Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newyorkcity

Loans for NYC Moving Expenses

incomple — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:29:25 -0800

I'm planning to move from one NYC neighborhood to another at the end of the summer. Though I'm 99% sure I'll be able to cover all potential expenses (movers, security deposit, first/last month's rent, broker's fee), I was wondering if there's a reputable company that advances small loans to help cover these costs. Though at this point I'm fully expecting to be able to cover all the expenses, I'm worried about the possibility of some sort of emergency that would necessitate dipping into these savings. The amount that I would potentially need to borrow would be small (absolute worst case scenario, probably $4000), and could be repaid reasonably immediately.

I have doubts about my bank (Chase) advancing such a loan, though I'll be thrilled if anyone tells me otherwise. I'm also strongly considering asking for an increase to my credit limit, because though I have yet to encounter a landlord who takes payments by card, I know that could be the thing that preserves my bank balance in an emergency.

Basically, any advice on how to cover my ass, beyond just crossing my fingers, would be appreciated.

Where can I take a shower and leave a bag for the day in New York City?

reductiondesign — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:17 -0800

In a few weeks I'll be flying into NYC around 9:00 AM and flying out around 9:00 PM, and I'd like to take a shower somewhere and maybe even leave my bag for the day so I can wander the city. So far the only options I've found are to pay about $50 for access to an airline lounge, which seems too pricey for what I want, or to book a hotel room. Surely there are cheaper options? I'm not too picky about location, but somewhere in Lower Manhattan would probably be best. Please help me out, New Yorkers!

What should I do on my Mondays off in NYC?

sciencegeek — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:29:21 -0800

I have a new work schedule (Tuesday-Saturday) which, after taking care of chores on Sunday, leaves me with Monday off. I also have discounted access to most of the cultural institutions of NYC. I'd like to use my Mondays well. Please suggest things to do on Mondays in NYC. Many museums and other cultural institutions are closed on Mondays, so a bunch of the obvious things are eliminated (including the Transit Museum, boo). Tell me what you'd do if you had a Monday off, limited spending money and an unlimited metrocard.

I live in the Bronx/Yonkers, so I'm aware that Brooklyn is very nice and all, but I will be more excited about visiting things that are less than an hour away by subway. That said, do feel free to suggest something absolutely spectacular in Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island, because some stuff really is worth the subway ride.

I've lived here for five years more or less but haven't done most of the tourist things, so if there's a tourist thing that's kind of awesome, I'd like to know that as well.

Where should I live in New York?

naoko — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:41:22 -0800

I'm moving to New York and don't know a lot about neighborhoods. Where should I live? My boyfriend just got a new job, we are moving in together in New York - he is moving in June and I am following some time in the next several months (September-ish?). I currently live in DC (U Street area) and he lives in Cambridge, MA (between Harvard and Central Squares) (we both really like our current neighborhoods a lot, fwiw). His new office is around 5th Ave and 34th Street.

Things we don't care about at all:
- Doorman
- Fancy in-building facilities like a gym. Washer and dryer in the building would be nice but that's about it.
- Shiny perfect new appliances

Things we do care about
- Near a subway stop and a not horribly long commute for him to get to work
- Feels like a "neighborhood" - an area with some personality and character, has affordable bars and restaurants and culture-y things to do (movie theaters? funky bookstores? live music? I don't know exactly, but that sort of thing), and where other young-ish people live (we are both 28). It doesn't have to be the hippest area, just somewhere that's not boring commercial wasteland. Basically we want to give ourselves the best possible shot at falling in love with New York.

Based on the 40xrent=salary rule that I've seen in other threads about NYC apartment hunting, our budget is around $2500 (note: this only takes into account his salary. I am currently in a (low-paid, but paid) internship in DC and do not have a job lined up in New York yet). I don't really have a great idea of what different neighborhoods are like and what that amount of money gets us. My sister (who lives in the West Village) is pretty convinced that what we want is Williamsburg, and from what she says it sounds appealing, but I'd love to hear other opinions. I floated East Village/Lower East Side and she said I might find it a bit on the noisy side but that it might be an option. Other ideas appreciated too! Boyfriend and I are headed to New York this weekend to take a look around and get a better idea of what's what, so any guidance going into that would be much appreciated!

