Things That Are Cheaper in New York City
June 18, 2007 by Greg
Reluctantly, I have returned from my last trip to New York. After a brief three days in Manhattan, I’ve come to a few conclusions about the cost of living there. I always had the impression that everything was more expensive in New York. Not so…
Things That Are Cheaper in New York
Taxis
Denver Taxis now (since memorial day) have an entry fee of $3.35 and run $.25 every 1/8 of a mile. New York taxis have an entry fee of $2.50, and run $.40 for .2 miles. Also NYC taxi fares are city controlled whereas Denver taxis vary by company.
Food
The first morning I woke up, I walked around the corner to a series of delis and mini grocers. All had tasty breakfast sandwiches for $2-$3. Pizza was to be enjoyed almost anywhere for around $2 a slice. I ate a mock duck vegetarian thai plate garnished with house made fried potato crisps and a fucking purple orchid on top for $10.
Things That Are Not Cheaper
Drinks
I was ecstatic to find $6 stellas at a tiny bar in East Village. A vacation from my $11 beverages I had been sipping in the hotel lobby. A stella in the nicest lounges in Denver runs $6.
Hotel Rooms
I paid over $225 to stay in a piece of shit Holiday Inn. A much nicer Holiday Inn in downtown Denver runs $125 a night.
I know someone with a Kitchen Aide Mixer… It’s real nice.
Drinks are truly ridiculous. Add a couple of dollars more ($14-$16) if you’re at a club or more upscale lounge. The subway is really reasonable for the time it saves.
Oh shit, I almost forgot the subways. $2 for two hours of transportation? Another thing that is way cheaper in New York.
Drinks can be expensive, but drinking in the hotel? Dear boy!
Living in Scotland I love going to NYC - especially with the current exchange rate. Drinks and food are so cheap -the food being ultra cheap, and the drinks being cheaper and barstaff not measuring (in Scotland its 30ml a shot from optics or measuring cup). Of course, I’m ruined when I come back home because all I can taste is the mixer.
Expensive? Try Geneva. And unlike NYC and Scotland, they still smoke in bars.
Definetly gotta say knowing a “local” or at least someone familiar with an area can almost always save you money. Hell, i can think of half a dozen places near me, that are famous or popular, that are great places but i can list you off half a dozen alternatives easily that are cheaper and or better. I’m sure if i flew into Denver i could be easily paying much more than need be.
No doubt goat, I should’ve called you!
I was there watching an ex-girlfriend graduate from vet school, so it was not my typical debaucher filled vacation. Next time though, you better be there to pick us up from the airport…
and that ladies n gents was the entire point of greg initially writing this article. roped right in a say. it was all a setup i tells ya.
we’re sneaky…
Were you in NYC this past weekend? If so, I was too! And in the East Village as well.. Saturday Night. Got us some Crif Dogs.
As for the drinking, my girlfriend and I were pretty lazy that weekend. We were walking back to her friends hotel, the Millennium.. just off of Times Square.. trying desperately to find beer to bring back to the hotel, without making it an excursion in-and-of itself.
We managed to find a place selling 6-packs of quite a decent variety of beer. For $16.75. Yes. $16.75 for a six-pack.
We didn’t end up buying any beer there.
Additionally, there was a bodega near *our* hotel which had beer for $12/6pack. Passed yet still. However, it turned out that there was as BP gas station in the OPPOSITE direction, which had normally priced beer, just not a huge selection. Got a 6pack of stella for $8+tax, and filled our sink up with ice from the ice machine.
It was a good night.
Next time, we’re bringing our own booze.