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?

Exact same feeling as soon as we got of the coach from the airport into Times Square, I got started on being called a rich bitch shouting things to himself we couldn’t understand. From then on it was one thing after another, every pub we went to had people either hussling trying to sell crap(cds mainly) or had beggars, and the people are not polite when saying we don’t want to buy anything. Went to one McDonalds on the way to an event we had booked and my god it was an eye opener, I know our uk McDonald’s in city centres are not great but this one took the biscuit, had one guy passed out on whatever he was on, staff where literally shouting at him to get up. The staff where rude and no manners when handing the food over, then to top it of we sat down and started eating (next to window) and a woman was outside leaning on the window and literally started spitting on the floor every 2mins.I wanted to go home earlier if the flights wherent so dear! Found the whole experience quite scary and will never ever go back if someone was to even offer to pay lol.

I went 12 years ago and I absolutely loved it.. however, I've recently moved back from California and I have similar feelings about San Francisco, what a dump. If NYC is how SF is these days then I won't bother going back!

So many better US cities than NY in my opinion.
We went to vegas because every said it was amazing and we weren’t that bothered by it. Glad we did it but won’t rush back!

NYC ain't what it use to be! Bill DeBlasio has destroyed the greatest city in the world...now it's a piece of garbage just like him! New Mayor is no better....Stay away from this dump of a town!

I get where you’re coming from. My husband took me for a surprise for my 40th birthday because I said I’d always wanted to go. I have friends that love it. The thing that stood out to me the most was that you could be walking down a street full of designer shops but the rubbish was piled high on the roadside. Also the amount of homeless people was a shock. And Times Square, what a disappointment. I saw some lovely places, went on a really emotional tour with a 911 survivor, had some lovely food, saw a fantastic show, but I wouldn’t rush back

@Hellocatshome It was not to do with the price. It was to go with the extra they obviously added on after we just added it all up (and yes we did calculate sales tax)!

I went two years ago after dreaming about it for years (I watched a lot of SATC ) we went to Boston and all up around New England first, had a brilliant time but saved NYC for the last part of the trip as I thought it would be the ultimate highlight. Shouldn't have hyped it so much in my mind as I too was quite disappointed! Much, MUCH preferred Boston. New York seemed grimy. Not in a cool urban way - just in a dirty way! Just a bit blah. Luckily we had booked a fab hotel with gorgeous views over the city, if we hadn't then it would have been a complete let down.

I think perhaps seeing it on tv so much gives it a sort of mythical status that is hard to live up to in reality. I didn't hate it like you but I have no desire to go back. Like they say - you should never meet your hero's

My experience of New York was nothing like @GreetingsFromVenus describes. I felt very safe and welcome, and would love to go back.

It was in 2015 though, so perhaps things have changed since then (i.e. Trump and Covid).

The only problem I encountered was an aggressive ticket tout outside the Empire State Building, and a creepy hotel porter. Also getting lost in Harlem, but all was well.

Pp mentioning TimesSquare, I was told to avoid it, that it's like Leicester Square but much worse.

I have not visited New York since 2014 and it was fantastic. I have been reading that a lot of USA city’s are really struggling since the pandemic, New York and lost Angeles being the worst. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting worse every year the middle classes are really struggling to keep up there standards of living. Remember there is no national health care and there social care is not great.

I have traveled to the USA for the last forty years and the last few times I have seen the poverty and drug problems get worse and worse. The American dream is falling apart.

Someone who complains about no history and then talks up Portland and Seattle?

If you think New York has no history you're not looking. It's going to celebrate its 500th anniversary in a few years. Also, yes, the food in the tourist trap areas is mediocre and overpriced. That's true in every major city. Imagine if you went to London and judged it by Leicester Square.

I understand not liking the crowds, the hideous January weather, and the garbage. Or drip bodega coffee that's been sitting on a hot plate for hours. We don't all like the same things.

[quote GreetingsFromVenus]**@Hellocatshome It was not to do with the price. It was to go with the extra they obviously added on after we just added it all up (and yes we did calculate sales tax)![/quote]
What extra money?

Why did you buy a souvenir for a trip you hated?

