Prices vary in rants

This is true especially for food. Sometimes just "lunch" - yesterday's was $30 give or take... and yes, I had dessert and the main course also served as dinner. Today was $4.50! And yes, yesterday's meal was Kosher - and that food is much more expensive. There's always a difference between neighborhoods so the rent will be higher in one area than the other.

But when it's a bottle of water - could be three times as expensive downtown as it is in my area - or other basics. One would expect a certain amount of variation, but it get silly. I get to the point that I just laugh - like at the airport for water/snacks... OMG! Captive audience for SURE. And the solution for the airport is to go with my own snacks and an empty bottle to fill. (The price wars continue ON the plane as well.)

There are some discount stores that have everything from clothing to housewares and food. I try to stop in to get snacks - could be 1/2 price or even better. And for CLOTHING!!! Blouses for $1.50 and jeans for $7! Not everyone has the option to shop around. NYC can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be!