New to New York City?  Unsure of how to start looking for an apartment? Curious about where you can start making friends?  For many of these answers, you can turn to New York City newbie, Mary Hilton’s blog.  She made the move to the city from Washington D.C. a few years ago.  Living in New York City had been a dream of hers for a while, and once she made the move she found that her friends and family were extremely eager to know how she was doing and how she managed to make all of the logistics of her move work.  In an effort to appease her friends and keep fellow “newbies” informed, Mary started a blog.  Newbienyc is an excellent source for NYC-centric How To’s, local events, and posts that remind you why this city is so great.  So whether you’re a native or a newcomer there’s something to learn from checking out this blog!   

Tell us about your blog and how you got started?

When I moved to NYC about two years ago, my friends back in DC kept asking about life here. So to avoid telling the same stories time and again, I started my blog. It really just grew from there. I started getting questions on specifically how to move here – find housing, make friends, etc. so I added some ‘how to’ info. And as my passion is arts, culture and theater, I also found myself an avid critic. The blog kept me sane while looking for work and having so much free time on my hands. 

What brought you to New York? 

I’d always wanted to live here, yearned for it. I had three major turning points in a short space of time – the death of my mom, the end of a relationship, and hitting 40. I realized that if I didn’t live my dream now, it would never happen. So I quit my job in DC, put my belongings on Craig’s List, and just became a New Yorker.  

What do you love about living in New York?

Certainly the excitement and the culture. This is a city that makes you feel alive every single day. The freedom to be truly, authentically yourself. But really, it is the people that make New York so extraordinary. 

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The ‘f-you’ attitude of ‘this is who I am, take it or leave it.’ And an unabashed loyalty to and love of the city. 

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That at its heart, this city of 8 million really is a small town. There is a thread of connection that runs through all New Yorkers that is really quite extraordinary.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The noise, excitement, and ability to get ice cream at three in the morning. 

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Accept every invitation without fail. You never know what you are in for. Someone may casually ask you to a gallery opening, and you find yourself among celebrities and your favorite artists. Go to an off-broadway show and you may wind up sitting next to the playwright. Most importantly, don’t be a wallflower. Talk to people, hear their stories, and connect. The only way to survive in this city is to have a personal and social network. 

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I get a thrill every time I see the Empire State Building lit up in the skyline.  

Best place to dine late night?

Any diner. 

Best live music venue?

Cornelia Street Cafe. Or anywhere in Central Park in the summer.  

What’s the last cultural thing that you did?

The Peruvian movie ‘Oblivion’ at Film Forum, my favorite cinema in the city, followed by a walk around the Village for springtime people watching.  

Strangest/coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Being casually asked last-minute to a ‘little gathering’ at a Chelsea art gallery, showing up to discover a red carpet charity event where I got to interview Claire Danes for my blog. Again, accept every invitation, no matter how tired you are! 

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

The Lower East Side reminds me of the New York I fell in love with years ago. Raw in spots, there is an unbridled energy that has not been suppressed by chain stores or incongruous architecture. 

Best way to spot a trend?

For fashion, you’ll learn everything you need to know about coming trends across the country by people watching. Don’t fall into a dream state when walking to and from the subway, easy as it is to do. Look around, take in the people, and you’ll see patterns that will predict the next must-haves. 

What is the best advice you could give to someone who has just moved to New York City?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

If you think you have to be part of a couple to get the most out of life, think again. Our Code Word contributor, Sherri Langburt, is full of expert advice on life beyond dating. Whether it’s travel ideas, beauty tips, financial guidance, or recipes for entertaining, the founder of lifestyle blog Single Edition has something to say. Log on to find new ways to enjoy your freedom and get the most out of single life!

Sunday Morning Me Time
What to Do When it’s Not Quite Breakfast and Not Quite Lunch

Sunday mornings, Dave lolls around his apartment until 10:30, then grabs a copy of the Times and his baseball hat and heads out the door. He bobs and weaves through the couples who are heading out for morning-of-shame meals and the maze of children being pushed along in strollers, bikes or sleds. They are all going to one of the multitude of brunch places on New York City’s Upper West Side.

For more than 7 years, since he first arrived from Philly, Dave has been relishing this time alone on Sunday morning. “What you gonna have, the sweet, salty or a combo?” asks the waitress. Dave confesses it has been a tough week of working hard both in the office and at the gym so he is going for the works: a platter consisting of three eggs over easy, side orders of sausage and home fries plus two bonus pancakes which he saves for dessert. For many, the ritual of by-yourself-brunch makes not for the epitomic Seinfeldian experience, especially when one is surrounded by couples struggling over the discomfort of a morning -after meal or sticky fingered, all-too-perky toddlers. For others, like Dave, who sits back digesting the news of the week in between sips of coffee and links of pork, Sunday morning brunch is a time to reflect and unwind. Sunday does not have to be about families and lovers. So before your next weekend sets in, try one of the following:

1. Find Your Spot: Find a place that suits you, whether it is the menu or atmosphere. And it does not have to be the typical greasy spoon. If you prefer to avoid crowded spaces or long waits most hotels offer brunch buffets on weekends to passersby. Indeed, many upscale restaurants extend Sunday morning meal times until about 2:00 p.m. So scope out your territory for someplace that feels right, cozy and where you can unwind… it may even be the juice bar at your gym!

