A Cultured Pearl

Tips for a New Chapter in New York

Posted on October 8th, 2015

One of my best friends (hi Lexi!) moved to Manhattan yesterday, and I have a lot of emotions about it. Of course, I’m bummed about not overlapping with her– living in a new city is always so much easier and more fun when you have a built-in buddy. And it causes me– yet again– to reflect on my decision to move away. I’m still 100% sure I did the right thing, but as with any situation in life, it’s not always so cut and dry as it might appear.

But now is not the time for me to rehash my personal turmoil. This is Lexi’s time, and I want to do everything I can to support her through this transition. So just for you, Lexi, I have put together a list of 10 tips that are sure to lead you to success in New York. Well… just for you and everyone else who reads this blog.

1. No cabs. Setting this as a no-exceptions rule for yourself is the easiest way to save money in Manhattan. I didn’t take cabs last year (except to and from airports, or when I could expense it to my company).

2. Pack extra shoes in the winter. Those salty streets will stain your leather riding boots and shred your flats, so I recommend changing footwear when you get there. I wore these duck boots (in pink!) every day last year.

3. Step away from the abandoned chair. You know that cute printed armchair on the sidewalk around the corner? It has bedbugs. In fact, the cuter a piece of abandoned furniture is the more likely it is that its owner is simply getting rid of it to spare their apartment. Bedbugs are not a joke.

4. Put your cute crossbodies in storage. New York is all about long days out of the apartment, and you’ll need a certain set of supplies. Phone charger, the aforementioned shoes, a book for the subway… I bought this tote soon after moving to the city last year, and carried it all fall and winter.

5. Reservations required. You’ll be hard pressed to find a good restaurant with a wait under an hour if the first time you think about Friday dinner is 7pm on Friday. I relished browsing restaurant menus weeks ahead of time in anticipation of a special dinner two weeks down the line! Embrace it! Note: brunch places don’t generally take reservations. Sarabeth’s is still worth it.

6. Pizza, please. When your food budget is low at the end of the month, you’ll do better buying a filling $2 slice of cheese pizza on the corner than going to the grocery store.

7. Manis & blooms. Few things are actually cheaper/more accessible in New York than in other parts of the country. Take advantage of cheap manicures (but tip well!!) and flowers at every bodega.

8. Surround yourself with real people. It’s awesome that there are so many diverse, strong types in New York… but it can be overwhelming, too. Stay grounded by appreciating hot dads taking their kids to the park on the Upper East Side on a Saturday, or grab drinks with a familiar face on a just-because Tuesday.

9. Plan your time. Everything in New York takes longer than you think it will. Running to the grocery store for that bag of flour you forgot? The checkout line will probably be 20 minutes. Google Maps estimates it will take you 35 minutes via subway to get to brunch downtown? Leave 50 minutes before you’re meeting your friend.

10. Look up. You live in New York– it’s magical! Appreciating the magnitude, beauty, history, etc. of the sights you’re lucky enough to pass every day doesn’t make you a tourist. It makes you grateful.