My thoughts about Manhattan, from a periodic visitor

[steve2470]

Last edited Fri Jan 30, 2015, 05:16 PM - Edit history (1)

1- Been to Manhattan in 1964, 1978, 1984, 1989, 1996, 2006 and just a few days ago.

2- I absolutely love the place. Too pricey to live there, though. Big shoebox sized condo = $230,000, no thanks. Don't want to be a renter. Not interested in living in NJ, CT, Brooklyn, etc. (sorry for mistype, conveyed totally wrong impression, wow!)

3- Everyone was great. Even the sedan driver who charged me way too much for a round trip to Jersey City was quite pleasant.

4- I kept getting lost, no sun to orient me. Meh, it was ok. Lost = walked wrong direction for ONE block, so it wasn't that bad. Next time I'll know tips for orienting myself without the sun.

5- Next time I'm flying, no more 20 hours of driving, ugh.

6- I'll go again next year, maybe.

7- Next time I'm paying the money for cabs, to heck with walking!

eta: It sounds like next time, I need to make Brooklyn and/or another borough my destination instead of too-pricey Manhattan.

[hollysmom]

1. You don't need the sun

you just have to learn about the streets - for the most part,the numbers go down when you go south or east with a few named streets out there to confuse people.

I will say I have met NYers who have no idea about North/south East West - so you try not to say meet you on the North east corner. I was surprised they couldn't do distances in center Manhattan where it is 4 long blocks (east/west) to a mile and 10 short blocks (north/east) per mile.

[pnwmom]

11. Right --but that's why you can walk a block before you realize the number just got bigger or smaller

and that you're going in the wrong direction.

I know, because we have the same number system here, and I depend on it.

[hollysmom]

29. You can't see the numbers short block away?

I admit I got glasses because I could not longer see far away, but when I was younger I could.

[pnwmom]

33. A short block away? Maybe we have longer blocks than you?

No, I don't have perfect vision and I don't always wear my glasses.

[hollysmom]

37. I meant a short block as opposed to a long block

I admit I was spoiled and did not appreciate my great vision when I had it, according to my doctor, I could see at 70 feet what otehrs saw at 20, but I could still focus my eyes normally on everything,just had super (as in super duper) vision.

[HERVEPA]

20. more like 20 or so blocks to a mile North/South. 10 is about a half mile. and e/w about 6 per mile

[KMOD]

2. ...

7- Next time I'm paying the money for cabs, to heck with walking!

It's a great way to get your steps in, cabbing is naughty Steve.

[steve2470]

3. oh but I hurt now omg...

blisters, soreness, exhaustion.... I walked more in 2 days than I have in 2 years. I was in Midtown and there was no way I was walking to the other parts of the borough. I did take the subway to the upper west side once, before I had to go back to the hotel and warm up and take a nap.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. have you actually visited Brooklyn? Brooklyn is very much part of the city of NYC in a way

that NJ and CT are just not.

how can you get lost in a grid?

Walking is the best part of NYC. well one of the best parts.

Glad you had a good visit

[steve2470]

6. yes, been to Brooklyn

It's nice but it's not Manhattan, sorry.

Lost = I'd walk the wrong way for ONE block. I'd then turn around and go the correct way.

Walking, meh, too many freaking blisters. Subway or cab next time.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. no, it's not manhattan but its not NJ and CT either

parts of brooklyn are infinitely cooler than the city, especially now. years ago manhattan had an artistic/interesting vibe, now its a city of bankers and lawyers and other douches. Brooklyn has some parts of what used to make manhattan cool in the 90's and the early 2000's.

[pnwmom]

12. Hoboken has some cool aspects, too.

But that still doesn't make it Manhattan.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

17. honestly, i dont even think Manhattan is manhattan anymore. there is nothing really cool or cutting

edge in terms of arts/culture coming out of Manhattan, because unless you are already wealthy you just can't afford Manhattan. I think the only reason these days we all congregate in the city, is because the MTA makes travel to the city much easier than travel within Brooklyn.

[pnwmom]

18. The same thing is happening in San Francisco. The people with money are taking over everywhere. n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

21. yup, its why i have not really wanted to revisit San Francisco. i want to remember it

as a cool, hippy, artsy city not a tech douche hangout.

[pnwmom]

34. They still have the only bones store I've ever seen anywhere.

So there's that.

[steve2470]

16. Greenwich Village is all bought up now by non-artists ?

If so, that's sad.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. yes, which artist can afford greenwich village, most of the artist studios are not in Bed-Stuy

and east Williamsburg. Most (even successful) artists i know live in Carrol Gardens/Williamsburg etc.

Manhattan over the years is a place for tourists and super wealthy new yorkers and all the cutting edge coolness has been slowly but surely moving out.

The lower east side still has some remnants of what the village used to feel like.

[steve2470]

25. sorry for my tone earlier, was feeling cranky for some reason

I think I'll try Brooklyn next time.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

28. meh, its fine. i sounded cranky too. nothing to do with you, but mostly my sadness about

what who can afford living in this city anymore

[Sanity Claws]

5. Use the subway, not cabs

It's a lot more economical and often faster.

