Suggestions on where to stay for t-giving! (New York, Newark: subletting, apartments)

[lcinva]

I'm from the East, but my husband is from the West and we're out here for dental school. I've been to NY a few times, but he hasn't and I want to go there for t-giving. I have a few questions for natives as I've been doing my research:

First, should I just suck it up and pay to stay in midtown, or to save some bucks is it worth it to stay out in Queens and take the subway in?

Second, if we stay in Queens, where is ok to do so? Most of what I've been looking at is around JFK, in Jamaica off Rockaway Blvd or Conduit Ave. But, I've heard terrible things about Jamaica...but mostly in Far Rockaway, etc. etc. Is the immediate area around JFK pretty safe? If it is safe, is getting to it via subway safe?

Third, I've also looked at LGA and staying in Astoria, etc. Would public transportation there be way more of a hassle than JFK?

Any suggestions would be great. I should start booking things soon, but I don't want to end up in a dump....(we already live in one...Cleveland, OH).

We're planning on staying for 4 nights. I've also looked at Newark and staying in NJ, but I don't want to do that.

Thanks!!!

[newtoli]

I'd rather stay at a newark airport hotel and take NJ Transit up than stay in Queens by JFK. The NJTransit train at Newark airport gets into Penn in about 20 minutes I think, and runs very often.

[Viralmd]

Personally, I'd raid the bank and stay in a Manhattan hotel. There's SO much to do, it's a shame to stay elsewhere.

[Lillietta]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Personally, I'd raid the bank and stay in a Manhattan hotel. There's SO much to do, it's a shame to stay elsewhere.

I agree! Make the most of it; it can turn out to be a disappointment otherwise and or more work than you'd like. Don't pick just any Manhattan hotel; some are dumps. Get a recommendation.

[keepthefaith]

Whatever you do, don't stay in Jersey in one of those franchised out hotels/motels.
Nasty.

[Lillietta]

Originally Posted by Lillietta

I agree! Make the most of it; it can turn out to be a disappointment otherwise and or more work than you'd like. Don't pick just any Manhattan hotel; some are dumps. Get a recommendation.

I just posted a response on a different thread here which I will now post here. Try the Pod Hotel - excellent rates for NYC - $119.00 - good ratings on Trip Advisor - small and clean and excellent location!

[Elvira Black]

Here's a link to some NYC bed and breakfasts, but I'm sure there are other sites too:

Bed And Breakfast in New York City, NY

[Cida]

I'd advocate staying in Manhattan. Part of the pleasure of being in Manhattan is that you can just step outside and instantly be in the middle of everything.

There are certainly some less expensive hotels around if you look carefully. Also, if you're students - meaning, if you're relatively young - you might want to scout around to see if there are any grad students subletting their apartments for the Thanksgiving weekend, which might be a bit cheaper...if you're up for that kind of adventure.

By the way, I don't know what you have in mind for Thanksgiving itself, but all sorts of restaurants do special prix-fixe dinners. There may well be an article on it in the New York Times, and usually ads as well.