Just made it back from New York

[steeler80]

Actually, I just made it back on Monday. The wife and I took a trip to New York and it was truly hicks in the big city. We'd been to Las Vegas, Washington, and Chicago, but not even Chi-town seemed comparable to New York.

Still we managed to find our way around pretty well and managed to see everything we wanted to see. Quite an experience but I was glad to get back to the rural paradise of home.

[Cam63]

Important things first. Did you see any signs that a giant gorilla had been there ?

[Jeff Brady]

We only let the giant gorrilla out on special occasions.

Sorry to disappoint.

[TCJohnson]

But then again, it's new york. it always looks like a giant something just came through it.

[angryrican]

But then again, it's new york. it always looks like a giant something just came through it.


Just not the 2012 Olympics.... :D

[PatrickG]

Noticed talks about NYC rent in another thread... So hopefully I can co-opt this a bit for all the NYers or formers NYers reading...

I really want to go to grad school in New York. As is, I may have to borrow my way into massive amounts of debt to make it work but I'm willing to do what it takes to get the best education and contacts I can.

Now... How would I even begin to go about housing?

I know there's some socialized student housing.

I have no job in NY, obviously, so making a big break like that is also a concern.

How does a person go about making a move like this?

Money is nonexistant for me right now (I can't imagine I'll have more than a couple thousand to make the move on) but I'm aiming for fall '07 and I'll do anything shy of selling organs to make it work if I can get into NYU or Columbia.

What does it take?

[michelet]

Some grad programs have grants, or tuition waivers if you're teaching -- first thing you need to do is make sure you're getting all the money from the school you are eligible for! (Well, first thing is, you have to get in, but after that. :) )

A co-worker of mine just finished an MFA -- she lived in subsidized student housing while she was a student, and worked part time here to make ends meet. Other grad students I've known have taught, or worked as proofreaders (short intense bursts of work), or been married to people who had professional jobs. Or some combination of the above, come to think of it!

The best place to start is with the department or school you're accepted at -- you will not be the first or the five thousandth student with these worries, and they'll have good advice and suggestions, and possibly some leads.

[steeler80]

Important things first. Did you see any signs that a giant gorilla had been there ?

Nothing like that but I did notice that they had some severe pot hole problems, almost as if a craft, hidden for decades, had recently risen out of the asphalt.

And Pat, even though this doesn't help you in the least, my friend in New York with has an internship and is living at Colombia this summer so I was on campus quite a bit.

[Jeff Brady]

Noticed talks about NYC rent in another thread... So hopefully I can co-opt this a bit for all the NYers or formers NYers reading...

I really want to go to grad school in New York. As is, I may have to borrow my way into massive amounts of debt to make it work but I'm willing to do what it takes to get the best education and contacts I can.

Now... How would I even begin to go about housing?

I know there's some socialized student housing.

I have no job in NY, obviously, so making a big break like that is also a concern.

How does a person go about making a move like this?

Money is nonexistant for me right now (I can't imagine I'll have more than a couple thousand to make the move on) but I'm aiming for fall '07 and I'll do anything shy of selling organs to make it work if I can get into NYU or Columbia.

What does it take?

I'll get back to you on this one in a few hours (when I get home from work).

[Tad Sivana]

Quote:Now... How would I even begin to go about housing? End Quote

Well...the traditional New Yorker would say, start reading the obituaries in the Post...but I favor another tactic; look up NYC special interest group newsletters and websites! Many have rental and sublet columns.
Also, be sure to check with your school - most of the NYC colleges have housing placement services.
As for money: hey - I got through college working at the student union, doing posters for the Theater department, working load-ins of concerts, etc... It CAN be done!
Besides, this is NYC....you can always wait tables!
Good luck!

[Jeff Brady]

Well said, Tad. You took half the words out of my mouth. Especially the waiter line.

Also, you could go here: http://newyork.craigslist.org/ and check out the housing section. I found one of my roommates here, and everything's been great.

It would be a good idea to have at least $3,000 saved up. Security deposits here are an absolute bitch. Also, don't be gung ho about living in Manhattan. The other boroughs are cheaper. I'd basically stick to Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx. Staten Island is very nice, but VERY FAR. Just do a search on each neighborhood, check out safety ratings, etc.

[Lunar Daydreamer]

I've always wanted to go to New York. Some day! Hope the coffee's nice!

Maybe the boy Brady and I will get to do some monkey dancing and capture it on Mpeg :)

[Jeff Brady]

I've always wanted to go to New York. Some day! Hope the coffee's nice!

Maybe the boy Brady and I will get to do some monkey dancing and capture it on Mpeg :)

AHAHAH! I'm sure we could get a few other of the CBR NYers to join us!

[Lunar Daydreamer]

AHAHAH! I'm sure we could get a few other of the CBR NYers to join us!

A monkey dancing congo ... this gets better! :)