Big Apple, small budget

For Jay-Z, New York is a concrete jungle where dreams are made of, yet for most students the hustle and bustle of America’s most populous city is made slightly less appealing by its reputation of high prices in terms of accommodation, food and things to do.

However, as a student surviving on an extremely modest budget, I can confirm that you can enjoy the so-called city that never sleeps, without losing too much sleep over your bank balance.

• Stay at a hostel.

There’s no avoiding the fact that if you’re after a central location, hotels in New York will cost you an arm and a leg. There’s so much to do in Manhattan that you won’t actually be spending much time in your room, and this is why hostels are so great.

I would recommend the Big Apple Hostel – we got a private 2 person room for around £35 a night and the location is unbeatable; Times Square is half a block from the hostel door. Rooms outside of Manhattan are usually a lot cheaper too, but don’t forget that the additional cost of transport soon adds up.

• Have a plan.

There’s so much choice of what to do and where to go that it can feel overwhelming. This is where apps like tripadvisor really help, especially when looking for places to eat. After a busy day in the city, the last thing you want is a below average meal. Let your phone do the work: you won’t have to traipse around, getting hungrier by the minute!

• Walk and talk.

Don’t forget to pack a pair of comfortable shoes because there’s no better way to see New York than by foot. Get up early and spend a morning wandering around Central Park, head south and explore the financial district, or get lost in the smaller streets of Greenwich Village before finishing the morning with a trendy brunch.

Also, don’t believe the stereotype that New Yorkers are unfriendly! Most are happy to help, and Americans love a British accent.

• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

The sights are incredible, and the bridge itself is a beautiful piece of architecture. The East River ferry provides you with transport back to Manhattan, but before you go back, catch the ferry to Williamsburg and spending an afternoon in the true capital of the hipster world: it’s worth going just to see the outfits!

Whilst you are there, pay Crossroads Trading Co. a visit. A unique charity shop, you’ll find some bargains by brands such as Burberry and Chloe, all arranged by colour and size. After you’ve grabbed some new designer pieces, get the ferry back to Manhattan at sunset. This is an alternative to paying $27 to scale the Rockefeller or the Empire State Building to see the city by night – each trip costs just $4 and the views are breath-taking.

• Fake it.

Pretend money is no object and head down to SoHo to browse the designer stores.  You might not be able to afford anything, but it’s worth it for the characters you’ll come across in shops such as Chanel and Herve Leger.

For more affordable goods, visit Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Bookmarc is well worth a stop; it sells accessories, stationery and reasonably priced gifts by Marc Jacobs price and it’s directly opposite the delightful Magnolia Bakery – what’s not to love?

• Get a cheap dose of culture.

We had planned on visiting the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side but arrived to find it fully booked for the day. However, if you ask at the main desk they’ll give you a free guide to the area, so you can do your own walking tour. Great for if you’re interested in the history of immigration into America, or just want to know a bit more about this part of the city, and when you finish don’t miss out on a wander through Chinatown and Little Italy, which are just a few blocks away.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration to visit New York without ending your holiday with an empty bank account.

It’s all too easy to go big in the city that never sleeps, but if you think ahead and spend wisely, then it’s also possible to have an unforgettable time while keeping to a budget!