Question Part B:
Since my boyfriend will be moving there several months before me, does it make sense for him to get a sublet until we can move into our real apartment together? Or will the hassle of finding a sublet and moving in and then finding a permanent apartment and then moving again outweigh saving some money by having a smaller place until I get there? I hear so many horror stories about New York apartment hunting that I wonder if the peace of mind and less drawn-out process of only having to find a place once might be worth it. Then again, that puts a lot of pressure on us to find that more permanent apartment really soon. Also, if I can find a job before I move then our budget can be bigger. I've been mentally going around in circles on this and I just don't know.

Where can we take a food-and-booze–centric retreat outside of NYC?

Charity Garfein — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:01:40 -0800

Two of my friends and I want to get out of Brooklyn for a night or two this spring for a vacation/artistic retreat/fun time. We would like to go someplace with the following amenities: ++ Good food. We are all big fans of going out to eat, and while none of us are rolling in cash, we don't mind spending money on a good restaurant. Ideally this city/town would have enough places that we could go to a different restaurant for every meal. Treat yo self, etc.

++ Good bars. I'm making us sound like hedonists, and maybe we are, but: We also like to tie one on. Craft beer and fancy-schmancy cocktails are great; cheap beer and $2 whiskey specials are great too. We're not big sports bar people, though. (We're not big sports-anything people, really).

++ No need for a car. None of us has a car, and while theoretically we'd consider getting a Zip Car if something was *that* special, we'd really really rather go somewhere we can get to on public transportation, and, once we get there, won't need a car to get around.

++ Artistically or emotionally inspiring. We're going on this trip as a retreat of sorts to help us brainstorm for a collaborative project we work on together (and have been working on for the last two years).

++ Availability of AirBnB or cheap hotels. We're happy to stay in a no-frills hotel — we care way more about there being fun things to do.

We've all recently been to Boston and DC, so we'd rather not go back to those cities right now. We've been thinking about going to Providence, but only because that was the first place that sprung to mind. We're all 30, if that matters; I am a woman, my two pals are men. Where should we go? And once we get there, what should we do?

New York Restaurant Recommendations for a French mother-in-law

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:38:18 -0800

I'm heading to New York in 3-4 weeks, and haven't been back in a couple years. I feel "out of the loop" when it comes to restaurants, and on top of that, I'm going with my French mother-in-law, who is pretty tough when it comes to food. In the past, being French, she's liked Balthazar & Pastisse, but found Otto too loud and kitchy. I have 3 dinner meals to book, and have NO IDEA where to start, any suggestions?

Help with NYC Apartment Hunting (In-Town Move, April 2013 Edition)

unannihilated — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:32:34 -0800

I've been reading through all the New York apartment hunting threads, but I'm my own special snowflake...and I know how quickly things here can change. I've been yapping about this problem to everyone, but it's time to post a formal question. So I landed in New York a few months ago and am living in South (Park) Slope with two other people that I found on Craigslist. The neighborhood is mostly fine, the apartment is mostly fine, but I hate the roommates. I've been asking around for people who might need roommates, but nothing solid has panned out so far, and I can't hack another round of Internet complete stranger roommates. So I'm going to start to look for my own place.

Question 1: Help me pick some neighborhoods
1. I want to spend no more than $1500 per month on rent. It is okay if utilities are on top of this.
2. My closet subway stop for work is 34th Street/Harold Square. (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R) I would like a door-to-door commute of no more than 30 minutes. 33rd Street is about equidistant (6). Prefer longer walk to train stop than longer train ride so I'll throw in Penn Station as doable (1,2,3).
3. I want to remain in Brooklyn.
4. I don't need any luxuries like a gym, doorman, elevator, laundry. I don't cook so I don't care about the age of the stove or a dishwasher, etc. But the apartment itself should be in good condition - no bug problems, no tub that hasn't been caulked since 1972, etc.. I'd prefer a real 1-bedroom to a studio. Quiet building is important. (I need refuge.)
5. Somewhat sketchy or transitioning neighborhoods do not bother me.
6. I do not need to live somewhere "cool" but I am 31, single, and active, so assume neighborhoods that have at least some bars and restaurants, I run in the park, don't care about it being family-friendly, etc.
7. I've been particularly charmed by neighborhoods that are a little more leafy like the Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill area. (But Craigslist and Padmapper revealed virtually nothing to rent there and all of it far out of my price range.) I guess what's referred to as Brownstone Brooklyn.

