<p>We are from a relatively small University Town in Florida: Gainesville (Home of the Gators). My son will be attending MSM in the Fall, living in the dorm. I am somewhat apprehensive regarding the transition from small town to big city and what conservatory students are faced with. My son is my oldest of 4 children and my first going to college, and the thought of my son living in NYC makes me a little crazy. Any thoughts/words of wisdom/caution are appreciated.</p>
<p>I feel your pain! My S left for Juilliard from Germany. We lived in a town of 49,000 folks in a very safe and beautiful area of Bavaria. My kid had no street smarts whatsoever. We spent most of the summer telling him things like "do NOT fall asleep on the subway." (He fell asleep within moments of boarding any train in Germany. The one time he travelled alone, he missed his stop - middle of the night. Last train of the night.) He is short, slim, and has long hair. He can look like a girl from the back sometimes. We gave him all sorts of warnings about walking alone, etc. It was hard to educate him without letting my fear become irrational.</p>
<p>Putting him on the plane alone to move to school was very difficult.</p>
<p>However, he has done just fine. More than fine, actually. Staying in the dorm will be great for your son - I am sure the school will have all sorts of orientation activities and information to help out of towners settle. They are used to dealing with kids who come from all sorts of backgrounds. </p>
<p>My son now lives in Harlem, in an apartment. He routinely stays at Juilliard practicing until the buildings close at 11 p.m., then takes the trains home. It sounds awful, but when I visited I realized that the city is very much alive at that hour, streets are well lit, people are out and about. I was very comforted by seeing how at home my S felt in the city. He loves it.</p>
<p>Greatest city in the world. MSM has a great dorm and the A train will get him directly into Times Square. And, however you feel about Rudy, there's no debate that under his direction NYC has undergone an amazing transformation, especially around Times Square.</p>
<p>That being said, the normal "city rules" apply, the same things I constantly reiterate with my daughter at Peabody. Never travel alone, especially at night. Never carry more cash than you really need. Travel with a confident, "don't screw with me" native New Yorker scowl/glare. Don't look like some yokel in the big city for the first time.</p>
<p>However, fear shouldn't prevent your S from enjoying the wonders of NY. Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Museums of every sort...</p>
<p>Don't sweat it. He won't be the only person in his class going through the same transition so they'll be lots of support....</p>
<p>Thanks binx, your post is very reassuring</p>
<p>My son has done just fine in NYC and my daughter lives not very far away from him in an apartment in Harlem, though they don't see each other all that often. S started an internship this semester and travels all over the city--no problem. He is fairly careful about his belongings (computer and instruments) and tries not to carry them around any more than he has to, but he seems to be perfectly comfortable about getting himself to and fro. He travels to Westchester for lessons with his teacher--takes an hour long train ride and then gets picked up and dropped off at the train station. No complaints. After several summers interning in the city as a college student and now just over a year of full time residence, daughter is looking and sounding like New Yorker.</p>
<p>We live in a major city, so they both had some street savvy to begin with, nevertheless NYC gave me pause. However, I think you will find that your S will adapt very quickly and you will be amazed at his ability to hail cabs when you go for your first trip to visit him!</p>
<p>My D was 16 went she started at MSM pre-college on Saturdays. She travelled alone by train, subway and took the short walk on foot. She left after dark. She never had any problems. The area north of MSM, starting at 125th street used to be pretty rough, but is much better now. Your S should not have any problems and will get used to the city in a hurry.</p>
<p>edad...I was still warned about walking to the 125th street station after dark. I'm so glad your D had no problems!</p>
<p>Don't forget now that Bill Clinton put his office in Harlem, "uptown" is a better address.</p>
<p>Although the rumor is that most of residents said, "There goes the neighborhood!" when Bubba announced his office location. ;-)</p>
