Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nyc

Getting to Atlanta on the Chinatown bus

greta simone — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:11:08 -0800

Please tell me about your experience on the Chinatown bus from NYC to the southeast. Should I put my friend on it so she can get home? I have had a friend visiting me in NYC this weekend whose flight to Atlanta today got canceled. All the flights that the airline can reschedule her for will make her miss her Christmas plans.

So I looked up buses at gotobus.com and found a bus that leaves Chinatown run by Horse Run Tour. I am assuming this is the Chinatown bus, as it's the only bus leaving from Chinatown that I could find.

I have read previous threads about the Chinatown bus but they either seemed like they were from people who hadn't necessarily taken one or by people taking a different route (i.e. possibly run by a different carrier).

For what it's worth, we have already looks at tons of other options, and they are either too expensive or won't put her in Atlanta on the day she needs. Also, this trip says 14 hours to Greyhound's 23, so we figured it would be better.

Could you tell me if this bus is reasonably safe and reliable or any other experiences you have had?

Is it a scam, or a scam-not?

sandra_s — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:03:38 -0800

Thinking about using a "vacation rental" seen on craigslist for 4 days in NYC in January. Has anyone ever done this? I, along with three of my associates (four of us total), will be in NYC (SOHO area) for 5 business days in January. Its a working trip where after the work day meeting with clients, we will be working together late into the evenings preparing for presentations for the next day.

We initially looked at getting 4 hotel rooms ( 1 for each of us) and all meeting in one, but the price of 4 rooms is ri-dic-u-lous in manhattan. That, and they are small. 4 people meeting in one in the evenings just wont work.

We thought of getting 2 rooms which can accommodate 2 people each, which is more reasonable price wise, but even more cramped in space.

We then thought of maybe one suite in a hotel to basically fit all 4 of us, but those are prohibitively expensive, especially the ones where we can get work done.

The nature of our work, and discussions that will ensue, can not be performed in a public "office area"

Looking for options, a friend pointed me to the "Vacation Rental" section of craigslist. Lots of options there. Made a few inquiries.

One that responded is NOT a "too good to be true" situation. The price is comparable to getting a hotel for the 4 of us, but it does give us the space we need. They sent along the address, and a rental application/agreement, with pretty easy to understand terms. They accept payment only through PayPal, which actually made me feel better, since they weren't asking for a credit card number. The woman wrote in her message that they are local, and live in Connecticut, and included a fax number to fax the completed agreement to.

So, my question would be has anyone ever done this before, are there any questions I should be asking, and what would be red flags you can think of?

Thanks in advance!

Help her tell her story

shothotbot — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:11:34 -0800

What is a good screenwriting class in NYC? Mrs. HotBot has extensive storytelling experience (edited major comic books, done TV production work) and wants to write some screenplays. I think the thing she most wants is the structure of having to write on a weekly deadline. What are some good screenwriting classes in NYC? If I can sign her up as a Christmas present, all the better.

The ice is going to break!!! (in Christopher Walken voice)

cazoo — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:58 -0800

Ice Skating in NYC. Recommendations please? I am looking for an ice skating rink in NYC for a date. I'm trying to find one that is fun and not so crowded and you know...romantic and shit. So there are a few options I know of, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and Bryant Park. I'm looking for an outdoor rink so Chelsea Piers is out of the question. How about the one at the Museum of Natural History? Is the one in Prospect Park any good? I'm not discounting Brooklyn. (I am a native, therefore surprise surprise, I have not been to any of these places.)

Also, this is important, which one has good hot chocolate nearby?

Learning Php in New York City

chirico — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:20:23 -0800

I would like to learn Php & Web Development programming by taking courses in NYC. Any advice, suggestions?

Risk of a bogus address for school registration?

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:44:10 -0800

What are the risks, if any, for someone (and the actual address-holder) to falsify their address to register their child in a NYC school? Moving to NYC in the Spring, but in order to get a jump on middle school applications, you need a NYC address for them to even talk to you. I know exactly what neighborhood I'll be moving to, and have a friend in that area who will say that I live there. I want to make sure that I'm not putting either of us in obvious risk.

I'd be changing my payroll data at work, and putting their electric bill in my name. Is there much risk in that to my friend?

Alternative queer venues in NYC?

dontjumplarry — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:27:14 -0800

Off to NYC at the end of the month...looking for recommendations for alternative or quirky queer venues and performances to check out. Think: non-mainstream drag, burlesque shows, bars, one-off club nights, shows, concerts, all-leather-queen-productions-of-Sound-of-Music and other uncategorisable performance art strangeness.

