NYCers - How do you like living there?
Urban Hiker
Posts: 1,312
I usually look for this info on other boards, but after getting a warning from a mod within 10 posts on one particular board, I decided I'd like to ask on my favorite forum.
So, you live in NYC.
How do you like it?
Pets and peeves, I want to know them. ----> I realised that this phrase isn't usually split. Work with it, please. Thanks.
Fuck it - I meant likes and dislikes. 
What's your neighborhood like?
What's your apartment like?
What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?
How dog friendly is your 'hood/bldg?
A forewarning: Answers will likely lead to me asking even more questions.
So, you live in NYC.
How do you like it?
Pets and peeves, I want to know them. ----> I realised that this phrase isn't usually split. Work with it, please. Thanks.
Fuck it - I meant likes and dislikes. What's your neighborhood like?
What's your apartment like?
What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?
How dog friendly is your 'hood/bldg?
A forewarning: Answers will likely lead to me asking even more questions.
Walking can be a real trip
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
I love NYC, but living here is quite different to visiting. I've been looking for a job for a while and it's rough living in this city with no money... it's not a place to be poor.
Pets and peeves, I want to know them.
Pets: I love that everything I want is on my block. I walk outside my building and it's all there. The city buzzes constantly, it's so alive. Great restaurants, bars, always somewhere to go and it's not pretentious. Fantastic shops too
Peeves: The hookers (both tranny and straight) that seem to have taken up residence in my neighbourhood. They tend to have massive fights at all hours of the night where they scream at each other at least a block apart. If they don't wake me up, the cops on the megaphones moving them on do (there's only so many times you want to hear: "Move away from the corner, there's no prostitution here tonight" and "Move away from the corner... put your pants back on"). The constant noise. I sleep with earplugs, cause of drunken idiots (who I can hear right now), hookers, sirens, cars, trucks, car horns etc. So, I love that the city is so alive, but it can be a bit much sometimes when you just want some quiet. Dog shit EVERYWHERE!!! People don't pick up after their dogs and it drives me bonkers.
What's your neighborhood like?
My neighbourhood is awesome during the day and mostly at night (when the hookers and B&Ts aren't around, lol). It's relatively quiet (compared to midtown) and I don't need to leave the neighbourhood (most New Yorkers don't leave their own hoods... you get lazy... "do I really have to get on a subway to eat/drink etc? Everything's right here!"
What's your apartment like?
SMALL!!! Pre-war walk-up that's falling apart. Landlord sucks and won't do anything (except raise the rent every year). It's cute, but tiny and stinking hot in summer. I can't fit a queen bed in my room, so my feet hang off the end of my bed cause I'm 5'11, lol. It's around 550-600 sq/ft and it's a 2 bedroom. I live here with my sister.
What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?
Since I virtually just got a job offer yesterday... pretty much all of it while I've been unemployed. With my job it'll be around 30% or thereabouts.
How dog friendly is your 'hood/bldg?
This city is obsessed with dogs! They're everywhere! Unfortunately, so is the dogshit. There are dogs living in my building (big dogs too, I don't know how, in such small spaces). New Yorkers love their dogs, I've never seen more dogs in my life than I have in this city.
Thank you so much for your detailed reply.
Have you read 'The Cheap Bastard's Guide to NYC'? A fourth edition just came out. http://www.amazon.com/Cheap-Bastards-Guide-York-Life/dp/0762747706/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215654233&sr=1-1
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
I haven't, but I love the title... is it written by an Australian!? LOL. I've become quite good at living cheap... have friends that work in bars, eat alot of $5 felafels or cereal for dinner
-Greg Dulli
My GF lives in the great boro of Brooklyn ( Bay Ridge / Dyker Heights ), otherwise known as Kingsboro .
You can get just about anything out there, at anytime of the day or night. It is rich in different cultures and traditions. From Williamsburgh to Sheepshead Bay to Coney Island to Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights.
The beautiful old Brooklyn Bridge & All the Glory of the Verrazanno Bridge streching across to the island of Staten :eek: .
The Harbor.
Oh my..... Pets and Peeves ?
Im okay with having pets , as long as you abide by the laws within the confines of NYC and clean up after your dog. No problem !
