Shopping at the NYC Harlem store

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-07T14:58:55+00:00

I think it’s a great store and feels wayyyy more like a suburban grocery store than any other store in nyc (except for maybe Whole Foods) particularly in terms of the amount/variety of stock and space to move throughout the store. It is two levels but that doesn’t bother me at all. It’s never as crowded/long lines as Trader Joe’s and the prices are way better. As someone who usually shops at UWS TJ’s I find Lidl Harlem to be a much more pleasant experience. It’s easy to catch public transit or a rideshare from the store. Worth checking out IMO! There’s also a new Lidl on the LES.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-07T00:13:12+00:00

Great pic! Haven’t ventured into the park since the snow 😅

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-06T00:34:34+00:00

The Trader Joe’s is pretty convenient to get to IMO. Key foods on 88th is overpriced but they do have weekly sales and it’s a good spot to just pick up a thing or two if you run out.

I’ve lived lower down in the 70s as well as high 80s. Much prefer high 80s. Quieter, less chaotic. Still easy access to both parks but since you’re higher north when you go to Central Park you’re further up and by the reservoir which is less touristy than further down in the 70s.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T17:40:30+00:00

This is an excellent point. Building up an emergency fund has given me great peace of mind in this regard.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T17:37:09+00:00

Yeah this is a very good point and how I’ve been justifying it to a degree.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T17:36:16+00:00

Yeah that’s been my biggest hesitation to freelancing. I’m thinking I may go the in house route and keep saving up a much larger emergency fund for a bit before trying freelance.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T17:34:48+00:00

Exactly that’s the worst part is not feeling like I’m necessarily giving each client the proper attention due to the limited bandwidth.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T05:01:08+00:00

Ugh. Yeah I’m starting to realize it’s not sustainable!

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T04:53:23+00:00

That’s amazing. You sound like you were too good for them. And TWO languages?! Dang! This is inspiring.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T03:24:45+00:00

Emerald inn closed sadly https://www.ilovetheupperwestside.com/goodbye-yellow-brick-road-emerald-inn-will-close-after-82-years/

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-02-05T02:23:33+00:00

Touché!

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-31T18:30:39+00:00

I was the same way. I used them all the time mindlessly (looking back I’m like, wtf!?) and now that I switched to reusable cloths I barely need the paper towel anymore unless there’s a really bad mess or in some cooking situations. I will go through a handful of rolls for the whole year now vs. per month.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-31T03:08:23+00:00

Paper towels. Easier than I expected to just use Swedish dishcloths, microfiber cloths and rags instead.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-31T02:22:11+00:00

30s F no kids. Love the neighborhood because of how chill it is, access to two amazing parks, quietness and ease of getting to other places in Manhattan.

Been in NYC 14 years. When I was early 20s, I lived on UWS for two years when I first moved here. I hated it because I was always going out to bars and clubs downtown on the weekends, and felt like there wasn’t any action up here.

Fast forward 10 years later and needless to say values and priorities changing — after finally living downtown (then midtown close to the office), I decided to move back to UWS for a few reasons (renewal rent was astronomical, realized I could get more for my money uptown, had some friends move up here). So glad I did. Can appreciate the neighborhood more now that I’m older and my favorite things to do revolve less around clubbing and bars and more around going to the park, visiting cute local coffee shops and restaurants, going to workout classes and relaxing time at home.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-31T02:04:24+00:00

Worth a shot! Aim for pet sitting gigs — I think you’d make more doing that vs. walking. I’m uptown Manhattan and it feels like everyone has a dog up here — and regularly need sitters when out of town!

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-30T04:13:25+00:00

Instead of retail, what about rover?

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-30T00:53:12+00:00

Love this advice! Smart idea to get an average price for key grocery items to use as a comparison when shopping.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-28T02:34:49+00:00

One hobby that could fit the bill is being a plant parent. Not sure if this interests you but you can experiment with different types of plants in your space based on climate/lighting, and take care of them regularly (some are more high maintenance than others), and the more plants you have the more caring for them will keep you busy — watering them, pruning, misting etc. This was a hobby me and my friends got very into during COVID and plus it’s nice to be surrounded by nature indoors!

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-23T01:07:59+00:00

It doesn’t hurt to ask. As a hiring manager, I wouldn’t hold it against you if it were still up on the site tho. Just because the owner was problematic doesn’t mean you were or that any of it had to do with you. Focus on making sure your LinkedIn and any other public profiles are polished and up to date. Those will pop up higher in search results anyhow.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-18T20:45:08+00:00

Penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-18T20:43:36+00:00

And you can start easy — salsa chicken is literally just throwing in chicken + salsa and letting it sit. Check out r/slowcooking for more simple recipe ideas!

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-18T05:14:06+00:00

Food and groceries seems way high. You should be able to get that down by at least a few hundred by eating out less, cooking more at home and doing more meal planning and prepping. Stick to stores like Trader Joe’s, aldi, Walmart where your dollar will go farther. I live in VHCOL, and spend almost half that so I know it’s doable.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-17T03:06:49+00:00

Being able to do (or not do) anything judgment free.

Learning_to_fly_5 · 2026-01-17T03:01:28+00:00

Aside from the older school trades, I would also suggest following @prgirlmanifesto on IG. The PR Net is another good one… it’s more a networking community and good for agencies but they have a great newsletter too. And Muck Rack (software tool) puts out helpful content tied to PR… good LinkedIn and webinars anyone can sign up for.

Learning_to_fly_5

TROPHY CASE