To absolutely HATE New York

[GreetingsFromVenus]

Dreamed of going there for many years. Thought it would be amazing. Everyone seems to think it is.

Here now and I hate it. Extortionate prices, rude ignorant locals, so many aggressive beggars. mentally ill people shouting in the street. loads of homeless people. The subway stations are disgusting and feel very menacing compared to London.

I find it really depressing actually and feel that the way Hollywood has portrayed New York is all smoke and mirrors. It is nothing special at all IMO. In fact it has a LOT of social issues and it made me feel quite sick to be spending $100 just for a mid range meal for 2 (no dessert) while there were people asking for food outside.

Central Park - pffttt!

Cannot wait to get home next week and will never complain about London prices again!

Anyone else felt the same?

That’s such a shame. I went in the 90s and had the best holiday ever. But you couldn’t pay me to go again now. I think the social issues in the US mental health, substance abuse, lack of housing etc etc seem to have turned parts of some US cities into third world hell holes. I’m thinking Philadelphia as one example. It’s so sad. How the mighty have fallen.

For me I was basing it more on op’s comments that the city didn’t live up to Hollywood’s portrayal of it. Anyone would be disappointed if they showed up expecting a Hollywood set because that place literally doesn’t exist. It would be like going to a police station and being disappointed that an episode of Brooklyn 99 doesn’t immediately unfurl.

I went to NYC 30 years ago and LOVED it. I was blown away by Manhattan and really loved Brooklyn, the museums, the grand hotel the busyness. I also love Sant Diego, where I went 28 years ago. All a long time ago and haven't been in the US since.

I'd love to visit with teen dc, where do people recommend for a buzzing American vibe city experience?

I’ve been to Florida (pre Covid) a few times and loved it. Great, reasonably priced food and the people were lovely.

Bits of Florida are ok, but the tourist bits are my idea of hell. You clearly are a Florida person not a NYC person. It’s you, not the city. Just as I know Florida isn’t awful just because I don’t like it.

I never had any desire to go to NY but my dd2 wanted to and we went for her 21st

Did lots of homework before hand on the free stuff

I really enjoyed it

We went to Wholefoods for breakfast and lunch a couple of times as it’s lovely muffins, coffee, salads etc and the store near the 19/11 site has an upstairs eating area. No tipping there so that brings the price down. There are more stores scattered around

Used the free ferry to see the Statue of Liberty 🗽
Walked to Brooklyn bridge

Shared a meal in Ellen stardust’s diner as the meals are very large, loved that place and went at 5pm as less of a queue

We had tickets for a show on the birthday evening

We had found a great Italian for a birthday meal out the evening prior and for 3 of us 2 course it was $150 but I paid $80 for breakfast on her birthday

It’s such a shame you’re not liking the experience

I enjoyed seeing all the free sites you see in films and the Empire State Building was fabulous

I’d not return as so many other place to visit

We got back from NY last week, I didn't experience half of what you did. Yes it's a big fairly mucky concrete place, big citys generally are.

Yes we saw a lot of homeless, yes we saw people on drugs but we weren't ever approached by either.

Food is expensive but I think it is in most places in america. We do a lot of street food when in NY, we're so busy exploring, a dollar slice (or2!) does the job so we can carry on walking.

Customs were by far the most polite I've ever seen in the US, I think he even smiled, couldn't believe it!.

Defo go to Brooklyn, brilliant place. We spent NYE near Union Street (loads of bars on 5th ave) and we had a day out in Williamsburg. Just a chilled fab area.

Would also recommend Free tours by foot we did the food tour of Chinatown and Little Italy, the guide was ace and food was gorgeous.

I hope you manage to have a good time, forget the shininess of Florida, and have a lovely birthday

For me I was basing it more on op’s comments that the city didn’t live up to Hollywood’s portrayal of it

Exactly. Expecting Hollywood portrayal is just daft.

I was last in NY for work six months before the pandemic hit so not exactly 30 yrs ago. I love it but every major city has its problems coming out of the pandemic and I've heard all the same complaints made by visitors to London.

I too think most people are completely missing the point. Saying you went there x years ago..... is irrelevant. I did too and liked it back then, and as I said before was thinking of going there for my 50th next year.

But. I believe covid has had a hugely detrimental effect on NY particularly and a few other cities.

I went about ten years ago and felt exactly the same.

Even before the pandemic NY was on the way down, Times Square is a crime hotspot.

I was there November 19, so just before covid hit

I found Paris the same, totally underwhelming. I imagine the US cities are on their knees and poverty stricken. There is an account on Instagram that documents the drug and homeless crisis in LA - looks utterly terrifying.