2. Decide on a To-Do: Who needs someone to talk to when you have something you enjoy doing to keep you entertained? So if a newspaper is too mundane, find a guilty pleasure whether it be a Sudoku, trashy magazine or letter writing to help make the morning more about you and your personal time.

3. Make it a Family Affair: We are all pressed for time, and it’s all too easy to forget the simple but meaningful roles parents and other close relatives have in our lives. So, if family is what you are craving and yours live nearby, make weekend brunches the time you spend together.

4. Convene with Your Crew: Catching up with your crew over bagels and coffee, what could be better? To quote Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw “There are very few things this New Yorker loves as much as Sunday brunch. You can sleep until noon and still get eggs anywhere in the City, and alcohol is often included with the meal.” Why not do as they do in the sitcoms and make brunch your weekly “private dish session.”

5. Take-it-indoors: Who needs a special someone to bring you breakfast in bed when there are so many places that will deliver. Not to mention some fabulous recipe collections like the The Golden Pear Cafe Cookbook : Easy Luscious Recipes for Brunch and More from the Hamptons’ Favorite Café with dishes you can make on your own.

So sleep late and cook or order in, and indulge in the solitude with your own special meal in the morning.

For more of Sherri’s single insights click here.

Like this entry? Check out more from our Code Words contributors here.

How Do You Spend Your “Me Moments” In The City? Post a comment below and let us know.

If you think you have to be part of a couple to get the most out of life, think again. Our Code Word contributor, Sherri Langburt, is full of expert advice on life beyond dating. Whether it’s travel ideas, beauty tips, financial guidance, or recipes for entertaining, the founder of lifestyle blog Single Edition has something to say. Log on to find new ways to enjoy your freedom and get the most out of single life!

The Single Diner’s Dilemma
What To To When It’s Time to Settle Up

Over chips and guacamole at a favorite Mexican restaurant in Manhattan earlier this week, my friend took a moment to rant when I inquired about her dinner out with some of our married friends.

“I cannot believe I paid $80 for a meal last night when all I ate was a $14 appetizer with two glasses of wine,” said the 32 year old single New Yorker.”

Whether watching one’s spending, alcohol intake or keeping a close count on calories, dining out en masse can push a single person to break their budget every time. Ever wonder why lightweights get penalized when pulling out their purses at the end of a good meal even if they abstained from drinking, dessert and so much more?

According to a study published two years ago in the Economic Journal, titled “The Inefficiency of Splitting the Bill,” the authoring economists observed what they called “the unscrupulous diner’s dilemma.” The research suggests that a person’s consumption will be smaller when the payment for the meal is calculated by each individual’s order and larger when they know in advance that the bill will be split evenly amongst the diners.

It’s upsetting when co-diners have no problem passing the buck to you, especially when those across the table are some of your very best companions. So do you speak up and risk insulting fellow diners? Or do you cough up the cash and leave with a bad aftertaste? Here are some tips we received from the singles we interviewed:

1. Recruit an Advocate: Enlist the help of a close friend before the meal who can speak up on your behalf, says Ken from NYC. Having someone else point out an inequitable distribution will make others sensitive to the situation without putting the burden on you.

2. Join in the After Party: “Agree to meet for after-dinner cocktails,” says Mike from Brooklyn. When you show up at the tail end of a dinner, it’s easy to pay the server on the spot with cash so you don’t get sucked for another buck!

3. Excuse Yourself: “I hand over my ‘portion’ in cash, then head straight to the bathroom. It works like a charm every time,” says Will from NYC.

4. Appoint a Secretary: When dining out with couples, my single friends make sure that one of us takes charge of divvying up the bill based on consumption so we are not charged unfairly.

5. Make Pre-arrangements: “Call the restaurant in advance or discreetly ask the server for individual bills upon arrival,” says Liz. Most places do not see this as a difficult request, just as long as everyone pays the proper gratuity.

For more of Sherri’s single insights click here.

Like this entry? Check out more from our Code Words contributors here.

Where do you go for cheap eats? Post a comment below and let us know.

If you think you have to be part of a couple to get the most out of life, think again. Our Code Word contributor, Sherri Langburt, is full of expert advice on life beyond dating. Whether it’s travel ideas, beauty tips, financial guidance, or recipes for entertaining, the founder of lifestyle blog Single Edition has something to say. Log on to find new ways to enjoy your freedom and get the most out of single life!

It’s Not Who You Know…It’s Who You’re Willing to Talk To
Tips for Happier, Healthier and Friendlier Hook Ups

As children our parents teach us never to talk to strangers. This life lesson in safety does not translate well as we get older. Some of the best and most interesting connections are made when unintentional conversations are initiated.

