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But, as the owner of a NYC co-op, I will say that it is disconcerting for us and for our building staff to have random people coming and going and often, being pretty noisy. Apartment buildings don't often have very good soundproofing between the units.
The city has started fining the owners of apartments who advertise them on airbnb. I suppose anyone renting one should be a little worried that the owner will get an eviction notice and shut down after they've taken your money. The other worry would be that neighbors complain.
I am originally from Ontario, Canada but have never been south of Niagara Falls, into the US on the east coast.
Always wanted to stay in NYC, have been into various airports there too, too many times.
When I started this post, I should have stated all is in the planning stages at this moment.
Boston attracts me, just from photos and of course Washington because of the memorials and again from what I have read and movies I have watched!
How would you compare these places to Philadelphia where many of you have stated would be more sensible as a day trip?
I am trying to put a lot into a short time mostly because I am not sure when I would get back that way - dealing with my husband's cancer as well as my own health issues!
I also only visit my brother for a few hours in Kitchener, so normally stay in Toronto and just travel from there to see him. Just more convenient for hotels and transit.
On looking at the flight situation I see they would be out of LaGuardia!
I am open to your suggestions and thank you all thus far.
Given equal amounts of time, I would rank them DC, Boston, Philadelphia. But that isn'tt your situation.
Btw, Tilted's link doesn't work, so here is another for the penalties.
Is the use of your home in exchange for theirs "compensation," which is not allowed, or not?
My guess is that the lawmakers had not worked that one out.
And anecdotally, I know it is. Tourists can be just as noisy, or more so, than residents.
Here is the Philadelphia visitor webiste, so you can decide if it's for you.
bzookaj, would you please can you please come over my NYC building and kick out the 3 different permanent tenants in my building that I suspect might be deaf based on the volume at which they play their music all the effing time, day and night? The difference with permanent tenants is that you can't kick them out as easily as the temporary ones.
I actually prefer Philadelphia to both DC and Boston. I love the art museum and I think the architecture in downtown is interesting. I also find it a lot more walkable than DC. I don't find Boston particularly attractive or charming and Philly has a similar number of historical sites. So I'd rank these Philly, DC, Boston, or DC, Philly, Boston depending on how interested the person is in museums.
Try a list like this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20hotels.html
Or (although it's several years old), this:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/travel/11nyhotels.html
You have one week, and I (like many others here) think seeing New York, along with Boston and Washington as day trips, is crazy. Here's a better plan. Pick New York City and either Washington or Boston. Spend 2-3 days in either one of those cities, then take a train or bus to New York City and spend the remainder of your time there.
If that seems too complicated, I suggest giving the Seafarer's and International House a try. It's basic but very highly regarded, run by Lutherans, caters mainly to adults (rather than 20-something backpackers), is centrally located just east of Union Square (a major subway hub), and is very inexpensive by New York City standards.
The place isn't very big and the rooms go fast, so I'd contact them directly.
Their website address:
http://www.sihnyc.org/newyork-guesthouse.php
You'll also find reviews here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d609602-Reviews-Seafarers_International_House-New_York_City_New_York.html
Yes. I strongly objected to the article's treatment of Flushing's Chinatown, but felt (and feel) it is otherwise a great little synop of Queens.
Edited by: LongIslandBob
apartment in their absence. Seems like a giant loophole.....
If you know your schedule ahead of time, with 14 day advance purchase a flight from NY LGA to Toronto will cost about $120. You just need to buy 14 days before. After that the price goes up. NY to Toronto is far and Amtrak sucks. Even if you like trains, there is no special scenery on the way.
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30
Home exchange doesn't present the same problems as renting out apartments.But, as the owner of a NYC co-op, I will say that it is disconcerting for us and for our building staff to have random people coming and going and often, being pretty noisy. Apartment buildings don't often have very good soundproofing between the units.
The city has started fining the owners of apartments who advertise them on airbnb. I suppose anyone renting one should be a little worried that the owner will get an eviction notice and shut down after they've taken your money. The other worry would be that neighbors complain.
31
- Tourists typically cause less noise than permanent residents since they're out all day and night sightseeing. They're barely in the apartment because they don't come to visit the city to stay inside the apartment.
- There was only one reported incident so far of an Airbnb apt renter being hassled by the city. And he hasn't had to pay anything yet, so technically he hasn't been fined anything yet.
- Airbnb has very good customer service and policies that wouldn't result is someone paying for any nights they don't actually stay at a rented apartment.
32
Thank you one and all for your input!I am originally from Ontario, Canada but have never been south of Niagara Falls, into the US on the east coast.
Always wanted to stay in NYC, have been into various airports there too, too many times.
When I started this post, I should have stated all is in the planning stages at this moment.
Boston attracts me, just from photos and of course Washington because of the memorials and again from what I have read and movies I have watched!