Where are they hiding them?

jourman2 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:53:20 -0800

H1N1 vaccine in NYC question. I'm looking to getting vaccinated for H1N1. I don't have a personal physician and none of the drug stores seem to have it (I was asked to call back in 2010) and I don't qualify for the free nyc clinics. Where else can I look? I've looked at Google Flu Shot and much of the data seems incomplete/completely incorrect. I'm looking for a shot either on the Upper West Side or in the Financial District. My work offered the regular flu shot and I took it, but don't have immediate plans to offer the H1N1 due to availability. Any ideas? Will doctors agree to see me just for the shot (i.e. without committing to becoming their patient?)

Where can I get Bendaroos at a retail store in NYC today?

Optimus Chyme — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:44:36 -0800

Where can I get Bendaroos at a retail store in Brooklyn or Manhattan (or Queens, if it comes to that) today? Our NYC Winter Wishes letter got shuffled around from forwarding addresses a bunch and we just got it yesterday, so I don't have time to order online.

Happy hams wanted

ch1x0r — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:59:57 -0800

Help me find a happy ham for Christmas! I am hosting Christmas this year and my family has requested ham. Being the yuppie that I am, I would like to get a ham from pigs raised humanely, no factory farming, allowed to walk around, etc. However, I also want a nice juicy spiral-cut ham, the kind that is slightly sweet and not too salted or smokey.
I live in NYC but I am happy to order one online to get exactly what I want. I tried the flying pigs farm already and they don't really seem to have what I want. So, can you point me to a farm you know that would meet my needs and has a way of accepting mail orders, or a place in NYC that is not totally out-of-the-way and will have a good ham of this sort? For reference, this place online looks pretty good. Thanks!

How do I build a balcony enclosure to reduce wind and noise yet preserve my awesome view of NYC?

jacquilinala — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:37:41 -0800

Help me make my noisy, windy city balcony more enjoyable. I recently moved into an awesome apartment in Brooklyn. It's on the 6th floor and has a balcony... which has an unobstructed, amazing view of the Manhattan skyline. However! My apartment faces the BQE and it's noisy. It's also freaking cold out now, and being on the 6th floor, it's very windy on the balcony.

I thought it would be a fun project to try to build a balcony enclosure of some sort. While I don't want to obstruct my view of the city, I would love to be able to go out there and not feel like I was going to blow away. Noise insulation of some sort would be great too.

I googled around and found this, and while that's the same idea, it's not what I'm looking for. I'm thinking more like going to a lumber yard, buying some kind of wood (?), and DIYing it. Some sort of noise insulation stuff. Maybe plexiglass on one side to preserve the view?

Of course, this would have to work in the summer too...

Ideas? Here are the dimensions... and a picture of the balcony.

129" wide (approx 126" within the railings)

49" deep (approx 46" within)

43" height of railing.

pic 1 and pic 2

Thanks!

48 hours in NYC, let's go to the...?

bengarland — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:22:12 -0800

My fiancé and I will be spending Dec 21 and 22 in NYC. What are some interesting things to do and see this time of year that don't cost much money? Our main interests are music, art, plants, museums, science, old stuff, and quirky things.

We're both vegan so we're planning on dining at Vegetarian Paradise 2. What other good restaurants should we hit up?

What are some interesting things to do, museums to go to, events to attend, etc that are cheap (less than $20 per person)? We're especially interested in things that are pertinent to this time of year (limited-run exhibits or shows, the cold weather, etc but NOT Christmas related).

Need a concept for holiday photo with a baby in the city

xo — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:35:25 -0800

I got stuck on my first idea and now I can't think of alternative Xmas/winter/holiday card photo ideas featuring a baby and NYC. Ideally I'd like the photo be unique and non-traditional... I want to move beyond the cute baby in front of a Christmas tree or on Santa's lap or dressed in fancy clothes.

My first idea was to put the baby in one of those hats that looks like the top half of a plush polar bear's head with paws hanging down, in a white fleece outfit, sitting on the ice on the rink in Bryant park, like a misplaced polar bear. But this idea is running into difficulty because the hat seller's baby-sized hats are stuck in customs and he doesn't know if they'll be in stock again soon, and also I'm nervous about carrying the baby out onto an ice rink without falling and breaking our heads.

Assuming I get the hat, where else could I put a misplaced polar bear? What about other ideas? I'm not opposed to referencing Christmas specifically, like if there's an empty manger in a nativity somewhere, I could put the baby in that. I guess I could also put the baby in a wrapped present box with the lid open and put him under one of the major holiday trees in the city. But these ideas aren't as good as the polar bear one, are they?

My vision, such as it is, is for the resulting image to be cute, funny and a little bit sad/poignant. Like the holidays themselves.

Pre-looking for a NYC apartment.

