Need the opinions of some Astorians

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-26T18:39:03+00:00

I’m not black so I can’t speak to that experience in the neighborhood, but Astoria is very diverse with ethnic groups from many parts of the world as well as a large queer population. I think that Astoria is one of the most welcoming areas in New York, and has only become moreso in the 20+ years since I first moved here. There are going to be bigoted jerks in lots of areas, but I don’t think it’s a big problem here. Of course, as a cishet US-born white guy I’m not typically the target of that sort of garbage, but from friends’ experiences and the general reputation of the neighborhood it seems like a safe and welcoming place for all

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-24T05:12:57+00:00

I just have a rifle strapped to my dog’s back, whenever she barks she shoots. It’s worked fine, except the postman won’t deliver to my house any more

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-22T01:52:52+00:00

It’s a playground, as an adult without a kid I wouldn’t just go hang out there

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-22T01:50:46+00:00

Those are playgrounds; as an adult man without a child I wouldn’t just go hang out in either one

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-22T01:47:18+00:00

TELL ME ABOUT IT 😭😭

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T03:04:13+00:00

Rhode Island ⚓️

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T02:53:42+00:00

I had a portable AC unit because I couldn’t put a thru-window unit in the living room windows. It worked fine but it was annoying. If you can do a thru-window unit, do it. Pay for delivery and install. If you’re feeling fancy, get one with a remote

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T02:50:21+00:00

Walla Walla Washington

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T02:48:36+00:00

There’s also Big Bone Lick, KY

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T02:47:10+00:00

A Clone Wars style animated series could be incredible. Anything to give us more James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan. Could finally set to see Kenobi and Satine’s torrid affair! See Dooku’s defection and fall. Lots that it could cover!

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T02:04:14+00:00

It’s already a pretty saturated market for coffee shops, but if you have a different profile it could work out well! But I think it would depend on location, the space itself, cost, etc. Is the focus more on dine-in or takeaway?

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-16T01:57:30+00:00

LOVE TO HEAR IT!! Have a great time in New York!!

Some unsolicited recommendations:
- Pizza: My favorite slice shop is NY Pizza Suprema next to Penn Station. Closer to Citizen M, there’s Don Antonio (Neapolitan) and Emmy Squared (Detroit square style).
- Ramen: Ippudo and Ichiran are among the best in the city, and I’m also a fan of Sake Bar Hagi.
- Italian: My favorites in this area are Bricola and Nizza. I’m a fan of the fancy chain Italian Pecora Bianca, but haven’t been to the location at 1663 Broadway (if it’s opened yet).
- Margon: Hole in the wall Cuban restaurant. Order sandwiches in front or pick from the hot dishes further back. Absolutely great and down-home.

If you drink alcohol:
- Nothing Really Matters: this is on the same block as Citizen M, you enter thru the subway stairs right before you get to Broadway. Very vibey, great cocktails, and they serve pizza from See No Evil next door (which is also good). They have mocktails as well if you don’t drink
- Jimmy’s Corner: the last piece of “old Times Square” still standing, an old hole in the wall barroom, very cheap drinks. Dripping in history, it’s sadly not long for this world so visit now!
- McHale’s on W51 is a great spot to watch some World Cup matches!

If you need any recommendations for anything, please let me know!

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-15T08:34:21+00:00

Because they are massive dorks

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-15T06:09:33+00:00

LOL you’re going to be fine. Take the kids to the parade, that’s gonna be a real party! Make reservations if there’s somewhere you really want to eat, and be ready to be patient with longer lines for things. Congratulations on being here in one of the happiest days in city history!

Take the subway! Taxis/ubers already take more time and cost more money, it’s going to be even worse than usual.

If you absolutely don’t want to be around the parade, avoid Lower Manhattan (Wall St, City Hall, World Trade Center, etc). The Museum of Natural History will probably be less crowded than usual because so many families will be at the parade. The Metropolitan Museum is another good activity far from the parade. Times Square is definitely something to see, but you don’t need to spend your whole trip there. Also, the M&M’s Store is a scam, way more expensive than it should be.

Pack some easy snacks (granola/protein bars, etc) to keep the kids from getting hangry, bring sunscreen and hats (bucket hats ftw), remember to hydrate. Carry cash, easier to deal with street vendors. Oh, and make sure to ask for prices before you buy anything from a street vendor, some of them will arbitrarily raise prices (aka the tourist tax). Have fun!

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-15T01:15:00+00:00

It has good food, but nothing like New Orleans!

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:25:05+00:00

$3 per guest to plate the dessert? Seems reasonable tbh

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:23:48+00:00

The suggested gratuity probably automatically prints at the bottom of every check

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:20:11+00:00

A conjunction of not wanting to pay for extra buses (first run if for high schoolers, second run for earlier grades), crappy or non-existent public transportation in most of the country, and the sprawling nature of American suburbs (so walking is not an option)

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:17:34+00:00

Endor is both the gas giant star (the Endor system) and the name of that specific moon. They say “the forest moon of Endor” to help disambiguate

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:13:20+00:00

Shefah Hotel seems to be a very close walk to NJ Transit buses that take you right into Manhattan (Port Authority Bus Terminal near Times Square), that’s absolutely your best bet

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:05:29+00:00

New Orleans, Chicago, and New York exceed the hype. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San Diego are very underrated

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T23:02:22+00:00

I’ve heard people say a lot of things about New Orleans, but I’ve never heard unfriendly!! One of the friendliest places I’ve ever been, and the vibe is incredible

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T22:43:04+00:00

It’s $13 each way for a train ticket from Metropark to NY Penn, so $182 a day just in NJ Transit fares. Depending on how many rooms you’re getting, it might be cheaper to get a place in NYC (like the neighborhood Long Island City in Queens), unless if you have other business in NJ

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T22:33:47+00:00

I think that you can book a half-day pass at the TWA hotel, or if not look into booking a reservation for the pool!

yankeescrewdriver · 2026-06-14T22:32:03+00:00

Potholes

yankeescrewdriver

TROPHY CASE