I have a feeling these are all incompatible, but can you tell me if this is feasible and if so, recommend some neighborhoods? Let's say if they aren't I would first downgrade to studio, then ditch the green and leafy, then push my commute up to 45 minutes, then push up my budget by $200. The one thing on the list I will not bend on is staying in Brooklyn.

Question 2: How do I do this?
The roommate agreement I signed is up at the end of July. (I assume this is legally binding. Or is it? Maybe that's a whole other question, but I'd prefer to get out of here as soon as possible (UNLESS summer would give me a better rental market or it would be better to have extra time to apartment search), and I'm confused as to how she is doing this when she's mentioned that subletting isn't allowed by the landlord. Isn't renting out rooms subletting?) When should I start looking? I tend to be a bit on the picky/indecisive side. If I use a broker, is there only a certain amount of time or a certain number of places they will show me?

And speaking of a broker, do I really need to use one? That was the common wisdom I'd heard but now that I'm here I've met people with great apartments and when I asked them about how they found them they said they got lucky looking on Craig's List. But if I really need a broker, how do I find one? Can anyone recommend me one?

Thank you!

Where in New York City / Montreal can I find Chinese translated manga?

Jeanne — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:25:21 -0800

I live in New York City and am visiting Montreal and I'm looking for Chinese translated manga / manhua. Tian Hua in Montreal used to have some, but maybe they got rid of them when they moved? Is there another place that stocks them in either city? Bonus points if you know any good sources for Chinese children's books in either city.

Where to eat next in NYC?

Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:18:44 -0800

Where to go for dinner next in NYC? I'm a lifelong New Yorker and love going out to eat. However, I feel like I'm in bit of a rut, mostly returning to neighborhood reliables and a handful of other favorite restaurants around the city. The wealth of information about NYC restaurants out there is pretty daunting, so I'm hoping for some direction from the hivemind. Some more details inside. A few of my favorite places are Devi (Indian), Auroro Soho (Italian), and Cafe D'Aslace (French). If there's a common theme uniting these, it's that I'd say they all have very modern sensibilities, bringing each of their regional cuisines up-to-date and improving them with new ideas and very fresh ingredients without slavishly adhering to traditions. They also each have interesting interiors and, to me, "fun" vibes without being overly loud. (Devi's maybe a little more formal but still pretty relaxed.)

I'm open to almost any cuisine. I eat vegetarian or fish (though not shellfish/crustaceans), but I've rarely had an issue with that in all my years living in NYC. (Even steakhouses have alternative options these days.) I don't mind paying for moderately expensive meals (let's say, three dollars signs out of four on Yelp), but I'm not looking for 11 Madison Park-type blowout meals. Usually it's just me and my wife, or the two of us and friends, so kid-friendliness is not a concern for us.

I'd love to receive specific restaurant recommendations for anywhere in the city (if I've given you enough to go on), but I'd also welcome ideas for websites which help make sense of the restaurant jumble. (I'm thinking more along the lines of curated sites, blogs, etc., rather than "search every single restaurant" sites like Zagat.) Thank you so much!

Need ADHD medication but no doctor or insurance in NYC

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:00:02 -0800

Need ADHD medication but no doctor or insurance in NYC So I recently got laid off and have relocated from the West Coast to New York City. I had a psychiatrist who was treating me for ADHD, but haven't found a new one yet because I've just moved, and my health insurance ended with the old job. From MeFi I've heard good things about the Hallowell Center; would I be able to make an appointment with them to get treatment, and be able to pay for the doctor visit out of pocket? Also since I have the name of a doctor (several, actually) who diagnosed and treated me with ADHD (using Ritalin), would that be enough to get me back on the road towards medication? Would I have to go through an assessment again, or would a doctor be able to call up a previous doctor if I sign a consent form giving permission to disclose my medical history? Ironically enough I have prescriptions that my previous doctor wrote me, but they can't be filled since I'm in a new state. From Hallowell's web site it says they don't take insurance; my question is more about getting treatment, and finding a doctor who will write me a prescription for medication. I've left a message and hope to hear from them, but are there any other ADHD centers or doctors whom I can deal with if they have a long waiting list? Also in NY State do any general practitioners write prescriptions for ADHD medication, or is that something only psychiatrists tend to do? Finding a full time therapist (ideally psychiatrist, or psychologist) would probably be a separate person than the psychiatrist who writes the ADHD medication, correct?)

