Brighton Beach: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

BSBulat ShaydullinFeb 1, 2015Read

All adventures begin and end here. As much as I didn't want to leave Boston, my flight to Moscow was departing from New York. I knew perfectly well that after the Pearl of the North, even the Big Apple might seem less appealing. Maybe I was wrong. Accommodation wasn't an issue—I could stay with a cousin of an acquaintance. The problem was something else: getting there with a huge suitcase and a backpack. Especially since I remembered all too well how I messed up last time, paying 10 times the necessary fare in the subway. Tip: READ the subway car signs CAREFULLY. Just because you are on your line, unfortunately, doesn't mean all trains go where you need to go. Even a train running on your line might not stop at your station. After leaving my things at my acquaintance's place and washing up, I set off in search of free Manhattan fun. Must-see/visit: - Central Park; - Brooklyn Bridge; - Chinatown; - Little Italy; - Broadway; - Times Square at night; - Staten Island Ferry; - Brighton Beach. In Chinatown, there are people who were born in this neighborhood, lived and worked there, and died there, never leaving the area and never knowing English. Consequently, explaining or asking anything from such people won't work. This can play into your hands: I got lucky and, right in front of these people, I left without paying for fixing a couple of errors in the menu. When I was in New York, there was some kind of fair going on in Italy, so I was able to see a few Italians. But in general, Chinatown is growing very fast and slowly but surely is swallowing up Little Italy. Don't be lazy; take a walk down Broadway and head down to Wall Street, then to the water itself, where the free Staten Island Ferry departs. Not only will you sail past the Statue of Liberty, but you'll also get a stunning view, first of Manhattan, then of New York and Jersey City. It's worth it. Tip: Midtown is full of signs like "Pizza for 0.99". In reality, this pizza costs a dollar, but it's still very cheap (the only thing cheaper is at "7-Eleven", where it's $2 for 2 slices, but both with toppings). Sit in Central Park in the evening. Just sit under a tree after a long day or lie on the grass. Listen to what the city residents are talking about. Walk to the lake if you can't sit still. If your hands are still reaching for your gadget, you can delete unnecessary photos and admire the good shots. Drink some water, look around—you are in a forest, in a real jungle inside a jungle. Gather your strength—ahead is the nighttime Times Square and 5th Avenue. When the sun sets and night falls, only one place in New York shines as brightly as it does during the day—that's Times Square! Crowds of people, bright advertising billboards, and actors dressed in costumes of favorite characters—all this creates a special atmosphere. If the prospect of being in a huge crowd of people doesn't excite you, take a walk along 5th Avenue and visit (or maybe buy something there) world-famous stores like M&M's, Hershey's, NBA Store, as well as expensive boutiques. Tip: If you are interested in shopping, head to "Century 21" in Brooklyn. A huge clothing and footwear store with famous brands at quite reasonable prices. The remaining time can well be spent visiting the American Museum of Natural History (which closes at 5:30 PM). And please, since you are in New York, don't make my mistake—go up to the Empire State Building and look at New York from the wind-swept observation deck. Back then I regretted the $29, now I'm ready to pay twice as much just to go back there and not miss the opportunity. Tip: Don't regret the $29 and go up to the Empire State Building observation deck. Brighton! Just take a trip to this street and look at the Russian-language store signs, "Moya Semya" juices, candies with the mysterious name "Korovka", "Adjika" spices, and the funny "Tarkhun" soda. Looking at the eternally rushing pedestrians and the cars constantly yielding to them, looking at the painfully familiar-lo

