Showing posts with label living in new york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living in new york. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tipping in Manhattan Apartment Buildings for the Holidays


The holiday season is here and it's time to start thinking about tipping for services in our apartment buildings.

For those living in Manhattan, holiday tipping is the norm and can seem endless.

While it's important to be generous, it's also important to be realistic about what you can afford. Especially in our current economic climate.

Tips in decent class buildings (not Park and Fifth Avenues) run between $20 and $300 and it's not uncommon for supers to accumulate well into the five figures.

Porters and doormen see anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the building.

Holiday tipping is a way to say ‘thank you' for services. And it's a big part of apartment service worker's compensation.

Some Manhattan apartment buildings pool tips so the workers receive one lump sum. Most leave it up to the individual resident.

I hope you will find the information below useful when tipping in your apartment building this holiday season!

Apartment Building Superintendent
$50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.

Apartment Doorman/Concierge
$10-80 or more each, depending upon building. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.

Apartment Building Handyman And Porters
$15-40 each

Apartment Building Elevator Operators
$15-40

USPS Mail Carrier
Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly.*

UPS - Regular Driver
Has no formal policy. Drivers don't expect tips but can accept them.

Fedex
Not allowed to accept anything over the value of $75. No cash gifts accepted.

Newspaper Carrier
Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10

Regular Overnight Delivery Person
$10-30

Parking Attendants
$10-30 each

These are suggested tips for Manhattan. Tips will vary throughout the rest of the country. Most importantly -- give what you can. If you are giving less this year, include a postscript saying "Wish it could be more" and your gift will be very appreciated.

During this holiday season, remember to take time for yourself so that you're not frazzled when entertaining.

And keep in mind - if you're planning on putting your apartment on the market, the holidays are a great time to do this. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

Wishing you all the blessings of the holiday season,

Ross Ellis
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Halstead Property, LLC

Ask me about Love Our Children USA and Brokers Build at Habitat For Humanity

Sunday, July 5, 2009

4th of July 2009 in Manhattan



Since 1976 the tradition of Macy's fireworks took place on the East River in Manhattan. This year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson, the 2009 Macy's July 4th Fireworks extravaganza took place on the Hudson River,

This year's fireworks featured more than 40,000 shells exploding at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute.

The fireworks were synchronized to a score of patriotic standards, classic river-themed works, and original music. Performances by the New York Pops and Broadway superstars Audra McDonald and Idina Menzel performed.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Holiday Tipping in Apartment Buildings



The holiday season is here and it's time to start thinking about tipping for services in our apartment buildings.

For those living in Manhattan, holiday tipping is the norm and can seem endless.

While it's important to be generous, it's also important to be realistic about what you can afford. Especially in our current economic climate.

Tips in decent class buildings (not Park and Fifth Avenues) run between $20 and $300, and it's not uncommon for supers to accumulate well into the five figures.

Porters and doormen see anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the building.

Holiday tipping is a way to say ‘thank you' for services. And it's a big part of apartment service worker's compensation.

Some Manhattan apartment buildings pool tips so the workers receive one lump sum. Most leave it up to the individual resident.

I hope you will find the information below useful when tipping in your apartment building this holiday season!

Apartment Building Superintendent
$50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.

Apartment Doorman/Concierge
$10-80 or more each, depending upon building. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.

Apartment Building Handyman And Porters
$15-40 each

Apartment Building Elevator Operators
$15-40

USPS Mail Carrier
Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly.*

UPS - Regular Driver
Has no formal policy. Drivers don't expect tips but can accept them.

Fedex
Not allowed to accept anything over the value of $75. No cash gifts accepted.

Newspaper Carrier
Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10

Regular Overnight Delivery Person
$10-30

Parking Attendants
$10-30 each

These are suggested tips for Manhattan. Tips will vary throughout the rest of the country. Most importantly -- give what you can. If you are giving less this year, include a postscript saying "Wish it could be more" and your gift will be very appreciated.

During this holiday season, remember to take time for yourself so that you're not frazzled when entertaining.

