Getting around New York City

brand_182 · 07-06-2006, 10:33 PM

I've finally received the good news that my family and I will be going to NYC in August, just in time for those essays so I can actually see the schools first. I'll be applying to Columbia and NYU, so I'm gonna check Columbia out and whatever NYU has to offer (buildings spread out across the city I suppose). We'll be staying at the Double Tree Hotel in Times Square. Anybody that has gone to visit the schools - what is the best way to get around the city. NYU isn't too bad since it's only 2 miles south or so, but Columbia is like 5 miles north and my parents aren't too excited about getting into a taxi...is traffic really as awful as it always looks, or is taxi the way to go?

bluestar7 · 07-06-2006, 10:42 PM

I mean, it all depends on what time of day you're going. Times Square is always pretty congested and filled w/ traffic. I'd just take the subway if I were you, esp. headed to Columbia -- it's not that bad, there's a stop in Times Sq and you can just stay on the same line until the Columbia stop. It's definitely going to be the cheapest and easiest way of transport (and probably in both situations, the quickest).

sloparent · 07-06-2006, 10:50 PM

I agree with bluestar7. The subway is the easiest way to get around--very efficient and much cheaper than a taxi. It doesn't take very long to get up to Columbia.

My daughter will be attending NYU in the fall. NYU has a non-traditional campus, whereas Columbia looks like a more typical university. But NYU's buildings are clustered around Washington Square Park, so there is definitely an NYU community feeling in that neighborhood.

brand_182 · 07-06-2006, 10:50 PM

can i also tell my parents it's safe? lol we're from texas and this'll be the first time in an actual big city - houston doesn't count, no subway, all we have is amtrak and it just runs over people.

07-06-2006, 10:51 PM

Take the subway.

www.hopstop.com

Put in your address in the city and it will tell you the trains you have to take to get there. For Columbia and NYU the train stops right in front of them. $2 is fair, buy a $10 card and you get 6 rides.

Don't be afraid to take the subway cause your a tourist. Its quick and safe, and also fun.

brand_182 · 07-06-2006, 10:51 PM

sloparent: thanks, I am actually really excited about checking out the Washington Square/Greenwich Village area of NYU as I have heard alot about it. Subway it is!

sloparent · 07-06-2006, 11:00 PM

brand_182: We live in a very small, rural town in California, so I understand your parents' concern.

NYC has been ranked as the safest big city in the United States, and I have no serious concerns about my daughter's safety there. NYU stresses security, and they have many safeguards in place (everyone must show I.D. to get into any NYU building, for example). It's also in a good neighborhood and I, personally, felt much safer there than I did when we visited Berkeley!

We have had coeds murdered right in our small town--one was kidnapped just a couple of blocks from where we live. So crime can happen anywhere. But honestly, if you're smart about what you're doing and take reasonable precautions, then I think it's as safe a place as anywhere else in the U.S.

One last thing: When we first visited NYU, I thought my daughter would hate it because it has no real campus. But she feels ready to move into the next stage of life, and NYU's environment is much more integrated into "real" life than some other universities that exist in a comfortable "bubble," if you will. So it is the perfect place for her, after all.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

brand_182 · 07-06-2006, 11:01 PM

wow i am really excited about checking NYU out now. I especially like the fact that they check ID for each building, lol. All of the pictures of NYC that one sees usually just seem so crazy and unorderly, so it'll be good to see what it's really like. Thanks for the info.

sloparent · 07-06-2006, 11:03 PM

P.S. Stop by the Admissions office and they'll give you nametags that will allow you into some of the buildings. Not sure when you're going to visit, but students move in on Aug. 27--so lots of activity going on that week.

hazmat · 07-06-2006, 11:03 PM

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/m....htm#unlimited

ShanFan · 07-07-2006, 12:15 AM

Yeah, take the subway.

Take this from the 15-year-old who takes the subway almost every day of her life.

DannyLS3 · 07-07-2006, 01:39 AM

Same here.

It's very safe, I see tourists all the time and they're fine. We were also ranked the most polite city(saw it on the news), contrary to what most people think :P So if you get lost, there's help.

prankityclankity · 07-07-2006, 02:05 AM

Quote:

can i also tell my parents it's safe? lol we're from texas and this'll be the first time in an actual big city - houston doesn't count, no subway, all we have is amtrak and it just runs over people.

lmao. So true. I use to live in The Woodlands and right before I moved away I remeber the uproar over the amtrack trains hitting cars because there was no stop lights or something like that.

Anyway, New York is pretty safe for the most part.

ptmagnolia · 07-07-2006, 06:27 AM

subway for sure.

Marian · 07-07-2006, 09:17 AM

The subway is a great way to travel, but it may not actually be cheaper than a taxi for you and your parents (because you pay subway fare for three people, but you would all fit into one taxi). However, I suggest using the subway anyway just to show your parents how easy it is to get around New York City.

For Columbia, it's phenomenally easy to get there by subway. You take the number 1 train from Times Square to the 116th St. stop (where it says Columbia University on the walls of the station). That's it. Just make sure not to take the number 2 or number 3 train by mistake. They don't go to the right place.