NYC here I cum!

[seaboy4hire]

*Big sigh of relief!* I got the hotel and am staying in Jersey. I know call me crazy but I've been called worse But for the price of hotels in NYC and what one gets just wasn't worth it imho. Plus all that flashy stuff just doesn't do it for me at my old age. But I am only a 10 minute walk to PATH which is pretty good as I could always use the cardio. And for those who need to travel I'm just right next to the Holland tunnel. Now that that drama is over (I really hate booking hotels in cities I've never been to) lets get to the food. I'm cheap and sometimes easy so $25 and under is great for me. I don't believe one has to spend $50, 60, or more to get a yummy meal. So bring on the breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

Tentative travel cities 2008: Denver, MSP, SF, Chicago, NYC.

[traveler1954]

There is the POD hotel in Manhattan on E51 which is under $100 but has a shared bath. It was recently featured on TV. Small, clean, modern and just enough room for two to play in bed.

For cheap food, try diners, ethnic restaurants, pizza, pasta and noodle joints. NY Magazine, Time Out NY magazine and Wednesday's NY Times food section all feature "cheap eats".

I too would never have stayed in Jamaica unless it was related to JFK airport travel.

DP, NYC

[seaboy4hire]

>There is the POD hotel in Manhattan on E51 which is under

>$100 but has a shared bath. It was recently featured on TV.

>Small, clean, modern and just enough room for two to play in

>bed.

>For cheap food, try diners, ethnic restaurants, pizza, pasta

>and noodle joints. NY Magazine, Time Out NY magazine and

>Wednesday's NY Times food section all feature "cheap

>eats".

>I too would never have stayed in Jamaica unless it was related

>to JFK airport travel.

>DP, NYC

 

I checked out the POD this evening. It was actually on my list of places to check out as I've had my eye on it for quite some time. The other hotel that I found that I liked was the Carlton Arms http://www.carltonarms.com/. Because I found out about this trip at short notice both the POD and Carlton are booked up. Although I might try giving the Carlton a call later in the week. I love all the artwork surrounding the hotel, but I do understand that it might freak some out. Most of my friends have been artist regular Monet type stuff and out loud art like the Carlton which I really love. I think that the mags you mentioned are carried at the magazine store down the street from me. I have Monday off from work and if I'm not too busy working over the boy toys hole (no not my hole) will get down there and see what I can find. I am really looking forward to getting some good Italian food in my tummy minus the paper thin pizza, I like mines like I like my men, thick and juicy in all the right places I do feel better now though that air fare and hotel are booked. I feel I can relax a bit at least till the 28th. Der just remembered I need a new outfit for the 28th! Better find out where H&M is and a nice shoe store, a boy can never have too many tennies.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

Tentative travel cities 2008: Denver, MSP, SF, Chicago, NYC.

[hiJinX]

Whew. Congrats. Now your in my neck of the woods. Let me know if I can be of assistance during your stay. All my recommendations are within walking distance of where it sounds like you are staying.

 

Coffee:

BASIC - 8th and Erie

http://basiccaferestaurant.com/

LEGAL GROUNDS: 170 Grand Street

SWEET PRISCILLA: 530 Jersey Avenue

 

Cheap eats:

WHITE STAR

http://whitestarbar.com/

Wednesdays are $6 food night. Go a little bit later to miss the dinner rush crowd. Kitchen is open until midnight.

 

Give a holler if I you need any help while on this side of the river.

[JT Brooklyn]

Seaboy...Jamacia Queens is far from a Scenic Area! Not to knock anyone who lives there, I'm sure they all would rather Live somewhere else in the 5 Boroughs! Actually very run down and depressing. The Traveling back and forth a real Bitch! IMHO of course..

[rentingdad]

Seaboy - while I'm glad you've gotten out of Jamaica - I have to say Jersey City isn't going to cut it if you're planning to do real business (in calls) in New York City.

 

Guys WILL NOT take the path train, a cab or drive to Jersey City to see you - it just isn't going to happen. Trust me on this one - I know guys who are well known, high-priced, porn stars who couldn't make a go of it doing in-calls outside of Manhattan.

 

If you plan to make any real money at all in New York City - you HAVE to get a hotel in MANHATTAN.

 

Otherwise you're going to be very frustrated and if this trip is to see clients and make money you are going to be VERY disappointed.

