Blumie

It is not illegal to stay at an AirBnB. The vast, vast, vast majority of people using AirBnB have had good experiences. Some have not, just like some who have stayed in hotels.

I have read about more people being scammed renting apartments on a long-term basis in NYC than renting AirBnBs. Do you recommend against renting apartments in NYC?

I have read about more people being scammed by taxi drivers in NYC than renting AirBnBs. Do you recommend against taking taxis in NYC?

Out of my Element

Now you're just saying "but that is bad so we should ignore this". That's never a valid response.

Renting out an Airbnb in most cases is illegal in NYC, for many reasons including that no one is vouching for the safety of the units as well as to try to keep as many apartments available for New York residents instead of renting them out at high prices to visitors. So by renting an airbnb you are abetting a crime.

It's illegal.

If you want to recommend folks do something illegal, that's on you. If you want to obfuscate the argument by bringing in subjects that are totally unrelated to this that just shows how weak your position is.

Blumie

Thank you for passing on the validity of my response. Let's have a look at your original foray on this point:

In your desire to make AirBnB as unattractive as possible, you obfuscate two separate arguments, the legality of AirBnB and the safety of AirBnB. Irrespective of what you think of the validity of my arguments, I have tried to unpack yours and address them separately to better help folks make their own decision.

1. It is not illegal to rent an AirBnB. It is often illegal for the renter to rent an apartment using AirBnB, but it is not illegal for a visitor to rent one. That it's illegal for the renter to rent may be sufficient reason for some, perhaps including you, to stay away. I personally do not think it's unethical for each prospective user to weigh the issues in play and reach his or her own decision on the ethical thing to do. On the one hand, AirBnB may further deplete the housing stock in NYC, making housing even more expensive for long-term residents. And because it's not licensed by the city or state, there are no requirements with respect to insurance or safety (other than the general regulations that apply to the safety of housing in NYC). On the other hand, AirBnB may allow some NYC residents, who might not otherwise be able to afford to live where they do, to generate supplemental income to make a very expensive city more affordable. It's also, for many, a great way to visit a city, particularly compared with the genericness of most hotels. And some of us might be suspicious of the power of the hotel lobby and hotel unions who exert incredible pressure to help keep AirBnB illegal. (This said from someone who, in general, considers himself to be pro-union.)

2. A completely separate issue is the possibility of being scammed using AirBnB. In my response -- which you have decided is "invalid" -- I have tried to show that the risk of many other commonplace activities may present greater risk. People in general are not good at assessing risks. Simply saying that someone might get scammed doesn't provide sufficient context to accurately access the risk of the situation. One might get hit by a bus crossing a street. Should one therefor not cross the street? I am just trying to provide some context to your suggestion that using AirBnB is risky. I think it's not risky. But as with virtually any endeavor, one needs to take reasonable precaution because no activity is entirely without risk.

AMflier

Look up the Leo House.

Out of my Element

I stand by my comments. Most Airbnbs in NYC are illegal, and none have been inspected for safety.

And that's the last I'll say about it in this thread.

Hoyaheel

I don't know where you are coming from, but WHY would you want to fly across the country to NYC for a couple of days? Stay on the West Coast and explore there instead!!!!

Mostly we just wander around when we visit NYC, knocking off a couple "must do" things each time. Our last trip (July 2017) we finally did the tour of the NY Public Library and an architectural boat tour that circumnavigated Manhattan. It was amazing!!! Probably not what I'd recommend for a first time visit of 2-3 days, but a great choice for us.

UKtravelbear

Because this may be the OP's only chance of seeing NYC at reasonable cost as a side trip on a work trip?

Hoyaheel

Sure, but we don't know. If there isn't enough money to stay in Manhattan and make the trip "worthwhile" (however one defines value) I still would choose another place to explore.

PsiFighter37

As much as I love my hometown (NYC), I wouldn't fly across the U.S. to explore it for just a couple days...spending that much time on a plane wouldn't be worth it (I know, this is FT, where everyone loves to fly ). If the OP is coming from SFO, I would explore the Bay Area more or see one of the other cities that does not require as much time / changing time zones by as much. Examples would be Seattle, Portland OR, LA, San Diego, just to name a handful...

Toshbaf

I have stayed at a JFK airport hotel for half that price. If one is on a budget, one could stay there the entire time but I often stay there for one night at the beginning or end of a trip.

shek3112

Have been searching through and finally find this thread which helps me a lot!
I am looking for more advises from fellow FTers, please feel free to comment on my below idea! thanks a lot!

Background: going to a conference in Dec, got a stopover in NYC from 1 Dec late night till 3 Dec early morning
I am a finance person, and bringing my parents over (who are over 65 yo), none of us being a museum person (E.g. we went to British Museum but started to feel like going out it within 1.5hrs...). They should be rested pretty well travelling in flatbed on the flight, so i suppose we can start the tour at 8-9am sharp

Planning to do a look at Wall Street and the Bull statue, then Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty
then Brooklyn Bridge Park for lunch (heard there are good restaurants there?)
then pass through Grand Central station, go up Empire State Building
dinner @ dunno where
then times square

Any comments are welcomed! thanks a lot!

closetasfan

I don't think you'll get that much from Grand Central or Empire State. I think you'd enjoy a walk across Brooklyn Bridge and possibly walking around Brooklyn pier parks. You're also near Chinatown which is interesting. Rather than Empire State, you're very close to World Trade Center, so you can enjoy that. High Line is a nice walk. Also, Battery Park has a lot of nice places to shop, eat, walk. 9/11 Museum is nearby, which is interesting.

JumboJet

I agree with most everything else you said but this. I have been living in the burbs for years now and I always take friends and visitors to Grand Central. The scale of it amazes them.

shek3112

Thanks for the advice @closetasfan !
I've heard that there are good views from Empire State top level so I included it in. I'll see if we can try a Brooklyn walk after lunch (if it's not that cold...!

shek3112

Thanks @JumboJet !
May I know how would you compare the Grand Central to Kings Cross in London?