Worried about holidaying to America

[incognitopurple]

DH and I would love to do New York but the safety of America around their laws etc puts me off. I went nearly ten years ago and this wasn’t a consideration then but I was still a teen and travelling with my parents, and a lot can change in a decadd

Would it/has it put anyone else off?

Hahahaha wheee in Chicago did you go to that there were drug addicts everywhere? Maybe you were in the wrong neighborhoods looking for drugs and you got mugged lol. Hope you got the high you were looking for.

There’s definitely an increase in crime especially since Covid and politicians going soft on crime with lack of enforcement etc but it’s not that much different from other major cities around the world, crime and disorder conduct is on the rise in the UK as well.

I think Brits watch a disproportionate unhealthy amount of news about the US and come up with many stereotypical biased views about the country.

You will be fine, it’s not like you’re going to the hood looking to score heroin or something like the poster who got mugged among drug addicts at 2am in Chicago 😂

I've been to NY and it's just like any other big city

I'd never go back

If we go to the US again it will be California

https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/united-states/new-york-city/

My teen dc went to NY this year with their school. I had no qualms about them going. Dc had a fantastic time.

It’s a country the size of a continent. I wouldn’t allow worry about crime to affect whether I travelled there. It’s pretty safe compared to many, many other places in the world.

The only thing I’d worry about are the prices!

Fly into San Fran then straight on to Monterey, Santa Barbara then some national parks.

I wouldn't want my child to go to school there, but for a holiday I wouldn't think twice. You're as likely to be a victim of crime in any big city.

What specifically are you afraid of, OP?

@Aquamarine1029 - because it’s one of the greatest international cities in the world, I expect. Same reason someone might go to London or Tokyo or Paris.

A friend (from the UK originally) who lives in SE Asia recently came to London for a visit. She spent the whole time talking about how London is a cesspit of crime and one of the most dangerous places to visit. Obviously absolute madness but I feel the sentiment here towards NYC is the same!

it’s a major city, be sensible and you’ll be fine.

That’s lovely. I wouldn’t stay in San Fran but I would do this.

It is indeed a massive place. And there are absolutely where you need to worry about crime. NYC may be “safe enough” but isn’t exactly the same as it was 20 years ago.

And it’s not the same as going to Disney World or San Diego.

I grew up in NYC and lived in New York (Manhattan and Brooklyn) my entire life (except when I was away at university and grad school) until moving to London. My parents live in NYC, my sister and her family (one husband, 3 children) live in NYC, my brother and his family (one wife, 2 children) live in NYC, one of my children is there now.

Not one of us has ever been the victim of a crime with two exceptions: we had an attempted break-in at our house in London (Chelsea) and have had our car broken into (also in Chelsea). Literally, not one incident to either us or family in NYC. What exactly do you think is going to happen to sensible tourists, @AliceOlive?

So you think it is unwise for someone planning a trip to ask about safety in NYC particularly at this moment in time. OK.

We did San Fran a few years ago and some areas were nice but others made me feel uneasy, i've heard it's gotten worse since covid too :-(

No, of course it's not unwise to ask about safety, but your statement that you wouldn't go to New York or any other city right now seems over-cautious to the point of paranoia and I'm a relatively cautious person.

Yes, if you are wandering around drunk and disoriented at 2am or holding your wallet by your fingertips in Times Square or doing business with drug dealers or living in a deprived and dangerous area, there are things to worry about. If you're relatively sensible, you're highly unlikely to run into danger.

This is what a friend said about Manhattan post Covid. She has a place there and has always loved it. She said it was not terrible, just not the same and she felt a discomfort walking around alone that she didn’t feel before.

I have another friend that goes regularly. He said it’s fine, he hasn’t noticed anything different about it. But he’s not a tourist and his experience is unlikely to be similar to someone there to see the city.

Another friend had an office there until recently. Last year his company gave out some interesting safety guidelines about entering and leaving the building, what clothing to wear to not draw attention, etc. It’s next to the main library. He didn’t notice any differences or care.

I mentioned above that I would personally go, because it’s close enough even for a day trip for me. I know my way around and am accustomed to spending time/living in areas where you need to keep your wits about you. But I wouldn’t necessarily be planning a massive expensive trip focused on just Manhattan because it’s hard to know how you’ll feel there. If you feel unsafe, it’s going to really color your experience.

I was recently in Philly and found it even grittier than normal. I wasn’t scared, but my patience for needing to be on guard has receded in the past few years and that made it less fun for me.

I actually said I would go, but that I would not plan a big trip around it. It’s not a big trip for me, though and not is it a new place. I wouldn’t suggest it as a first time tourist, particularly as one who is already a big anxious.

Nor would I suggest Seattle, Portland, San Francisco because on first hand experiences relayed by friends.

Nor and big. Sorry for typos.

Check out facebook groups for holidaying in the US and NY. It will be more helpful than the posts on here from fairly affluent New Yorkers. Being a tourist is a completely different experience.
My friend has just returned from NYC and had a great time but they were staying with relatives so it's different.

I wouldn’t set foot on American soil and spend my hard earned tourism money there for ethical reasons. I class it in with Dubai in that sense. Until they sort out gun crime in schools and stop their retreat into the dark ages when it comes to women’s rights then sadly I won’t be seeing NYC again, one of my favourite places on the planet.

Holidayed a lot in the States - never really felt unsafe. Would always check out if there's any bits of cities to avoid wherever I was in the world. Was in Miaimi Beach earlier this year - had a blast..

I don't like the extreme politics in the States, or their gun laws or abortion laws...but really like it as a holiday destination.

Or, alternatively, since NY routinely elects and supports politicians who defend women's rights and gun control, you could spend your tourism money to help fund them and change the status quo. Unlike Dubai, the US is not a system that functions as a nationwide bloc. 🙂

I was in New York at Easter with my two teenagers and it felt fine. It has its share of homelessness, people with addiction issues and grotty enough parts and of course you have to somewhat keep your wits about you. But this is normal in any major city. Arguably most are much safer than they ever were. Part of what makes these great cities great, and the kind of places we want to visit, is the diversity, the grit, the hustle, the 'all of human life is there' feeling.