Jaltcoh — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:23:55 -0800

How to spend part of a short trip to NYC "looking" for an apartment when it's way, way too soon to sign a lease? Assuming I'm going to be working in the Bronx, I'm not sure what the best neighborhood would be (Upper East Side?). Details inside. OK, here's the situation. I live in upstate New York (a few hours away from the city), where I have a job that's scheduled to end next summer. Next week I'm going to NYC for a job interview. Let's assume for the sake of this thread that I'll get the job (which, to make a long story short, is pretty likely). I'll be scheduled to start in early fall of next year, after my current upstate job ends.

I have read lots of AskMe questions about finding an apartment in NYC, so I realize that it's impossible to find a place this early since you can't start looking earlier than 4-6 weeks in advance.

The job will be in the Bronx. Subway stop: 4/B/D at 161st St - Yankee Stadium. My salary will be at least 55k, which is their standard starting salary. However, it might be higher based on my previous work experience.

This is my basic question: I'll have a couple extra days of free time during the upcoming NYC trip, and I'd like to spend it in a way that's semi-productive in helping me think about where I should look for apartments once the time finally comes to do so. As someone who's pretty familiar with NYC overall but hasn't spent any time in the UES, where should I be looking? If you think UES is a good option, where would you recommend walking around to get a feel for the area?

Additional background info:

My goal is a 1-bedroom (maybe a studio if it's not tiny) with the potential for my girlfriend to move in eventually. I would not be interested in living with roommates. I hope to find a place for 1500 or less. Subway will be the main mode of transportation.

Brooklyn and Astoria are routinely recommended, and I'm familiar with these areas. If I were going to work in, say, midtown or lower Manhattan, I would love to live in Brooklyn and would happily live in Astoria. But I'm concerned that the distance to the Bronx job essentially rules them out. Even living in one of the more desirable Brooklyn neighborhoods (Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, etc.) would appear to mean at least 2 solid hours of commuting every workday -- not an appealing prospect.

Upper East Side: Commuting from just anywhere in the UES would be a dream come true. Based on past AskMe questions, the UES sounds like a pretty dull place to live, but more affordable than most places in Manhattan. Of course, I am still concerned about affordability. I've been checking CraigsList and there seem to be reasonable 1-bedrooms for 1500/mo. or less on a daily basis, though it's hard to judge a place without seeing it.

The Bronx: I'm not particularly interested in living here unless people strongly recommend it (with a more specific comment than "Why not live in the Bronx?"). My girlfriend would be nervous about the relatively high crime rate, etc.

Any tips?

Superficial Dentistry

boots — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:15:30 -0800

Help me find a dentist in NYC with an office on a high floor of a classic skyscraper. I need to find a dentist, and the most important criteria is that their office have an awesome view. I've read that during the depression, desperate landlords signed cheap 99-year leases with dentists to carry them through the lean times, and that many of them survive today in Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Woolworth Building, etc. If my dentist had an over-the-top art-deco lobby and 85th-story views, it wouldn't be such a drag going twice a year.

So far I found these guys Empire State Dental who are on the 52nd floor of the Empire State and seem sufficiently cornball. This blog entry has photos of the view from a 69th floor dentist office in the Chrysler Building, but doesn't identify the dentist. Anybody know who that might be?

I'm grateful for any additional suggestions.

Please hope me Amtrak rite!

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:19:54 -0800

Travel trips? I have read the Amtrak archives for some great advice but I have some different detailed questions! I'm taking my two teen age daughters to NYC for Christmas where we will be met with relatives at the train station. I have never taken Amtrak and have some questions about what to expect:

I understand there are no seat assignments. Should I be worried about being seperated from my daughters boarding an 8am train in Wilmington, DE on Christmas Eve morning? Similarly, on our return - we are leaving out of Penn Station on Sunday 12/27/09 afternoon for Wilmington. I'm assuming it will be very crowded but really have no idea and would like to be armed with more information.

Has anyone taken Amtrak from Wilmington to Penn Station (or similar route) that can tell me a little of what to expect?

Bonus help: I'm prone to mild claustrophobia (although I often fly on airplanes) and would like any travel tips for a happy Amtrak Adventure!

Christmas movies set in NYC

greta simone — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:02:33 -0800

Christmas/Holiday/Winter movies set in NYC? Hello all and Happy Holidays!

This is my first Christmas as a New York resident and I want to get in the spirit by watching Christmas movies set here. I can think of a few off the top of my head, but just for the sake of discussion, please give me your favorites, be they classics, modern classics, weird or obscure.

I'd even like to know those that are just set in winter in the city, but aren't necessarily holiday themed (like Stillman's Metropolitan, which I love).

Thanks!

Please help me make Christmas memories for my boys

FunkyHelix — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:04:55 -0800

Children and Christmas in NYC - where are all the good windows? Where should we eat dinner? And what else should we check out? Next Friday I'll be taking my 6 and 11 year old boys into NYC via train for some Christmas site-seeing. It's something my mom did and it was always a bright holiday memory. So I really want to pass it along to my two.

