Moving to NYC - Keeping Car/Gyms

Hey all, so I'm finding myself moving to NYC and have a few questions about the climbing.  

First, I'm probably looking at joining the Cliffs in LIC (so first to PM me gets a referral if that's still a thing).  My question for you all is do any of you live in LIC and like it? Other than that, where are you coming from climbing at the Cliffs.  If that makes any sense at all.  (I will also be looking for partners once I have a legitimate start date).

Also just looking for general neighborhood advice.  Office is in Manhattan, but will be traveling quite a lot so really LaGuardia/JFK is more important to me.  

Second, the only reason I'd keep my car is for climbing.  So questions:
- Do any of you have a car for weekend trips to the Adirondacks/Gunks/Other places in the northeast? If so, where do you park it/is that cost worth it?
- Do any of you park outside of the city for the same purposes? If so where?
- Is is possible to do weekend trips without a car?
I'd love to ditch it and not deal with driving and parking, but really want the climbing flexibility.

Thanks!

I sold my car when I moved to the city and lived without one for three years. I think I got out of the city a handful of times, but it was a massive PITA to rent one, or borrow one from a friend. You can also take Metro North to a few cities north of here and rent a car, avoiding the city traffic and high car rental prices. Schlepping climbing gear on a train is also a pain.

Since I've had a car (I park it in a garage to save the hassle of finding street parking in the East Village), I've gotten out basically every weekend and regular breaks from the city to play outside have made life soooo much better. The Gunks are actually really close, Catskills have great ice climbing in the winter, and you can get to Keene in <4 hours with no traffic (drive early mornings and late nights). I literally had to make some lifestyle changes to afford parking - its out-of-control expensive - but totally worth it in my opinion.

If you can swing it (especially if you wind up living in LIC or out in Brooklyn where parking is cheaper and more plentiful), I'd say keep the car.

Check out the new Metrorock in Brooklyn too. Another great gym.

I'm in BedStuy in Brooklyn and ride into the Cliffs at least once a week, it's a 30 minute bike ride (I only go early morning and the occasional weekend, it's a madhouse in the weekday evenings, so with that I have the cheaper "off-peak" membership). The Cliffs is hands-down the best gym in the area (have yet to check out MetroRock as Nate mentioned - which Bushwich is a decent area) and also have a membership to Brooklyn Boulders for access to their two gyms in Brooklyn and Queens. From my experience street parking in LIC is hard to do on weekdays. I have tried to do this on weekdays to get to the cliffs and most of the areas are off limits during business hours because it's mostly warehouses that need trucks to access their docks, so if you get a place with a parking garage that would be worth it. LIC has the space to accommodate cars than anywhere else. So if you have the money to put it in a garage go for it. More buildings in LIC offer parking. Brooklyn neighborhoods you can get away with street parking. Manhattan? Forggetaboutit!

I originally had a car when I moved here and sold it, went 4 years without and did exactly what Nate went through for climbing and hiking trips. Now I have a car and do street parking with no problems, have a handful of tickets in the year I had it - way cheaper and not that big a deal once you have a routine to move it. I do travel for work from time to time and get to expense the parking garage when away. If you want to get away every weekend, keep that car. If you want to explore the city while you adjust to the big city life I would either sell the car or keep it somewhere outside the city until you feel the need for it - then bring it into the fold.

There are always people looking to carpool from the city to the Gunks and ADK for adventure weekends or even day trips on facebook groups and here on MP if you decide to keep the car or not.

Central Park and Upper Manhattan have some pretty decent bouldering. An hour outside the city is The Powerlinez with a little bit of everything and okay quality rock for routes. And the Gunks is solid and can be an hour and a half ride there early AM, but don't expect to get back to the city in the same amount of time unless you wait out the rush.

It sucks trying to be a climber in the city without a car.  My wife and I own a car and while we use it for other things (trips to see our family, groceries, errands, etc.) the main use it gets is weekend climbing in the spring/fall and longer trips in the summer.  I pay for a spot in my neighborhood because it's cheap but plenty of people just deal with street parking (it's MUCH easier if you live in a neighborhood where ASP is only once a week instead of 2 times a week, it's the difference between moving your car every single day and only moving it weekly).  The good news about LIC is that it's still the wild west of parking in most areas with plenty of free and longer term spots available.  I left my car there for two entire winters because I don't climb ice and was only using it for longer breaks to leave the northeast.

After living in the city without a car for a number of years and with a car for the last three, I absolutely would not try to live here again for an extended period without a car.  The gunks are so close, there's plenty of close hiking and bouldering, and the dacks are an easy weekend trip if you have a car.  Without a car it's kind of a nightmare, though possible.  It's also gotten a LOT more expensive to do trips to the gunks without a car.  In the past when there was free camping, it was pretty simple to take a bus there on saturday morning (or friday night) hitchhike to the trapps, then camp for free through the weekend.  The price of the bus is pretty steep compared to driving and now with the added cost of expensive camping it's made those trips much less economical. Just something else to consider if you are weighing pros and cons.

