After indulging in chismis with Kuya Jr and his brood, Oyen and I checked out from Glen Cove around 1:40 pm on Saturday and hesitantly took a whooping $130 van ride (plus tip) to Manhattan. Grabe, sobrang mahal.
It was only a 45 minute ride and about 27 miles. Kasi daw pag balik ng van to Long Island, walang pasahero. Parang doble ang charge.
Long Island is a beautiful place to live in and raise a family. It’s serene and not congested. I saw this house along Glen Cove Rd, ang cute nya. I want to have a house like this in a big lot. Eto na naman ako, ang hilig hilig. Puro “I want, I want”. Dreaming is free.
In what seemed like a short drive, we reached Queens. We passed through Queens Boulevard.
Instead of spending $300 plus taxes a night for a regular hotel, Oyen searched online for an apartment in the city so we could save money. Uso na daw ngayon yun. She lived in NY for 5 years, so I trust her recommendation and she knows the city well enough.
She found this one bedroom apartment on 49th St. Midtown is a good and safe location. Three blocks away from Times Square and off Broadway. It’s also surrounded by hotels and high rise office buildings, groceries, and restaurants.
We reached the city at 2:40 pm. The owner of the apartment welcomed us and showed us the switches, the towels, and the ice cream he bought for us. He’s nice, good looking, very sweet and gay.
This is going to be our tiny home for the next one week.
At first, I felt claustrophobic and wanted to transfer to a bigger hotel. I could hear every foot step of our neighbors. I heard their conversations. Everytime they opened their apartment doors, kala ko dito sa amin ang binubuksan. But after a day, I have adjusted na and began appreciating its cuteness. The owner is also nice and stays next door. He fixed the place and everything is practically new.
There’s heatwave and the small aircon keeps us comfortable. The whole apartment is probably 32 square meters, kaya one aircon is enough to cool the whole place including the bathroom.
Bed is surprisingly very comfortable.
There’s a tiny pantry.
I don’t plan on cooking anyway.
I found a huge bowl to keep my borloloys.
Typical of old apartments in New York- patong-patong ang pintura. New owners apply fresh coat of paints without first scraping the old paints, kaya ang kapal-kapal na, at kamul-kamol. Labor is expensive kaya people just “do it yourself”.
Looks like our ref at home- always empty.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information, Annie. This gives me an idea not to stay in the hotel and look for an apartment instead when I visit NY. If it s ok, to ask, how much do you have to pay for a one week stay? Have a great bonding moments with Oyen – yes, you look like sisters. Stay beautiful and safe. Regards, Rissa
Hi Rissa,
Rates per night depend on the location and the quality of the apartment itself. Decent studios start at $100. Rate goes up for bigger sizes like one bedroom, two or three. Big 3 BR apartments in SOHO could range from $500 and up. My daughter paid $155 per night for this one bedroom, one bath apartment. Apartments would be good if there are many of you and you’re staying for at least a week. I will forward you the website where my daughter found this apartment.