Manhattan still filthy and dreary

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

If you consider 5 blocks from the subway "not accessible", then maybe 10% of those cities are...

DivineComedy: about 11 months ago

SF is not a great place for public transit. The cabs are unbelievably expensive since there's a more limited supply. Boston is a nice city, but the T doesn't run in the wee hours and are limited in service.

I disagree about 95% of Manhattan south of 96th street being subway accessible. If you live in UES east of 2nd avenue or so, hiking to the nearest subway stop is a pain in the ass. Also, those on the far west side, especially west 30's and 40's, are not particularly close either.

aboutready: about 11 months ago

Seattle, or either of the Portlands. I left for Seattle for four years, absolutely loved it but couldn't wait to come back to New York. I don't drive, and Seattle was fine.

Florida, unless on vacation (and perhaps even then), could kill one's soul.

Who cares if there are tons of fakely attractive people anywhere? Granted, some of the states with top obesity percentages might be a drag on one's mood, but what's with this preoccupation with appearance? Grow up, we're not in high school anymore.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

> I've lived and traveled in mnay places around the country, and I don't think there is any other city
> where you can get by without a car. Maybe San Francisco and Boston but I still had a car in them and
> think you need one. Certainly not Florida or LA.

If you don't have a car in SF, you end up taking a LOT of buses. Makes you really miss the subways. But most folks I knew in SF, young or old, ended up getting cars. The ability to walk neighborhood to neighborhood is not great. And cabs, not good at all. It seems like a lot of SF folks try it, but end up with cars.

Boston also has major problems. T is just limited. Some neighborhoods are doable, including many of the newer downtown gentrification (South End) but many are not. And many of the places you might need to go just aren't that accessible.

Think about Manhattan... pretty much 95% of it south of 96th is subway accessible within a few blocks. Almost all restaurants, museums, whatever.

Other cities, its more like 50% or less...

quantum: about 11 months ago

That's a fair point. The traffic and smog does suck. But I love the laid-back atmosphere of LA. Moreover, as a huge sushi fan, they have some of the best sushi restaurants in the country. And I think their nightlife scene is also the best, with vegas and miami rounding out the top 3.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

I think New Yorkers have it right. It costs more, but we have the Hamptons, some of the nicest beaches in existence, for the summer. Or coney island for the fun. And, really, we have Palm Beach and Miami.

New York is expensive, for sure, but you get the best of both worlds if you do it... including a warm weekend in Florida if you need it. The flight takes about as long as the drive from downtown LA to the beach.

Oh yeah, and don't get me started on Anaheim. ech. Seriously, th ebeach is nice, but most of OC is New Jersey with palm trees.... and less culture.

modern: about 11 months ago

I've lived and traveled in mnay places around the country, and I don't think there is any other city where you can get by without a car. Maybe San Francisco and Boston but I still had a car in them and think you need one. Certainly not Florida or LA.

And I agree with the posters who said San Francisco is dirtier than NYC (I used to live there and travel there 4-6x per year now), and they currently have aggressive panhandlers who chase you down the street and try to scare/intimidate you into giving them money. Being a NYer I don't intimidate easily, but it is an unpleasant reminder of what NYC was like in the 70s and 80s. But other than that SF is still a great city and I get out there as much as I can.

I like parts Florida and parts of LA, between the 2 I'd pick LA (Santa Monica maybe) but you are right the cost of living and state taxes are much much lower in Florida.

Another great place is Santa Fe, though it is a real small city and you might get bored.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

I spent some time in orange county. The water is nice, but 99% of the population lives inland and that SUCKS. Its strip mall hell, and its too hot. And boring.

And, have you actually been to OC? Irvine, anyone? To me, its one of the worst places in America.

I like LA personally. But, amusingly, most of my friends from there don't. Its dirty, the traffic is horrible, there isn't much culture (especially relative to city size and diffciulty of living in). I like the weather, for sure, but it gets pretty much cancelled out when you look up. The smog is disgusting. I like the beach, but it is so far from everything else that matters. In terms of living there and working there, there are just too many negative tradeoffs. I'd take a San Diego if you're doing it for weather...

quantum: about 11 months ago

Nah, I'm basing this upon actually visiting there and hanging out. I like girls who are tanned, work out, and in great shape. It's hard to find those types of women here in the city. But whatever. To each his own, I guess.

Sizzlack: about 11 months ago

You prefer Orange County for their 'attractive people'? Firstly, I suppose you think ginormous fake breasts are attractive...ok fine...but secondly...that TV show the O.C....it was fake. But I suppose watching things like 'Laguna Beach' might make that place seem like fun.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

> You don't realize it until you live somewhere else and then return.

And I go "thank god" every time I come back...

quantum: about 11 months ago

Florida is decent, although I personally prefer los angeles and orange county. Perfect weather, nice beaches, big homes on the onceanfront, and attractive people. Always depressing to come back to NYC after being there.

julia: about 11 months ago

weather was terrific, people friendly (no bumping and shoving) but Manhattan is a tough place. You don't realize it until you live somewhere else and then return.

