nyc is not as expensive as people pretend it is. . . trust me, I live here. You just have to be smart. Like, for example, avoid eating at chain restaurants anywhere between 34th Street and 59th Street unless they are advertising some kind of sale. Don't stay at any hotels there either, look in say queens or maybe brooklyn. Perhaps upper west side if you want to stay in manhattan, I remember when I moved up here I found something around 90th Street for 150 bucks. But, in general, I usually have lunch for around 5-6 bucks. Also, the bars are open until 4am, the clubs are open all night and according to my wife, its gonna be in the upper 50's this week with a shot at getting in the 60's. I know this is a pathetic attempt at selling nyc and I'm definitely cheering for the holiday bowl, but I'm just saying its not as bad as some people are making it out to be.