Oh, no! Hope it is a really great work/career opportunity that makes NYC worth it. I can’t quite imagine how much more money I would have to make to even consider NYC, and I have parents/sister there. I don’t think 10x my current salary would make me move...

And I think you should keep the car for out of town trips, at least keep it for the first year... you would have a better sense of how much you would use it in a year.  

I live and work in Manhattan, I sold my car when I moved here over 6 years ago because it was not economically feasible to own one (especially as broke new graduate).  I was also not a climber at the time, but got into it about 3 years ago.  It is very possible to do trips without a car, as has already been mentioned there are Facebook groups and the partner forum here to link up with other climbers and carpool.  The bus is also a reliable option, although that can get a bit annoying as you still need to get from the bus station to the cliff, adhere to the bus schedule, schlep your gear, etc.  

I personally get out most weekends in the spring and fall, but I admit it wears on me a little bit.  The logistics of setting everything up every weekend gets old.  I deal with it because it's what I have to do to get out and climb, but I would much prefer to have a car and be on my own schedule.  It just doesn't make sense in Manhattan, and I don't want to leave Manhattan and increase my daily commute so I just deal with the inconvenience.

I live in Greenpoint Brooklyn, a short bike or subway ride to Cliffs. I park on the street but I don't have a day job so it's pretty easy for me to move it for street cleaning usually. You have to more your car from one side of the street to the other 4 or 5 days per week, depending on where you live. It's a pain but it's worth it if you climb or surf or whatever. I think parking is slightly harder in LIC but that is just based on my experience looking for parking to go shopping or the one time I drove to The Cliffs. I have a Suzuki SX4 which is tiny and easy to park.

I go to ADK and Gunks or NH about once per month for ice and rock with my climbing partner who lives in Hoboken. We're both active in the AAC. There is the Metro Section of the AAC that does a few trips per year and in the near future there will likely be a Brooklyn chapter and also a Manhattan chapter so hopefully we will have a more active community of climbers partnering up, planning trips and climbing together. Please PM me if you're interested in heading out together or hitting the gym!

I live in Astoria, work in Midtown and climb at The Cliffs LIC.  I couldn't recommend Astoria enough.  Food is great.  Convenient to the city and cliffs.  I do not own a car but an ex did.  We would keep it on the street as there are some streets near me that have no alternate side.  Having the car was so incredibly key.  Astoria is also a very short cab ride to LGA.  I think it is only 10-15min for me.

+1 for bringing a car. Having moved to SF from NYC—gunks weekends trips are a special kind of easy and magical. The bus works but takes about twice as long.

I just delt with moving the car 2x a week, you get into a rhythm and it’s nbd. Why not use the free street parking in NYC.

Give yourself time to get your NYC system worked out.  There is a rhythm to living in this city which is not always obvious upon arrival.  

In terms of trips to the Gunks, time traversing boroughs makes a difference so pick a spot not too deep in Brooklyn or downtown. Astoria is optimal from this perspective and great for beach trips too.

Nighttime ASP blocks are good for nine to fivers, but you have to be diligent (and careful not to get hit by a semi).  Queens and Brooklyn parking spots are about $200-$250 per month with the parking companies and newer buildings. Cheaper deals can be had but that might take you time to get wired.

Compared to 20 years ago, climbers in the city are much more conspicuous or numerous or both.  I have to imagine you can get in with one or two clicks making regular trips to the Gunks.

Cliffs is not the only game in town any more.  A new gym is opening in Brooklyn in a year or so.  And GP81 is really sweet antimega.  

Lena Chita is probably right but this is still an amazing place to live despite the cost, noise and aggravation.  New York’s got the ways and means, but just won’t let you be.

It will all work out.  Good luck and have fun. 

As some said, some areas are easier than others. When I lived on Forest Hills, a block from my house was an area with no alternate side street parking, so I could leave a car there. I love further out in Queens now and there is no alternate side street parking there as well. 

Chris Borg wrote: I live in Astoria, work in Midtown and climb at The Cliffs LIC.  I couldn't recommend Astoria enough.  Food is great.  Convenient to the city and cliffs.  I do not own a car but an ex did.  We would keep it on the street as there are some streets near me that have no alternate side.  Having the car was so incredibly key.  Astoria is also a very short cab ride to LGA.  I think it is only 10-15min for me.

This is good advice, Astoria has a lot to offer. It's close to the Triborough which gets you out.

Live Perched wrote: Give yourself time to get your NYC system worked out.  There is a rhythm to living in this city which is not always obvious upon arrival.  

This is important advice and is true generally for anyone moving to a major urban center from a smaller town or suburb. The balance of hassles and opprotunities is different in a city; you can expect to continue the exact lifestyle you had previously. This takes an adjustment period, and it also takes some time just to learn how to get around a larger city. 

Thanks everyone! Sounds like keep it at least for a bit if financially it works. If not it may take some finangling but there’re people who get out.

Yeah Lena the CLE -> NYC is going to be a hard adjustment cost of living wise but you know if I’m ever going to live there why not now.

I’ll be back on here once I have an actual start date and will be looking for partners! 

Lena chita wrote: Oh, no! Hope it is a really great work/career opportunity that makes NYC worth it. I can’t quite imagine how much more money I would have to make to even consider NYC, and I have parents/sister there. I don’t think 10x my current salary would make me move...