АКАнюта КоротаеваNytka · Nov 2, 2009Read

We woke up early, at 8, to the alarm, because there's no time to sleep, we need to see everything in NY, it's our last day here. The night was okay, but it wasn't comfortable to sleep, the sofa was too soft and it was cramped ))) but we were so tired that we just passed out as soon as our heads hit the pillow and we didn't care anymore. In the morning we went to the laundry to wash our clothes. Lesha went to work. While we put them in the machine, we went to the beach. There it is... the ocean... blue... clean... but basically the same as the sea) Not many people, probably because it's 10 am. We sunbathed, swam in the ocean, opened the swimming season this year =) waves... ocean... sand almost white... beautiful. We picked up our clothes and went to get ready to walk around. We decided to go see the green lady, meaning the Statue of Liberty, but we were unlucky, we were 10 minutes late, the last boat had left. A bummer. But what can you do. We'll stop by on the way back when we fly to Russia. In 3 months =). We went to pick up Gosha's salary. While waiting for him, we went into an Apple center with Anya to use the Wi-Fi. Wow!!!! It's impressive! Both the center and the laptop itself, convenient, cool, modern, I want one for myself)))) we spent about an hour there. Lesha arrived, we went to Chinatown. Well... we thought it was a big tractor market with a bunch of Chinese people))))) but no, there are Chinese shops there, like Calvin Klein, Levis, etc. Well, naturally, everything is a knockoff. Jeans, hoodies for $12, etc. We went into a Chinese McDonald's – oh, the horror ))) we tried to ask the Chinese guy for a McFlurry, he started explaining in his broken Chinese-English what we should have it with. It was very funny ))) in the end, we had to point with our fingers. The whole store joined in =) Yeah. We chatted, bought it, and left. We didn't buy anything else, mugs - I love NY cost $6, we decided it was expensive and we wouldn't waste money, which we already have little of. We'll buy them later. We went to Brighton Beach - the Russian district. Indeed. A lot of Russians around, you could even say Russia, damn! ))) we saw a cafe – Skovorodka. ))) We ate pizza for $4 with Anya for two. So-so again. The food is gross. I want normal food, but there's nothing! We reached the ocean, people passing by said "Hi" to us =). We spent 15 minutes there, because there was no time, took a couple of photos and went home. It's 8:00 PM, we decided to leave tonight for the state of Virginia to look for work there, Gosha has acquaintances there. We'll hope for that. So there's no time to walk around anymore. At home, we tried to persuade Lesha to go with us, but no, he didn't agree((((((( It was very sad to part with him, he's a good boy. He walked us to the subway, Anya and I had a suitcase each and Gosha had 2 large, heavy suitcases. We had to leave before 12:00 AM because the subway pass was expiring. We left. We got to the Bus Station, bought tickets to Richmond for $69, got on a Greyhound and left. It's 2 AM. We're driving fast, smoothly, the roads are flat, in Russia you can only dream of them =) Gosha said - it's close, about 3 hours... We drove for 7 hours =) he was surprised himself ))) he was wrong. We didn't manage to sleep, just dozed off. Morning - we were driving through the outskirts of Washington, it didn't impress me. No high-rises. The city itself might be better. We saw the White House - aaaaaaa, get the camera out fast!!!!!!!! we took a photo =))) satisfied. Richmond... we arrived... took a taxi... Ashland....

DDream-landguest_16012 · Oct 1, 2009Read

Here is my first letter home: I really enjoyed flying by plane)) It was a bit scary the first time during takeoff and landing, I guess it's like that for everyone) I sat by the window)) I wanted to bathe in the clouds, the view over the mountains and continents was unreal—like from space! The food was tasty (though maybe we were just very hungry), everything was packaged so coolly)) I especially remember the wine, they poured it in full glasses)) They also played various movies) Our airline was Alitalia, with a layover in Rome. The luggage arrived without any losses! Everything is good with us, except for minor problems!!! We don't have money yet to buy a laptop, so we use the internet at the library, the time is limited here, only 1 hour per day! But the internet is free everywhere—wi-fi! We spent all our first days in New York trying to find work and housing! Now we are already living in an apartment (or rather, in the basement of a private house). The owners are an elderly Russian (or rather, Jewish) couple!!! We found it in 4 days))) Before that, we lived in a hostel (in Chinatown) in a small, cramped room (we booked it 4 days in advance). At first, there was no time to even walk around the city because of various errands, we were always sleepy and hungry!! We saved on food, I lived almost entirely on bananas so that we could pay for the apartment, we had to pay a deposit for 2 months immediately, $700 per person. We lost a little weight)) We often bought something at a diner, the portions here are huge everywhere, you can stretch them for the whole day! Now our "torments" are behind us!!! It's a 2-room apartment, a small kitchen, a shower, generally okay! There was little furniture there, but gradually we dragged a lot of useful things into the house! Here, it's customary to put everything out by the road on trash day, and on the way home, we found many interesting things for ourselves: leather chairs, a TV with a rolling shelf, and a dresser)) Only there is nowhere to do laundry (you can do it for money at a laundromat). So we all walk around in dirty and wrinkled clothes) We will pay $1050 a month for the three of us (including utility bills!) The area is very quiet and calm (Briarwood, Queens), it reminds me of a cottage settlement. There are many shops around, even Russian ones, it's a 15-minute walk to the subway... It takes half an hour to get to Manhattan. In general, we like everything!!! Now we can cook food at home)) I already spotted all our cereals (the brands are the same) and black bread in a Russian store)) We walked around the city and went shopping several times)) It just blows your mind with the abundance of things (prices in the city center are much lower than at our market, and the items are good, famous brands!!!) So we dreamed a little)) New York itself is a city of dreams: huge skyscrapers, crowds of people from different corners of the world, everything around is bright and unreal, as if you ended up in a movie!!!)) The only drawback is the subway! It can't be compared to the Moscow one—it's dirty, ugly, doesn't run as often, and the map is very confusing! On the weekend, we went in the evening on the free ferry near the Statue of Liberty!!! BEAUTY... everything is in lights!!! And we also went to the famous Brighton Beach! Russians everywhere, everything is covered in trash, lots of people, and the water is cold! Not very good impressions of the beach! For a week now, there has been wild heat outside!!! But everywhere indoors and in the subway, it's very cold because of the air conditioning! So I have to carry a jacket with me constantly! I even caught a slight cold) We recently bought a liter of rum!!)) We celebrated our move-in)) We already have a friend, Valdo—an American)) He helps us look for work and promised to drive us around the city in his car! I barely understand Americans((( I only understand standard questions and compliments)) There are a lot of handsome guys, which you can't say abo