Petpeeves of mine are :
Litterbugs , Daytrippers.
Also known as D- F-Ds , or down for the day ' ers .
They are for the most part generally disgusting , polluting and dirtying up the place pretty good before they head back out to wherever it is they come from.
I come from a beachside oceanfront community , on NYCs largest & longest public beach . Its booming with building right now, slowly losing its small dusty , sandy shore atmosphere, but it is rich in history , culture, entertainment, proximity to just about anywhere, ( yes including new jersey and long island )
http://www.geocities.com/~rockaway/
2 BR , Parking Space , AC , Terrace, Security, ... overlooking NYC skyline and Jamaica Bay / JFK . I am literally on the oceanfront in one of the set of buildings along Rockaway Beachs' ( center of the peninsula ) Shore Front Parkway
i spend under 1000 / month. I am a healthcare worker and make 50K + annually. Besides that , you can figure out the math.
Very much so .
All different breeds run freely on off hours all along the oceanfront and boardwalk.
There is even a designated dogrun in the area.
Just be kind , and dont be selfish, clean up after your dog , dont let them piss / scent anywhere people walk, and youll be fine .
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/facilities/af_dog_runs.html
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/press_releases/press_releases.php?id=19926
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
http://www.UNOS.org
Donate Organs and Save a Life
Another booze question. Do you have state liquor stores or do they sell spirits in the regular stores?
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
this varies from place to place.
some deliver, some dont.
limited booze such as beer , wine coolers, various weak mix drink bottles can be had in the local supermarket , ( in my niebh'd anyhow ) but if you crave some jack daniels or some tequila , you have to hit the liquor store, or the pub .
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
http://www.UNOS.org
Donate Organs and Save a Life
Pretty much the same rules as Seattle, then. Except, NOBODY delivers any type of alcohol. :(
NYC wins this one, for sure.
Thanks.
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
I was just in the Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights area yesterday, very nice especially by the bridge and water.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
beautiful.
you should see it at holiday time ( regardless of your religious affiliations )
its a spectacle in itself, with people driving from everywhere to lay their eyes and ears on these holiday displays !
even the news comes around often ( the helicopter views are stunning ! )
also - i have heard the golfcourse there has hosted american presidents , celeberties as well as pro golfers.
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
http://www.UNOS.org
Donate Organs and Save a Life
31 years and i dont plan on ever going too far away from it
Likes: the diversity, all the great food, the pizza and the bagels, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Thai.
I love that you can always go into the city and find someplace and something you've never seen
I love the Village, Union Square. Central Park.
I dislike the heat in the summer and the smell/heat in the subway, and the rodent/bug issues.
"Sometimes life should be consumed in measured doses"
6-01-06
6/25/08
Free Speedy
and Metsy!
right, there's this tremendous christmas lights display. i forget what street that it is.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Next best thing is to visit any chance I get and I do.
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
I'm trying to plan a trip there with my husband for a year from September. I want to see if I can sell him on moving there.
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
Ugh, yes, I hate the rodent problem... we've had a huge mouse problem in our building this year. I haven't seen any for a while *touches wood*
The heat is getting to me right now... the apartment is cooking and our poor AC isn't coping too well. Smell/heat of the Subway *yaks* especially around Times Square... you can add the smell of Times Square to the dislike column for me too
BUT, as others said... it really is the best city in the world
Yeah sorry about the mice problem :eek:
I had one come in and I couldn't sleep for 3 days!
Those smells are pretty nasty, I agree. I always look forward to the summer but then by the time it's done, I feel glad for fall to come in. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons. I don't like when it gets too hot.
"Sometimes life should be consumed in measured doses"
6-01-06
6/25/08
Free Speedy
and Metsy!
I was raised on the Upper East Side, I have 6 siblings and we were all raised in the same apartment, all went to the same private schools.
I moved there after college & could not get away fast enough.
At the time I was living in an apt in SoHo with 2 roommates, and spending 1/3 of my income on rent. That was only because my aunt works in real estate and I have decent connections in the rental market.
My sister currently lives in Brooklyn in a studio and spends just about 1/2 of her $$ on rent on the tiniest place I've ever seen. It doesn't even have a real kitchen, and when you're in the bathroom you can't close the door if you're sitting on the toilet.
