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?

@20nyc, that is definitely one less thing to worry about! The public school system has just had a big (some would say controversial) overhaul, and that’s another reason people are leaving if they can’t afford private school.

I wouldn’t live in Midtown or the Financial District. They were always less buzzy areas, and the pandemic hasn’t done them any favors.

If you want nice neighborhoods that aren’t nightlife destinations, I would go for the Upper West Side or Cobble Hill/Park Slope/Boerum Hill in Brooklyn. If you want a younger vibe, the West Village and Noho/Nolita are great options. It entirely depends on your budget. The rental market dipped considerably in 2020, but I think it’s gone back up again.

As for the weed smells, marijuana is now legal for both medical and recreational use in NY state.

If you are paying $100 for a meal for 2 you are eating in the wrong places

@hellocatshome haha I doubt it. We paid nearly $50 for a meal at ihop for 2! It wasn't even extravagant and we didn't order much because the portions are so big. We only went as DD was 11 and really wanted to try it. The waiter came once, to give us the food and we were still expected to tip.

@Hellocatshome

If you are paying $100 for a meal for 2 you are eating in the wrong places

As in that’s way too cheap to be remotely decent, or are you suggesting the opposite?

@JanuaryBluehoo

Apparently it's gone massively down hill in the recent years? People rent recently and said the whole place stunk of weed etc.

As a Londoner who moved out 6ish years ago, this is exactly how I feel about London. Every time I enter it, weed scents the place. I also no longer recognise many of the spaces I frequented until then (esp North London due to the gentrification)

OP: My husband once went in January, hated it and swore himself off the place. Years later, his workplace sent him there in August, and now it's a fav of his. The weather really did change the mood of the city (he said). I visited him there during his work stint, fell in love. Although I suspect, as with many cities, the pandemic has affected it substantially.

I have been a few times and found it underwhelming too. I am originally for a developing country and I remember when I first went in my teens with family that it reminded me of my country of origin in terms of how dirty it was. London is not perfect but gimme this city any day of the week.

Yes NYC was one to tick off the list.No wish to revisit. But there’s loads of fun stuff to do there.
Circle line cruise around Manhattan? Viewing NYC from a Segway ride in a New Jersey park? Dinner at the River cafe viewing the Manhattan lights? Walking tour of Greenwich Village? Cocktails and VIP watching at the Carlyle? And then all the galleries and museums ….

I visited in February a few years ago. I liked it but didn't love it. I agree it's a bit over hyped. A few years ago I didn't find the homelessness too bad or the meals too expensive but I guess with a pandemic things are bound to have got tougher.

I liked Top of the Rock, Times Square, 911 memorial, walking over the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan and I loved Central Park in the snow.

Can recommend The Skyline arts trail (free).

Also Jimmy's Bar near Times Square - a dive bar with shed loads of history, extremely cool vibe and cheap prices!!

@DottyHarmer

It’s a bit more complicated than that. All the healthcare in the world can’t prevent people taking drugs and solve post-industrialisation unemployment or the problem of so many men having no family structure.

My relative in America did not take drugs. Yes he was unemployed as he is too ill to work. But people have to fight to get the treatment they need through medicare and he was too ill to do that.

I went in January for my birthday a few years ago. It was a bit of a let down for me to be fair, too expensive , miserable, horrible people. The only place that was humbling was the WTC site. I would hate to go at peak time to the Empire State building etc with all the security you have to go through.

@user2155340308842 My experience with the NHS if you are struggling and want talking therapy you will wait a while. If you have a serious mental health condition your chances of good treatment are far better. Psychiatrists prioritise their iller patients.

miserable, horrible people

I'm so sorry. I'll have a word with them.

Lolz you are doing a he tourist trail which is not a real experience

I dont want a real experience as a tourist.

Pop to Brooklyn and visit some nice jazz bars.

I hated it. So noisy. Constant building work.

You aren't going to the right places yes it is all that but also it's amazing.

Do the new WTC , do the too of the Rock (that's my favourite) make sure you time it for a sun set allow time to get through security
Go to Chelsea market for the best oysters and champagne

An recommend the Frick Collection. Right by Central Park (which I love... It's on a par with Hampstead Heath to me)

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is amazing. You get to tour the interiors of an aircraft carrier and a submarine.

www.intrepidmuseum.org/

My partner wanted to go to that museum but we didn't have time. We also got called 'Limeys' in the hotel bar after an argument over wine which if im not mistaken is an insult?! 😅

We also got called 'Limeys' in the hotel bar after an argument over wine which if im not mistaken is an insult?

It was originally a somewhat derogatory reference to British sailors, but for the last 100 years or so has been a neutral slang reference to anyone British.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limey

It's really not used much anymore. "Brit" is much more common.

I'm sorry you missed your visit to the Intrepid. Perhaps next time.

OP if you can't find better coffee than Nescafe Gold in New York then I repeat, you are doing it all wrong

Hmmm in the context of an argument I would take Limeys as an insult