How I earned my first dollar in America! Oh, it was funny. Nastya (thanks to whom we had a cool apartment) called me and asked if I wanted to hand out flyers at some Russian festival; they would pay 7 dollars an hour. I decided, why not! I hadn't worked anywhere yet, and this would be my first money! I was looking forward to my first paycheck! Well, it's like some kind of initiation))) maybe someone will understand)) I had the same feeling when I got my first paycheck. The flyers were about some children's camp. I don't remember what the festival was dedicated to, I only remember that it was very hot and I was exhausted in the heat! But work is work, it's not supposed to be easy! I worked for 3 hours and was paid $25. At the same time, I watched the concert, various ensembles performed there. Some people had a slightly strange reaction to my flyers. Some were interested in whether I would be in this camp myself and would only go under these conditions (I didn't care, the main thing was to hand them out), some asked about the cost (which I had no idea about), some answered in English that they didn't know Russian))... There were, of course, funny moments in my "career", but the less you know, the better you sleep, dear reader!!!))))) I can say that handing out flyers pays just as well as other jobs, it's a pity it's not a permanent job! Yes, 7 dollars is still a little, sometimes they pay even 10! So, this is also not a bad part-time job option in your free time!

EExchangeexchangeiec · May 29, 2009Read

New York, New York Arrived in New York Wow. It's stunning! =)) I don't remember exactly what happened or how, but I walked a lot + bought a one-day subway pass for $5, which turned out to be a waste =/ I drank four liters of Coca-Cola and ate 5 bananas that day. Started my income/expense journal. I was on Broadway, 5th Avenue, Times Sq, had a snack on the grass in Central Park among a couple hundred office workers, tourists like me, and all sorts of people. Squirrels are jumping between people; the place is beautiful overall, even if trampled in places. I was on Wall Street, nothing interesting, though I got there at night =) I only remember the dark walls of endless skyscrapers; the street resembles a gloomy, narrow gorge =) At sunset, I arrived at the park at the very tip of Manhattan, where the free ferry to Staten Island leaves from. I looked at the statue from afar from that ferry - the ferry is almost entirely packed with tourists who are just going to gawk at the Statue of Liberty =)) They go there, get off, and immediately get on the ferry back =) I got confused and missed the ferry back. I sat there in the wind over the bay, trying to process what was happening... I had an idea to go to Brighton Beach, take a look, and swim (hey, I haven't washed in three days!), but it was too late, there was no one in the subway, and it felt sketchy to go far. So I left Brighton Beach for the way back... But I really want to get in the water, I thought I'd find a fountain and take a dip. I spent an hour looking for any body of water and found one. In the end, a black policeman made it clear to me that you can't use the fountain like that =/ Damn it, I'll go wash under a flower sprinkler! Said and done =) Changed into clean clothes, mood is good again. On Times Square, I took a lot of photos with an octopus =) Cool thing! Everyone around is curious about what I'm mounting on the edge of the trash can... =)) On a skyscraper, there's a huge scrolling ticker: "Russia has announced the start of troop withdrawal from the territory of Georgia." Many people here think Russia is the aggressor; they keep harping on it on TV. Anyway, at 3 AM, I made it to the Port Authority station. By the way, they close it at night for entry for those without a ticket. You can spend the night, which many do (though it's awkward; my heart bleeds when I look at them curled up on bags, newspapers, or just on the floor =)). Well, I don't have time to test my sleeping bag - I need a bus to Boston. By the way, the line and boarding here took about an hour, and having a sleeping pad/sleeping bag/gear, you can save a spot in the boarding line and comfortably settle off to the side =) instead of crowding and shifting from foot to foot like the other penguins =) My mood is excellent! The road to Boston is just wonderful, 10 out of 10! I got settled perfectly on two seats, and the sleeping pad came in handy, plus it's cool on the bus and I remembered that I bought special warm soft socks =)) Temperature, lighting, views from the window - everything - couldn't be better! I love Greyhound buses!!

