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?

The Met is hands down the best museum I’ve ever been to and I loved the Staten Island ferry. Otherwise yes I bloody hated New York, much prefer London, San Francisco and Hong Kong. The subway, even pre-pandemic, is appalling and the people seem self-important and crude. It’s the only place I’ve visited where I was trying to get an early flight home 😂

I lived there in the 1980s, and loved it even though the city was clawing it's way back from bankruptcy at the time. I read that it has reverted back to those days in the last couple of years. But it has become desperately expensive (accommodation always was). Not sure that large Californian cities are better though. SF is currently on a very low dip.

We have been a few times and love it but I understand from someone that lives there that it has changed immensely since Covid and that it is not a good place to go at the moment. Prices have risen disproportionately and there is a massive drug and homelessness problem which is even affecting previously safe tourist areas.

I went about 30 years ago and it was terrifying … then the new mayor came in and transformed it. I went back 4 years ago and it felt much safer, we (DH, myself and two teens) explored the city on foot, cycled round Central Park, had some lovely meals and did the other ‘tourist’ stuff and some less touristy.

Had a great week but we all agreed it isn’t a patch on London. Seems like going back in time … and as for JFK airport

I'm sorry you are there and I'm sorry you have had some odd replies here. Someone called you entitled? For not enjoying NY. I can't even get my head around that. I suspect they just pulled the word from their lucky dip of common mumsnet terms!!

I'm really glad you posted because I have learned so much through both your posts and the replies. I genuinely have idolised NY for years, and yes, I got that from watching movies/shows because I'm autistic and how it is presented to me visually is how I form an opinion. I have now learned that's not the case so job well done people!!

I hope you can take some positives from this thread OP to help make the rest of your trip more enjoyable

Been three times- last time was 6 years ago. First two times, I was so excited to be there. Third time, I was a bit meh. Nothing in particular, just felt it was more of the same from the previous two times. To be fair, all three times we went with different people (third time was with DC) so we did the touristy stuff all three times and had seen it all before, so to speak. Last time took the train to Washington and found it to be much worse than NYC. Preferred it as a city in the sense of the aesthetic but found the people to be ruder and many more beggars/homeless. The guy "directing" us to taxis at the station was clearly off his head on something, was rude and obstructive then started screaming at us as we "only" tipped him $5. Note - we are happy to tip in NYC especially in bars as the staff don't really get paid as such - they get "paid" in health insurance so they live off their tips. But we do expect decent service for it.

I wouldn't go back to NYC by choice but would love to go to Boston, Utah and Colorado.

I've been to New York many times since I was 16, first time was as a PP has said with a local (friend).

Unless you know the areas/neighbourhoods/good walking areas then you will feel a bit ripped off. Around Times Square has always been a bit grotty and WTC was of course bombed and rebuilt on so don't know what you expected there!

They've experienced a huge pandemic, welfare is very different to in UK and you will get the fair share of beggars etc that you would in eg London.

I certainly wouldn't have been to New York at this time of year (though have been in past) as a tourist - just wouldn't appeal though at Christmas much nicer.

@Badbaddog

The Met is hands down the best museum I’ve ever been to and I loved the Staten Island ferry. Otherwise yes I bloody hated New York, much prefer London, San Francisco and Hong Kong. The subway, even pre-pandemic, is appalling and the people seem self-important and crude. It’s the only place I’ve visited where I was trying to get an early flight home 😂

@Badbaddog - the subway has always been known for being appalling!

My friend who's from Forest Hills (the posh part) used to take the subway everyday and hated it! She still hates the subway now and avoids where possible.

I like the fact that subways are 24/7 and you get express trains too.

I'm torn on the Met because I love it - but not sure it's the best museum I've ever been to. Staten Island Ferry is great though.

We've been twice, in April and October last time a couple of years ago. We loved it hence going again and not managing to see everything the first time.
We were never hassled by anyone on the streets. We were impressed by the level of How clean the streets were on the whole.
We have a huge park where we live but Central park is quite different to ours. Walked and rode round it. Maybe we are quite starstruck but we loved seeing places that we'd seen in films and tv series. We also walked everywhere as someone else did and found it the best way to see stuff. Had an itinerary too and booked lots of things up.
Maybe Covid had changed things as New York was badly effected. Don't get me wrong, we saw beggars and poverty but that's the same in all large cities. Only people who stopped us were those selling passes for the tour buses.
In April we experienced heat and snow!

@puffyisgood

It has its charms. FREEZING in winter.

It is freezing in winter - the photos of the above people high snow stacked up after shovelling on sidewalks aren't fake! Air conditioning helped a bit though. And ice skating a lot.

Sorry to hear OP.
Haven’t been to NY for quite a few years but I would highly recommend
A boat trip eg the one to Ellis island. Really interesting museum there
Museum of modern art -Moma
A show! You used to be able to get cheap(Ish) tickets on the day at TKTS on Broadway
It is much nicer in spring or early autumn though. Been one in august and was hellishly hot

As a kid I always imagined the USA to be this amazing destination.

As an adult, 3 of my friends have been and all hated it. (Two went to New York, one to Chicago)
One friend was bitten by a tick, caught lunes disease and had to fly home early because it was cheaper than medical help over there. Yikes.
A few bits still look appealing; New England and the Great Lakes. And I’d still love to go to Canada.

If you’re after an amazing city-break, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are lovely, clean, safe and there’s loads to do.

Oh! One thing a friend did recommend in NY was the museums. The Natural history one and there’s a big fine art one around too.