<p>The 125th street station is above the street, out in the open, so from that point of view, it feels safer than going down into the subway. The stations for the 1 line are on Broadway, quite a busy avenue, which helps. It is a great adventure, enjoy!</p>
<p>My D only used the 125th st station once. She used the station just south of MSM.</p>
<p>Next one south is 116th Street. MSM is at 122nd, but the blocks to 125th are somehow much longer.</p>
<p>violamandad - My oldest loves NYC and was very comfortable with it, but not so comfortable that she didn't stay alert. She took the subway by herself day and night and has been to MSM and that area many times by herself. Never had a problem. She did mention that she was more comfortable getting on and off the subway at 116th rather then 125th. She pulls off that "I know what I'm doing" attitude so well that I actually was a little nervous about her coming off with too much attitude ;) She ended up not attending MSM, but it was mostly a financial decision and not a poor reflection on the area at all.</p>
<p>My other daughter does not pull off the attitude as well and although she didn't admit it, she was clearly uncomfortable at her auditions in NYC this past Fall. We stayed in a nice hotel but she wouldn't go down to the lobby by herself and on a couple occasions when I had to run to the Duane Reed for items she was calling me on my cell phone within 5 minutes to make sure I hadn't died. We actually stayed for 4 days and took in Broadway shows, Time Square, etc and rode the subways all over night and day and never had a problem. But had she been accepted to Juiliard, I don't know that she would have gone.</p>
<p>thanks for all the information. Very reassuring. My son has read this thread with great interest</p>
<p>This is a great thread and very reassuring. DD16 is planning on auditioning for NYU for Music Ed and this really alleviates a lot of fears. I guess what you have to remember is people are people all over and common sense has to prevail in any situation.</p>
<p>Now, I have a question for the BTDT's...what is an appropriate amount of money (allowance say) monthly, weekly, whatever for a dorm living college student to need to fuction in NYC? Particularly NYU. This is an important factor in our decision. I am interested in "walking around money", not money for extras like shows etc. That, to me, can be things she pays for with money she earns at a summer job. Just curious...</p>
<p>We haven't given our kid a penny! [albeit he is not at NYU] This year he is living in an apartment, so we pay the rent via auto withdrawal. Although more expensive than a dorm, it has enabled us to pay monthly and avoid any loans this year. And I mail frequent care packages to make sure he eats something. (He still mainly eats in the dorm cafeteria.) But he gets enough money via gigs and work-study to fund everything else himself. That includes food, play money, books, etc.</p>
<p>His bank account is joint with my H, and we have an account in the same bank (in NYC), so my H keeps an eye on it, with the idea that we will transfer money into it if necessary. So far, the only times we've needed to do that are when paying tuition or such.</p>
<p>On the other hand, his roommate goes through quite a bit of money. He is quite a large kid, and eats at restaurants quite frequently.</p>
<p>Does anyone have an idea of the fastest yet safest mode of transportation....coming in with Metro North what is the best route to Mannes (125 W 85 St I believe). Is it Grand Central and then a bus to 86th and walk 2 blocks? Or Grand Central to subway to 86th? 125 Street off Metro North and then subway to 86th is probably quickest, but not safest.</p>
<p>Grand Central then subway (shuttle to Times Square) the Broadway LOCAL #1 train to 86 & Broadway. You don't say what time of day, but generally this will be the fastest. The Lexington Ave subway is very fast (express train) to 86 and Lexington, but the cross-town bus will be a little slower. A taxi from 86th and Lex will be fast, and cost about $7.00 including tip.</p>
<p>My son has been trying to draw up a budget since he will be living independently in NYC next fall. We did find out that a monthly subway / bus pass is $76. This provides unlimited rides during the month. I think this needs to be figured into every student's budget. If the student won't be using the subway much, they will still need to budget money for taking it - $2.00 for each trip.</p>
<p>Thanks nycm...I would assume worst case - in and out at rush hour...just looking into the feasibility of commuting as one more column in the excel spreadsheet :)</p>
<p>Two years ago, if a student lived in Mannes sponsored housing, the monthly pass was provided...I think....check it out.</p>