Give me advice on my job search in the NYC area.

carolinecrane — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:37:14 -0800

I'm a librarian in the southern U.S. looking to relocate to NYC. The catch is that I can't move without a job offer. Am I hoping for the impossible? About me: I'm currently a professional librarian in the southern United States. I have management, reference, instruction, and interlibrary loan experience, mostly in a public library setting. My references are great (really) and I've got about a decade of experience under my belt. Currently I'm a mid-level manager at a public library system in a smallish southern city.

What I'm looking for: Ideally an academic position paying at least somewhere in the mid-40s in the greater NYC area. (I'm not opposed to staying in public librarianship, but it doesn't seem to pay a living wage in NYC.) I realize that I'm facing an uphill battle, especially since I'm trying to make the switch to academic librarianship while also breaking into one of the most competitive markets in the country.

I guess my question is this: Am I delusional? Is it even possible to land a library job while I'm so far away from the metro area? I recently had a phone interview with an academic library in New England, which is where I grew up, so I wouldn't *hate* going back there, but I'd really like to be in NYC. But am I expecting too much?

My experience is great, I'm well-rounded and extremely employable. But I fear that hiring committees aren't even considering me because I'm from out of town. I know the competition is stiff, to say the least.

Should I be focusing on finding a position up north in a less competitive area and doing time for a couple years before I make the move to the city? Or do I continue to hold out hope? I've been looking since October, and I recently turned 40. I also had a near-death experience this year which made me realize that I wasn't living the life I want to live, if that matters.

liability after apartment fire in NYC

gerryblog — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:52:01 -0800

The other night there was a fire in my friend's building in New York City; the fire was on the 10th floor, he lives on the 21st. He wasn't present while the fire happened, but there was smoke damage to his apartment, particularly to his clothes. My friend doesn't have renter's insurance. I have two related questions. The first is about cleaning -- what is the best plan of attack for cleaning his clothes? Is there a particularly laundry detergent or laundry strategy he ought to deploy? Is there a particular type of dry cleaner to which he should take his suits (and should he ask for some special treatment)?

The second question is about liability for his expenses. If his clothes can be cleaned, he expects that the total cost to him will only be a few hundred dollars, or less; if his clothes can't be cleaned and he has to buy new suits, it could cost him one or two thousand dollars. Given that he has no renter's insurance, is there any possibility that the building, or the person who started the fire, is responsible for his expenses under New York and New York City law? Complicating matters is the fact that he is actually subleasing his place from another party; is it possible that that person's insurance has some liability even if the building doesn't?

Of course I understand that none of you are his lawyer, but he wants a sense of whether this is worth pursuing at all.

Help me plan a unique New York City bachelorette party

rachaelfaith — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:10:24 -0800

I could use some input on how I can pull off the bachelorette party I have envisioned, in New York City, in late May of this year. Keywords: fun (not raunchy), slumber party, karaoke, good food, overnight. My cousin pulled a fast one on me and moved her wedding up by a full year. I'm scrambling to plan the bridal shower (a whole 'nother beast) and a bachelorette party. Most of the bridesmaids and a few friends are in the North Jersey/NYC area, so holding it in Manhattan is the primary choice. The party will be held either 5/31 or 6/1.

I have envisioned a night that goes something like this: Eat some delicious food, go to a karaoke bar and sing drunken anthems, maybe hit a bar or club after, end the night at a location in which I can turn into the greatest slumber party, complete with blanket forts, snacks and cupcakes and air mattresses or shared beds, fluffy slippers, silly little-kid blankets, et cetera.

I suppose the most important questions are:
1. Where can I construct a slumber party? Are there any hotels you might know of that would work with me on this? I considered AirBnB, but I would have to clear it with the owner beforehand, and possibly come in a day early to decorate... This is my main concern.

2. Where should I bring a group of 5-10 mid to late 20's women for a not-too-expensive, not too 'adventurous' (I think some of them are picky about worldly cuisine) dinner? Maybe a tapas place? I would consider Blue Ribbon Bakery for the general ambience and food type but it's not ideal in terms of loudness and large parties.

3. Which karaoke bar can accommodate large-ish parties? Sing Sing on St. Marks is my go-to, but maybe I'm missing out on other great options. Private rooms are ideal.