And I think you should keep the car for out of town trips, at least keep it for the first year... you would have a better sense of how much you would use it in a year.  

Dang, I'm sure the OP really appreciates this ray of optimism as she goes through this major life change...

Danny Poceta wrote:

Dang, I'm sure the OP really appreciates this ray of optimism as she goes through this major life change...

I happen to know OP personally, her move takes her away from here, so...

hey there Kalli, (almost) welcome to New York. First thing I'll say is if you've never climbed at the Gunks before you're in for a real treat. I moved here from Salt Lake City bemoaning the end of my climbing, then had my first day out at the Trapps and followed a friend up Bonnie's Roof Direct and thought, oh ok. I can def live here!

Secondly, if owning a car, making it our for regular trips, and proximity to an airport are important to you, then look at northwest neighborhoods of Queens or Brooklyn like Astoria or Greenpoint. The further north you live in New York, the less of the city you have to trudge through to get out. Your Gunks commute decreases. I live in Greenpoint and being 15 minutes from Laguardia is advantageous.

The other reason is that Long Island City has streets without street cleaning so you can leave your car there indefinitely. When I'm flying out of town on an extended vacation that is my long term parking (car is there now).

I wouldn't recommend living in LIC though. It's expensive for what you get. Astoria sounds better (never lived there) and I do recommend Greenpoint. Once you get sick of how crowded the Cliffs sometimes is (even though it's a great gym) you can transfer your membership over to GP81 and get hella strong.

TL;DR - definitely 100% keep the car!

Message me if you have any further questions or want to climb.

My office is in manhattan and has been for 12 years, but I've never seriously considered living in NYC. Yes, the commute from the suburbs is a headache, but I still think you have to really like city life for it to be worthwhile to have a place in NYC and keep a car for when you want to get off the island*

Personally, I like my city experiences in small doses, and I am usually glad to cross the river back home. 

*Does not apply if money is no object

I live in LIC and climb outside every weekend. Were it not for climbing, I’d have sold my car ages ago. However, being able to escape the city is well worth the cost IMO (I write it off mentally as a very long vacation spread out over a year's worth of weekends). Though there's not much for quality sport climbing nearby, the trad/bouldering are pretty stellar. Some advance warning, though: owning a car, even with no intra-city driving, is expensive here. Your insurance will likely double, garages are ~250 in the outer boroughs, and you pay tolls out the wazoo to get to any crag. As others have mentioned, LIC has a lot of no-rules street parking, but even with that I found it too stressful driving 30 minutes to find an open spot every time I got back from a trip, so I park in a garage by the cliffs for $250/month.

LIC is notoriously yuppie-filled and relatively devoid of fun event/music venues. However, it’s got a lot of good restaurants and is very well connected - every subway into Queens stops in a narrow corridor there so it’s easy to get to anywhere else you want to go. Brooklyn unquestionably has better nightlife but will add 30+ minutes each way to your weekend trips compared to Queens unless you live in Greenpoint/Williamsburg. The Bronx is by far the best borough for road trips as you avoid all the city traffic/tolls but it lacks a climbing gym and is far from everything else in the city.

The Cliffs satisfies all my climbing gym needs (bouldering, sport and general fitness) but I do have the occasional route setting gripe and wish the bouldering was more plentiful. IMO it’s the most complete package of any gym and I’m a happy member. BKB Gowanus is the only other sport climbing gym of note and even then it doesn’t really stack up on that front (I’ve heard the bouldering is better but can’t say personally). GP81 would be my pick for a bouldering only gym - BKBQB is very slab-centric (and expensive) and I’d only join Steep Rock or CRG if I had to live nearby for work/school reasons.

You should absolutely live in Astoria, to me it's the best neighborhood in NYC based on diversity, price, location.  Personally as a climber/ hiker/ skier/ etc I would absolutely not live in NYC without a car.

Generally it's easy to have a car there, but you'll have to move it to the other side of the street twice a week if you want to park for free.  Otherwise spots usually go for $275ish a month, not bad by NYC standards.  (I know people in Manhattan that pay $650)

Other plus's are that it's close to Cliffs at LIC (great gym), it's easy to get out of the city generally (I probably commuted in/out of Astoria a couple hundred times bc my lady lived there), rent is not bad at all especially if you live with someone, and the restaurant situation is very on point, as is the diversity of the neighborhood.  Another plus, from the center of Astoria you can make it to midtown in 30 mins via the N, Q, R, M.  I used to get to Grand Central in 26 mins if I hit it right.  

I live in Greenpoint Brooklyn, very close to the cliffs.  I have a car and use it all the time to go to the Gunks and beyond.  I recommend keeping yours.  I survived years of street parking without much trouble, but right now I lucked into a house with a driveway.  That said, I managed to make street parking work in Brooklyn for at least four years before moving to my current place.  I love my neighborhood, but it can be expensive.

I also think the above suggestion of Astoria is a good one.  I think parking can be tougher there, but by no means impossible.  It's a very nice neighborhood with a short commute to midtown.