J1 options; LA/SF Vs. NY

Captain Corelli

I'm 18yo planning to go to US in June on. J1. which of these cities would you reccomend? LA or NY? have any of you got any advice... much appreciated...

paddyb

dont go to LA. i went to chciago and it was class. NY is great but ive heard it is expensive and hard to find accomodation

iMax

Summer of your life on the west coast. so much to see & do. constant sunshine. go to vegas for a weekend. pick up some hookers. find jimmy hoffa in the desert.

West coast, every time.

Jivin Turkey

NY is deadly, but I prefered Chicago to be honest. SF is very nice. Im not sure about LA for a J1.

A fake ID will get you in anywhere in NY or Chicago, I heard some people had problems in SF even with IDs, but there are loads of house parties round there due to every single Irish J1er staying in the same place thats name escapes me at the minute. Its out in Berkeley I think.

Healio

Jivin Turkey wrote:

A fake ID will get you in anywhere in NY or Chicago

a laminated id or one of those computer printed ones?

zAbbo

NYC, and it aint expensive, do ur research

Captain Corelli

Thanks for the pearls of wisdom; things have changed; i'm now going to San Francisco. Flying out the start of june. Should be great craic. Has anyone been there already? Was it hard to get a job?

Jivin Turkey

Healio wrote:

a laminated id or one of those computer printed ones?

In general there a people around all colleges who do up fake drivers licences (for novelty use of course). They will charge you 20 quid for the priviledge but its a small price to pay.

There is nothing worse than getting hassle over there for being U21.

iMax

Corelli, You will absolutly love SF. Was there this summer for a couple of days. The most sublime place I've ever been (I left my heart, in San Francisco). Loads to see & do & a great place.

DirtyDog

NYC is a fantastic City, I've been there 5 times and each time I find something new to do. Living there might be a different story, its a very go go go city so if your into the fast paced, always on the go lifestyle this might be the city for you. Jobs and accomodation will be no problem, but you do have to look around, and as per usual money makes a big difference. If your you thinking of not working in the City but somewhere in NY state i've no real experience there but i have traveled around it and north is a nicer, more relaxed place - further south keeps the busy vibe as your between two major cities Phili and NYC, then you have washington DC and the rest of the east coast is def worth the trip.

However...

I've also done the westcoast, and if it was my choice I'd choose the west coast, but be warned you might not come back. San Fran is fantastic, such a laid back city, everywhere even the further out subburbs are really cool. Its by far my fav. I'd avoid LA, its skanky, and a total waste of time unless your working in Beverly Hills and even then you'll be sick of seeing people looking down there noses at you - its for the rich only, although worth a look to see how the others live. San Fran is great for location, the drive down the coast is fantastic, i mean totally amazing. Then there are the other hot spots, Las Vegas (def worth a trip, even work there for a bit if you can but be warned its very very hot hit 44deg when we were there in june), San Diego is v nice, and take a trip to mexico but dont stay too long

both coasts are amazing and offer dif looks on the american lifestyle, but I have to confess i prefer the sun, the sea the relaxed chilled atmosphere of the west coast. Either way you'll love it.

hope this helps, :cool:

DirtyDog

hahaha guess i took too long to write that reply, you'll love San Fran - not too hard finding a job, depends on what you want\willing to do

Captain Corelli

ok this will make me look indecisive but the plan has changed yet again. I'm now going to the original city; New York. As per usual any advice because that will be my first trip to the states and I don't really know what to expect. Tanx for the posts so far. Im planning on getting a job in one of the resorts on long island; sun, sea and the sweet smell of money; it can't get much better than that!


P.S. by money I mean american girls; the metaphor may not be clear but thats life ;D

40crush41

awesome! New York, New York you'll love it! well, least I do.

Long Island, very nice have been to Jones Beach before -a lot of activity there, board walk and all. and just a heads up, weekends there's heavy traffic traveling into LI, but then you'll probably drive elsewhere out, so then it won't affect you. lucky you!

and if you don't mind Italian food, please stop anywhere at Arthur Avenue at some point. everything is excellent there, one of my favorite places to eat.. hmm, probably my top choice actually.. http://www.arthuravenue.com/contactus.html there are some directions, that should get you there.
Theres also il vagabondo on 62nd in NYC, a place that my family always eats. we just love it, and a lot of people who've been there go back again and again. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?neighborhoodid=0&restaurantid=5028 can give you some more information. (watch you hate Italian, hah, sorry if ya do!)

And it would be a shame to be so close to Boston and not stop by, great city.

hmm, but what to do and see? what are your interests? sight-seeing, historical, clubs/meeting people? theres so much to do..

mmhmm, I love NY~Beth

hahaa, yup -so true, us american ladies love those accents of yours, i doubt you'll find one that'll disagree. wish i could find some dignity and deny that, but thatd be a lie.

memphis

Yeah, you'll love NYC, its just amazing, very big city with all the hustle and bustle to go with it. Lots a friendly people there too.

I took a long weekend in NYC while I was a J1er in Boston. If ya get a chance take a trip down to Boston, the place is full of Irish... particularlly during the summer.

Enjoy!