4. Any suggestions on other clubs or bars to go to? None of us are into the club scene, nothing super exclusive, nothing snobby, nothing aimed at the college crowd. Just a decent place we can get drinks and dance a bit before ending the night.

5. Any other alternative ideas or activities that might work for this group would be wonderful. Bride-to-be is 26, girly, loves romantic comedies and coming of age movies, comfort food, getting dressed up, baseball. Not into overdone NYC bachelorette things like Lucky Cheng's. Can handle some raunchy fun but nothing overt. Probably not into the 'spa' thing but will go for occasional pedicures.

Help!

Getting 12 people from NYC to Montreal and Back?

undercoverhuwaaah — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:41:22 -0800

Early May revelry-filled weekend excursion from NYC to Montreal for a group of roughly 12 20-somethings. We see time advantages to flying (provided all goes smoothly) but cost disadvantages. We see cost advantages to driving ourselves, but would like to minimize our personal stress and maximize fun. We see personal stress and maximum fun advantages to being driven, but have no experience with long-distance transporation charter and are unclear on whether this would be cheaper than flying. Any suggestions / experiences?

Diners and pizza place suggestions for a specific NYC area & schedule

victoriab — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:51:50 -0800

So we're taking our kids (6 & 8) on an overnight trip to NYC and we need diner and pizza restaurant recommendations near Grand Central, the Empire State Building and the American Natural History Museum. I've been to NYC quite a bit on my own but this will be my first trip with my family (aka picky eaters) in tow. It's a test run for a more extensive trip so we're doing limited sightseeing and need some food suggestions based on the following schedule -

Lunch near Grand Central Terminal
Dinner near the Empire State Building
Breakfast near 36th Street & Madison Avenue
Lunch near American Natural History Museum

Since eggs, bagels, hot dogs & pizza are always popular, diners that serve breakfast all day, good delis and thin crust pizza joints are probably the safest bet but feel free to make other suggestions if we'll be near a place you really love.

I just want to look good naked

unannihilated — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:15:20 -0800

I am new to both New York City AND gym membership. Can you recommend a gym? I'm particularly looking for one that doesn't require a year-long contract. Well, Guy Fieri was apparently the magical charm I needed, and I just scored a new job in New York. I'm running a half-marathon in May that I need to train for. The cold weather always provides a convenient excuse for me to ditch running, so I'd like to temporarily join a gym until the weather gets nicer. Here are my gym requirements in order of importance:

1. I live just south of the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, work in Midtown. Prefer something in home neighborhood but okay with something in work neighborhood if it's worth it.
2. Does not require year-long contract (No contract is best, but the longest I'll do is six months.)
3. Has good classes (yoga, strength-training, etc.)
4. Primary equipment used would be treadmill and weights
5. Open both very early and very late
6. Not super crowded
7. Not super pricey (I do not need fancy things like a sauna, etc.)

Thank you!

Getaways within 3 hours of NYC?

lieberschnitzel — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:19:22 -0800

I've asked before, but I need help! The grandparents have offered to take the kids this weekend, and so my wife and I are looking for a place to go in NYC. The first wrinkle: we've been dang near everywhere from Boston to philly and would like to go somewhere new. So: off the beaten path is welcome.

Second wrinkle: we want a place that is within stumbling distance of spots where we can have a drink, have a bite, etc. So: either a spot in a downtownish area or even a good hotel with a nice restaurant and bar, maybe a spa, too, that would work. We are looking for low fuss.

I don't even know what a broker fee is...

kryppuk — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:48:58 -0800

My husband got a new job in NYC! I know nothing about the city, and will have only 1 day to look at apartments. Where should we focus our search? My husband got a new job in NYC. It's with a small company located somewhere just outside the Meatpacking District. Currently we live in the middle of nowhere in the midwest. The company has been kind enough to fly us out to look at apartments, but the way our schedules line up we'll get one day to look around. I visited there a few times as a tourist, and my husband has only been there twice, both times for interviews, so effectively we know nothing about the city besides what we have been reading on the internet. We're having trouble narrowing down which communities to look in. A little bit about us:

1. We prefer staying at home to going out. I'd like to get out and do museum-y things on the weekend, but most of the things we like to do are at home. Usually we have people over rather than meeting them out somewhere.
2. My husband has a car. He loves his car. He knows he probably won't be able to drive it as much, but he would like to keep it and for it to be parked somewhere safe. It's a pretty high-end car (think Mercedes), so it would likely be a target in certain neighborhoods.
3. We're nerdy, and we don't drink, so thing Magic the Gathering and bookstores versus bars and clubs.
4. We have a Jack Russel Terrier who loves to get out and socialize.
5. We can pay ~$2,650/month for rent + utilities, but we'd prefer to keep it under $2,000.
6. We must live alone. This and the dog are the only two things that aren't negotiable.

