So You Just Moved To New York
 

For those about to move to New York, here are some friendly tips.

The monthly MetroCard is your friend. For $71, you get unlimited use of the subways and buses (except the special express ones.) It will make you do silly things, like enter a subway station so that you can walk through it because of the bad weather. Buy a monthly MetroCard, and buy it with your credit or debit card at a machine in a station. Never buy one with cash. Why? If you lose your MetroCard, you can call the MTA, and they will refund you the balance of the month! For all your MTA and MetroCard questions, go to http://MTA.info/

FreshDirect.com is the greatest innovation in food shopping. Its a top flight gourmet food store without the store. They buy everything straight from suppliers (like farmers,) and then distribute it to you. One reviewer commented on how he bought lettuce from them, and after a week in his fridge, it still seemed fresher than regular supermarket lettuce! Their chicken apple sausage is amazing. It smells like apple pie (and I'm thinking pie, not movie.)

Century 21 should be your first place to shop. Don't ask why. Just do it.

For electronics, J&R is a great place to start. However, if you're looking for anything Apple Macintosh related, go to Tekserve. If you're looking for high-end audio or video, the two best places are Innovative and Rhapsody.

Any New Yorkers want to add anything?

I was at Tekserve today getting my computer fixed again.

I went to Century 21 when I was there. It was awesome. I like H&M too...it's cheap and I am broke.

Wow, that Monthly Metro Card sounds awesome!

EXCELLENT tips... keep them coming :)

Stupid question... the monthly metro card can be used all over NYC, right?! Since i'll likely be living in one of the boroughs, i'll be using it daily. Also, does it work in Jersey? Like i said, i have stupid questions :)

I don't think it works in NJ. It works on the buses and the subway in NYC.

It works on MTA buses and trains. It won't work if you ever take the LIRR, won't work on private bus lines (has this changed? I know the City was taking over their lines so it might have already), and won't work in Jersey on the Path trains.

-Rudey

even before some of them merged with NYC Transit most of the Private bus lines took metrocards. I think there is a plan to allow them on Path soon.

Random Questions...

I was going through my proposed personal budget for housting/utilities/expenses (i'm somehwhat anal) and i had a few questions...

Is it necessary to have a "landline" phone in NYC? I currently use my cell phone for almost everything and i have tons of minutes - but is there any reason that it would be absolutely necessary to have an apt phone? Or is it pretty common these days to save money on that expense?

If anyone doesn't mind answering, about how much is it for high speed/dsl internet a month? What about cable tv? The cable TV i can really skip on if it is really expensive, but DSL is seriously a must for me!

Thanks! The New Yorkers are so helpful!!!

I would get only a cell phone and I would also get a wifi card for your laptop because chances are there will be a lot of hotspots around you.

-Rudey

Time Warner Cable rates click here.

Verizon DSL

Time Warner and Road Runner

I know a few people have tried to have only a cell phone, but they eventually get a landline. It depends on how good your reception will be in your apartment. I think that you can try it for a while and eventually get a landline if you want. If the apartment comes with a telephone line, I suggest you keep the connection.

AEPhiSierra is right. I've used my MetroCard on private buslines that operate MTA routes in Queens. Private buses that are not operating MTA routes do NOT take MetroCards. I don't think that you can use a MetroCard with New Jersey's PATH. They use their QuickCard. There has been talk, mainly from the RPA, about integrating the PATH with NYC's subway, but I doubt that anything will happen any time soon.

Utilities
 

Get cable TV with a cable modem (about $90/month for both with Time Warner), and a cell phone. You may not get good reception with your cell phone in your apartment. If that happens, you can add Vonage to your internet service for $14.95/month plus the cost of a router to get a landline.

More random NY moving thoughts:
 

More Stuff:

Hi Mullet. I lived without a land line for quite sometime because I was never home. However, now that has changed and the reception for my cell often sucks in my apartment (I have AT&T) so I got a land line. I pay about $41.00 a month for basic service (no long distance) through AT&T. It makes things much easier then running outside everytime I need to make a call. My work cell works perfectly fine in my apartment though. That is serviced by T-Mobile, however, I try not to use it too much because the minutes are limited and I don't want my agency to say anything. I use AOL Broadband and it is about $65.00 per month. My cable is about $75.00 a month. I would love to save on the cable expense but can't live without HBO and the Lifetime Movie Network;) I also got apartment insurance after 9/11. I think my policy is like $200.00 a year. It may even be less then that. I should be getting the renewal in Sept. so I will let you know. I am not so up on the banks to use in NYC, someone else may be able to help you out with this. I currently use Greenpoint Bank for my checking. If you get direct deposit, they don't charge you to have an account. Since I work for a non-profit, I also use MCU (Municipal Credit Union) for my other savings/checking account. There's not a lot of branches though which makes it a PITA to get to. Have you thought about furniture? I got most of my stuff in a lower end store nearby (don't want really expensive stuff since I am not going to be living here forever) but it is decent. I furnished my entire apartment for about $500.00. Stores like this usually deliver for free and will set up for free, just give the guys a nice tip;) There's a huge Bed, Bath & Beyond on 18th and 6th ave. too, and a Target near the train in Elmhurst, Queens...... I can't think of anything else off-hand right now. Since you don't really know anyone, I suggest thinking of a place you can leave a spare set of keys in case you get locked out of your apartment. My old supervisor holds a set of mine. I'll post more stuff if I can think of anything..............

