Where to grocery shop in NYC?

[Imzadi]

FWIW, I live on Trader Joe's; it's the only grocery store I will shop in because the stores near me are just too expensive. The TJ's I go to is over 40 blocks from my apartment- but I take a bus or get a cab.

So you spend about $20+ on a cab from Trader Joes, because the the stores near you are too expensive? And a bus would take over an hour and a half to go over 40 blocks.

 

[LisaR]

Two words: Puffer coats.

Are they women? Have them get ones that are long enough to cover their butts. They will probably want the cute, shorter jackets, that end at the top of their hips, but a strong wind blowing down the street, if they are waiting or standing outside, getting underneath the bottom of the jacket and they will feel COLD. Get something that covers their butts. Think of a puffer coat as aluminum foil wrapping a baked potato, sealing in the heat. You want to get a long enough one to work. The really long ones, that go down to their knees are nice if they have to wear dresses to work. But going out shopping & other places, the extra length may be cumbersome, especially while indoors shopping.They will usually have the coat unzipped and the extra length usually bangs into things and knocks things off shelves.

Here is page of puffer coats at Kohls. The light grey coat, fourth row down, in the middle, is what I'm talking about. Or a parka with a hood. No flattened hat hair with a hood. I actually have the ZeroXposur brand myself. I was leary of not getting a down jacket this time around, but goose down takes way too long to slowly dry after laundering - especially at a coin landromat. I wanted something I could easy wash & dry. The tight weave of the microfiber in the ZeroXposur coats make them very windproof and I think there is a coating to make them water-resistant. Mine is.

http://www.kohls.com/catalog/womens-puffer-quilts-coats-jackets-outerwear-clothing.jsp?CN=Gender:Womens+Silhouetteuffer & Quilts+Product:Coats & Jackets+Category:Outerwear+Department:Clothing&kwid=p3252470660

If they are guys, a good parka is good. Parkas automatically are long enough to cover the butt & have a hood.

One is my daughter and we took her out this weekend and bought her a long, warm puffer jacket. I have a great picture of her dad squatting down zipping up the jacket for her. The zipper was stuck (we bought a different one) but it did look like she wasn't capable of zipping up her own jacket. "Moving off to live in the Big Apple, but still doesn't know how to dress herself." lol

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

So you spend about $20+ on a cab from Trader Joes, because the the stores near me are too expensive? And a bus would take over an hour and a half to go over 40 blocks.

An hour and a half?! More like 30-40 minutes. An no, I usually use ride share apps like UberPool and Lyft Line. Most recently I've been using a free trial of Gett Together to get home from TJ's. I've rarely spend over $10 on a cab, and I almost always take the bus from grocery shopping anyway.

 

[wilkeliza]

Another NYer here. My answer if you must must must get them a grocery card or whatever is get them a Fresh Direct card. The only way that becomes a problem is if they live in a walk up building higher then the 5th floor because Fresh Direct won't deliver above the 5th floor you have to meet them if you are hire then that. Almost everyone I know uses Fresh Direct for the regular pantry type items and many of us use them for meats and veggies too.

 

[Imzadi]

I only travel the surface if I have a bunch of stuff. The subway is cheaper and so much faster.

Yes, it actually seems counter-intuitive and takes a while to figure out. You usually have to walk a few blocks to the subway, then you may have to wait 10 minutes for the subway to arrive. It seems like it would be longer. But, it's faster.

I remember when I was a lot younger and we were late and I was running to the corner to hail a cab. But, my friends said it would be quicker by subway, even though it was a few blocks away. We ran to the subway station. Waited for the train and finally got on. Then we had to walk again a few blocks once we got off the subway. We still ended up arriving about 10-15 minutes sooner than if we had taken a cab and had been stuck at ALL the stoplights, every few blocks, versus the 5 subway stops, even waiting for passengers to get on & off, but flying by all the streets in between.

 

[Imzadi]

One is my daughter and we took her out this weekend and bought her a long, warm puffer jacket. I have a great picture of her dad squatting down zipping up the jacket for her. The zipper was stuck (we bought a different one) but it did look like she wasn't capable of zipping up her own jacket. "Moving off to live in the Big Apple, but still doesn't know how to dress herself." lol

Almost everyone I know uses Fresh Direct for the regular pantry type items and many of us use them for meats and veggies too.

I see all their trucks all over. I still haven't tried them yet. I'll have to look into them.

 

[wilkeliza]

I see all their trucks all over. I still haven't tried them yet. I'll have to look into them.

