IMDonehere

My wife and I did Europe in 1972-73 on $15 a day. There was a restaurant in Barcelona where you could get a 7 course meal for $1.25. Of course, the napkin and and the fork were each a course.

nelsonian

Just talked to my daughter who has been living in New York, and doesn't have a lot of money. She said it is easy to live on $ 16 a day, you can get dumplings for $ 4.00, falafel's for $ 3.50. You just don't buy in Times Square or anywhere close by.

doug_stallings

Just so you know, a typical pre-made sandwich in NYC is about $6 at a drugstore like Duane Reade, $7 or $8 in a regular deli. A soda is $1 if you buy at a newsstand on the street, up to $2 at a drugstore or deli. If you are bringing your own breakfast and snacks, a budget of $25 per day is reasonable if you want one real meal, but it's going to be very hard to find anything for much less. $16 works if you are, as nelsonian suggests, willing to live on fast food.

The hostel on the Upper West Side is on Amsterdam and 104th, now a fairly decent neighborhood, but watch yourselves at night. That subway stop is kind of scary sometimes. There's not much difference between northern and southern Central Park these days. It's quite safe during the day. I live up there on the east side and go in there all times of the day and early evening to walk my dog. No problems at all. But watch yourselves if you are wandering around the quieter, wooded parts of the northern park, where drug users sometimes congregate.

I think you'll end up spending at least $100 more.

And you really need a car to get to Newport, RI. It's hard to reach otherwise. So plan on driving. All the cheaper motels are on the outskirts anyway, so you must have a car while there. I also think that's a loser proposition, but if you're determined, then enjoy. But it's no cheaper than NYC.

nytraveler

Well I'm on the upper west side - not as far as the hostel - but see kids from all over the world who are staying there - wandering my neighborhood (in market, drug store etc). They all seem pleased with it and it's south of Columbia - so a perfectly safe area (but don;t wander alone in dark areas at 3 or 4 am). I understand that it is a very large one and even offers special tours at times - as well as having some cooking facilities - but the OP needs to check with them on all of the details.

the area is filled with inexpensive places to buy food and/or eat - but still I don;t get $16 per day - since *% tax and 20% tip needs to be addd to any meal you are served - versus picking up in a deli or fast food (but there is tax on those things).

WillTravel

I don't think this group has any pre-made food in their budget. Grocery stores or maybe delis for some meat or cheese or rolls will work fine. They won't starve or be malnourished, unless they make poor choices. (Breakfast bars seem too sugary for me--that's my main objection to the plan described some posts above.)

IMDonehere

Almost every Manhattan neighborhood has some place that offers a breakfast special and one bagel would hold most adults until lunch.

sassy_cat

No Rhode Island and an extra day for NYC, woohoo!

Your budget is fine as you've done your homework. Many students get by on a similar amount for a few days in NYC.
My son was there for 3 nights over New Year and with free accommodation he could afford to raise his food budget to $25 a day (I'm sure 50% of that was alcohol though and he obviously didn't get drunk!)

Enjoy!

JADSJBD

As far as Statue of Liberty is concerned, why not just ride the (free) Staten Island Ferry? You get to ride past the SoL, rest your feet, and ride back.

Bring layering clothes, heavy socks. You won't believe how cold your feet can get in the city.

Go by a sports store at home and get a bunch of "Hot Hands", the little packets of instant heat. Keep them in your jacket pockets to keep your hands warm.

You will have a wonderful time!

elizzie4000

>

I'm guess that E_S did this in the 1970's. I don't think that book has been published in 30 years!

I'm glad you listened to reason and removed Newport, RI from this trip. When I was there the houses were all open and the sun was out and it was beautiful. But, I would never short change NYC to drive there for 2 days.

nytraveler

Yes, ES said that price was in the early 1970s - no prices like that now.

sf7307

Actually, she didn't, but others of us did. We're all assuming that she did so in the 70s.

lanejohann

Thank you imdonehere!
I've gmade copious notes for our trip with kids next January
Always handy to have a list with you of good eats!