How (un)safe is New York

[FunkyDunky]

Dds 13th birthday falls during a half term next year. Flights to NY are still relatively inexpensive, and its somewhere she's always wanted to go.

But a quick google tells me that crime rates are shooting up, so now I'm doubting myself. I have been there a couple of times before, but years ago (pre dc).

I've been twice in the last year - I'd say I didn't feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any point, but my most wary feeling was in the time square area (they've legalised weed and there were some unscrupulous types selling in on the streets!). My DH said the same, at no point was he worried about our safety. We stayed in Manhattan but went to the other boroughs too during day trips. Tbh I think crime rates in lots of places are going up from what I've been seeing online. I'd say just be sensible and you can have loads of fun 😊 sounds like a fab birthday present!

I’ve been three times, the last time in October 2019. Tbh I was shocked about how dirty and expensive it had become since the first time I visited 12 years previously and how many homeless people there were about.
Ok it’s a big city it’s never going to be sparkling clean but it felt very run down and threatening. I said I wouldn’t go again.

A friend of mine has to go there regularly for work and she said that they now have a car service available to them as the subway is quite a lot more dodgy than it used to be.

She doesn’t feel unsafe day to day but she doesn’t do certain things like an early morning jog in quiet places or walking a couple of blocks back to the hotel from a restaurant late in the evening.

Are you white? That is an important factor. My PIL live in New York and we have stopped going to see them but would probably feel differently if we were white.

It’s my favourite city in the world. I’ve been solo 3 times. Stayed in Manhattan, and walked, cycled, and took the subway without any fear. I took sensible precautions, of course. I agree that the homelessness issue is a lot more extreme than what we see in London. I volunteered at a soup kitchen to understand why, and met so many wonderful people. I guess it’s down to personality and how open you are to exploring this incredible city.

I went with my DD in June. We felt perfectly safe and used the tube to get around during the day.
Police and street cameras everywhere if that is reassuring.

if you go, look up summit one and the scooter tour around Central Park was great fun.

I think it feels more unsafe than it used to and there have been some well publicised cases of random murders on the subway but I understood that crime rates in NYC were actually far lower than most other comparable cities in the US, particularly for murders and serious assaults. The Economist had a special edition about the epidemic of violence in US cities and New York came out pretty well.

I am white, dd is mixed. That hadn't even crossed my mind as a potential issue.

My plan was to mainly do the touristy stuff- empire state, central park, statue of liberty, brooklyn bridge, maybe drag her to one museum.

We felt safe most of the time, however we witnessed a mugging on the subway. Be careful on the subway, I didn’t feel safe on there.

Sad to hear people don't feel safe anymore. I haven't been for a long time, over ten years, but back then I was walking alone at night, taking the subway and bus alone and felt fine. It was like London but I guess London is also less safe nowadays too.

We fell safe there but we take cabs or walk among the tourist sights. I’ve never liked the subway. Stick to the main sights and you’ll be fine

No more unsafe than London or any other big city. Just be wise as you would be for any big city. Don't bring/wear expensive jewelry. Don't hold your iPhone out in front of you with a sign saying please snatch. Don't leave your purse open with your wallet sticking out. Stay out of dark alleys at night. Maybe the subway is dirtier/more homeless than before the pandemic, but it's still the main commuting option for most New Yorkers, so should be fine during the day. What an awesome experience for your dd!!!

I can recommend the spy museum if it's still there. My kids loved it!

It's interesting to read all these comments. It's somewhere I've always wanted to go so we've booked a cruise next year which takes in NYC - we've got two nights in port and 3 days. We're planning to do the usual touristy and shopping bits and I'd like to do a show and dinner but DH is not comfortable with that - he'd prefer to spend the day sightseeing and then go back to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment. We're used to going out in London including coming back late at night so neither of us get unduly scared as a rule, but from the sound of it we might be better going with DH's plan.

I was there on my own in June and it was perfectly safe. Its always been a chaotic sort of place and your first visit can be a shock. I recommend staying in gentrified Jersey City where accommodation is cheaper and the streets are quieter. One stop to Manhattan on the New Jersey Transit.

I used to go in the 1980's....it was a ZOO...crazy ....went back in the 2000 and its totally santitised etc....so super safe....americans get really worked up about crime etc..exaggerate it totally....if you from london it will be a doddle....never felt unsafe there even in the south bronx...i was only white person in whole area....!!...its gone a bit iffy now in some areas but avoid times sq...its always been the seedy part....

Have just returned, we used a lot of public transport including the subway

Didn't feel unsafe at any point, just keep your bag/belongings close to you if you visit times square especially at night.
It is a fantastic city and we had an amazing time, exchange rate is rubbish though.

I felt safer there than I do in London.

I’m there now. Second time this year. I find it a lot safer than the UK. Police are everywhere. Yes, there are some homeless people, but far fewer than I see in Manchester/London. The thing I hate though, is the weed thing as I detest the smell. Times Square is fine, if anyone asks you anything a firm “No thanks” and they’ll leave you alone.

Go and have a great time!

Its an interesting mix of replies.

In July 2022, there were 52,137 homeless people, including 16,650 homeless children, sleeping each night in New York City's main municipal shelter system. A near-record 18,940 single adults slept in shelters each night in July 2022

This is far higher than London/Manchester. I am not saying this makes NYC dangerous, it is just a fact due to the lack of a safety net in the city, particularly for the mentally ill.

NeedWineNow, you will feel perfectly safe catching an evening show.

My SIL lives in New York and has never really had trouble. She says the place has got much dirtier since covid though.

I don’t dispute the figures, my point was more that in Manchester (for e.g.) where I sometimes go for meetings, I see far more in Piccadilly Gardens than I have here in the last 4 days.

Disagree with this entirely. Just Came back and compared to central london where I live, I saw approx 10x more homeless people, including whole tent camps set up.

Yes a lot more police but unless you're
White and privileged, I wouldn't be so reassured by that.

Overwhelming reaction was disbelief at how dirty/smelly it is. Seriously the entire island of Manhattan below the park just stinks!!! We stopped holding our noses in Brooklyn but as soon as we were back, it was piss, shit, rotting rubbish and weed. Also saw plenty of all

I visited Manhattan with my family this summer. We all loved it. Took the subway during the day with no issues. Can't wait to go back.