Author: Site Adminstrator

Every year, the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show is a testament to the city’s ability to do everything bigger and better than the rest of the country. And this year, the show felt extra special.

For the first time in several years, in fact, the fireworks were launched along the Hudson River on the West side of Manhattan, allowing our neighbors in Jersey to also enjoy some spectacular views. In total, the city launched 60,000 shells off of barges for a visually stunning production that lasted about 25 minutes.

We’re all still thinking about last week’s fireworks and all the different POVs New Yorkers were able to revel in.

Here are some of our favorite pictures and videos from the happening: 

1. This picture from The Edge that actually made the fireworks look small:

2. This video that proves Jersey enjoyed some of the best views of the show:

3. This very New York moment of a car alarm going off during the fireworks:

4. This amazing private show from a hotel room:

5. This video that proves the fireworks are best seen on a boat: 

6. This video showing the event from the very coveted pier view: 

7. This picture of the West Village that contrasts the calm of the neighborhood with the massive display:

8. This picture of a passenger flying over the fireworks:

9. This video of the fireworks being reflected on an office building:

10. This colorful long-exposure picture of the fireworks: 

* This article was originally published here

Taking a Citi Bike is a wonderful way to stay active while getting to your destination in a timely matter. Riding a Citi Bike ebike, which uses pedal-assist technology, will get you there even faster!

However, beginning Wednesday, July 10th, there will be an increase in rider prices to cover the costly expenses of battery swapping, insurance, and vehicle expenses that are required by ebikes. So let’s break down what new fees you can expect based on your membership status. Note there will be no change in the price of the general annual membership, single ride pass, day pass, or the monthly membership for reduced fare bike share members.

Non-members

• Ebike fees will jump from $0.30 cents to $0.36 per minute
• Overage fees will increase to $0.36 per minute (no change in overage fees for day pass)

Annual membership

• Ebike fees will jump from $0.20 cents to $0.24 per minute
• 45 minutes or less cap for ebikes entering or exiting Manhattan (totaling $4.80)
• Overage fees will increase to $0.24 per minute

Reduced fare bike share members

• Ebike fees will jump from $0.10 cents to $0.12 per minute
• 45 minutes or less cap for ebikes entering or exiting Manhattan (totaling $4.80)
• Overage fees will increase to $0.24 per minute

Lyft pink all access

• Ebike fees will jump to $0.24 per minute
• 45 minutes or less cap for ebikes entering or exiting Manhattan (totaling $4.80)

The post Prices To Spike For Electric Citi Bikes Starting This Week appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

It’s hot dog week here at Time Out New York, so it is only fitting for this news to drop now: the beloved, iconic, uber-popular and downright delicious Papaya King has officially reopened on the Upper East Side at 206 East 86 Street by Third Avenue, right across the street from the brand’s original address, which shuttered to much dismay after the owners of the building filed plans to demolish it.

The development, which was first reported by Upper East Site, has incited excitement all around town, with folks taking to social media to express their delight.

“Finally!!,” a user wrote on X. “Some good news!!!!!” 

“Is NYC… back?,” someone else commented. 

According to various reports, the franks taste just as delicious as they did at Papaya King’s first iteration of a brick-and-mortar, which opened back in 1932, courtesy of Greek immigrant Constantine “Gus” Poulos.

Decades later, business owner Wayne Rosenbaum took over the space and enlisted the help of Poulus’ nephew, Alexander, in the kitchen.

Since then, although changes certainly abounded, including menu shifts and attempts at expansions, the essence of Papaya King has remained the same—starting with the eatery’s iconic sign, now across the street.

Upper East Site was actually able to get a first look of the new space a few months ago and described as painted yellow and featuring a mural depicting food brands that debuted the same year that the shop first opened, including Fritos, Mars and Mentos. Black and white photos that adorned the original eatery are set up on a separate wall as well. 

New Yorkers, what are you still waiting for? Head uptown for some fried Oreos, pickles and a classic hot dog.

* This article was originally published here

It’s no secret that living in NYC comes with a hefty price tag, and as much as we hate those “I can live in a mansion in Texas for what you pay for a studio in NYC” people, it is true–there are definitely more reasonably priced places to live outside of the city, and this new report proves it.

The Demographia International Housing Affordability report assesses housing affordability in 94 major cities in eight different countries–Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States–and in the 2024 edition two New York cities made it to the top ten.

To reach a conclusion, house price data is estimated from sources reporting on housing types representing the majority of existing dwellings in each nation. Each city is ranked based on a price-to-income ratio that divides the median house price by the median household income, referred to as the Median Multiple.

A median multiple of 3.0 and under is considered affordable, a multiple of 3.1 to 4.0 is considered moderately unaffordable, and a multiple of 9.0 and over is considered impossibly unaffordable. Not one of the 94 cities scored a 3.0 or under.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was determined to be the most affordable city to live–just about a 6 hour drive from NYC–with a median multiple of 3.1. This is nearly 75% more affordable than the most unaffordable market in the US: San Jose.

Following closely behind is the New York city of Rochester–with a bit of a shorter drive from NYC clocking in at about 5 hours–with a median multiple of 3.4.

Buffalo, meanwhile, tied for fifth place with three other cities–Edmonton, AB, Detroit, MI, and Oklahoma City, OK–all with a median multiple of 3.6.

Accounting for the rest of the most affordable ten markets is St. Louis, MO-IL at 3.4, Cleveland, OH at 3.5, Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN with 3.7, and Louisville, KY-IN with 3.7.

As for where New York City ranked, it came in way, way down at the bottom at 77th.

As for what’s causing the present cost-of-living crisis, the report writes that the primary cause is rapidly escalating housing costs in middle-income households. The report states:

For decades, home prices generally rose at about the same rate as income, and homeownership became more widespread. But affordability is disappearing in high-income nations as housing costs now far outpace income growth. The crisis stems principally from land use policies that artificially restrict housing supply, driving up land prices and making homeownership unattainable for many.

The full report can be found here.

The post These Are The Cheapest Places To Live Near NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here