Essentials for NYC city living

Having relocated to NYC from overseas a few years ago, I have developed a list of a few essentials which according to me are definitely necessary for living in NYC. However you are free to add your own essentials to the list.

1. A pair of comfortable walking shoes.
New Yorkers tend to walk much more than other city dwellers and the city's concrete pavements can be brutal on your feet. So forget about your Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks(or carry them in your tote for a quick change like many NYC women do)and invest in a good pair of shoes which have the right arch support. Believe me your feet will bless you.
2. A humidifier
I got acquainted with a humidifier during my first NYC winter when I realized that my cranked up NYC apartment heating was drying out my skin and furniture.
3. A Duane Reade dollar rewards loyalty card

If you live in NYC chances are you are forever popping into a Duane Reade store which like branches of banks can be found at nearly every street corner. It makes sense then to sign up for a Duane Reade loyalty card which gives you a $5 dollar reward once you have accumulated 100 points on your card.Woohoo.. similair cards are offered by New York City grocery chains like D'agostino(Dagnyc) and Gristedes. Believe me the savings are worth it and in NYC e
4. A good winter coat and all covering hat and scarf and lined gloves.

Totally needed in a city where the wind chill during the winter months is bruuutal.
5. A windowed kitchen/ well ventilated bathroom

When you are looking to buy/rent an apartment in the city try an choose one which has either or both of these. A windowed kitchen is necessary if you choose to cook in your tiny NYC kitchen for then if you open the window all the various cooking smells will blow away rather than waft into the corridor and offend your neighbors-.http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/realestate/06cov.html.
Similarly a well ventilated bathroom will keep nasty mold away
6. A MetroCard

It could be pay as you go or a monthly unlimited but a metrocard is essential if you plan to avail of NYC's excellent public transport system. ( MTA buses do accept cash but no notes and only quarters can be used to pay the fare)


7. A hair catcher/stopper

Everyone knows that NYC's sewage system is ancient and dodgy and bathtub drains can quite easily get clogged here. To spare yourself the trouble of unclogging a drain it would be wise to invest in a hair catcher. Available at Bed Bath and Beyond-http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13708878
8. This one is for the ladies- a large handbag with an outside zippered pocket

In NYC we tend to be out and about a lot and outsiders always seem to remark on the size of our handbags which are often large enough to hold kitchen sinks. However I definitely think they are necessary as many of us dont drive cars and need to lug 'essentials' around in our handbags for e.g. hat , gloves, scarf, pocket size umbrella,makeup bag etc Moreover when buying a new handbag I always make sure it has an outsid
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15 Comments

BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I would add a good pair of rain/snow boots to the list. Try getting though a winter here without a decent pair of boots.

The all-covering hat is something I only recently discovered, and I will never go back. It turns out that the most important function of a hat is to cover your ears - any hat that doesn't do so is practically worthless.
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Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Couple of apartments I've lived in had windows facing brick walls. Half the fight of living in this city is the rent prices versus light and amenities you get, but man, a decent amount of natural light makes all the difference to mental health. If you can afford yourself a window, get one!
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
Yes BroadwayBk I totally agree with you about the all covering hat and rain boots. Some of my friends also use those ear muff things but I havent got around to adopting that contraption yet.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
So true about the light Uraniumfish if you can get an apartment which gets a decent amount of sunlight especially in the winter it such a help..makes all the difference to your mood.( at least it does affect my mood i hate it when its all grey and horrible)
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BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I'd like to underscore the importance of having a well-ventilated bathroom in this city; I once lived in a three bedroom apartment in which I shared a bathroom that completely lacked any sort of ventilation. I would have to open the window while showering at all times of the year - no matter how cold it was, because lack of ventilation helps mold to grow, which it seemed to do no matter what.

Now when I'm shopping around for a new apartment I always check to see if the bathroom has a proper fan.
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A kindle! With the amount of space in your average NYC apartment - a kindle takes the place of 1500 books! Granted, I love the smell and feel of paper as much as anyone, but I have so much more space since "going digital," as it were.
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Magg 2yrs+
Add a nice convertable futon and a closet, as some apts don't have any! Haha.
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BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Though I've lived in Brooklyn for a long time, I've only recently made my way out to Ikea - and I have to say it is pretty mind-blowingly inexpensive when it comes to things that every apartment needs, like lamps and rugs. Their furniture line is relatively inexpensive as well; I really recommend a trip to Ikea for anyone who may have just moved to the city or who may be shopping around for a new apartment.
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hhusted 2yrs+
Thee is no doubt that a Metrocard is a necessity. You can't get on a bus or subway without it. Well, a bus still allows you to use coins, but not too much longer. I read somewhere that MTA is going to stop allowing change on buses.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
I just discovered that Duane Reade has recently i.e. on January 16th launched its new loyalty card in keeping with its new branding image ( new logos, new packaging). The new card is called Flex Rewards and you can get it at your local Duane Reade by submitting your old card and filling up a form. The new card offers 2 points for every $ spent at DR and you get your $reward i.e. your $5 coupon only after 500 points now not after accumulating 100 points as was the case with the old card. hmmmmm wonder how this will pan out.. I used to manage to get my $5 reward two or three times a year I think with this new card it might take me longer..though your points dont ever expire with the new DR card unlike the old one where the points expired at the end of each calendar year.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Mayeg cant agree more about a convertible futon though ideally I would like a Murphy bed which is built into a wall and offers decent support for guests who want to stay longer than a few days. Most people( including me) I know in the city already have air beds for guests. These are convenient and easy to store as well.
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Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@ uptowngirl Doesn't it seem that many businesses have these gimmicky cards of one kind or another? Staples has them too. At a certain point I feel I'm drowning in cards and want out of what ever supposed savings I can achieve with them.
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uptowngirl 2yrs+
@uraniumfish,I used to think so too until I learned I could redeem points at stores like D'agostinos and not pay for milk etc. I only ever use my DR and D'agnyc cards anyway and haven't subscribed to any others.
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Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Yea, maybe the trick is not to get too carried away with too many.
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ErikaB 2yrs+
Having never lived on the East Coast before, I never thought to buy a humidifier for an apartment (I come from a very dry climate). I will definitely take that into consideration. Also I will make sure to have a good winter coat and covering hat. I hear winters out there can get pretty bad. Anything in particular I should bring for the summer months? http://www.ch-ny.com/
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