First Timer can't decide and may give up

I have been doing searches and reading like crazy for a week and have to decide by Thurs whether or not we are coming in Early Aug.

The problem: We can%26#39;t decide on a neighbourhood. We want safe, clean and some atmosphere. We will be taking a sighseeing tour (don%26#39;t know which yet), are foodies and would like to take in a show, tv taping if we can get tickets and a yankees game. We know that we may have to cab and subway some places.

The issue: Which neighbourhood should we stay in? There are sooooooooooooo many choices it is making us dizzy. We are considering a B and B in addition to a hotel.

First Timer can't decide and may give up

How many are in your group and what is your budget?

Any place a tourist would stay would generally be considered safe,clean and atmospheric.

Travel throughout the City is easy-peasy, so you don%26#39;t have to stay in one particular neighborhood to experience New York City. Also, there are great places to eat in every neighborhood.

First Timer can't decide and may give up

Agree--as long as you are in Manhattan, it really doesn%26#39;t make much difference. Midtown is the most popular area for visitors to stay but the least residential, so the least neighborhood-y. Personally, I%26#39;d go with the Upper West Side if you can find something there.

Greenwich Villge is my home, and it is a really nice, mostly residential, area. Lots of stores, many local, some great resturants, many places to people watch, home of New York University, Washington Square Park (currently undergoing resrevations). Lots of history, but, and I%26#39;m always amaized about this, you have to look for it. The area just south of Sheridan Sq used to be a big Italian neighborhood (called the 9th ward) and there are still some oldtime shops there. Hudson river park is cool. Foodies might enjoy Chelsea Market, just north of 14th st and the Union Square Greenmarket - our local farmers market.

While there are not many hotels in the neighborhood, it is easily accessable by subway (1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, and 6 lines, and the A, B, C, D, E, F, N, R, Q, V, and W lines all have stations in or on the edge of the Village.

Major Sections of the village, starting from the East: East Village, hip, younger crowd, tattoo parlors, funky stores, Greenwich Village, the center section, more upscale, some really expensive homes. The West Village, young professionals, families, the historic gay neighborhood, the Far West Village, newer, hipper area, bordering the Meatpacking District. (MP district has only a couple of meatpackers left, mostly very trendy hotels, clubs, shops, etc.

We were first timers until last week...do not give up! We stayed on the Upper West Side and LOVED it! It%26#39;s not as hectic as Midtown and it was always such a pleasure to go ';home'; to the UWS.

Give up? Are you kidding? You can%26#39;t give up just because you can%26#39;t decide on an area in which to stay. New York City is among the safest major cities in the world. It is magical with so much to do. The Upper West Side is wonderful as is the Village and Soho areas. You really can%26#39;t go wrong. To find a B and B and some reviews of the B and B%26#39;s go to the ';Hotels and Accomodations'; section on the left. After you click on it, go to the B and B section. You will find many wonderful choices.

Relax and enjoy! New York City is fun and safe. Moms (a former Michigander myself!)

Right, don%26#39;t be a wuss, don%26#39;t give up.

I agree about the Upper West Side, a great area.

The Village is wonderful but hotel choices are sparse.

check out www.washingtonsquarehotel.com a good hotel in the Village. Very safe around there and good walks.

Ok, OK. I am not a wuss! ;)

It is just we are swamped at work and have to decide by Thurs for travel the first week (3 days) in Aug. There are three of us and are willing to share a room. We don%26#39;t even mind chains like BW or Holiday Inn. Our choices: midtown, greenwich, or east or west village. We don%26#39;t need loads of ammenities. Basically, a suite with pull out couch or 2 queen beds, nice bath, tv and maybe a fridge would be nice. We will be out from am to am and would rather spend money doing things than sleeping.

We are still undecided about locations, but would like to visit all.

While I would prefer to stay in Soho or the Village, we used a hotel reward program and stay in midtown east. I really like this area...and although not residential there are lots of delis, pizza places, drug stores, etc for all your needs. It is convenient to Grand Central, so you can easily get anywhere.

We stay at the Barclay Intercontinental, but nearby there is a Radisson, Marriott...and of course the Waldorf!

I agree with AI-NYC - Greenwich is great! Anywhere in Manhattan you%26#39;re guaranteed a great trip, but will need to decide on budgets!

But please do not give up on your planning - New York is my favourite city in the world!!!

It is an amazing place to visit and you will find new things to discover every corner you turn. I found everyone to be extremely friendly and helpful - it truly is a magical place!