Everyone dreams of taking a trip or living in New York City at some point in their life. The truth is that this city is so intimidating because it is renowned for being one of the most expensive places on the planet. You shouldn’t let this stop your dreams though. If you really want to take in that NYC trip, or even plan on going to school in this wonderful city there are many ways that you can save money. With these tricks you will find that the Big Apple doesn’t have to cost you as much as you thought.
1. Transportation
When you take your first look at NYC you might be a bit intimidated. There is a lot of movement in this city and pretty soon you’ll be joining in. If you don’t have a car or simply prefer not to sit in traffic the majority of your day then you might want to get on board with the public transportation system. This city has one of the best systems and can get your from point A to point B without forcing you to take a cab. The metro system also allows you to buy a pass that can last for a day to year. This is the best way to go even if you aren’t planning on staying in the city long term. This pass will help you get on buses or take the subway so your day to day commute isn’t an issue. You will also want to avoid cabs as much as possible. Yes, they are fast and easy, but they will really drain you of funds before you know it.
2. Free Museums
If you’re spending the week in the city then you might be startled by the prices of museums and zoos. These prices aren’t as alarming as you thing though. For instance, some musuems will offer free admission on certain evenings, so if you plan accordingly you can catch a lot of famous museums without having to pay a penny. Many museums will also put up a sign with a suggested donation price. This scares a lot of people off because they think they actually have to pay the price to get into the museum. The truth is, you can get in without paying a penny if you want because a donation isn’t mandatory. It might be nice if you do offer a little cash to help out with running the museum, but you don’t have to put in the amount they request. If you’re a big fan of the zoo then you might want to free up your Wednesdays as it is free on this day ever single week. With all of these amazing things to see you won’t have to pay a whole lot of money for entertainment.
3. Eat Cheap
New York City has some of the most expensive food in the world if you don’t know where to look for it. Instead of hitting up the major restaurants try looking for food from a street vendor. Generally, you can get a hot dog, pretzel, felafel or slice of pizza for a small price that you won’t have to feel guilty about. Street vendors are a major part of the city so you if you want to feel like a real New Yorker then check out a couple vendors while you’re in the city. You can also venture to certain areas that have cheaper food like China Town or Greenwich Village. If you’re careful the neighborhoods you choose you will be able to enjoy a delicious meal for a decent price. You should probably try to avoid eating in Time Square at all cost though.
4. Shows
Going to see a show in New York City is one of the biggest things to do, but you don’t have to drop a lot of money to see a Broadway production. If you’re spending a time in the city during the summer then head down to Central Park for an amazing look into New York City’s theatrical shows. Many theater groups will perform free shows in the summer so anyone that happens to be in the park is in for a real treat. Some indie film screenings are also held in the park which will ensure that you might get to see some great films that might not hit DVD or a theater for a few years. Central Park is also the home to a large variety of concerts in the summer. Many of the concerts are donation based, but if you’re a bit low on cash then you can still hear a faint version of the music while you enjoy a snack, or a book in the park. There are also a wide number of television show screenings that offer free admission to a select number of guest, so make sure to wake up early while you’re in the city!
5. Walk Around
You’ll be surprised as to how much walking can actually help you see the city. This activity is a great way to really get a feel for the area and will help you experience the New York lifestyle. In the city so many people do a large amount of walking which means you’ll be able to follow the crowd to find some of the coolest areas in New York City. If you’re feeling ambitious one day then you might want to try walking across the Manhattan Bridge. This bridge is not only beautiful to look at, but it will provide you a great seaside view of the city while allowing you get a great look at the skyline on both sides of the water. The best thing is walking won’t cost you a thing so you can enjoy it as much as possible.
6. Skip the Hotel
There is no doubt it that hotels in the New York City area can really set you back a lot of money. If you’re looking to stay in the city for a longer period of time then you might want to look into staying in an apartment. A lot of people will sublet their apartments out for a month or two at a time, which can be a huge benefit for you. Typically this cost a lot less than a hotel would and it gives you the New York City experience you’ve dreamed about. Staying in an apartment can help you decide if you want to move to the city for good or if you should just take what you can out of the vacation. Another great thing about staying in an apartment is you’ll get to know a part of the city that a lot of vacationers don’t get to see, so you can bring back a lot of cool memories to share with friends and family.
7. Be Aware of the Burrows
New York City is made up of a collection of burrows, which is something that is important to know when you choose a place in the city. Some of the burrows are unbelievably expensive, like Manhattan, and should probably be avoided unless you plan on simply walking around and taking in the sites. Other burrows are great places to eat and enjoy the bar scene, such as Greenwich village. So, when you plan out your vacation or where you plan on living you might want to do a little research into the best places to live, work and play. Generally, you will want to try to find a place that is close to work if you plan on staying or the sights you intend on seeing if you’re on vacation. Either way, choose carefully and know the pros and cons of each place before you go.
8. Don’t Go to the Gym
A lot of newcomers will make the mistake of joining a gym to try to stay in shape and make new friends. This can run you about $100 a month if you’re not careful. Instead of joining a gym try to get a year membership at the YMCA which will only cost you $50 a year. This membership won’t just give you access to the gym, but a series of classes and the swimming pool. There are a lot of free and donation based classes in the city too. Yoga is one of the most popular free classes, but if you can’t find a free class many people will allow you to volunteer in order to take the class for free or at a discounted price. You could also join a free running group. This will allow you to make friends and get in shape without having to spend a dime.
9. Shop Online
If you’re living in the city then shopping online is going to be one of your biggest money savers. Most things in the city are high priced, which means if you shop often in the city you’ll find that you’re wasting money on a lot of things you could get elsewhere. The best thing you can do is try to find items you like online. Even with an additional shipping cost you will save a lot of money by buying clothes, furniture and other goods online. Of course, buying groceries online can even be helpful when you live in the city. Most people don’t charge a hefty when they deliver you and you will save on a cab fee. If you do shop online then you might want to consider buying a couple of weeks to a months worth of groceries. This will help you prevent additional delivery charges. You could try to bring the groceries on the bus or subway, but generally these areas are cramped and its probably not the easiest of tasks.
10. Drink Tap Water
In most places people tend to shy away from the tap water and buy the expensive bottled stuff. You won’t want to do this in the city because it will cost you way too much money. A single bottle of water can run between $1-3, which could cost you the same amount as a small meal. Believe it or not, the tap water in New York City is some of the cleanest you will find in the country. When you go shopping try to find yourself a refillable bottle so you can take some water with you wherever you go in the city. Without having to worry about the amount you’ll need to spend on water you can have a lot of extra cash to do some of the things you actually want to. Of course, you might want to drop this habit when you go home if you live in an area with poor tap water.
Visiting New York City should be on everyone’s must see list. This city is one of the greatest places to see and so things you would never be able to in other places. From the exciting foods and fashions to the great artistic areas, this city can really impress just about everyone. So, don’t worry about spending and book your flight, because these ten tips will help you get through the city without forcing you feel like you’ve made a huge financial mistake.
Author: Chelsey McQuitty
