Thank you Elena "Queen of Good Times" for starting this blog. I will post my recommendations to the new Humphrey Fellows about life in Cuse .
Where to Live :- Thanks to Tammy (She is your key to unlock anything n everything at Maxwell so better memorize her name and say Brahma says "Hi" when you meet her the first time ) i found the perfect apartment at Maplewoods near Nottingham Plaza . Safe, Quiet n Friendly neighbors . A perfect place 15 mins bus ride (free with SU ID card) from Maxwell. I rented a one bedroom apartment because i was living alone but i recommend you rent the 2 bedroom apartment as the difference in rent is marginal and the extra room comes in handy if you want to entertain guests or if you come here with your family or if you can find a flatmate among the Humphrey group. Laundry in each building and a great maintenance staff to help with any issues you may have ( i had none). 10 mins walk to the grocery store "Tops" , 5 mins to the Bus stop ( 2 if you use the short cuts ) , 5 mins to the Gas station, Rite Aide , Dry Cleaners and a range of eateries ( if u don't want to cook like me then make sure you visit them to find the one that suits you the best )
Bank: Tammy will help you setup a account at the Bank Of America. There is a branch 5 mins from Maplewood . Whenever you visit the bank for some account related requests please take your passport as identification.
Phone: If you want a iphone / blackberry or a high end smartphone you will have to enter into a 2 year contract (which by the way you will not able to get without a social security number). So initially buy a GoPhone from AT&T which is a prepaid connection available at Walmart , Rite Aide etc . You can choose between a 2$ per day (unlimited US calls , no charge if u don't make or receive calls in the 24hr period) or a 50$ monthly plan. Refill cards are easily available. For calling back home use skype or calling cards . But incase you are still adamant on some fruits like Apple or Berries (i hear iPhone 5 will be available in the second quarter of the year) make friends with a Graduate student who will tell you when AT&T agent is visiting the University which happens usually when the graduate classes start in September . This agent can give you a phone without the social security card etc. You will have to pay a termination fee if you break the contract b4 24 months so do the maths by checking out the offers from the AT&T web site. The best carrier is AT&T hence my emphasis on their service. About the data plans and monthly cost for a Blackberry ask Humayun or Elena who use blackberries i just love my plain vanilla lg gophone .
Cable/Internet : Time Warner is very good. You can choose their TV-Internet combo. If you are from the Indian subcontinent (Nepal,Pakistan,Bangladesh,India etc) and want to watch shows from back home i recommend you buy a Jado TV Box instead of the local TV subscription A one time fee of around 250$ will give you access to all your favorite channels , movies n more with no monthly subscription to worry about . The Maplewood management will give you the contact details of the Time Warner Cable sales person. Negotiate with the sales guy for a wifi router and free installation etc.
Where to Eat : If you are single and hate cooking or r honestly too lazy to cook then this is something you should read carefully. I am sure you will not meet your Sister ur parents never told you about in Syracuse , I was fortunate to meet my sister from Pakistan "Sherry " so that is where i get all my favorite home cooked food for everything else I opted for deliveries or the Ready to Eat section at the grocery store if you like Indian food. Haldiram or Deep r my favorite brands from which u can choose a range of vegitarian and non vegitarian dishes along with nan,parathas etc. Chinese food from Mr.Stirfry or Number 1 Kitchen is good. They have lunch special menus and deliver free of charge. If you want to try some Pizza - Pizza Hut is the best while Papa Johns comes in a close second. Look for deals on their website before ordering.
Dosa Grill on Erie Blvd is a good Indian Restaurant to go to for Buffets esp. on a sunday. Samrat is another Indian restaurant you can try on Marshall Street (near the university). You hve a choice of many other restaurants on Marshall Street catering a wide variety of cusines. If you like Sushi then go to Secret Garden on Wednesdays for half priced sushies, it is somewhere on Erie Blvd. Moes is a good mexican resturant you can go to. Anthony's is a good place to go if you like Italian , we went there one rainy evening and the food was great. Of course don't b stupid like me to ask for French Fries in an italian joint. TGI Fridays , Cillies etc serve good food n hve good deals but be prepared to wait b4 you get a table.
