It's Cheaper In New York.

The cost of living in New York City can be painful- sky high rents and a premium on just about everything from groceries to toiletries.  But there are some exceptions.  Instances when things are actually CHEAPER than the rest of the country.  So look on the bright side and enjoy!

Pizza. 99-cent pizza slices.  Enough said.

Mani/Pedi.  I’m no spa aficionado but I do know you can find mani/pedis in Manhattan for $20.  Maybe it’s the stiff competition between the countless salons in a few blocks radius.  If you can pop in when they’re offering their specials, you’re bound to get a better deal than you would out in the “burbs”.  Here are a few recommendations.

-       Enjoy Nail Spa- Kips Bay ($20 mani/pedi, all day, every day)

o   148 E 28^th St (b/w Lex &3^rd)

-       Kh Midas Nail- Chelsea ($20 mani/pedi, Monday-Wednesday)

o   203 W 14^th Street

-       Top Beauty Spa- East Village ($25 mani/pedi with mini neck and shoulder massage, Monday-Thursday)

o   192 2^nd Ave (b/w 12^th & 13^th)

Transportation.  Rarely have I encountered such a comprehensive public transportation system as I have in New York City.  As much as the MTA pisses me off sometimes, I have to say, the fact that I can get just about anywhere in NYC for $2.50 is pretty amazing.  [I didn’t really appreciate this till I went to LA and found it would cost me a $50 super shuttle ride to get to my hotel, as there was no public transportation option.]

Lunch.  While dining out in New York can be absurdly expensive, the lunch specials are some of the best I’ve seen.  My personal favorites are the Thai restaurants on 9^th avenue (in midtown), all trying to “out value” each other.    I can go have a sit down lunch (appetizer included), great atmosphere, tax, and tip for $10 out the door. 

Museums.  New York not only has some of the greatest museums in the world, they’re also accessible to people on any kind of budget.  While some museums offer free or “pay what you wish” days or nights, the following museums are always “suggested donation”- meaning you can pay as much or as little as you want. 

-       Metropolitan Museum of Art.

-       The Cloisters.

-       American Museum of Natural History.

-       Museum of the City of New York.

-       Brooklyn Museum.

-       Queens Museum of Art and the Panorama.

-       Museum of the Moving Image.

-       P.S. 1 Museum of Contemporary Art.

-       Fire Museum.

-       Police Museum.

-       Studio Museum of Harlem.

Entertainment.  The amount of free and cheap entertainment in New York City is mind-boggling.  Yes, there are the ridiculously expensive tickets to MSG Concerts and Broadway shows, but there are also opportunities you won’t find anywhere else like standing room tickets, rush discounts, nightly showcases by musicians at bars on the lower east side, performances at churches and schools around the city, free concerts and theatre in Central Park, and free tapings for popular shows like The Colbert Report and Letterman.

Public Freebies.  Take advantage of all those city taxes you pay.  Visit the parks, take a ride on the Staten Island ferry, and attend the free movies, classes, and exhibitions.  Check online for weekly updates at www.nycgo.com/freeweekly or www.nycgovparks.org/events.