Surviving NYC: Budgeting in the Big Apple

Surviving NYC seems like an odd way to start a blog about a dream holiday destination. However, despite any love-heart-eyed aspirations brought to the table, NYC is a rough, loud and crazy city.

The first thing other travellers ask me when I say I have been to New York is, “Oh… did you like it?” I exclaim, “Yes, I loved it!” But the question usually comes from those who got a rude shock during their visit. I can empathise. I jumped out of my bones the first few times an American person spoke to me- they are so loud and direct!  Despite the impending culture shock, if you are prepared, you can embrace the madness.

One thing to prepare for is money. Yes, a trip to New York will be a strain on the bank account. I have met many Americans who have never been because it is so pricey.  While you will have no issue making an itinerary for New York, not going broke in the process isn’t quite straightforward. However, you can stretch money far while also enjoying your endless NYC to do list! If I can do it, so can you.

To see and do as much as possible in this amazing city, I have put together a list of tips on how to afford to do so.  Surprisingly, there are many free and cheap ways to do New York – or at least bring down your average daily dollar significantly. Beware, though, most of these involve walking. I did about 30,000 steps a day- helped burn the pizza calories, I guess?

Getting there- flights tricks- Evade flight sales and sales consultants, they usually don’t have the best deals. Start looking as early as possible on Skyscanner and keep looking for a while until you get a general feel for going prices so you know a good deal when you see one. I figured, in the end, a one-way ticket would cheaper than return. I purchased a blue-ticket, under-27 ticket online[*] through STA for $650. Plus, I had a 24-hour layover in the Philippines which was random but a fun, interesting experience.

If you dont mind the SEA layover, this flight is still running for prices between $650-$850- above is a screenshot from a random date I picked in October 2018.

Accommodation- don’t stay in Manhattan- Unless money is no object to you, I would not advise squatting in Manhattan. I was blown away by even the lowest prices on offer for hostel beds when looking months in advance. Even if you do go for a rock-bottom price, you will get a shoebox and will still need to pay a city tax and tip your cleaners. Also, with such a high accommodation price, you won’t be able to stay more than a few days.

I went with an Airbnb in Brooklyn for $50 a night. While it took around 40-60 minutes to get to destinations by walking and subway each day, it was comforting to escape the insane city each night to return to a more homely area. Also, I was able to experience Brooklyn which I may have otherwise not had the chance to see. Walking down snowy streets lined with brown-brick 19th-century homes with a coffee in the morning or a pastrami sandwich late at night made me feel like a true New Yorker.

Top of the Rock… or slightly lower with a cocktail- You will need to fork out $37 USD for the Top of the Rock. The opportunity to take in a mind-blowing view of the famous NYC skyline is not worth missing- you have come too far not to see something so spectacular. But instead of spending your money to just look at the skyline emptyhanded, you can go five floors down to Bar SixtyFive. For a $0 entry, you can spend your money on a famous cocktail instead and take in the same view with more style. Make sure to make a reservation in advance and have something nice to wear- I was the most underdressed person there and while I enjoyed being among all the fancy, high-class people, I felt a bit drab. 

Junk food- You can save money and also get the NYC foodie experience through taking full advantage of their flourishing array of junk food. My favourite pizza place was just off my subway stop, Utica Ave, in Brooklyn and had  $1 slices which were to die for (I just had to stand in line with school kids every now and again). Manhatten isn’t short of junk food either. I enjoyed a quick hotdog from a truck outside the MET before I looked at a Rodin exhibition.

There’s always something open- in regards to food, it is truly the city that never sleeps. Some days I got into such an excited tourist frenzy I forgot to get dinner until 1 am- lucky there were always several fried chicken places open on my street.

Pharmacies and delis- If you are like me, your digestive tract and skin will not be too forgiving for indulging in greasy pizzas, pretzels, fried chicken and hotdogs for long and you may need some alternative cheap food options. For some reason, I didn’t see any supermarkets during my trip.  Luckily, delis and pharmacies are plentiful. Also, delis generally don’t add tax or require tips so you pay the advertised price (praise Jesus). One evening after a hockey game, I purchased a midnight omelet and pastrami sandwich with a cup of tea for $4. If you are Chobani addict like me, you will be in luck at CVS (a chain pharmacy) for an on the go snack. 

UberPool– Uber and taxis are fairly expensive in NYC (surprise, surprise). All good though- New York has a suave Uber feature called UberPool. This means you share your ride with other passengers which may extend the length of your trip but will certainly minimise the cost. I was quite lucky in the three times I used UberPool, I only shared once. This meant I got an UberX ride for a fraction of the price.