[+ Charlie]

Unfortunately, I fear rentingdad is right. In 25 years of hiring in NYC, I only consented to go to Jersey twice, both times during the day to the escort's home, in my own car. That ten minute walk to the PATH train may be good cardio for you, but most clients won't be willing to do the same to get to and from your hotel, especially at night.

[edjames]

I hope your hotel will be comfortable and clean.

 

As for food, well, it's NYC, so you can eat almost anywhere without spending a fortune. Eighth Avenue in Chelsea between 14th St and 23rd St has an infinte variety of places to go and you won't spend a fortune. For coffee, well, there's a Starbucks on almost every corner and in Chelsea a new coffee place, on 20th St, between 7th and 8th Avenues, has become a popular spot. It's a few doors from the Police Station.

 

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

ED

[BgMstr4u]

For a first-timer, NYC can be really confusing. To begin with, it's not really a city. It's 5 VERY different counties (which we quaintly call "boroughs"), with VERY different personalities. PLUS suburban New Jersey, Westchester County NY, Long Island and even bits of Connecticut. People can travel for a couple of hours on pretty decent commuter trains and still be in the urban area. A big, big place.

 

Jamaica is in Queens, largely attached-house urban ethnic and with the exception of Astoria, which is a long way from Jamaica, not especially receptive to the activities you will likely be seeking and promoting during your visit. And it is, as others have said, a long train ride from Manhattan, convenient to JFK but to almost nothing else. The activities you are interested in as a visitor are almost entirely in Manhattan. In addition, many people will be reluctant to come and visit you in Queens.

 

Not to rain on your parade, but the same should be said of New Jersey. You are certainly better off taking a hotel there than Jamaica, but (I hate to tell you) anywhere in New Jersey, no matter how close to the PATH train, might as well be in Indian country as far as most of the people living in Manhattan are concerned, to say nothing of those visiting NYC. Most New Yorkers don't have cars. Being next to the Holland Tunnel might help you with commuters, but would be an actual deterrent to me, for example. I won't come to Jersey City for any reason except dire necessity and in full daylight.

 

If what you want is a reasonably priced and quite private retreat from business and gay fun, where you are not planning to bring anyone except your own weary self at the end of a long night's work or play, Jersey City will be fine. If not, please think again. In case you do want to entertain on your own turf, if there is any way you can swing Manhattan, by all means, do it. You will not, I repeat, NOT, be sorry to have made the change, if it is at all feasible for you at this point.

 

Once here and settled, things will sort out for you fairly quickly. Most important, get an unlimited weekly MTA pass for the subway and buses in NYC. It will not only save you money, it will save a lot of psychic wear and tear as well, not having to worry about how much you have left on your card, etc. Cab fare can get pretty expensive. The subway, noisy and dirty and sometimes scary as it is, is the thrifty lad's best friend.

 

Good luck to you!

[JT Brooklyn]

Seaboy..Unfortunatley I have to Agree on this! Most Clients don't like to Travel above "69" St East or West..Never mind to Jersey!

 

IF "Working It" was that EASY & Profitable..in NYC..We would be seeing alot more Traveler's Passing thru Town from Miami-Chicago-LA...

 

As it stands the Traveler's we do get..the MAJORITY have REG'S to cover at least exspences and still make a couple of bucks while they're in the City!

 

That's why a Major and very Popular guy like Brandan Steele, after too many hassles decided against it, even with Appts Lining up! ;-)

[Guest Michaelnc]

One of my favorite places to eat in Manhattan is Paul's Burger Joint at 131 2nd Avenue in the East Village. The decor is very tacky - like a coffee shop, basically. And they only accept cash - no plastic. But they have the best burgers in town, with friendly and New York-y service and good prices. Also, if Paul is there, he is sex on legs. I lived in that neighborhood a few years ago, and I still cherish a major thing for him.

[BgMstr4u]

Seaboy -- How did the NYC Trip go?

 

So after all the huffing and puffing and conflicting and converging advice about the relative (dis)advantages of Jamaica and Jersey City -- Inquiring Minds Want To Know!

 

How did your trip go? Where did you end up staying? How did it work out for you? How did you like NYC (I know ... that's a little like asking, how did you like the universe, but still...)