I hope you find something fun to do while you’re there, OP

@AutumnAlmanack

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!!

@AutumnAlmanack - agreed with all of this but it's South Street Sea Port!

Agree with Top of the Rock and your other tourist info too. Greenwich Village is great.

Agreed re tipping - it's part of everyday life and their average pay and they expect it. For a tourist not to factor this in, is not good of them.

I've been to New York in January and it was grim. I've been to New York in June and it was glorious but like others say, it's in a bit of decline at the moment - as is a lot of the US. However, in a normal situation - go off the beaten path, you don't have to go to the tourist traps (Times Square should always be avoided, dreadful place) - but there is so much more to the city.

I didn't like NY either when I went - which was years ago - Greenwich Village was quite nice. I prefer Chicago, but like most cities it has places you'd want to keep away from at night!

OP, are you the poster who was going for your DD's birthday?

Years ago now, but I went with a sister and DM for another sister’s wedding.

It was mid December and very cold, not that that put me off, since we were expecting it.
I was decidedly underwhelmed, though, and have never felt the urge to go back.
DSis lived for many years in either Boston or Cambridge (close to Boston) both of which I preferred. Pretty orrible climate, though - very long, cold winters and very humid summers.

We’ve been at various times of year but went once in mid April to Boston to see a niece’s performance in an opera. Full spring here (SE) all the daffodils out, leaves beginning to open, etc. - there it was still bloody cold and chucked it down solid for 48 hours - a degree or two colder and it would have been a blizzard. Virtually no flowers anywhere and no green grass, it all dies off in the cold.

I adore New York so can’t relate. I agree with pp that mid January is probably one of the worst times to go.

I could go back again and again and do something different every time. We got married in Central Park and I found it just magical.

NY never appealed to me as a destination but Dh has family there that we had to visit. Much to my surprise I loved it and we go most years now. It's busy and buzzy and I find people very friendly. Even in Manhattan store staff, bar staff and servers are always happy to chat. Of course you do get the occasional rude person but even then they are so outrageously rude that it's almost an event in itself.

I love walking and you can walk for hours in NY and there is always something to see and nice inexpensive little bars and diners to stop for a drink. I love the varied atmospheres in all the different neighbourhoods and areas and when you get tired there is always a subway station handy to get home. And the subway has aircon - a joy to someone used to sweltering on the Tube!

I 'm not keen on shopping there apart from spending hours browsing Duane Read and Walmart for bargains and I don't like that it's pretty much impossible to buy a reasonably priced bottle of wine to take home in Manhattan. Also taxi drivers seem to be very rude and aggressive but apart from that I love it. I wouldn't want to live there but for a week at a time it's invigorating.

We haven't been since the pandemic hit and I understand things are very difficult there atm particularly with regard to homelessness and businesses closing down. I hope things get better soon.

@GreetingsFromVenus

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

There is a totally different vibe here.

Been a spate of stabbings on the subway too. When we got off at the Natural History Museum this morning, there was LOTS of blood all over the floor. Not cordoned off just right there as you walk across it. Completely shook adult DD up.

We came in Jan for DD’s and my birthdays. Well prepared and wrapped up but unprepared to be harassed literally on our way into the hotel by beggars. Have had it at least 3/4 times a day since. One this morning started violently hitting a shuttered shop front with a walking stick when we refused to give him money. Made us jump 10 feet in the air. It literally feels like a 3rd world country.

You see, Miami to me is an intimidating city and FLA can be a strange state with some odd attitudes. I do know locals: an ex of mine grew up in the keys and I knew numerous friends of his. Right from disembarking in Miami ITNL there's a stink of rotting vegetation. Yes, immigration staff in the US and Canada are IME quite aggressive. You're then warned by the car-hire companies to follow the sun symbols on the road signs: on no account be seen reading a map as it could provoke locals into seeing you as an easy target and attacking you. It was, to put it mildly, a culture shock.

Boston is lovely. I'll be going to NYC in July: greatly looking forward to that as I've only seen it down the Hudson from I95 before!

Always intriguing how people experience the same things in such vastly different ways.

Yes OP!! Get a train to Washington, it’s SO much prettier, nicer and safer, with fab museums and parks.

I was in NY for work and thought it was shit. Americans get excited about it because it’s one of the few places in America that’s multicultural, but if you’re from London that isn’t exciting. To me NY felt like a 1980s city built in a hurry that hasn’t kept up with the times. Compare it to the excitement and luxury of Dubai or Hong Kong- now they are exciting cities.

It is lovely in the summer. A cold and bleak New York is not the one. Subways are always gross and unsafe though.

I’ve been twice and agree it’s mostly disgusting and filthy. We too found most people really rude. I was so unimpressed with most of it but did love Central Park. Probably my favourite bit. We went once in November and once in December, both times pre covid. I definitely wouldn’t go again.

I loved NY, but visited once in the summer and once in December when it was all Christmassy so probably a different experience to January.

I feel similar about Paris though, really don't get why people love it there.

I'm not a massive city fan though, I much prefer natural environment holidays, favourite place is Iceland.

@GreetingsFromVenus YANBU I felt the same when I went for work three years ago, so before COVID. Shabby and disappointing. The choice of restaurants was OK but I felt everything was overrated. I went prepared to be blown away but was underwhelmed by everything, the cheap tacky look of buildings, the decor in bars and restaurants always looked dated and the subway was crap. The incessant advertising everywhere, even on the TV in the taxis. Hated the constant overshadowing of the skyscrapers in Manhattan. When I came back to London I thought how beautiful it looked and clean in comparison.