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In the USA for the fist time - Need advice

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walker
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   08 Apr 2008, 20:37
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Ok! Thanks!
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bsd_lover
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2008, 05:04
Walker I went to the US last month for only my second time and here were a few of my observations :
- DO take a laptop. There is no concept of internet cafes, but wifi is easily accessible everywhere (and everyone seems to carry a laptop around).
- Be prepared to tip (appx 10%) at proper cafes / hotels for food (also tip cabbies - this may vary from city to city)
- In Chicago - do NOT live in south side (i.e. close to the campus), live in the downtown area, preferably north of the river.
- In NYC forget about renting a car (if finding a hotel there is a problem for over there, pm me ).
- Be prepared to be frisked at every airport (dont be offended - its pretty standard - most foreigners have to go through it)
- Do NOT fly north western - they are horrible - and they fly through Detroit for every destination
- Do print out google maps of the cities / destinations that you intend to go to. I found that it gave me a good idea of the place. Although if you rent a car, it may already come with a street directory

pm me if you have any specific questions, I went to Chicago and NY.
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2008, 07:45
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bsd_lover wrote:
- DO take a laptop. There is no concept of internet cafes, but wifi is easily accessible everywhere (and everyone seems to carry a laptop around).


I try to optimize my trip and am going to use my E-ten M700 as a mobile phone, web-browser/e-mail (through WiFi and EDGE), GPS - navigator along with mobile google maps application, some scanned TOEFL/GMAT books, my SC/CR program :). and maybe even as a mobile Skype terminal....

bsd_lover wrote:
- Be prepared to tip (appx 10%) at proper cafes / hotels for food (also tip cabbies - this may vary from city to city)

Ok. Aha, cabbies....I did not know

bsd_lover wrote:
- In Chicago - do NOT live in south side (i.e. close to the campus), live in the downtown area, preferably north of the river.

I exclude Chicago from my trip - too many places for 2 weeks, maybe next time :(

bsd_lover wrote:
- In NYC forget about renting a car (if finding a hotel there is a problem for over there, pm me ).


I will stay at Mariott hotel at New Jersey, GMAT TIGER said that there will be a nice view of night Manhattan from the hotel. We are going to rent a car in NYC only in order to go to Washington.

bsd_lover wrote:
- Be prepared to be frisked at every airport (dont be offended - its pretty standard - most foreigners have to go through it)

:? I remember how I took off my shoes in Russia airports....

bsd_lover wrote:
- Do NOT fly north western - they are horrible - and they fly through Detroit for every destination


I bought jetBlue tickets for Washington-Las Vegas and Delta for San Francisco - NYC.
are they good airlines?

bsd_lover wrote:
- Do print out google maps of the cities / destinations that you intend to go to. I found that it gave me a good idea of the place. Although if you rent a car, it may already come with a street directory

Ok.

What is your suggestion about GSM-package with cheap internet traffic and good coverage? AT&T?
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2008, 09:56
With the exception of 2 flights where they left people in planes on a runway for about 8 hours (it seemed to be the popular thing to do this last winter) JetBlue is arguably the BEST airline (at least top 3) in terms of customer satisfaction. Good call.
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uphillclimb
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2008, 08:13
For NYC budget hotels, here's what's listed on Citysearch, it's a good list, but book early as they fill up:

Editorial Winner
1.

Herald Square Hotel
19 W 31st St , New York , NY , 10001
A hotel for the budget conscious, just blocks from the Empire State Building.

The Pod Hotel
230 East 51st St , New York , NY , 10022
A mod, thrifty hotel for visitors who aren't planning on camping out in their rooms.
2.

Hotel Wolcott
4 W 31st St , New York , NY , 10001
This Beaux Arts beauty is a must-see.
3.

The Pod Hotel
230 East 51st St , New York , NY , 10022
A mod, thrifty hotel for visitors who aren't planning on camping out in their rooms.
4.

Colonial House Inn
318 W 22nd St , New York , NY , 10011-2602
A favorite gay stay in the Chelsea district.
5.

Second Home on Second Avenue
221 2nd Ave bell # 3 , New York , NY , 10003
Perfect for novice New York visitors.
6.

East Village Bed & Coffee
110 Avenue C , New York , NY , 10009-5350
An East Village bohemian hideaway.
7.

Off Soho Suites
11 Rivington St , New York , NY , 10002
A prime location for budget-conscious hipsters.
8.

Chelsea Savoy Hotel
204 W 23rd St , New York , NY , 10011
A standard hotel in a not-so-standard part of town.
9.

Larchmont Hotel
27 W 11th St , New York , NY , 10011-8601
A cozy Euro-style hotel in a Euro-feeling part of town.
10.

Chelsea Inn
46 W 17th St , New York , NY , 10011-5701
European charm in the shadow of the Flatiron building.
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GMATBLACKBELT
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2008, 12:39
Add me to da list. I also live in NYC
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GMATBLACKBELT
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2008, 12:40
bsd_lover wrote:
Walker I went to the US last month for only my second time and here were a few of my observations :
- DO take a laptop. There is no concept of internet cafes, but wifi is easily accessible everywhere (and everyone seems to carry a laptop around).
- Be prepared to tip (appx 10%) at proper cafes / hotels for food (also tip cabbies - this may vary from city to city)
- In Chicago - do NOT live in south side (i.e. close to the campus), live in the downtown area, preferably north of the river.
- In NYC forget about renting a car (if finding a hotel there is a problem for over there, pm me ).
- Be prepared to be frisked at every airport (dont be offended - its pretty standard - most foreigners have to go through it)
- Do NOT fly north western - they are horrible - and they fly through Detroit for every destination
- Do print out google maps of the cities / destinations that you intend to go to. I found that it gave me a good idea of the place. Although if you rent a car, it may already come with a street directory

pm me if you have any specific questions, I went to Chicago and NY.


Just to add to this: to get to any place in the city use

https://www.hopstop.com This has been a lifesaver
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walker
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   14 Apr 2008, 21:55
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Thanks, guys!
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walker
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink] New post   10 May 2008, 22:04
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Now, I returned yesterday after my excellent trip. Thanks a lot for all your advices!!! :thanks
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Re: In the USA for the fist time - Need advice [#permalink]
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