 

Let us know! I'm dying of suspense... Well, not actually dying, but interested to know the outcome some of us put so much energy and thought into....

 

Tell all, kiddo.... Or as much as you can!

[edjames]

Jamaica? Didn't we cover this in a prior thread a few months back? Why or why did you do that?

 

You are in for a complete and utter culture shock. Jamaica is about as far away from midtown as you can get. Jamica is the furthest neighborhood in town; its prominence is it's accessibility to JFK airport. You will have a long ways to go to get a nice cup of coffee and some great eats! Depending on your location, take the E, C, or F train into Manhattan, that's right, you're gonna have to commute" into midtown to get what you want. It's about a 45 minute commute, without delays. You can also take the Long Island Railroad into Penn Station (34th St) from Jamaica. Forget taking a cab, it'll cost you over $60, plus tolls and tip to get into "town." You might want to ask the hotel if there are any local Express buses, or shuttle vans that you can take. They might be more easily accessible, faster and comfortable. Beware of coming back to your hotel late at night, ask the hotel about late night situations and safety in those neighborhoods and on the subway.

 

I can understand being on a budget and having to sacrifice some amenities but staying in Jamaica was a poor idea. Sorry but I am sure you could have located a reasonably priced accommodation in Manhattan or at the very least, downtown Brooklyn or Jersey City which would have provided easier access to Manhattan.

 

As for coffee in the city, well, Starbucks is on every corner and there are a number of coffee shops in Chelsea you might want to check out. One of the newest is on 20th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues called Cafe Grumpy. Another is on 9th Avenue at 19th St called Chelsea Coffee, and if in the neighborhood, the Chelsea Market also offers coffee and eats on Ninth Avenue.

 

Eighth Avenue in Chelsea offers a host of restaurants offering a variety of foods. Alas, the Food Bar recently closed, but the Rocking Horse (TexMex), Viceroy (American/French Bistro, Le Belle Vie (French), Spice (Thai), Ate Ave, Cafeteria, The Dish, and Elmo are all acceptable. Further uptown in the theater district, Hells Kitchen, especially Ninth Avenue between 45th and 55th Streets has a restaurant in every other store location. 46th Street in the theater district is known as "Restaurant Row." You could also try the West Village in the Christopher St area. Manatus has been a successful gay friendly venue for many years. Of course if you seek "chain" food, Times Square is loaded with Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, MacDonald’s, etc.

 

However, a little research on your part might be in order. NYC specializes in great food, so you might want to explore some of the finer cuisines on your trip. John's Pizzeria down in the West Village is perhaps the best brick oven thin crust pizza, anywhere. Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side has the finest pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. Neighborhoods like Little Italy and Chinatown might be worth exploring for more authentic meals.

 

Touring is easy, just jump on one of those double-decker tourist buses which go all over town with free transfers. Finally when in the gay neighborhoods, pick up a free copy of the gay guides, Next and HX, they have listings for everything. They are available in gay bars, bookstores and in machines along Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. Check out their websites for more info. They will not be available in Jamaica! LOL

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the trip.

 

ED

[BgMstr4u]

I was hoping The SeaBoy himself would let us know how the trip went, after we all had tried to be helpful. That's why I revived the thread. I hope he posts!

[seaboy4hire]

I had to cancel my trip to NY because of the death of my paternal grandmother in LA.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

I need a holiday!

[edjames]

I'm sure I speak for many on the list when I express my condolences to you and your family on your loss.

 

Hopefully, the thread gave you some better ideas for another trip to NYC,, and you'll be able to plan accordingly. Do let us know when you're in town and we'll meet and have a drink, on me, of course!

 

ED

[BgMstr4u]

I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother's death, and with you in your sorrow.

[seaboy4hire]

>I'm sure I speak for many on the list when I express my

>condolences to you and your family on your loss.

>

>Hopefully, the thread gave you some better ideas for another

>trip to NYC,, and you'll be able to plan accordingly. Do let

>us know when you're in town and we'll meet and have a drink,

>on me, of course!

>

>ED

 

Thanks for the kind words Ed. I am planning on being out that way in Oct. Things are still being worked out (one trip at a time) and am hoping that the third try is the one that works. If anything happens to prevent me going this try I'm giving up on NYC and sticking with the west coast and mid west So all I gotta say is that someone(s) better make this trip to NYC worth it

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

I need a holiday!