I'd like to read about New York City. I'm looking for more general "New York 101" overviews, or books about longer eras/themes. I'm not looking for books about cultural "scenes" or specific events/short periods. I have my eye on "Gotham" by Burrows and Wallace, which seems like the standard one volume history, and also "The Power Broker" by Caro (which, to give you an idea, is about as focussed and specific a book about New York as I'm looking for right now). What else can you recommend?
posted by caek
on May 16, 2013 -
17 answers
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.
[more inside]
posted by incomple
on May 14, 2013 -
11 answers
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!
posted by reductiondesign
on May 13, 2013 -
20 answers
Recommendations for good bachelor party "activity"-type places in NYC. Not looking for debauchery—right now, we're considering something like
Brooklyn Bowl and/or
Barcade. Thinking along those lines or pool/darts, that sort of thing, but also interested in other ideas. Manhattan or Brooklyn.
[more inside]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell
on May 9, 2013 -
8 answers
I'm moving to New York and don't know a lot about neighborhoods. Where should I live?
[more inside]
posted by naoko
on May 1, 2013 -
15 answers
The job part is secured. Now on to the "living there" part. Where should I live for $1200 or under, and how should I go about achieving this living situation?
[more inside]
posted by windbox
on Apr 29, 2013 -
22 answers
I need recommendations for an excellent play for which I can get tickets for a somewhat older couple this weekend in NYC. No musicals, please, and nothing too risque or avant-garde. Any ideas?
posted by shivohum
on Apr 18, 2013 -
6 answers
Heading to NYC next week with the family for a few days. What are some good destinations for a family that likes geeky things?
[more inside]
posted by bondcliff
on Apr 11, 2013 -
33 answers
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.
[more inside]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell
on Apr 2, 2013 -
18 answers
I'm coming to the realization that I need to either buy a new tux or a vintage tux for my wedding. Tell me of your experiences with vintage tuxes please? Tell me of your experiences with cool vintage store in New York City please? Or some other place in the area to buy a tux that isn't a chain or a department store?
[more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue
on Mar 17, 2013 -
9 answers
I've got my nose buried in Bonfire of the Vanities and Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning. What books should I read next? What are the must-reads from or about this era of New York City?
posted by johnnybeggs
on Mar 15, 2013 -
20 answers
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.
[more inside]
posted by gerryblog
on Mar 12, 2013 -
9 answers
I recently subleased a place in NYC for three months. I put down a $2000 deposit and paid $3200 for the first month. I’ve been there for two weeks. The lease specified that I’d pay for each remaining month on the first of the month. I've been told "you’ve lost your fucking money, get out". What next?
[more inside]
posted by suncoursing
on Feb 24, 2013 -
28 answers
I am looking to do volunteer work in New York and was hoping to do something that would engage me like teaching. This could include tutoring, GED classes, SAT classes, job hunting, etc. I have a BFA and an MBA so I think I could be fairly versatile. I am hoping for specific suggestions I could pursue. Thanks!
posted by azoth
on Feb 19, 2013 -
7 answers
After an extended illness that involved a severely limited diet, I'm finally on the mend and able to eat my old favorite foods. With that in mind, I want to treat myself and a friend to a
fantastic bagel in New York City. However, I'm still recuperating and am pretty low on energy, so the standard "go to Murray's and then walk to the High Line/sit on a bench/walk around" type advice doesn't work for me. I'm looking for a restaurant that combines
extremely good bagel with a comfortable seating area, with a strong preference for table service. If I have to compromise, I'll compromise on quality of bagel and accept suggestions for places with a nice environment that serve acceptable bagels. I'm happy to travel to anywhere in the city to do this.
posted by telegraph
on Feb 8, 2013 -
13 answers
In NYC: Want to get 10-30 people in a quiet room for a discussion (in a place that's not someone's apartment) for about 90 minutes. What's free (or quite cheap), and easy to obtain on short notice? This is a noncommercial thing, if that would help.
posted by shivohum
on Feb 4, 2013 -
9 answers
I love to stop and draw when I take walks in New York. I'm inspired by architectural details and monumental perspective, contrasts of space and light. Usually I wander aimlessly until I find an interesting spot to sit with my sketchbook, but that's a bit tougher when it's 20 degrees outside. I'm in the process of setting up weekly sketching adventures with a novice artist friend, and I feel there should be some planning involved. Help me compile a list of potentially inspiring places we can sit and sketch in the city without our fingers freezing off.
