I was offended because sometimes I view posters time to time writing that a certain area will have gay people. I can see if a gay traveler was looking for gay friendly areas but this wasn't the case. If someone offers that a certain area is populated with families, they aren't targeting a "type" of family. If someone is asking about an Italian neighborhood because they're trying to find a good Italian restaurant, that's one thing but mentioning 'oh that neighborhood has a lot of Italians but that shouldn't be an issue for you' THAT takes on a whole new meaning. I see every once in awhile on this board someone who's traveling with children and someone will offer up that an area has gay people just in case they need to know. Many times, no one will say a word. This has nothing to do with whom on this board is generous in offering travel advice and I've not flamed anyone I believe. I always appreciate good travelers. I just wish travelers would stick to travel and not point out types of people who reside there. My apologies.