Anything & Everything New York (PART 2) - [please search thread before posting]

RoxyUK

Hello, I was just wondering if you guys who have been to New York a few times could tell me if it would be safe for a 23 year old girl to go to New York alone? I don't have a massive budget so ideally was planning on staying in a hostel...do you think this would be safe? Many thanks for any help you can add in advance!

M4RKM

NYC is one of the safest cities in the world, and the safest big city in the USA.

As long as you're not overly stupid (like stumbling down a poorly lit street after 1am), then you really have nothing to worry about IMO.

I know i'm a bloke, and i'm probably not the best person to comment, but seriously, be sensible and you'll have a great holiday!

M

LouBlue

The_Grateful_Ghoul wrote: »

I thought the ESB was good but the Rock simply blew me way, it was a highlight of the trip.

We did tell you.

greenface

Top of the rock pros.....Plus you cannot see central park from ESB either.There is more room to move around and admire all sides all views .get outside better more places to just stand and stare. I took a decent camera and binoculars very special. And not as busy
The entrance is very blingy the history amazing and the lift is ok (try it) ESB also has fantastic entrances great history and the "Ive been to the top" bragging rights so lets just say do them both.

greenface

RoxyUK wrote: »

Hello, I was just wondering if you guys who have been to New York a few times could tell me if it would be safe for a 23 year old girl to go to New York alone? I don't have a massive budget so ideally was planning on staying in a hostel...do you think this would be safe? Many thanks for any help you can add in advance!

No where is completely safe but New York is low crime as always keep your wits around you and dont act like a tourist. I felt safer there than London /Paris /Liverpool & Blackpool. If you wouldnt do it here dont do it there (late night subway-walking with a map scratching your head- drunk and lost (thats me out:o )just take care and stay on the busy streets same applies to blokes too.
I am a fairly large chap :rolleyes: who can and more important looks like i can handle myself One night in BB kings blues bar i stumbled upon a group of young chaps from Columbus University who called themselves the Morningside Blacks I swear every one was over 7ft tall and huge framed:eek: absolutely huge they were out to impress the gangs of women who were flocking around taking photos and getting all giddy.
They were decent blokes but if trouble started i was on their side (i know my place)If i saw two of the group walking towards me down a dark alley i admit it would be twichin. Hands like shovels (mark did you know there is a wakefield up past the bronx zoo)

Savvy_Sue

RoxyUK wrote: »

Hello, I was just wondering if you guys who have been to New York a few times could tell me if it would be safe for a 23 year old girl to go to New York alone? I don't have a massive budget so ideally was planning on staying in a hostel...do you think this would be safe? Many thanks for any help you can add in advance!

I've only been the once, and I don't do the whole going out drinking thing, but with DH and 3 lads from 16-21 in tow I never felt unsafe, whereas there are places near where I work I wouldn't encourage them to walk in daylight, never mind after dark.

Of course no doubt there are places like that in NY too, but Tribeca / the Cosmo felt absolutely fine, even after midnight.

Wear sensible shoes though. And that's not just your mum talking. :rotfl: Whether I'd feel the same way if I WERE your mum is another matter, but I don't think I'd completely freak out if one of my lads wanted to go back on their own.

Maybe it's just a reflection of the company I keep and where we went, but I have to say I saw very little drunkenness our whole time in the USA. And certainly no groups of embarrassingly English tourists off their faces or inappropriately dressed like you see on TV.

retiredlady

RoxyUK wrote: »

Hello, I was just wondering if you guys who have been to New York a few times could tell me if it would be safe for a 23 year old girl to go to New York alone? I don't have a massive budget so ideally was planning on staying in a hostel...do you think this would be safe? Many thanks for any help you can add in advance!

Oh, I'm glad you asked that question! I will thank everyone who answered as well. I am going with my friend in May and are both in our late 50's and wondered if it would be safe to go out after dark. I am also concerned about the amount of walking involved since everyone says they walked loads while they were there. My friend and I are ok on the flat ground but stairs will cause her a problem. Do most subways have lifts or an escalator? She could manage a ramp as well I think!

It has been so exciting reading this thread, so far I have made up a list of things to see in New York that will take me a month to see, but am only going for a week!:rotfl:

Once again Thank You to everyone who shares their knowledge on here!

M4RKM

retiredlady wrote: »

Do most subways have lifts or an escalator? She could manage a ramp as well I think!

Short Answer - No.

Long Answer - There are more cropping up with escalators, and elevators, however, most are still steps only to get in and out of the subway.

Bear in mind, that the subway is a lot lot shallower than the London Underground, so at certain stations you only have 2 flights of stairs, and then you're on the platform.

I've been to NYC with my mum, and she suffers from Arthritis in her knee, so the way we worked was, that we got the subway to where we wanted to go, and then on the way back, we got a taxi.
Yes it is more expensive, but it was a nice compromise.

on the NYC Subway map you can view at https://www.mta.info there is a little disabled symbol on stations that have "step free access"

M

becky_rtw

Hey all,

About the being safe thing - I've travelled a lot on my own (Toyko alone at 19 anyone ) and although I stayed with my friend this time he was at work for most of the time - I felt totally safe everywhere in NY...I ran in central park after dark alone and was fine, went out for dinner alone and even had a drink or two in a few bars alone.

People are very friendly so you have to kind of give up the British reserve thing and just talk to them (especially on the subway and in bars) which generally makes you safer anyway

Re: steps and the subway - its easier to use than London tube, but I still wouldnt take my disabled mum on it much - there's lots of walking between lines for example - taxis are cheap, buses are easy to use too - there are better ways of getting around than the subway if one of your party is disabled.

Oh and I second the sensible shoes - but I reckon sensible boots are the best way to to go - if it rains your feet keep dry too, keep the party shoes for trips when you're taking a taxi and nights out

RJBCITY

markymoo wrote: »

aaah, but US changes at PHL, and i've already found £307!!!

as for how low flights can get, realistically, september? cheapest i've got is under £200, but that was a few years ago, around the £250 - £300 mark is doable these days.

If we can get in the region of £275 for direct flights that would be worth waiting for. Is £250 to £300 for directs?

I'd echo comments about LHR, a real pain in the a*** airport. It really all comes down to proximity to your home though, having said that, I'm not too far from Liverpool airport and would rather fly from BHX!