More in next - all this writing about food got me hungry !
Where to Live :- Thanks to Tammy (She is your key to unlock anything n everything at Maxwell so better memorize her name and say Brahma says "Hi" when you meet her the first time ) i found the perfect apartment at Maplewoods near Nottingham Plaza . Safe, Quiet n Friendly neighbors . A perfect place 15 mins bus ride (free with SU ID card) from Maxwell. I rented a one bedroom apartment because i was living alone but i recommend you rent the 2 bedroom apartment as the difference in rent is marginal and the extra room comes in handy if you want to entertain guests or if you come here with your family or if you can find a flatmate among the Humphrey group. Laundry in each building and a great maintenance staff to help with any issues you may have ( i had none). 10 mins walk to the grocery store "Tops" , 5 mins to the Bus stop ( 2 if you use the short cuts ) , 5 mins to the Gas station, Rite Aide , Dry Cleaners and a range of eateries ( if u don't want to cook like me then make sure you visit them to find the one that suits you the best )
Bank: Tammy will help you setup a account at the Bank Of America. There is a branch 5 mins from Maplewood . Whenever you visit the bank for some account related requests please take your passport as identification.
Phone: If you want a iphone / blackberry or a high end smartphone you will have to enter into a 2 year contract (which by the way you will not able to get without a social security number). So initially buy a GoPhone from AT&T which is a prepaid connection available at Walmart , Rite Aide etc . You can choose between a 2$ per day (unlimited US calls , no charge if u don't make or receive calls in the 24hr period) or a 50$ monthly plan. Refill cards are easily available. For calling back home use skype or calling cards . But incase you are still adamant on some fruits like Apple or Berries (i hear iPhone 5 will be available in the second quarter of the year) make friends with a Graduate student who will tell you when AT&T agent is visiting the University which happens usually when the graduate classes start in September . This agent can give you a phone without the social security card etc. You will have to pay a termination fee if you break the contract b4 24 months so do the maths by checking out the offers from the AT&T web site. The best carrier is AT&T hence my emphasis on their service. About the data plans and monthly cost for a Blackberry ask Humayun or Elena who use blackberries i just love my plain vanilla lg gophone .
Cable/Internet : Time Warner is very good. You can choose their TV-Internet combo. If you are from the Indian subcontinent (Nepal,Pakistan,Bangladesh,India etc) and want to watch shows from back home i recommend you buy a Jado TV Box instead of the local TV subscription A one time fee of around 250$ will give you access to all your favorite channels , movies n more with no monthly subscription to worry about . The Maplewood management will give you the contact details of the Time Warner Cable sales person. Negotiate with the sales guy for a wifi router and free installation etc.
Where to Eat : If you are single and hate cooking or r honestly too lazy to cook then this is something you should read carefully. I am sure you will not meet your Sister ur parents never told you about in Syracuse , I was fortunate to meet my sister from Pakistan "Sherry " so that is where i get all my favorite home cooked food for everything else I opted for deliveries or the Ready to Eat section at the grocery store if you like Indian food. Haldiram or Deep r my favorite brands from which u can choose a range of vegitarian and non vegitarian dishes along with nan,parathas etc. Chinese food from Mr.Stirfry or Number 1 Kitchen is good. They have lunch special menus and deliver free of charge. If you want to try some Pizza - Pizza Hut is the best while Papa Johns comes in a close second. Look for deals on their website before ordering.
Dosa Grill on Erie Blvd is a good Indian Restaurant to go to for Buffets esp. on a sunday. Samrat is another Indian restaurant you can try on Marshall Street (near the university). You hve a choice of many other restaurants on Marshall Street catering a wide variety of cusines. If you like Sushi then go to Secret Garden on Wednesdays for half priced sushies, it is somewhere on Erie Blvd. Moes is a good mexican resturant you can go to. Anthony's is a good place to go if you like Italian , we went there one rainy evening and the food was great. Of course don't b stupid like me to ask for French Fries in an italian joint. TGI Fridays , Cillies etc serve good food n hve good deals but be prepared to wait b4 you get a table.
More in next - all this writing about food got me hungry !
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