They are pretty affordable and have later night delivery slots so you don't have to worry about skipping work for a food delivery. The only time I've ever had problems with them is order individual yogurts. Every single time I get one that has busted open. I finally just said no more until they figure that out. I would say their prices are cheaper then most of the grocery stores in my area (we have Fairway and that's it close then Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Dagastinos in the 20 block radius). When you have 1 grocery store in a 5 block radius that doesn't offer a bunch of standard stuff you end up doing a lot of online grocery shopping.

 

[Imzadi]

An hour and a half?! More like 30-40 minutes. An no, I usually use ride share apps like UberPool and Lyft Line. Most recently I've been using a free trial of Gett Together to get home from TJ's. I've rarely spend over $10 on a cab, and I almost always take the bus from grocery shopping anyway.

I haven't tried ride sharing yet. Someone on TV, I can't remember who, it might have been Harvey Levin on TMZ, said he thinks Lyft is going to even bigger & better than Uber.

 

[Miffy]

Another NYer here who doesn't and never has used Fresh Direct. I like picking out my fresh produce myself, and that constitutes a tremendous proportion of my groceries. And there's an amazing fruit and veg store practically right across the street from me.

I guess a PP proved that someone will travel 40 blocks to go to Trader Joe's. I personally wouldn't travel that far for groceries on a regular basis. Once every two months, maybe. It takes up a lot of time and energy.

OP: I'm gathering your college grads don't yet have an apartment rented. I hope they have a realistic idea of what's out there, where it is, and what they can afford. Even a mere 300-square-foot studio (by Manhattan standards, that wouldn't really be "small" or "mere") could cost well over $2,000/month in Manhattan (I'm not exaggerating at all--in fact, I'm downplaying the probable cost). In the East Village walk-up (I lived on the 5th floor) where I lived for twenty years, as soon as a rent-regulated apartment was vacated, the landlord charged $2,250+ for these very small apartments. No elevator, no laundry in building. Probably not what your grads are used to. And, btw, it's extremely difficult for renters to find a rent-regulated apartment in Manhattan these days.

This doesn't mean it's impossible to live in NYC. Plenty of people do it. Many of them have to settle for a place outside Manhattan, even if they want the convenience of living there. And there's great stuff in the outer boroughs.

Good luck to the grads, and please give them cash. They'll need it and appreciate it!

 

[Caskett616]

Screw it! They are getting cash!

I was just going to suggest cash. As is obvious, no two people do the same thing. Cash always works.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I haven't tried ride sharing yet. Someone on TV, I can't remember who, it might have been Harvey Levin on TMZ, said he thinks Lyft is going to even bigger & better than Uber.

I recommend it; I never hail cabs unless I'm in an extreme hurry. It's just too expensive. If you commute in Manhattan, I'd look at Gett Together. $3 rides on certain pre-fixed routes during rush hours; you just have to be near a route (and you can select you pick up/drop off spots along it). I also flip between Lyft Line and UberPool depending on which one is cheaper.

Back to OP- if you have the option to wait to see where they are living I would do that. Cash is always helpful, though. Also maybe an IKEA or Target gift card to help them furnish their place/get basic necessities like towels and bedding.

 

[LisaR]

Another NYer here who doesn't and never has used Fresh Direct. I like picking out my fresh produce myself, and that constitutes a tremendous proportion of my groceries. And there's an amazing fruit and veg store practically right across the street from me.

I guess a PP proved that someone will travel 40 blocks to go to Trader Joe's. I personally wouldn't travel that far for groceries on a regular basis. Once every two months, maybe. It takes up a lot of time and energy.

OP: I'm gathering your college grads don't yet have an apartment rented. I hope they have a realistic idea of what's out there, where it is, and what they can afford. Even a mere 300-square-foot studio (by Manhattan standards, that wouldn't really be "small" or "mere") could cost well over $2,000/month in Manhattan (I'm not exaggerating at all--in fact, I'm downplaying the probable cost). In the East Village walk-up (I lived on the 5th floor) where I lived for twenty years, as soon as a rent-regulated apartment was vacated, the landlord charged $2,250+ for these very small apartments. No elevator, no laundry in building. Probably not what your grads are used to. And, btw, it's extremely difficult for renters to find a rent-regulated apartment in Manhattan these days.

This doesn't mean it's impossible to live in NYC. Plenty of people do it. Many of them have to settle for a place outside Manhattan, even if they want the convenience of living there. And there's great stuff in the outer boroughs.

Good luck to the grads, and please give them cash. They'll need it and appreciate it!

