The NYC Nomad

I’m interested in staying in unique neighborhoods, with unique people, and in unique environments.  My week of camping in Carroll Gardens satisfied all three of these criteria.  Though I had been to Carroll Gardens once before, it was only for four days and I was left wanting to return.  It’s an historically Italian neighborhood (though [...]

Graphic Credit:  Juli Sombat from Red Hook It’s been quite a year since I packed up, hit the road, and decided to become an urban nomad.  I’ve lived in over 35 neighborhoods in and around NYC and recently hit my fifth borough (Staten Island, at last!). I’m celebrating by having a get together at Idle Hands Bar (which has over 50 beers [...]

As much fun as nomadding is, its not without its challenges.  Some are more easily dealt with than others (mail and laundry, for instance).  But one thing I can’t really overcome is when family or friends come to town.  I used to really enjoy inflating an Aerobed in my old apartment for family and friends, [...]

When I said I was going upscale this month, I meant it.  I spent a week in Helen and Tim’s lovely Brooklyn Heights apartment, across the street from the Brooklyn promenade with its very own guest room, which for me meant my very own bed.  I think Helen mentioned that there was an extra bedroom [...]

For those keeping score, I spent two weeks in a row in one neighborhood (gasp!).  I actually really like doing this in part because it makes moving quite painless and also because I feel less pressure to do everything that first week. My move was the shortest since the second and third week of this [...]

Stayed With Jen, a fellow (younger) Tufts Jumbo who met my good friend and former host Pauline at an event.  As it was described to me, they were sitting on a comfortable couch together and someone started talking about couches. Naturally, Pauline started talking about my sometimes couchsurfing, mostly aerobedding project.   Jen was intrigued, [...]

Stayed With Laurie, a self-described 50-something and the third complete stranger I’ve stayed with.  She read the NY Times article in December and invited me for a week to her apartment in Cobble Hill.  Alex, a 14 year old dog, was also my roommate for the week.  He was definitely confused my presence, but I [...]

I stayed with Deanna in Bensonhurst for a week.  She had this to say: Finally a roommate! I live in a studio- alone for the first time, I’m used to sharing space with lots of people! When I heard through a co-worker about the “NYC Nomad” I instantly wanted in! Finally my week with Ed [...]

Planning wasn’t exactly my strong point over the past few weeks.  I went from 83rd and 1st to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and then back to 89th and 1st.  Alas, moving can be interesting, if not exactly fun, and it was an interesting to contrast the two neighborhoods.  Contrast is what I’ll do below – if you [...]

Stayed With Jo, the sister of a good friend of mine from Tufts and the sister-in-law of an even better friend of mine at Tufts. We were in the wedding together a few years back, but beyond that and running into each other at a bar in Park Slope, I’d say we didn’t know each [...]