There was an article in the paper at the weekend about its demise as a city. I never really liked it, I found it oppressive and the people rude, much prefer Chicago (although haven't been for years so may have changed too...).

Just got ripped off again when buying souvenirs to the tune of $10 (me) and $20 (DD).

What did you buy and what were you expecting to spend? Is $10 an extortionate sum for a holiday souvenir?

@LakeShoreD completely untrue regarding coffee. America has a very strong artisanal coffee scene and many take their coffee very seriously. Having lived in the US and visited friends in America many times I can say that I have never once been offered grim coffee from a coffee pot. Even in friends homes I was treated to pour over coffees, made with special coffee beans and even when I have visited very small towns in America there has always been artisanal coffee shops or even small diners who roast their own beans. I love a good cup of coffee and have found some great coffee roasters in London but am always horrified at the amount of times I am offered instant coffee when visiting friends while home in the UK.

OP of you're still there and you have time.

Frick Collection. It's a joy. Definitely watch the video.

Oh and you can't see it on computer, but the light in this painting is so beautiful.

collections.frick.org/objects/39/st-francis-in-the-desert

I was there last month. It felt really expensive compared to when I last went and the mood was weird - I recognise the “sourness” somebody mentioned.

I love NY, but the first time I went there I expected to hate it, so I was pleasantly surprised. However I've only ever been there in summer.

I feel the opposite to.you about safety - the first time we went, the dc were quite small and I felt very safe. The dc loved it. We've been back a few times and always found things to do and enjoy. We love MOMA, also love the High Line.

I agree about the food prices though. They are extortionate for mediocre food.

@Pinklemonade1

I went 12 years ago and I absolutely loved it.. however, I've recently moved back from California and I have similar feelings about San Francisco, what a dump. If NYC is how SF is these days then I won't bother going back!

I went to San Fran a few years ago and loved it. LA/ Hollywood on the other hand..... wouldn't go back if you paid me

@GreetingsFromVenus
You should check price tags before buying things.

What coffee shops, restaurants and attractions do you like the best in London?

I vowed never to waste my money again and did not get AT ALL how anyone could prefer it to beautiful, cultured, historic London.

I very much enjoy visiting London but come on, large parts of it are extremely underwhelming. The way some people rhapsodise over it though you'd swear it was a larger version of Florence, rather than a sprawling city with some nice bits!

I loved there 20 yrs ago and loved it , met loads of local people did all sorts of amazing things . Returned 15 years ago still loved it .
Took my kids 9,16,16 about 3 yrs ago and loved it still as did my kids . Felt very relaxed and happy wondering about . However friends went literally the week after us and hated it and got scammed a lot . Maybe it’s worse since covid as I know it’s been hit hard .
By all means hate it , however if you get a chance to go in spring do and take some time there do your research before you go and talk to locals if possible and you may get a different view . Or maybe it’s not for you ! I hate Paris !

I love New York but to be honest think I see it with rose tinted glasses on. To see the places from the movies is exciting but I prefer london 100% when we took our kids to New York my daughter said just keep looking up don’t look down and I think she was right! We love the US but unfortunately not all places are as lovely as orlando seems. We went to California and the homeless was frightening if I’m honest!

@BayesianBlues

Lived in New York and loved many things about it. But, yes, there are serious problems there. One of the worst is indeed mentally ill people living on the streets. Terrifying and horrific for them and also bad for everyone else because they can be threatening. I understand from friends that it's only got worse (haven't been since 2016). It's very sad :(

If you want good food at reasonable prices, get out of Manhattan!! Hop on the 7 train and go to Jackson Heights - get some excellent Indian, TIbetan, Mexican whatever food there - and then continue on to Flushing for the best Chinese food in the real Chinatown! Queens Musum is pretty great too and worth a visit as is the Hall of Science. This is where the real New Yorkers live!!

Lived in New York and loved many things about it. But, yes, there are serious problems there. One of the worst is indeed mentally ill people living on the streets. Terrifying and horrific for them and also bad for everyone else because they can be threatening. I understand from friends that it's only got worse (haven't been since 2016). It's very sad Los Angeles skid row is the same, it's horrific to see people living on the streets who need so much help