What a shame OP! I absolutely love NYC and can't wait to go again. We have been 5 times already and I never tire of it. We have been just before Christmas on 3 occasions and each time has been magical. I always pre-book accommodation and restaurants and have a vague plan for each day. My favourites are:-

Grand Central - beautiful architecture and has an 'exciting' air. When you've been round there, cross the road to have breakfast/lunch at Pershing Square Restaurant - it's such a lively (and reasonable) place.
Radio City and the Rockettes
A walk over Brooklyn Bridge
South Sea Port
Bryant Park is lovely - as you are there now, go and see the Winter Wonderland and maybe have a skate?
Walking up 5th Avenue right to the end, Columbus Circle and the entrance to Central Park - did you go to see the ice rink in the Park? I think it's fantastic - this huge, huge park in such a big city
Top of the Rock much nicer than the Empire State
Staten Island Ferry (free) to see the Statue of Liberty and back again

I still haven't been to Greenwich Village or some of the other famous parts, but plan that next time.

We haven't found people rude at all - remember that tips are part of the average worker's pay and they do expect to be tipped for everything they do! Last time we went, we had lunch at SaraBeth's on Columbus Circle and the man at the next table leaned over and said 'I just love your accent, are you from England?'. Classic!!

And I was last in NYC in early 2020. Due to be back there in April. Would have been last year, but obviously we weren’t allowed in …

America is pretty dreadful all-round. Capitalist hell-hole where everything has a price but nothing has value.

@Ionlydomassiveones

It was better a decade ago.

Yes I have heard enough about the city going badly wrong to know not to go at the moment, especially post pandemic I avoided the subway as much as possible too. Bus is better.

I like Central Park, you could go the zoo?

The Frick Collection on the Upper East Side is wonderful.

If you’re a Florida person, NY probably isn’t for you.

I think NY has lost the plot during covid. Utterly lost it

It was amazing a decade ago

I agree head to Boston!

I love NYC but wouldn’t go anytime soon, it’s been hard hit by the pandemic.

Amongst some Americans on social media they describe America as the worlds richest 3rd world country because they have such issues right now with drug abuse/homelessness/lack of health and social care for those who can’t afford it.

But that’s not massively different to the UK at the minute either so 🤷‍♀️

I first visited just over 30 years ago. It was dirty and scary.
Then a couple of work trips in the mid 90s. It had improved. By the late 90s it was amazing. Clean, safe, great shopping. I loved it and went every few months.
Visited again in 2010 and was meh. Very expensive.

It has suffered horribly because of Covid.
For me it's a great example of how quickly a city can change, in just a few years, and I believe it will come back to greatness.

Wow what an entitled way to think. New York is fantastic. Williamsburg is a great area to try.
What did you expect Central Park to be like? It’s a….park! An amazing huge natural expanse in a city. Why did you think it wouldn’t be expensive? It’s a city in a first world country!
January is cold and grim in any city in the winter. But there are still many interesting things to see - I just walked around a lot, went thrift shopping, visited a fab diner, went to the Empire State Building at sunset etc.
Perhaps try to turn your thinking around and instead of being horrified and disappointed be grateful that you are even there.

I love NY - but I think you might have had the wrong expectations of it

I had the same with Paris- so i get where you are coming from. I am a total city lover so I agree it is a city for people who love cities - with all the grime and dirt and difficulty that can entail

I went pre pandemic and the homelessness situation was bad then. And when you see homelessness in the U.K., this is something else. Far worse. We stayed near a bus terminal 2nd trip and there was a lot of homeless people there and they were absolutely off their heads on drugs. So this isn’t a new thing, it’s been a big problem for many years. Clearly made worse by the pandemic. That said I do love NYC

I went about 17 years ago. Loved it! Woke up on Christmas Eve in the Sheraton Towers hotel in Times Square. Looked out of the window whilst it was still dark to snow falling and starting to settle. A few yellow cabs were on the road below. Looked so magical and it’s an image I’ll always savour. The hotel was opposite Rose O’Donelle’s Bar and when we went in that evening, there were roaring open fires and a brilliant atmosphere. That set the tone for the rest of our stay. We squeezed every bit of joy out of it we could. Neither will I forget going up the Empire State Building and it being -14 🥶🥶🥶. Stunning views but very very windy & cold. I also experienced a proper ‘shoe shine’ where you sit in a chair and someone polishes and cleans your boots/shoes whilst you’re still wearing them. Service with a smile too. New York is also where I learnt that a fringe (hair) is known as a ‘Bang’. Also the Christmas Tree and skating rink at Rockefella Centre looked like it was straight out of a fairy tail. I absolutely loved every minute.

@Journeynotdestination I don't think this is a situation when you can call someone entitled. You may disagree, but it's by no means an entitled opinion that the OP has. Most of their observations are entirely true, it's just a case of others being able to overlook them.
NYC is one of the few cities that are SO insanely romanticised in media and have been for decades. The reality is very different so as much as your suggestions are great and most likely helpful, I feel like most people have to get over the shock of NYC not being what it's portrayed as, the first time they go. The second time I still didn't like it, but my expectations were different and I had a better time.