We're going to swing by the big tree in the morning and possibly try the ice skating. From there we want to check out the fancy Christmas windows. Which ones would you suggest visiting as being awesome/interesting/etc?

We're going to street cart it for lunch and then look for somewhere interesting for dinner. We need somewhere moderately priced, not overly kitschy, touristy, or crowded and with a patient waitstaff (6 yo is ADHD and autistic.) Not looking for something like MacDonalds. It's a sin to be in a place as awesome as NYC and then eat at a franchise fast food place. Any suggestions?

We're going to try walking past the tree light up for night time on the way back to the train station. Anywhere to get hot chocolate and decent coffee that isn't a Starbucks that you'd suggest?

Finally? Besides the tree and the windows, I'd love any other suggestion for things to check out that are kid-friendly.

Thanks ahead of time!

Personal injury lawyer in NYC?

limon — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:28:35 -0800

Can you recommend a personal injury lawyer in New York City? My girlfriend and I (pedestrians) were hit by a reckless taxi driver in November and we intend to sue. We can't afford to pay out-of-pocket, so it'd have to be a lawyer that makes a cut of the winning. (Not sure what the technical term for that is.)

What is My Old Lady?

kmtiszen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:50:50 -0800

There was an old place (now defunct) in NYC called My Old Lady. What was it when it was open? I grew up on Long Island and I have this vague memory of my high school economics teacher telling the class that he owned a bar in NYC called "My Old Lady." I remember passing the storefront as a kid, and its sign is famous for being tagged by the graffiti artist Neck Face, but I really don't know what it actually was. Or if I'm just making this whole thing up.

Does anyone remember this joint? Can anyone lend any insight as to what kind of establishment this was? A store? A bar?

Where could I go to sell a watch in NYC?

clon7 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:11:06 -0800

I need to make some quick cash and intend to sell a watch that sold for about £400 in the UK five years ago. Does anyone know of a reputable place in NYC that I could go to? There are so many choices out there my head is spinning :) I have never sold a piece of jewelry before so any specific suggestions would be welcome. Or would posting on eBay be a better choice? Thanks in advance.

New York City Wedding Planner

L'homme armé — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:51:13 -0800

Can you recommend a good wedding planner for a New York City wedding? Can anyone offer recommendations or advice about finding a good wedding planner who works in Manhattan?

I'm looking for someone
(1) to make sure the day-of goes smoothly
(2) to help separate the wheat from the chaff on vendors, locations, and service providers - but with freedom to pick our own vendors independently if we want to
(3) to allow us to plan the religious part of the ceremony completely independently
(4) to reduce our stress by making sure we don't forget anything
(5) to respect the vision that we already have for the wedding and make it happen - we need help with implementation details, not the overall design

We strongly prefer traditional/elegant to trendy. We are willing to spend money to get someone good.

Any thoughts, warnings, suggestions? General advice about picking a planner or other sites where reliable reviews of wedding planners are posted would also be helpful.

NYC broadway birthday brunch on short notice

Oktober — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:05:33 -0800

Looking for a good place to have a birthday brunch for my mom in midtown manhattan before a matinee at 3. There's six of us and we're leaving in an hour or so.

NYC Digital Printers willing to do small issue runs?

suedehead — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:48:23 -0800

Do you know a good printer in NYC who will be willing to do super-tiny runs (say, 5 issues) of digital printing and binding of books? I'm looking for a printer in the NYC area (preferably Brooklyn or Manhattan) who'd be willing to (digitally) print and bind a ~40 page document, Letter with bleeds, color, perfect bound, around 5 issues. Price is not really an issue, but speed is -- ideally, the next day or next next day would be wonderful but I know that's asking for a lot.

I'm super comfortable with InDesign/pdf/press requirements so I'm not looking for anyone who has to retouch anything -- I can provide PDFs with bleeds/crop/registration marks with fonts embedded, etc. The most important thing is that the printer would be able to do perfect binding and that their turnaround time is quick.

I know I'm asking a lot, but do you have any recommendations for such a good, fast, reliable printer who'd be willing to work on such a minuscule run?

Thaaanks!

Metropolitan Museum Filter

Flood — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:27:50 -0800

Metropolitan Museum of Art filter: Any suggestions for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art with teenagers? I will be in NYC for a brief trip with my extanded family. Two of my teenage nieces have become interested in Art History. I am going to spend a day with them at the Met.

I have studied art history. I have been to the Met several times, and know it a bit. I know the big highlights of the museum - but what are the really great things to see that people might overlook? Where in the museum are these things?

I am interested in hearing any other info that you would like to share about the musuem. Keep in mind, the goal here is to deepen and further teenage interest in art history.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Any good web-sites (the official website for the museum is very good, but anything else).