YEA! I am finally going. I will be going this weekend to check out my new apartment! It is in Tribeca, anbd I am really excited. Any places I should check out over the weekend?

This thread makes me so jealous, I want to move to New York right this minute! I still have a long time to go, but I swear I will get there eventually. :D

And when you do, we can get together and cake on the makeup ;)

Me too! I have lived in the midwest my entire life! I want to get out.

People were mentioning getting cable as someone who has lived without cable all their life it isn't really neccesary. If you have decent reception you get 7-10 channels without cable. Some of my friends outside of NY have complained they don't really get any stations without cable so if you're not a big tv watcher its not too bad.

Also, I still live at home so my parents have a land line but I never really use it and get along fine.

If you are looking for a job, don't rule out your friends here on GC. We know LOTS of people, including tons of Greek Alums in every field. There are also lots of Alum Associations for all different GLO's here in the city.

If you're moving into TriBeCa, you should check out some of the local restaurants like Walkers. I'd avoid Bubby's on the weekends because its too busy and too touristy. If you have $$$$ to spend, and can get in, check out Chanterelle, Nobu, Bouley or Danube.

Where in my 'hood are you moving?

www.clubplanet.com

I don't know if I posted it anywhere else but anyway it's NYC section is great.

-Rudey

Well would anyone like to hand me the perfect job? ;) I have contacted the Phi Mu alumni Assocation there (there are 2).



I am in East Tribeca. Surrounded by Soho, Little Italy, Fin. District, and Chinatown.

And as far as cable goes. The building is pretty new and we have digital cable.

Thanks for the restaurant recs. Keep thm coming.

Party at hottytoddy's place! ;) :p Just kidding. Welcome to NY! :)

LOL~! I am excited. I am going up this weekend. I am going to look for jobs, check things out, etc. The I move in anytime at the beginning of February. I am not sure of the exact date that I am moving just yet.

You will get very spoiled by the Asian food that is within a 3-10 minute walk from your apartment. One of my favorites is a Vietnamese joint called Nha Trang. They have two restaurants, a block apart from each other. I prefer the original at Baxter Street. http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7113305You forgot the word "keg." She may not realize it yet, but she's going to throw a 10 keg party for GCers the weekend that she moves in. ;)

I loooooooove some Chinese food!

You have no idea what awaits you. If you really love Chinese food, you're about to move next store to Heaven.

Thanks for starting this thread! I just moved from Jersey to Brooklyn! By the way, you can use Metrocards on Path trains at most stations right now, though they're still installing turnstiles at some stops.

Me and my roommate got cable tv (there is no way I'm going through college basketball conference play without ESPN and ESPN2 and the Yankee Channel for Big East play) and I need to get my computer wireless ready. I'm going to talk to my IT manager tomorrow but any advice about where to bring your computer to get it configured to wireless? And a wireless card? If I bring it to the Best Buy on Sixth Avenue, could they help me out? And, I think this is a silly question, but once I get it configured for Time Warner's wireless, I can go to like Bryant Park and chill on the weekends with the internet right?

And does anyone know anywhere that focuses on Big East basketball - like I know there are bars that promote ACC games, but anyone know anywhere great to chill for Big East games?

I recommend Cafe Habana for Cuban food, on the LES. :D

You should check out the MetroDPhiE Alumnae Association. :D

I got back yesterday from NY. My favorite place that we went to was Bubby's in Tribeca.

Your welcome. :)Do you know if a monthly MetroCard can be used with PATH?I don't know if I'd go to Best Buy. I would try a place with a more knowledgable sales force. If you use a Mac, definitely try TekServe. Otherwise, try DataVision or J&R. DataVision is also really close to Bryant Park.I don't think that you need Time Warner, or any other ISP to be able to use the free wireless broadband that's available all over Manhattan. I don't have a notebook computer, so I'm really not up on it.

Visit this site for general information: http://www.nycwireless.net/
Visit this site for Bryant Park Internet access: http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/wireless.php
I'd contact the Park Avenue Country Club.Never been there. I'll have to try it after the City defrosts.

Its down the block from me. I really like their breakfast, as long as I don't have to wait too long to get in. When Summer rolls around, Bubby's is busy on the weekends from open (breakfast crowd) until close (midnight bar crowd.) They also have live jazz once a week.

ooo!!! can i make the trip over from jersey for the kegger?? :p

I am having a keg party? I hope someone is planning to bring the keg.

Great!

Re: So You Just Moved To New York
 

I did this yesterday. Got off at 34th St/Herald Sq. Walked thru the station & into the Manhattan Mall @ 32nd Street. Got a big coffee from the M Cafe near the front doors of the mall. Walked back thru the station & swiped my card thru only to walk thru to 35th street for my nite class. All that to avoid some cold weather!

SWEET!!
i'm already an experienced smuggler of alochol across state lines. the port authority has nothing on me!!!

Party at hottytoddy's!

I just like how that sounds. So when are you moving?

Park Avenue Country Club is not as glamorous as it sounds. In fact, it is kinda blah, but you might enjoy it. :)

Yeah, the name is misleading. Its on a part of Park Avenue that is safe, but a little bit grundgy. On the inside, its just a nice sports bar.