[more inside]
posted by alight
on Jan 27, 2013 -
8 answers
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?
posted by Asparagirl
on Dec 22, 2012 -
5 answers
Need a NYC doctor (GP) that is laid back and understands people who are terrified of doctors.
[more inside]
posted by thirdletter
on Dec 4, 2012 -
6 answers
I am in New York City until Friday evening. What are some good ways to pass the time (indoors, please!)
[more inside]
posted by amicamentis
on Nov 7, 2012 -
8 answers
I want to donate more in support of Hurricane Sandy, but I'm concerned that while the Red Cross and the NYC Mayor's Fund are probably getting a ton of love, there are other charities in the city that are in dire straights as a result of the hurricane. (Or just in general.) What smaller, local NYC charities need our support the most?
posted by tweebiscuit
on Nov 6, 2012 -
12 answers
What are the best student discounts in New York City for non-traditional students?
[more inside]
posted by Jahaza
on Oct 2, 2012 -
3 answers
Looking for a place in NYC where I (a dude) can get good, natural-looking hair coloring for about a hundred bucks.
[more inside]
posted by The Whelk
on Sep 27, 2012 -
6 answers
A friend and I are heading into NYC next weekend. We are coming from Montreal and driving across the border. However, after that, we haven't decided the best way to get into the city. Should we drive to Albany and take a bus from there? (Is there long term parking in Albany?) Should we drive into a suburb and take a train in? Should we drive into the city and find a lot? (I'd probably prefer to do one of the first two unless there is some reason to do the third.)
[more inside]
posted by jeather
on Sep 27, 2012 -
32 answers
I need good estimates on timing for a cab ride from the East Village to La Guardia on a Tuesday afternoon.
[more inside]
posted by COBRA!
on Sep 27, 2012 -
13 answers
Let's say I have a stack of parking tickets in NYC in the 1990's and early 2000's. What are the chances they're going to come up if I get a license in NYS again?
[more inside]
posted by rileyray3000
on Aug 24, 2012 -
9 answers
Can anyone recommend any queer events/hangouts in New York City? By "queer", I mean non-standard gender/sexuality and probably radical left politics. By "events", I mean DIY shows, potlucks, reading groups, screenings or whatever else. By "hangouts" I mean social centres, autonomous spaces, concert venues, cafes and bars.
posted by maryrosecook
on Jun 7, 2012 -
9 answers
Third trip to New York is happening next week, I am ready for something a little more than Times Square. New Yorkers, what to do this time? Curate my visit, and help me maybe get out of the city.
[more inside]
posted by Iteki
on May 28, 2012 -
17 answers
Career coach or someone who can help me find/get a job in my field (social work/non-profit)? Getting desperate and losing hope after three years of no luck. In NYC.
[more inside]
posted by greta simone
on May 11, 2012 -
14 answers
Last fall, I
asked you guys for some help with my OkCupid profile. Your advice worked really well for me! I've changed a fair bit since then and now that I'm getting back into dating full-time I'm going back for round 2 with the hive mind.
[more inside]
posted by modernserf
on May 2, 2012 -
18 answers
I'm looking for plaintext or PDF searchable versions of the New York State and New York City Codes. I'm specifically looking for something within the Building Code, but I would also like to have basically every state and local law, rule, ordinance, regulation, recommendation, and suggestion in an actual searchable format.
[more inside]
posted by a_girl_irl
on Apr 26, 2012 -
6 answers