As for directions, when I walk out of the subway, I sometimes don't know which way I'm facing. I get oriented by looking to see whether I am on an avenue or a street and then whether the numbers on the buildings are going up or down. But once I'm oriented, it is very easy to stay oriented, regardless of the lack of sun.

[WinkyDink]

8. And the bus from Jersey City!

[HERVEPA]

13. Seconded. The subways are fast, easy, and sometimes entertaining.

[PennyK]

7. No smart phone?

I used to get disoriented in Manhattan all the time (I'm from Long Island), but your phone will show you direction.

[steve2470]

24. I'll have to learn how to do that, thanks! nt

[panader0]

9. I was treated to a trip to NYC about14 years ago.

MY trip to the Met Museum was a huge highlight. On another night, my (then) sweetheart took me to a building close to the UN building.
We took the elevator to the 15th or so floor, where there was a nightclub. When we walked in, the band played a special song, arranged by the sweetie. You could see the UN building next door from the balcony. I had to do Greenwich Village, the beatnik bars, and a trip up the river to West Point. I loved it all.

[steve2470]

27. I went to the Rainbow Room years ago

http://www.rainbowroom.com/

Awesome view, great band, good food. Your post for some reason reminded me of that.

[LynneSin]

14. Big Shoebox Condo? Where?

For $230K you're getting the slums in one of the outer boroughs and probably the size of baby shoes.

[steve2470]

15. it was a listing in one of the local real estate web sites

No idea how truthful it was, but yes, it was in that borough for that price. Something like 350 square feet ?

[steve2470]

23. it was here, can't find it now

http://streeteasy.com/for-sale/manhattan

[Yavin4]

30. It was probably sold. n/t

[bettyellen]

39. you can get a house for 230K in some neighborhoods. depends greatly on proximity to transport and

condition.
The house I grew up in - two story/ two apartments, was valued at less than 200K recently, and it's very close to an express stop, and reasonably safe.

[rug]

22. Manhattan in 1964 was so much different than Manhattan today.

Rent control was strong. There were dozens of working class neighborhoods with working class culture all up and down the island. It wasn't the playground of international capital that it is now.

[HappyMe]

26. I love going to the city.

In the summer or spring, plan a trip to the Bronx Zoo.

As others have said, Brooklyn is awesome.

[Yavin4]

31. NY is great but not for everyone, which is cool.

I love NYC, but I don't like Los Angeles. HOWEVER, I can clearly understand why others may love it. I'm not a car person. Can't stand being in a car for hours every day. But, I can see how there are folks who love living there.

[mnhtnbb]

32. You don't need the sun...it's on a grid.

Uptown, downtown, east, west. Easiest city in the world for getting around.

I was born there in 1951, but never lived in the city. Still, it's a wonderful town.
I grew up in Jersey. Can't count the number of times I've been in the city.

Take the subway. It will get you within a few blocks of anywhere.

[olddots]

35. I never worry aboit getting lost in Manhatten

knowing I can ask anyone for directions and they will tell me to fuck myself.......an old joke I hope doesn't apply anymore .

[steve2470]

36. does not apply, nope

Everyone was very kind.

[steve2470]

38. any other comments ? nt

[bettyellen]

40. try to stay in another neighbor aside from midtown, because downtown is less touristy.

And come in nicer weather so you can enjoy the walks- they are awesome.

[LiberalElite]

41. Queens now has a number of conveniently located hotels - I know of

1 located near the 7 train which goes into Manhattan along 42 St. and another hotel about 10 min. from the 7 that has a courtesy van.

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-maspeth-new_york-NY235

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-quinta-inn-queens-long-island-city-2

There are others.

Where was the $230,000 shoebox sized condo? There are less expensive apts. for purchase.

Manhattan is now the Gold Coast. The "outer boroughs" are still affordable here & there.

[steve2470]

42. it was here, cannot find it now, probably sold

http://streeteasy.com/for-sale/manhattan

[Cha]

43. Sounds like you had quite the adventure, Steve!

Did you find some places to eat with good food and some good accommodations?

That's so cool that you have the adventurous spirit to get out on the road again to travel up to NYC! What did you do with your car while you were doing all those blistering walk abouts?

My sister lives in the Adirondacks but has a daughter who works in Manhattan.. she knows that place like the back of her hand! Especially they're all there for their Christmas in New York Tour with her Grand Daughters.

I even did Times Square on New Year's Eve 2001, with her family, when I lived up there for 12 years.

[steve2470]

44. answers

My hotel was pretty decent, on 44th Street in the theater district. No, I tried hard to save some money, so my food was simply life-sustaining.

I left my car in Jersey City at a parking lot for NJ Transit. Thank God it wasn't towed I took the train over to Manhattan, of course. New Year's Eve in Times Square, how crowded and how fun!

[Cha]

45. So you had some good luck with your car not being towed.. Great!

Food can be expensive but oh so necessary.. Especially when you're out and about on vacay..

So, you were glad you went but it was good to be home so you could at least enjoy your food and Sunshine?