Yep, they *think* they know how much it will cost, but I don't think they can really grasp it until they are living there. We'll see. I give them a year.

 

[Miffy]

Yep, they *think* they know how much it will cost, but I don't think they can really grasp it until they are living there. We'll see. I give them a year.

If they like it--or love it--here, they'll find a way to make things work. Because it definitely can be done. Particularly if they love their jobs or feel that their jobs are good stepping-stones to the next great thing.

NYC is still a vibrant, exciting place to live and work. It inspires both love and hate in its inhabitants. If your grads get inspired on the love end of things, they'll be just fine. If not, they'll still have a great experience that will help them make future decisions.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Yep, they *think* they know how much it will cost, but I don't think they can really grasp it until they are living there. We'll see. I give them a year.

Do they have good jobs lined up? That will make a huge difference. This isn't a fun city to struggle in. But I hope they do well!

 

[LisaR]

Do they have good jobs lined up? That will make a huge difference. This isn't a fun city to struggle in. But I hope they do well!

They have jobs and the jobs are in their field, but the pay isn't any better than what they had here. However, the experience is a hundred times better so it could definitely lead to more down the road. I think it will be a fun adventure and I hope it works if they love it. I just think they are going to be shocked when they see how expensive it really ends up being and how cold it is compared to here. They are big time beach goers who love to tan for hours so we'll see. They are heading up for the weekend now. I just got a text that the airport in FL is freezing! LOL

 

[Gracie09]

fresh direct, whole foods, and the foodtown by the subway stop I lived near.

 

[Skippy918]

They have jobs and the jobs are in their field, but the pay isn't any better than what they had here. However, the experience is a hundred times better so it could definitely lead to more down the road. I think it will be a fun adventure and I hope it works if they love it. I just think they are going to be shocked when they see how expensive it really ends up being and how cold it is compared to here. They are big time beach goers who love to tan for hours so we'll see. They are heading up for the weekend now. I just got a text that the airport in FL is freezing! LOL

For the beach, they can hop on the subway and head out to Coney Island.

 

[Imzadi]

I just think they are going to be shocked when they see how expensive it really ends up being and how cold it is compared to here. They are big time beach goers who love to tan for hours so we'll see. They are heading up for the weekend now. I just got a text that the airport in FL is freezing! LOL

They've arrived for our first big snow storm of the year.

Anyway, for places to live, tell them to keep New Jersey in mind. There a lots of places along many bus & train routes. The places are probably less expensive and more "normal" size, for what non-New Yorkers consider an apartment. That off-sets traveling in.

They can then do regular grocery shopping. There's lots of great shopping malls in NJ.

And if they decide to split a car, they can travel down to the Jersey Shore for the beaches. Ocean City, NJ is one of my favorite places to go to every summer.

 

[Imzadi]

I recommend it; I never hail cabs unless I'm in an extreme hurry. It's just too expensive. If you commute in Manhattan, I'd look at Gett Together. $3 rides on certain pre-fixed routes during rush hours; you just have to be near a route (and you can select you pick up/drop off spots along it). I also flip between Lyft Line and UberPool depending on which one is cheaper.

Totally agree that cabs are way too expensive in Manhattan. That's why your expenses didn't seem to make the trips worthwhile to me at first.

I would have bought a couple extra jars of Trader Joe's alfredo sauce, and I was eye-balling a few of their cans of soups. But, adding those on would have weighed me down to much to subway & walk home. I thought of taking a cab for a split second. But, the cost of a cab cancels out any savings. I can buy equivalent stuff near me without the hassle. I'll look into the apps & the pick up/drop off spots you talked about. There are probably spots close to me. Thanks.

 

[LisaR]

They've arrived for our first big snow storm of the year.

Anyway, for places to live, tell them to keep New Jersey in mind. There a lots of places along many bus & train routes. The places are probably less expensive and more "normal" size, for what non-New Yorkers consider an apartment. That off-sets traveling in.

They can then do regular grocery shopping. There's lots of great shopping malls in NJ.

And if they decide to split a car, they can travel down to the Jersey Shore for the beaches. Ocean City, NJ is one of my favorite places to go to every summer.

I got the snowy pictures this morning with the following text, "Decided to move home and let you take care of me for the rest of my life in the sunshine."

They have quite a few places lined up to see today. I'll let you know if they find anything. Personally, I think they should do a short term lease in Jersey, make sure they like their jobs and city living, and save some money before taking on a one year lease in the heart of the city, but they seem to have other plans. The instant gratification generation.