I know Manhattan probably isn't for us. We've been looking into nearby places like Hoboken, but there are so many communities that it's getting pretty confusing to try to figure out things like commute and culture. My husband is also willing to add a short commute and live outside the city, but I know where to start looking around there even less. Since we only have one day to look in person, it would be great to have some suggestions as to which communities to focus on.

Recommendations for user research facilities in New York City?

like_neon — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:59:28 -0800

I'm trying to organize a user research project to be based on NYC and am finding it difficult to find a good facility/lab for this. Any suggestions or pointers to an online resource with a list? I saw a list on Greenbook but it was very short and only a few responded to me. The few that did respond seemed very expensive (compared to central London!), especially because they use a separate service called MobiLab for the actual lab tech support so the facility rate just seems excessive. Or am I just not used to New York prices?

Map The Trail For A Newish Hiker

EmpressCallipygos — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:44:29 -0800

So a week on the trails in Moab has renewed my interest in hiking. Help me keep it up here in New York instead - I need to know where to go and what to bring. This is actually a two-part question here...

1. I need ideas for day hikes in the area. I've tried hiking in the past, but what's always stopped me is that New York doesn't have quite as much of a striking-scenery factor as does Utah and the national parks; so I'd like hikes with really killerawesome views. My skill set is probably easy-to-moderate; I also prefer solo hikes (yes, I would let people know where I'm going). Finally: I need places that I can reach via public transportation. I've checked this previous question out, and it's a good start; would love to hear more.

2. I know I need way better shoes (I got by with sturdy sneakers in Moab, but realize I probably should upgrade) and I really dug the trekking poles my friends in Moab loaned me; I already have a basic first aid kit, water bottle, day pack, flashlight and basic compass. The jacket I was wearing in Moab was ideal for 20 degree weather, and I can zip out the lining to make two whole separate jackets, so I'm set for outerwear. Aside from that - what else do I need? (I'm a bit afraid of showing up at EMS and asking them this and getting wildly upsold; I'm also afraid of my own tendency to get all caught up in how cool a given gadget looks, and I won't know that I don't actually need it.)

2-1/2. Is there anything else I need to know that I'm overlooking in my starry-eyed enthusiasm?

Birmingham to Boston Road Trip

bamassippi — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:13:28 -0800

What weather and road issues should I be aware of in my drive from Birmingham to Boston next Saturday, and what sights should I see? I've done the Birmingham to DC leg a few times. I've also done DC to New York, but never this time of year.

Day 1, Saturday: Birmingham to DC (yes, long day)
Day 2, Sunday: DC to Boston

A couple of years ago we drove through northern New Mexico during December and only later (once we hit a snow storm) did we realize that was a stupid idea. I don't want to experience an "oh crap" moment again.

My only fear is hitting icy or snowy roads, and my only goal is to make the most of my drive. I lived in Seattle for 4 years and in my trips through the pass learned to cope with ice/snow, though I hate it with a passion.

What should I be aware of and for which sights should I stop and see?

Copyright status of publications created by the city of New York

Asparagirl — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 20:53:21 -0800

What is the copyright status of works created by the New York City government? Specifically works created by the Department of Health or similar agencies, concerning vital statistics and similar public data? (That is, indices to vital records but not actual vital records, which are protected by privacy restrictions.) Does it make a difference if the records and books were published more than 50 years ago? 40 years ago?

Well, I've made it HERE, so...

showbiz_liz — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:36:18 -0800

Given this list of things I do and don't like about living in NYC, where might I want to consider moving? So I live in NYC- moved here about a year and a half ago- and though it's in many ways amazing and awesome, I'm not sure I want to live here forever. I was thinking about this recently, and an earlier question today prompted me to write this. This is a long-term, maybe-never proposition- I have things left to accomplish here before I go- but I figure it can't hurt to start thinking about it now.