Take Jamie, the 40 year old television producer from Manhattan, who has been enlisting the business consulting services of Susan, for more than a year after connecting with her on a crowded subway train. Many of our Single Edition subscribers reported similar happy hook-up tales that were enriching, educational and entertaining when they suspended their stranger danger concerns.

If you are not blessed with the gift of glib or serendipitous situations do not come your way, you may want to consider these helpful tips:

1. Disregard Dating: Individuals that fixate on finding that next special someone fail to engage with otherwise interesting people the minute they are disqualified from the dating pool. If you are consumed with picking up, try linking up with those around you instead. When you relinquish the constant quest for love, you will likely find many other fulfilling forms of companionship.

2. Don’t Discriminate: When it comes to the chemistry of friendship, there are no set rules of attraction. Don’t shy away from people who are older or judge them on outward appearances. Susan whose chance encounter with Jamie led to a working arrangement now confesses she thought he was a nerdy kid straight out of college because of the knapsack and tuque he was toting that morning. Approaching each new person without pre-conceived opinions will open many doors.

3. Suspend Suspicion: When in the company of strangers it’s only natural to have doubts. However not everyone comes to you with ill or calculated intentions. The best way to play it safe is to trust your gut. By letting your intuition guide you’ll be able to eke out the good from the bad within minutes of a conversation.

4. Forgo the Happy Hermit: If take-out and HBO are a nightly activity then it’s time to turn on that Tivo. Don’t let venturing out solo give you angst – chances are you will not be alone for long. People are fascinated with others who have the courage, confidence and desire to be alone and will likely strike up a conversation. So find a local dining spot to call your own, sign up for that language course you’ve been meaning to take or simply head to the local bookstore for some literary browsing.

5. Crack the Habit: Does your life play the movie Ground Hog Day? One of the best ways to break the monotony of single living is by changing up your routine. Instead of the isolating car ride, try commuting by bus, subway or train where each ride is a social adventure. Swap out the tiresome treadmill for a group spin class or surf the net at an Internet café rather than in the confines of your living room.

www.singleedition.com

Calling all singles! It’s time to kick your dateless blues and celebrate your singledom. Single Edition is a new online destination for the happy solo flier. Forget speed dating, match making and online profiles. This website offers expert advice on life beyond dating, from health and wellness to finance and travel. “What we’ve created is a lifestyle site with the unique views and interests of a single person in mind,” says Sherri Langburt, founder of Single Edition. “We’re not trying to change their love lives, just offer ways to enhance their lives as individuals.” Don’t surrender to loneliness, sign on to Single Edition for new ways to enjoy your freedom!

Since Sherri is the expert on how to enjoy life to the fullest, we got her thoughts about making the most out of single life in the city.

What brought you to New York?
I ran away from the Quebec Seperatists.

What do you love about living in New York?
With each day comes infinite possibility.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
Moxie.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?
The Upper East Side.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
The freedom to be who you are without being judged. And of course that there is a gym and candy stores on every corner.

Do you know any tricks or insider info?
Sample sales: http://www.lazarshopping.com/
Access to gyms: http://www.health-fitness.org/passbook.html

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Do hot dogs at Grays Papaya count?

Best neighborhood bar?
The one at AIX or Ouest.

Best late night joint?
It was the All State on 72nd and West End Avenue which much to my dismay closed down. While it is not a joint, Blue Ribbon is tops for late night eats.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?
Saw the play Young Frankenstein. Before that it was Legally Blond.

Best place to meet members of the opposite sex?
Watching the game at a local sports bar or in the isles of Fairway.

What spurred you to create the site? / How did the idea come about?
As a magazine junkie, I realized that there was a publication for everyone from backpackers to scrapbookers but nothing for the growing population of singles. That coupled with the fact that there is no central repository other than dating sites for single people on the Internet. Having been single for most of my adult life, I got tired with the false assumptions people made about my life and realized that individuals living alone needed support to help them live better lives independently.

Do singles contact you with ideas for topics to cover?
We are receiving so many wonderful inquiries and suggestions from people around the world. It is amazing and simply incredible that we have touched people as far away as Egypt and Dubai. I sincerely hope we can continue to make positive progress.

What makes Single Edition different from all of the other sites for singles?
While SingleEdition.com deals with dating and relationships, we are taking a holistic approach to single living by focusing on all other aspects of daily living from investing and career to travel and wellness.

What is the Single Spotlight on Single Edition?
The Single Spotlight is a chance for individuals to share their triumphs and personal achievements in a way that will inspire other solos. The reports to date have been overwhelming and include post-divorce adventure travel, relocations, property investments and career changes.

What kind of responses have you been receiving? Have people found it helpful?
To sum them all up we received this note “I credit SingleEdition.com with changing my mind about being single. I am an old man and have been single off and on between marriages. What I realize now is that I do not have to feel compelled to find a relationship so that I can devote my energy on me.”

www.singleedition.com