EExchangeexchangeiec · May 29, 2009Read

New York, heading home, New York September 17th 4 AM, I'm sitting in the Port Authority bus terminal and I'm sleepy. It's a decent terminal; they close it at night, and everyone with a ticket or who just arrived (like me) can sleep on the floor and charge their electronics. There are tons of Russian students here. You hear Russian speech here and there, it's cool, exotic =) I guess I'll go to sleep, goodnight to you, or rather, goodnight for the next two hours... No way! I didn't end up sleeping, I went straight to Brighton Beach. Partly because I didn't have much time, and partly because I took a photo of the bathroom rules at the station and some guy started getting really emotional about it =) I explained to him that he was wrong, he followed me out and started yelling that he'd call the cops on me. Anyway, I think security realized the guy was unstable, but I still decided against sleeping at the station. At least I got a good sleep on the subway - an hour and a half each way, it turned out =) I slept on my backpack the whole time. Brighton Beach, Little Russia by the Sea. There are makeshift toilets in the bushes, homeless people swearing in Russian on the huge beach, and athletic-looking grandmas are already swimming, even though it's forbidden - there's a red flag up. The sun just peeked over the horizon. Some unfriendly Georgians are fishing for "roach" =) Walking along the beach, I stumbled upon "We love Russia" written in the sand =))) On Ocean Pkwy (I have no idea what that abbreviation means), half the signs are written in Russian. I went into some learning center (to use the bathroom, pardon=) The admin guy there told me that, strangely enough, there aren't really any Russians here, just Ukrainian Jews who are commonly called Russians. He also said it's impossible to live here and unbearably boring. But, he says, in two years, quote "Russia will turn into a scorching wasteland." And he sent me back outside. A conspirator =) He advised me to ask someone else, "maybe they'll have a different opinion, but generally that's what people think here..." Strange guy. I went to the Apple Store, the biggest one in New York, on 5th Avenue, that glass cube thing. And here I was met with a letdown. It was packed, and all the players had sold out the day before yesterday. I went to Best Buy, also the biggest one. By the way, in the New York subway, for the umpteenth time, I can't seem to get where I need to go on the first try =)) Usually, I overshoot by a couple of stations, gradually getting closer to the goal. The system here is just too confusing, with these local and express trains and a couple dozen lines =) In Best Buy, there was nothing either; the clueless salesperson hadn't even heard of the new Apple iPod touch =/ and the laptops here were just old leftovers... Lame. Back to the Apple Store. I called the other two - also empty. Good thing I thought to call from their free store iPhones; I only had a few seconds of credit left on my mobile. I wished my grandma a happy birthday, got through, they were all chattering so much that it was impossible to understand what grandma was saying, but it was great, nice =) It's just a bummer about the purchases =( it turns out the $40 commission for shipping a thousand just went down the drain. And how much running around mom did to send it, and me to receive it =/ Oh well, dad cheered me up. It really is a bummer, but okay. Let it go... I told grandma I'd go to the museum, the coolest natural history museum, to see dinosaur bones. But it's 2 PM, the plane is at 6, will I make it or not? Grandpa said "don't miss the plane, don't risk it," and grandpa wouldn't say that for no reason. So, after standing at the subway stop for half an hour trying to figure out the right train to the museum, I decided to go to the airport. I'll go a different way, I decided, the long way. Spent another half hour catching the right train, it's a two-hour ride, I naturally fell asleep and missed my stop,

We landed at the airport in New York City. Excitement and fear, anticipation and delight – that very feeling when you realize where you are, but still cannot believe it. Perhaps this is the first city where it proved impossible to determine my attitude at first glance. Walking along the evening avenues, I couldn't figure out if I felt comfortable here or not. But one thing was clear: NY is stunning in its power! The skyscrapers, the people, the rhythm, and the energy as a whole – it’s what makes you hold your breath in an attempt to process what is happening. It seems that everything in New York moves faster than the hands of a clock, and that is impressive. Walking along Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, Battery Park, where you get a view of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the incredible view of nighttime New York from the Empire State Building – everything looks amazing, but a strange feeling persists. It is not like in the movies. And there it is – the destruction of the first stereotype. Reality is far from Hollywood blockbusters. Having watched various TV series and films set in New York, I imagined the city somewhat differently. Not worse or better, just different. The main conclusion: never build illusions! As they say, it is better to see once… NY welcomed me, and NY saw me off. Before flying back to Russia, I also visited Brooklyn, immersing myself in the atmosphere of the Russian Brighton Beach, and took photos against the backdrop of the numerous advertising displays of the most famous square in the world – Times Square. Walks in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Central Park, Apple Store + everything I visited in the first days of my stay in America – the minimum program in New York has been completed. Summary: New York is a very powerful city with its own specifics, which strikes you with its energy. For some, it captures the soul, while others are ready to escape this hustle and bustle as soon as possible. But New York is not all of America… Moving on.