And keep in mind - if you're planning on putting your apartment on the market, the holidays are a great time to do this. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

Wishing you all the blessings of the holiday season,

Ross Ellis
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Halstead Property, LLC

Ask me about Love Our Children USA and Brokers Build at Habitat For Humanity

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Summer in New York City



Whether you live in New York City, you're in New York City searching for a new home or just visiting, you cannot afford to miss the joys of this amazing metropolis in the summer.
From Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, Central Park, Hudson River Park, Uni0on Square Park and many others, there are musical performances and free outdoor films (including the HBO Bryant Park Film Festival and RiverWalk Film Festival) beneath the stars all summer long.
Amazing concerts such as:

Central Park Summerstage Free!Frequent summer concerts at the Central Park Summerstage, located at Rumsey Playfield. Some concerts are benefits, but many are free!
New York Philharmonic in the Parks Free!From June 24- July 15, 2008 the New York Philharmonic will perform in New York City parks.
Metropolitan Opera in the Parks Free!On June 20, 2008 the Metropolitan Opera will perform in Prospect Park.
Naumburg Orchestral Concerts 2008 Free!The oldest free outdoor concert series in the US, the Naumburg features symphonic and semi-classical music on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell.
GMA's Summer Concerts Free!On Friday mornings in May - August, be a part of Good Morning America's audience in Bryant Park and see popular acts, including the Josh Groban and Chaka Kahn.
NBC's Today Show Summer Concerts Free!On Friday mornings (mostly) from April - August catch some great performers at Rockefeller Center and a chance to be seen on TV!
Broadway in Bryant Park Free!On Thursdays at 12:30 from July 10 - August 14, see performances from popular Broadway shows live in Bryant Park.
50th Annual Washington Square Music Festival Free!On select Tuesdays in July (and one Saturday in June) you can enjoy this free outdoor concert series.
Mad Sq Music Free!Free concerts on select Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. from June 18 - August 6, 2008.
Free For All At Town Hall Free!Free classical concerts at Town Hall on Sundays in April and May. Free tickets are distributed beginning at noon on the day of the concert.
Mostly MozartThe 40th Season of this Lincoln Center series dedicated to the works of Mozart runs from July 29-August 23, 2008.
Lincoln Center FestivalBallet, music, dance, and more are featured throughout the festival which runs from July 2-27, 2008. Some free events.
JVC JazzFestFrom June 15-28, 2008 the JVC Jazz Festival will be in New York City. There are free events, as well as a series of shows at popular venues.
Summer in the Square Free!On Wednesdays, June 19 - August 14, 2008 Union Square is host to a lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances.
Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Free!Over 100 different events including world music, internationally acclaimed dance, cutting-edge performances, special events, cool jazz, and fun for kids from August 7-24, 2008.
Clinton Concert Series Free!See free concerts in Clinton Cove Park at 55th Street and Pier 84 at 44th Street on select Monday evenings from June - September.
Cityparks Concerts Free!In July & August, free concerts will be held at many of New York City's neighborhood parks
Harlem Meer Performance Festival Free!Jazz, blues, gospel and latin music every Sunday afternoon at the Harlem Meer in Central Park.
River Rocks Free!Check out these free concerts on Pier 54 in Hudson River Park (at 14th Street) on July 10, 31, and August 14, 2008.
Summergarden Free!Concerts presented in the MoMA Sculpture Garden every other Sunday evening July 6 - August 24.
Summer JazzEnjoy jazz concerts at the Scandinavia House in June and July. Admission $12-15.
Awaiting 2008 Updates
River To River Festival Free!From May to September, the Downtown NYC River to River Festival features a variety of musical performances, as well as movies, readings and more.
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Free!On Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26, experience the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in two Manhattan parks where Parker lived and worked.
Seaside Concert Series Free!On Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Asser Levy Park from July 12 - August 23, check out popular musical acts like Liza Minnelli and Al Green.
Martin Luther Jr. Concert Series Free!On Monday evenings at Wingate Field check out these free concerts featuring top R&B, soul, reggae and gospel performers.
Broadway Under the Stars Free!On June 26 at 8 p.m. Broadway performers and a full orchestra will entertain the audience on Central Park's Great Lawn with music and choreography from popular Broadway shows.

Central Park and Shakespeare in the Park, the museums ( the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Whitney and many others), Times Square, Broadway shows (see a Broadway show where the proceeds go to keep children safe) or purchase tickets at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ , walking tours, Little Italy, Chinatown, the shopping, nightlife, arts and entertainment, a Yankees or Mets game, street fairs and the myriad of restaurants await you.

Summer in New York City offers dining at some of the most incredible restaurants including outdoor sidewalk dining. NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2008 with dates to be released soon offers the best prices in town for dining at the best restaurants.

And from May 15, 2008- August 8, 2008 - Private Dining Discount at the '21' Club 21 West 52nd Street 212-582-1400 Receive a 15% reduction on food and beverage pricing when you book and hold an event in one of our ten private rooms now through August 8 2008. Please mention this offer from nycvisit.com at time of booking. Visit www.21club.com/nycevents for complete terms and conditions.

No matter what your reason for spending time in New York City this summer, New York has much to offer!

Enjoy your summer in New york City!!!