Observations from New York City

At the risk of sounding like a complete n00b, I’ll let you in on a secret. My lovely lady and I spent the holidays (and my 26th birthday) in New York – which was surprisingly my first trip to the City. I wouldn’t normally include personal details as I’m attracted to anonymity, but Miss Blinkin and I had a conversation requiring further feedback.

Miss B works for a large company with job opportunities all over the United States. She was telling me about a co-worker that recently moved from CLT to NYC. To compensate for the move, the company gave her co-worker a raise of 15% – calling it a cost-of-living adjustment.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the inadequate adjustment.

Although we managed to see every tourist hot-spot, the highlight of the trip was watching Jersey Boys on Broadway. Before the play, I walked up to the bartender and ordered a Jack & Coke and a Cranberry & Vodka. In the loud environment, I couldn’t hear what she said the total would be but my lip-reading skills said “fifteen.” I handed her $20 and awaited my change.

“FIFTY,” she said. “Five, zero.”

She had to be joking, right? She completely ignored the supposed 15% increase in cost and instead thought 500% sounded better.

But it wasn’t just Broadway. It seemed that every lunch, every dinner, and every form of entertainment costs, on average, 4 times more than it does in North Carolina.

Example:

• Rent in CLT – $600
• Rent in NYC – $2500
• Beer in CLT – $2.50-4
• Beer in NYC – $7-9

What do you think the true cost-of-living increase is?

Other observations:

• Instead of the amazing skyline being the first sign of the big city, it was our cab driver’s full head of ear-hair that really said, “we’re here.”
• Flying first class is completely different from flying coach.
• Being able to walk everywhere is priceless. Actually walking everywhere costs your calves.
• People love to stand in line. Often not knowing what they’re waiting for.
• The Statue of Liberty is overrated.
• Top of the Rock is the best view of the city.
• Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is was the best kept secret of the city. You enter into a crummy looking hot dog restaurant, Criff Dogs – where there is a phone booth inside. One person from your party enters the phone booth and “makes a call.” The person on the other line decides if you get to come in or not. If you’re so lucky, as we were, the back of the phone booth opens up into a speak easy bar is extremely unique drinks.

Photos are from my Zach Morris cell phone.