It IS the greatest city in the world, but it is not for everyone. If you're ready and able to make the commitment to living there, though, you will quickly wonder how the rest of the world manages to live anywhere else.
it *IS* a ridiculously expensive place to live. also why i don't. well that and i am so accustomed to space, my own greenspace...and sure, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc....all in my own home.
oh and even on long island, still spend close to 1/2 our net income on housing expense.....mortgage/taxes and utilities.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
the gap between the rich and the middle class and poor is ridiculous. just look at the All-Star game prices and think about what neighborhood the game is being played in as a good contrast.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
How do you like it? It's cool when it wants to be. Sometimes I hate living here but most of the time I love it. Lots of culture, diversity, activity, events, etc. There is always SOMETHING going on there and always someone to do it with.
Pets and peeves, I want to know them? Taking a hot, steamy subway packed like a sardine every morning gets old. Especially wearing a suit. Stupid tourists clogging the midtown streets are annoying. There are a million things that I could list as peeves, but I have gotten to a point where I don't let things bother me anymore. If I did, I'd be pissed off about 99% of the time.
What's your neighborhood like? I live on the UES. It's very residential - apartments on the cross streets and stores of the avenues for the most part. I live a block from the East River, right by Carl Schurz Park. There is a nice trail along the river for walking/running/biking, a dog run, playground, swimming pool, basketball courts, etc. It is a long walk to the subway, but not too bad.
What's your apartment like? My GF and I live in a two bedroom apt. There is an elevator but no doorman. The space is "cozy" but plenty of room for the two of us. One bedroom is used for sleeping and the other is used as an office/guest room/storage.
What percentage of your income do you spend on rent? About 30%
How dog friendly is your 'hood/bldg? Very dog friendly. I would never get a dog while I live in the city though. I love big dogs and would not be so cruel as to have one pent up in a small apartment all day as I work 60+ hours a week. There are plenty of dog runs and parks for people that have the time for a dog though.
Oh, I love Brooklyn. I would move to Brooklyn cause there's a little more space, but it's still really expensive. I'm lucky cause our apartment is at least rent stabilized. Ideally I would live by myself, but I just can't afford it and if you must share a confined space with someone, it may as well be family
It's true, it's not for everyone. Living here can be quite challenging, the city has a tendency to be in your face 24/7, it is certainly harder than I thought it would be.
LOL, it's so true! I find just staying away from midtown does wonders for my sanity. I was there last night to see Joel McHale, I felt like I was in some weird alternate universe and felt completely out of place. It's funny how downtown feels like another world to midtown. I avoid Times Square like the plague!!!
It is one of those places you should live once in your life
Well *quickly looks behind cupboard* we've been lucky we've had none in the apartment this year *knocks wood again* but they were EVERYWHERE in the entrance hall around the garbage (what a surprise) and one whackjob, that lives in the building, kept bloody feeding them muffins (you'd find them under the radiator in the hall)!!! My friend's cat (he lives downstairs) caught 3 mice in one week in their apartment... yuck!
As for fall, I'm ready now! This heat is a little much... I'd love a few days in the high 60s
Can't it be delivered?
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
That's right up there with when you and your friends have a favorite bar or hangout & then the Voice or some other rag will post their list of "Best Places to Meet the Opposite Sex" and the waiting line for the bathroom at your bar is listed as #1.
ANNOYING.
Yup, and your favourite local restaurant gets written up in Zagats and now it's practically impossible to get a table, so you just order food to go and battle through the crowds at the door all trying to get in.
LOL, sadly... no. My earlier annoyance only fuelled me further to the point that I was determined to get my banana pudding and I went back at 10:30pm... no real line outside but lots of idiots inside not knowing what they're supposed to do. Thankfully I didn't want a cupcake, but I still had to deal with the line inside to try and get my pudding. The people working there, I think, are over it. The guy who rang up my sale rolled his eyes at the people in front of me and took my money first cause they were too busy faffing about with their cupcakes to bother trying to pay and keep the line moving... he just couldn't be bothered dealing with them.
Anyway, I ate my pudding and felt sick, lol. It's sooooo sweet, but oh so good