living in nyc

Living in New York City is not as expensive as you think. I would like to share with you some prices from my routine purchases, so as to encourage anyone who wants to move here, but fears becoming a pauper in the streets. Food is so much cheaper here (compared to Boston, that is), and it is totally possible to have maximum fun and indulgence on a very modest budget. Hey, that is the very nugget of what my blog is about! You can have luxury in your life, but you don't have to carry a balance on your credit card to do it. gee. (And of course, that luxury includes buying a piece or 2 from me. hee) If you want more info as to where exactly to find these things, just comment on this entry. I will tell you!

• First the basics: a trip to the Associated (local supermarket) for a Quart of Milk, One Dozen Extra Large Eggs, 2 cakes of fresh Tofu = $3.53 (but if you want to talk serious tofu, I know a place in Chinatown where you can get 6 homemade cakes for only $1.)
  
• 100 Napkins, 2 cans of black beans, 1 package of fresh corn tortillas, 1 very large zucchini, 1 avocado, 2 vine ripe tomatoes = $5.40
• Snacks at street vendors when I am desperately hungry: 1 banana = 25 cents, a bag of candy coated hot peanuts = $1, knish = $1.50, hot pretzel = $1.50 - $2
  
• 9 pieces of salmon/avocado sushi to-go (pre-packed for faster eating) = $4.50
• Y membership = $35/month and up, depending upon which Y, but you can use any Y in all the boroughs 6x's per year for free! makes for exciting field trips
• Indian dinner buffet (we found a dinner buffet!) = $9
• Noodles with veggies on the street in Chinatown = $1
• a pint of Guinness with a proper pour (I lived in Boston for 14 years and I am very discerning about my Guinness) = $5
• 1 happy hour lychee martini in Manhattan (price good until 10pm!) = $4
• Small Coffee = 50 cents !!!
  
• a 4-lb bag of jasmine rice = $2.49
  
• a box of mesclun greens (enough for a giant salad for 4) = $2.49
• a giant felafel sandwich with delicious pickles and hot sauce and lots of tahini = $2.50
• a fancy gourmet store giant sandwich loaded with grilled veggies, buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomato pesto on a sourdough baguette = $4.95