Subway– If you are visiting for around a week, get a Subway pass for $32. I used the Subway at least 5 times a day so I can’t imagine the amount I saved with this. Plus, the Subway is central to New York life and an essential experience in itself and super easy to use. Also, there are little nooks of poetry if you keep your eyes open. 

Central Park- I spent a few hours during many of my days in New York here lazily walking around. I didn’t expect the park to be so expansive, dynamic and unconquerable. It really requires several visits. If you are on a budget and don’t have the cash for many “relaxing” activities, parks are always free and accessible places where you have the luxury to slow down, rest and enjoy yourself. I counted squirrels one day, danced in the leaves another and always kept a lookout for film locations. These are all my personal, quirky ways of having fun so don’t feel obliged to note them down. However, Central Park is a beautiful place to enjoy nature and the serene inside one of the busiest cities in the world.

Museums- Strictly speaking, museums and galleries in NYC aren’t cheap most of the time. Luckily, most of the famous galleries and museums have pay-as-you-wish and free days, including the MET, Natural History Museum, the Guggenheim, the Morgan and the Frick.

I admit I spent most of my budget on maximum entry prices because I am aware of the huge discrepancy between cost and income of galleries. Entry prices don’t scratch the surface of what it costs to keep the doors of an art institution open and I also have an invested interest in keeping the industry I work in alive. Hopefully, I can write another blog on NYC galleries and museums. For now, I suggest taking an afternoon to see Mona PS1 in Queens if you have the time.

As I have been writing this, I learned the MET is now charging a $25 admission to tourists to help recover their debt. Sorry, guys!

Wall Street– Strolling Wall Street and surrounds is a captivating experience. You can feel the buzz of the city’s financial district, get bumped by people in beautiful suits rushing around with both frenzy and a cool about them and gawk at the ridiculous lines for $12 bagels. I had a squiz at the Charging Bull and the 9/11 Memorial and got my shoes shined for $5 by the only shoe repair business who didn’t leave in despair after the 9/11 attacks (or so they told me). I split my time here before and after going to the Statue of Liberty and Eilis Island, making a full day in downtown Manhatten.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade & Brooklyn Bridge – For a beautiful walk and stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty, take a walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I couldn’t stop smiling while I took in the sites! Once done, you can head over to Dumbo at the foot of Brooklyn Bridge for a bite to eat before walking over the bridge… and then, bang, you’re in downtown Manhattan.

African Burial Ground National Monument- While walking in Downtown Manhatten, a lady from London came up to me and asked if she could show me something. Of course, being a very experienced traveler who trusts strangers completely, I said yes. She showed, just off course from the Boss Tweed Building, the African Burial Ground Monument. This small site contains the graves of ten of thousands of African slaves from the 17th & 18th centuries which were rediscovered in the 1990s. Many tourists are not aware of this sobering site and, in a city full of great wealth and culture, it is a humbling reminder of its roots and how far it still has to come.

Times Square – Sit down, enjoy the lights and the frenzy of the crowds, take some photos and avoid the tourist scams. Skip out on the crappy, cramped, overpriced restaurants and walk over one suburb to Hell’s Kitchen if you want better food for better prices!

Architecture hunting- Some days, I did nothing but walk around Manhatten and Brooklyn looking upwards at classic apartment buildings and gleaming skyscrapers. Each building loomed over me, aesthetically dignified, elegant and dominating its block on a famous street or avenue. I’ve skimmed How to Read New York Architecture by Will Jones and I binge watch House Hunters, Restoration Man and Grand Designs every weekend so I guess you could say I am obsessed with architecture on an amateur level. You can stroll any New York neighbourhood and have your eye-full of captivating New York-esque designs or narrow down your search to a few landmarks to hit in an afternoon. 

One last note- Tipping sucks but you have to get over it- I know us Australians are absolutely confused, baffled and puzzled beyond measure by the concept of tipping. A few times Reece and I went into restaurants thinking we found something fairly cheap but once we added the exchange rate, tax and tip, it would be twice the price.  Once when we painfully, painfully paid $60 AUD for two omelettes and two (shitty) coffees at a diner.  You even have to tip bartenders, which isn’t fun when your drink is already expensive and you’re not planning on hanging around for long.

I don’t have a lot of advice here other than to follow cultural etiquette- tips aren’t optional and you will look like a dick if you go below 18%. People who live here are surviving NYC too- and for longer than you. While you want to eat out a few times, especially to enjoy China Town and Little Italy, see my earlier tips on how to minimise spending way more than you intend every time you get hungry (if you are like me, that’s about 20 times a day).

[*] Always buy tickets online rather than off the sales consultant- they will lie about the availability of the flight and hack up the prices!