whimsSATX

so this sucks looks like i was gonna chill w/ a family friend after europe in NYC for a bit but they arent gonna be there so i need to find a cool hostel to stay at in NYC any suggestions cause i dont have a clue saw on that looks tight jazz on the park hostel buyt i donno ??????

southbeachbabe

Some friends stayed at one called something like, big apple hostel...can't really remember the name but they had fun there, and i think its right near Time Square so pretty central. I once stayed at a hostel in nyc but can't remember the name either, it was on the west side, on Amsterdam Ave. (and maybe 83rd st? or 103rd? haha) It was a big place, clean and all that but not great for meeting people and I got told afterwards that being in that area I was lucky I was still alive, so prob not the best bet.
Try the big apple hostel or something. All i can think of at the moment..

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benna2

If you were on 103rd street and actually staying there and wandering around then yes, you are indeed lucky to still be alive!

I have also heard about someplace called the Aladdin hostel. Haven't heard any reviews, just remember reading about it somewhere. I also don't know where exactly it is in NYC, so maybe I am not too much help....but look up the name at least and see if it is of help.

Try to stay in a central area (ie. Times Square) just for a matter of safety.

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mbo108

Okay, that is just not true. New York is much safer than it was years ago. My girflriend used to live on 100th on the West Side, its really not that bad.

And I don't know anything about hostels there, but I do know some cool places in New York that are not touristy. If you want a fun little bar, try the Metro Hotel. Its around 34th Street. But dont go to the regular bar, take the service elevator to the roof and there is a small bar up top. Great little place. Secondly, go to the Boat Basin Cafe. Most cabbies will know where it is, its on the west side, at like 79h or so. Its actually UNDER the West Side Highway (Henry Hudson Parkway - Route 9). You can even bring your dogs!

And everyone on this site always says to get off the beaten path, Times Square is the most beaten path in the entire universe! Stay in the Village! Or murray hill, gramercy, anything but the mainstream.

hope this helps!

benna2

I'm not talking about NY as it was years ago....I lived there for four years and moved away from the city in 2003 so I'm not just going on preconceived judgements. As a female, traveling alone, I would simply not feel safe in any areas above 100th street. With the exception of where the Columbia university is because there are always so many people around.

That being said, I was not taking absolutely anything away from the beauty and the culture of the city. There are amazing things to see there. But like in any city there are unsafe neighbourhoods and I was simply stating that.

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darkvelveteyes

i live in the city... and yes there are still safe and unsafe sections, you just gotta be smart about your surroundings, hell, down on the lower east side this year a young woman was killed and thats one of the safest areas...just watch your back in any city. but 103rd ain't 125th, and harlem really isn't terrible anymore either (though i'd still stay away from the bronx) so need not worry. theres a few hostels downtown i've passed by before...

Chelsea International Hostel
251 West 20th Street

Jazz on the Town-East Village
307 East 14 Street

Big Apple Hostel,
119 West 45th Street (mid-town)

you could always find a Y or a student international house to stay in as well. i don't know how any of these hostels are, never stayed in one in the states and especially here before since i don't need to

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puzzell

Chelsea International Hostel- really friendly people, not much facilities, but it's cosy kitchen area you always meet/drink with people in there.

Jazz on the Park- (106th st??)- nice kitchen/tv area, the area seemed ok for me but if i was a single women i'd probably feel a bit wary.

the one on amsterdam avenue seemed a bit quiet, everyone just ignores everyone else cos it's soooo big. good facilities though.

go to coney island on a sunny day, take the free ferry to staten island, get lost in chinatown. i found a bar on bleeker street (i think) with pints for $1 which made a nice change! times square is pretty cool even though it's packed- feels like the centre of the world!

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