I think I only drank like 3 beers during the whole week and I do not recall having one in NY... So freaking cold that hot coffee or chocolate where my choices... Anyways it was an awesome week in the DC/PA/NY area, loved NYtown and to be honest, other than the museum's restaurant and souvenir shops I did not find it so expensive. Now, back to work to pay for the short vacation.
you can easily make it on the 'cheap' in NYC. However, living in NYC with kids is a whole different ballgame. That's why I moved to Northern NJ about :45min away from midtown. Unless you're willing to spend over a million and afford private schools for your kids (which start at about $25k/per), than it's insanely crazy. Mind you if I told you what I pay in taxes to live where I live in NJ you'd be shocked. But at least we have one of the top school districts in the state so we try to justify it in that regard. I used to vacation in Sanibel Island which was really great. But once we had that 3rd kid it just became a bit too long of a process to get there and back. We now vacation in Jamaica (FDR Resorts). You actually get a nanny as part of your package. Totally worth the experience if you just want to relax and connect with your spouse.