I honestly have very little context for what it's like to live in other cities or regions of America. I grew up in Greensboro NC, attended school in Chapel Hill NC, briefly lived in Chicago and Beijing, and then moved here. But, this is the first place I have ever lived as a non-student adult. I don't really know how to be a grown-up anywhere else...

Things I love about living here:
Functional, all-night subway system
Awesome food from everywhere on Earth
Beautiful parks
Politically liberal/GLBT friendly
People can let their freak flags fly
Interesting and variable fashion and other forms of self-expression
Opportunities for classes in any conceivable topic
The Brooklyn Public Library
The growing urban food production movement
High relative salaries mean I can save more and pay more towards my loans

Things that I'm simply not sure I can tolerate for the rest of my life:
FUCKING EXPENSIVE RENT, and I will never be able to not have roommates unless I move in with a partner
Constantly dirty streets/sidewalks
Not enough wild nature. Locals try to tell me that Central Park counts. Nope.
Takes forever to get around the city- many of my friends live an hour away from me
The pace of life is sometimes too much for me- I can easily find myself away from home for 18 hours at a time, doing this and that with no time to rest
You can't own a car (well, I certainly can't), which makes it hard to do things like take spontaneous day trips or buy flea market furniture
It's hard to make a tiny rental apartment feel like a capital-H home, which matters a lot to me. I find myself envious of FB friends' gardens and non-Ikea furniture and frequently-used dining tables and garage bike shops and shit.
Similarly, it's hard to routinely entertain at home
Gets dark too early in winter
Smelly and humid in summer
Sometimes it seems like there's no room to have a new creative idea and implement it, because there are a few hundred unemployed people with PhDs in whatever your casual hobby is

Of the places I've lived before, Greensboro was WAY too suburban and spread-out; Chapel Hill was pretty much lovely but kinda small (and also I was in college, so, rose-colored glasses); Chicago was pretty great in most ways BUT I only lived there for three months in the summer; and Beijing was like New York but all the bad stuff (except high rent) was even worse...

I'm open to basically any climate except desert, though I prefer shorter winters and places where it rains at least semi-regularly. (I love thunderstorms!) I'm mostly looking for American cities here, because I'm not sure what paths for immigration would be available to me, but feel free to include those too!

How safe is LeFrak City in Queens, New York?

slide — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:59:32 -0800

Asking for a friend: How safe is LeFrak City (in Queens, New York) currently? More detailed questions inside. I just got approved for an apartment there, on the side by the expressway, in the Brazil complex. I know that LeFrak used to be really bad in the 80s and 90s but it seems to have gotten a lot better. There are a ton of stores like the Gap, Pier 1 Imports, Applebee's, a huge movie theatre, etc. right there, which seems to me as if it's really a promising neighborhood/complex. The leasing office also told me that a lot of young professionals live there. Is that true?

I read that there was an attack there last summer, but in a complex of 5,000 apartment units, those seem like decent odds to me. Surely more attacks than that go on in the "cool" places of the city, like the LES, and I feel very comfortable on the LES.

Does anyone have any insight about the tenants or the safety of the area?

To tell you a little about myself, I am a 25 year old white female. However, I was raised by a father who was a cop, so was taught from a very young age to be always aware of my surroundings. I've lived in the city for over two and a half years now, in Hell's Kitchen and in Alphabet City, which always had sketchy characters hanging out, but I still absolutely loved living in those areas and always felt safe. It is time for me to get my own place without roommates (this is non-negotiable) and I have capped my budget at $1,100, so LeFrak works out very well in that regard. I will say that I feel infinitely more comfortable around LeFrak than I do when I'm in BedStuy, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Bushwick, Stuyvesant Heights, Red Hook, and even that really industrial and isolated section of Gowanus. How does this place compare? Is it a bad idea for me to move here? Will the six-minute walk from the subway at either the Rego Park or Woodhaven stop be bad at night?

Thanks for any information on any of my questions!! Any other information/thoughts on LeFrak City also welcome!!

What to Do Soon in NYC?

amicamentis — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:00:16 -0800

I am in New York City until Friday evening. What are some good ways to pass the time (indoors, please!) I am just passing through - I lived in Manhattan for two years a few years back and am only here for two days. What would you recommend checking out? Obviously touristy things aren't really my interest. Great stores, neat little museums, good bakeries, anything like that. I'd like to stay relatively close to the same geographic location; I don't mind travelling on the subway but I'd like to stay in one place for most of the day. I know very little of Brooklyn. Help!