How would you compare these places to Philadelphia where many of you have stated would be more sensible as a day trip?
I am trying to put a lot into a short time mostly because I am not sure when I would get back that way - dealing with my husband's cancer as well as my own health issues!
I also only visit my brother for a few hours in Kitchener, so normally stay in Toronto and just travel from there to see him. Just more convenient for hotels and transit.
On looking at the flight situation I see they would be out of LaGuardia!
I am open to your suggestions and thank you all thus far.
33
Philadelphia for a day minus four hours travel is better than DC for a day minus eight hours travel or Boston minus ten hours.Given equal amounts of time, I would rank them DC, Boston, Philadelphia. But that isn'tt your situation.
34
Bzookaj, give me an example of something that it is a crime for me to do, but for which the law provides no penalty.
No one said this. I had said not to confuse "legality" with "enforcement."Btw, Tilted's link doesn't work, so here is another for the penalties.
Home exchange doesn't present the same problems as renting out apartments.
This brings up an interesting question:Is the use of your home in exchange for theirs "compensation," which is not allowed, or not?
My guess is that the lawmakers had not worked that one out.
Tourists typically cause less noise than permanent residents since they're out all day and night sightseeing.
Sweeping statements like this are generally wrong.And anecdotally, I know it is. Tourists can be just as noisy, or more so, than residents.
There was only one reported incident so far of an Airbnb apt renter being hassled by the city.
So what you are saying is, "yes, it can and has happened."Airbnb has very good customer service and policies that wouldn't result is someone paying for any nights they don't actually stay at a rented apartment.
But they also tell you to comply with the law, which they rely on you to determine.Boston attracts me, just from photos and of course Washington because of the memorials and again from what I have read and movies I have watched!
How would you compare these places to Philadelphia where many of you have stated would be more sensible as a day trip?
Philly has its own sense of history, but much of what you'll likely focus on is Colonial, as in xBoston. It also feels a bit more like xNYC in energy and atmosphere than either city. The main factor is you cut your travel time in half.How would you compare these places to Philadelphia where many of you have stated would be more sensible as a day trip?
Here is the Philadelphia visitor webiste, so you can decide if it's for you.
36
My original point exactly, Vinny.bzookaj, would you please can you please come over my NYC building and kick out the 3 different permanent tenants in my building that I suspect might be deaf based on the volume at which they play their music all the effing time, day and night? The difference with permanent tenants is that you can't kick them out as easily as the temporary ones.
I actually prefer Philadelphia to both DC and Boston. I love the art museum and I think the architecture in downtown is interesting. I also find it a lot more walkable than DC. I don't find Boston particularly attractive or charming and Philly has a similar number of historical sites. So I'd rank these Philly, DC, Boston, or DC, Philly, Boston depending on how interested the person is in museums.
37
I'm not going to wade into the whole issue of apartment rentals in New York, except to say that if you're going for a week, you don't need an apartment. Just find a reasonably priced hotel. If it were me, I'd stay in Manhattan so you can be close to the major sites you want to see.Try a list like this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20hotels.html
Or (although it's several years old), this:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/travel/11nyhotels.html
You have one week, and I (like many others here) think seeing New York, along with Boston and Washington as day trips, is crazy. Here's a better plan. Pick New York City and either Washington or Boston. Spend 2-3 days in either one of those cities, then take a train or bus to New York City and spend the remainder of your time there.
38
For obvious reasons, you'll need to stay in Manhattan. Bidding on priceline.com would be my choice for finding a hotel room at a greatly reduced rate.If that seems too complicated, I suggest giving the Seafarer's and International House a try. It's basic but very highly regarded, run by Lutherans, caters mainly to adults (rather than 20-something backpackers), is centrally located just east of Union Square (a major subway hub), and is very inexpensive by New York City standards.
The place isn't very big and the rooms go fast, so I'd contact them directly.
Their website address:
http://www.sihnyc.org/newyork-guesthouse.php
You'll also find reviews here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d609602-Reviews-Seafarers_International_House-New_York_City_New_York.html
40
Conveniently enough, the NY Times answered your question twice today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20hotels.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20hotels.html
Yes. I strongly objected to the article's treatment of Flushing's Chinatown, but felt (and feel) it is otherwise a great little synop of Queens.
Edited by: LongIslandBob
41
I thought the NY law also allowed exceptions for tenants to allow people to have pet-sitters occupy theirapartment in their absence. Seems like a giant loophole.....
42
One bit of advice I want to give you if you are planning to take Amtrak from NY to Toronto.If you know your schedule ahead of time, with 14 day advance purchase a flight from NY LGA to Toronto will cost about $120. You just need to buy 14 days before. After that the price goes up. NY to Toronto is far and Amtrak sucks. Even if you like trains, there is no special scenery on the way.
