'Home Sweet Home' Where Are You!?

I finally tried the CitiBike last week as my way of transportation and exercise to my part time job on the upper west side.  It was a great way of exercising but I was late for work and it took longer than 30 minutes to get there. The thing with the Citibike that you need to be aware of is that they only allow 30minute increments while riding the bike. Not sure why but I bought a 24hour pass because I only used it for literally 20 minutes. After 30 minutes the deal is you have to get off the bike, lock it back into a machine, wait a few seconds and then you can take it out again if you are still not at your destination without any extra costs for the next 24 hours. Some people buy a month or year pass because they know streets and it can definitely be cheaper than paying $2.50 every time you have to go on the subway. I just wanted to try it out. I could have used it again for the rest of my ride to work but after 20 minutes of riding I realized I was going to be late no matter what based on the time and didn't want to risk showing up even later. I thought it would take me only 30 minutes to ride from 35th Street and 6th to 74th and Columbus Ave. Anyone from New York reading that would laugh at me. How was I suppose to remember which streets were one way streets? Lets just say I need to walk more to really know the streets better before I can start bike riding around the city. So I took the subway the rest of the way after dropping off the bike at Columbus Circle.

 

The next day, I went to check my bank account and found that there was/is a charge of $101 from CitiBike. I was so mad/confused because it only cost $10.95 or something. They did mention there would be a charge of $101 but I thought that was ONLY if the bike was stolen. What it really says is they put a hold on your account until they can verify the bike is fine and dandy. So I called the number on their home page and a woman answered. She told me that there is a hold for the next 36 hours just to make sure there is nothing wrong with the bike and the bike was returned. The money has not been taken out of my account and will stay there as long as the bike is fine. Today, four days later, I check my bank account and there is clearly a charge for $101 from CitiBike. I don't understand?!!?? I returned the bike almost four days ago!!! Why are they charging me?! I am at work so I can't just call them so I emailed them. I ended up with the money still in my account but word of advice for CitiBike usage:

• they are a great and cheap way to get around the city
• there are bike lanes in the streets but not on all streets so still be cautious
• they put a hold on everyone's account until three days (four) after your 24 hour pass is over as a precaution (they wait for how ever long you pay to have the pass for riding the bike is expired)
• they do not provide helmets
• the bike machines are literally everywhere around the city so it is easy to return and use one of these bikes
• I see them being used everywhere!
• if you are in a rush, do not attempt to use the bike unless you hate the subway, don't want to walk, have biked in the city before, or do not want to pay for a taxi

Not only have I finally tried riding a CitiBike, but I decided to finally just Google search "roommates in NYC" because I feel I have tried everything when it comes to looking for a place to live! I have used so many different sources to find a roommate or just an available/empty room in an apartment long term. Maybe I am having trouble because I know what I don't want in a living situation. I can't help that I am allergic to animals that shed and I would rather live with women (or a gay man) then a straight man! Here is a list of many places I have looked. My dad says I should just find a real-estate person to help me. The only issue is I can't afford to live alone and I don't want to pay a fee. At this rate, I will never find a place to live!

• Spareroom
• Roommates
• Hotpads
• Spareroom
• Streeteasy
• Gypsy Housing

I know that I will find a place to live eventually. It just isn't the right timing. The right apartment is out there waiting for me I know it!

 

Using many of those websites, I have seen apartments in Harlem, New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Queens. I personally want to live in Queens because it is right in between where I am working and where most of my family and family friends live. These websites have helped me see and understand what kinds of apartments look like in different areas of New York. It has also given me an idea of how pricing looks like for single studio apartments to 3 bedroom apartments/homes. Well, good luck to you and hopefully I will have a nice place to live in Queens by the subway in the near future.