[Reubania]

Cheers!

I am going to be staying in NY for a few days over Jan 06.

Is it cheaper (and safer) to actually stay within the city, or to go to New Jersey? Which is only a few minutes away on the bus?

I need to save on my hostels/accommodation!

[skate1968]

Hey Reubania,

The hostels in NYC leave you, as Ace would say, "spoilt for choice." There are many to choose from. Like all City hostels, they are a bit pricier.

I can't remember ever hearing of someone using Jersey as a base for touring NY. I don't know if the savings (if any) would make it worthwhile.

Tim has yet to write a book on the States, so reference the "Let's Go NYC." The hostel prices are not always current but they'll give you a good idea.

I personally love to "wake up in a city that doesn't sleep!"

The crime factor in NYC tends to get a bit over rated. You can be as safe as you want to be. Don't ride the subway, solo, late at night, north of 85th or 92nd street. Don't walk central park, solo, at night. Common sense.

[Reubania]

Cheers for the comments. My friend in NY was a bit baffled why I would base myself in Jersey...so I just have to settle for a slightly expensive hostel...it will be only 2 night though.

[Tim Uden]

One would expect that hostels in New Jersey (or Brooklyn and Queens) would be cheaper than Manhattan. Also the commute on the PATH train makes Hoboken and Jersey City actually closer to midtown and downtown Manhattan than the hostels above 100th Street.

In theory it seems like a good idea, except there are no hostels in the close parts of New Jersey and alternate accommodation would cost more than hostels in the heart of the city. There is a B&B in Jersey City that takes backpackers but it is no cheaper than staying in Manhattan.

Also staying in Manhattan is all part of the New York experience. I agree with Skate and would also prefer to "wake up in a city that doesn't sleep!"

[Reubania]

Cheers Tim.

A friend in New York mentioned that to me. I guess I will have to look for some moderately cheap hostels to stay in Manhattan! Any suggestions?

[skate1968]

Hey Reuben,

I was actually just looking at places to stay for a getaway weekend.

This site looks credible:
http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed....senCountry.USA


I'm usually skeptical of all things on the net. But this seems to have an unbiased review system. The review that I read seem to be consistent with what I already know. And it's very clear that they're not all written by the hostel owners themselves (otherwise there would be no bad reviews).

[ 20. February 2005, 21:39: Message edited by: skate1968 ]

[Marina A.]

I just stayed at the Hostel on 103rd Street and Amsterdam AVe. and I must say, that I really liked it.

Booked it on Hostelworld.com, so I got a cheaper price than on the official HI Website..maybe there's an even better rate out there.(we paid $27 it's 29 on the HI-Hostels Website)

Hostel was fun, staff was friendly

Just make sure you ask for sheets and towels when you arrive...we forgot and by the evening I had to go to the 'staff only' Laundry room and 'steal' some sheets.
Also try to get a second blanket..it was freezing in our room but by the morning it was boiling.

[Lanx]

Hi there
I have been to NY a couple of times. I found a great Hostel in Harlem, I know Harlem, it aint as bad as people say it is but you should be careful, especially walking alone at night. By the way I was told to never venture down to East Harlem as aparently its really dangerous down there.
The "Wonderes Inn West" is a great place to stay and it is located at:
257 West 113th Street, NY 10026
http://www.hostels.com/en/availabili...telNumber.4835

If you go there be sure to say hello to a woman named Berna who will frequently be seen sitting on her step chatting to people or playing cards, she's really nice and loves talking to people from all over the world.

Have a great trip and be sure to enjoy the NY experience...........
Peace

[Tim Uden]

We now have a complete listing of all American hostels (including all the New York Hostels) on the new BUG hostel review system. Please share your experiences and write some reviews of any hostels you have stayed at.

You can find the New York Hostels here: http://www.bug.co.uk/cgi-bin/rs/redq...category_id=42

[Destination-Travel]

daymeeyan im new so can you tell me what new york was like for back packing and a bit more detail of what you did.

[primeelite]

I agree that Harlem isn't as bad as people say. Generally the rule of thumb in NYC is not to travel at night especially on the train. As far as the rule of thumb of not to go past 90th st. I do agree with that somewhat as well but there are also other parts of lower manhattan that are worse than any part of Harlem. Harlem has some very nice sections but once you get into Washington Heights then you do not want to be in that area as you really have no reason to. Stay out of Central Park when it starts getting dark as crime is high and a lot of weird people, the police try to keep a good presence there but it is just too large. Overall if you use common sense and you gut feeling it should keep you safe, also don't stick out like a sore thumb especially at night such as carrying around a camera and snapping a lot of photos because you are just asking to get robbed or pickpocketed.