The adventures of a New York City newbie

Many people have their own ideas about New York City. If you’ve watched Gossip Girl or Sex and The City as much as I have, it will take shape as this fantasyland for twenty-something fashionistas. Those looking for love, a good time, and a fresh take on life.

Being new to the Big Apple, I had a checklist of places to see and a set of expectations to meet. For those of you who plan to see the sights and sounds of New York, here are tips from a fellow New York noob:

Breaking bank

Is New York expensive? Yes, if you let it be.

Shopping

5th Avenue is at the precipice of high-fashion shopping, so if you’re that kind of shopper, then best ready your cash, credit card, second credit card and checkbook.

You’ll find runway brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Dior and Prada lined up on the street, but you’ll also find mass apparel brands such as The Loft, Desigual and Urban Outfitters alongside them. The best advice I can give to the traveling New York shopper is be ready with a budget. It’s easy to make your money walk, if you have the presence of mind to make it happen.

Dining

New York is home to some of the best eateries I’ve tried. Twice, I indulged in some of the city’s finest steak restaurants (try Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn, but make sure to call in advance for a reservation) that have cost my wallet dearly but charged high on experience.

A good meal can cost $50 to $100, which I highly recommend you try at least once in your life. For the other days, there are fabulous delis and pizzerias that will fill your belly without making a chink in your wallet. Find a deli close to where you live and make it your best friend. These delis offer freshly cooked meals costing about $12 a pop, depending on how famished you are.

Tipping

While we’re on the topic of eating, I must give a gentle warning about the city’s tipping culture. It’s big: 15 to 20 percent of your meal. So bring extra change for the fine lady serving you food because being a foreigner doesn’t exempt you. Besides, I always thought the heart-warming chitchats these ladies and gentlemen serve along with your meal is well worth an extra few dollars.

Accommodations

While I was in New York, I stayed in the Midtown area and then moved a little lower downtown towards the Chelsea's Flower District. From my own research, these are the most affordable areas to stay (about $250 a night) in Manhattan. Or you can opt for the comforts of a home and the company of a new friend: many New Yorkers rent out their second bedroom or foldable couch to travelers on a budget.

The city that never sleeps

...Except that it does, and it has a curfew.

I was pretty let down when I realized that shops close at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends. Kitchens close at 10 p.m. (which sucks if you’re adjusting to some major jetlag), and a few bars don’t even bother to open during the weekdays. So measure your time accordingly; plan your agenda at least a day ahead to catch the glitz of the city.

I did however, have my time in the night. I went to a rooftop bar along 5th Avenue on a Friday night and was surprised with the best view of the city. The New York City skyline is breathtaking, whoever and wherever you are. What’s particularly refreshing about the party scene in New York is not everyone is as drunk as you would be in Manila. Drinks are pretty steep ($14 a cocktail) so it’s no surprise that it’s 1 a.m. and people are still pretty well contained. Which, for a lady like me, is good. New York men are friendly and are a good conversation if you give them a chance.

Belying their reputation for rudeness, New Yorkers can be nice, even in bustling tourist magnet Times Square.

Rude awakening

I’ve never been this happy to be wrong about something—the people here are amazing.

I honestly think the media embellishes the rudeness of the city dwellers. New Yorkers are the best! These people will not hesitate to help out a tourist in need.

I remember talking to a shop operator about what else to see in the city and we ended up talking about life, traveling, hole-in-the-wall shops and restaurants and the best Broadway shows to see. Talk to people. It will help you more than you think.  

What I find particularly interesting about the people in New York is how different they are per borough, district or neighborhood. People in Manhattan are briskly walking towards point B. Brooklyn locals are hip and creative, while people in SoHo are somewhere in between. You get to understand the pocket of New York you’re in based on the people who thrive there.

Classic New York

Just for the novelty of it, try these things at least once.

Times Square

Times Square is a mecca for tourists, so don’t expect to have this lively area all to yourself. It is just bursting with people all the time, making it full of life. The lights, sounds and smells make it an experience on its own. Times Square isn’t for everybody, but I loved it: the bright lights, the LED screens showing ads on loop 24/7, the Naked Cowboy strumming his guitar, people in knock-off Mickey Mouse costumes—it’s a sight to see. Just try not to let the ads get the best of you and look at Times Square from a big-picture point of view. Let it become this beautiful, modern, satire on consumerism.

Broadway

I’m not a Broadway kind of person, but I went anyway because of the raves it gets. I instantly became a convert after watching my first show (Wicked). I cried, laughed and felt so many other emotions I didn’t know was possible. It really is a spectacular display of raw talent.

The set of "Wicked" on Broadway.

 

5th Avenue

It’s impossible to finish 5th Avenue in a day. Try to break it up into three days and plot out the stores you’re seeking. The stretch of the road provides the shopper with ample distraction, so make sure to watch your budget and leave room for some window-shopping as well. If you’ve had your fill of clothes, Sephora is Disneyland for the beauty junkie, while Barnes & Noble is just a labyrinth of literature. 5th Avenue connects to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, which are great pit stops for your tired feet.

The neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn is hipster central.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

If you’re not already staying in Brooklyn, then make sure to visit this hipster haven. It’s an easy train ride away from Manhattan, but the vibe is instantly different from that borough's hustle and bustle.

The people are more laid-back and the environment more creative. Walls are decked with beautiful graffiti (ones for the sake of art and not vandalism), and fashionable people roam the streets to walk their dogs. Flea markets and most shops sell unique and quirky items as well as vinyl records, secondhand books, furniture and clothing.

Central Park

Central Park isn’t just a big lawn with benches; it has a mini carnival, a lake and a zoo too. It’s a great relaxation spot if you need to take a step back from the cosmopolitan energy of New York.

Come here for jogging or walking breaks and grab a Klondike ice cream bar from the food carts while you’re at it.

I learned through a two-week stay in the so-called “urban jungle” that nothing there is what it seems. But it’s the best place to experience something for the first time because it’s an old city that never seems to stop reinventing itself. — BM, GMA News