Village: about 11 months ago

"And the peninsula hotel or ritz carlton in Chicago is nicer than NYC's best hotels."

ICK - maybe for people who consider Walmart to be good shopping.

julia: about 11 months ago

I would never live in San Francisco because of the taxes, etc. I'm renting till next Oct/Nov so I have time..thinking florida looking better (I must be crazy)

Sizzlack: about 11 months ago

Rufus I noticed someone pointed out on the other thread that your new name is quantum huh...

I've noticed you toned down the rhetoric at least...put Chicago in between SF and Boston to try and hide your identity.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

"I live in NYC and lived in San Francisco and have to laugh and laugh and laugh at those who think it's cleaner. It's a stunningly beautiful city in many. many places, but it also has a deep and abiding squalid side--and happens to be the place where I've seen the most human feces on the street. "

"And San Francisco is much filthier than New York City. Jesus, do any of you actually get out or does "visiting" a city merely consist of photo touring on flickr.com? San Francisco is beautiful, but it's filthy. Manhattan is clean compared to the filth in San Francsco. I am a transplant from the Bay Area so please, no arguing with me. New York City is clean for it's massively dense population."

True dat... and we're not even talking going to the ghetto or anything. Go to where the big hotels are off market, you can be 100 feet away, and it looks like times square in the 70s. Homeless all over the place, including a LOT of kids. Golden Gate Park looks like Central Park before they cleaned it up. Just some awful, afwul filth in SF, and its not hidden in another part of town.

Stop getting your info from Full House!

gleeclub: about 11 months ago

Going to San Fran except in the Spring really depresses me. Overcast, homeless, police look like they are in the Dragnet show.

julia: about 11 months ago

maybe everyone is correct...the city just wears me down..

RR1: about 11 months ago

Oh, and Julia (if you are't a troll), I don't think you're a city person at all. Most large cities you will run across will be somewhat dirty.

Look somewhere smaller, like Portland.

RR1: about 11 months ago

OK, Quantamn sounds waaaaaay too similar to Rufus. Am I the only one who notices this? So taxpayers pay for "new buildings" now? Did you mean new high rises, Rufus? Quantumn = Rufus, period.

And San Francisco is much filthier than New York City. Jesus, do any of you actually get out or does "visiting" a city merely consist of photo touring on flickr.com? San Francisco is beautiful, but it's filthy. Manhattan is clean compared to the filth in San Francsco. I am a transplant from the Bay Area so please, no arguing with me. New York City is clean for it's massively dense population.

And just for your information, there are about 4 million people in Manhattan on any given weekday. What's Chicago's weekday population? 800,000 people and 200,000 cows? I wouldn't be surprised since Chicago's population has all but vanished.

farquhar: about 11 months ago

Singapore

lostintransit: about 11 months ago

I live in NYC and lived in San Francisco and have to laugh and laugh and laugh at those who think it's cleaner. It's a stunningly beautiful city in many. many places, but it also has a deep and abiding squalid side--and happens to be the place where I've seen the most human feces on the street.

CraigY22: about 11 months ago

See, what we have here is an excellent example of the crazy guy strategy. Julia, Rufus, Quantum all act like crazy nutcases, and instead of everyone ignoring those people (or that person ... yes, multiple personality disorder is a good crazy strategy) you all respond over and over about what isn't even a relevant discussion since everyone here lives in NYC and has made their choice regardless of which city is "better".

quantum: about 11 months ago

It's a travesty that NYC is so dirty, given how much we pay in taxes. You would think we would actually get something for our money, such as clean streets and newer buildings.

julia, i recommend san francisco, chicago, and boston.

Squid: about 11 months ago

Philadelphia.

theburkhardtgroup: about 11 months ago

San Francisco.

julia: about 11 months ago

I lived in so. fl. and closed my business there and am about to do so here in ny. any suggestions of places where I don't have to drive...i would love to live in a city similar to ny but not as expensive or dirty.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

> And the peninsula hotel or ritz carlton in Chicago is nicer than NYC's best hotels.

When the "nicest hotels" are the chains, you know the city has an issue....

> which is NYC's equivalent of wicker park.

Backward... the Chicago neighborhoods are attempts to copy NYC, not the other way around. We don't care about your crappy wanna be neighborhoods. Chicago needs to compare everything it does to NYC...

rufus: about 11 months ago

kylewest, that's fair. Let's do compare apples to apples.

Wicke park is still cleaner than lower east side or east village, which is NYC's equivalent of wicker park. And the peninsula hotel or ritz carlton in Chicago is nicer than NYC's best hotels.

kylewest: about 11 months ago

Oh yeah. Chicago is clean. Right. Ever walk into the Wicker Park subway? It is as disgusting and squalid as anywhere I have ever traveled on four continents. God knows what peeling from the walls, nets failing to catch the crumbling ceiling, human waste in corners, every inch covered with decades of grime. Please don't tell me about the Gold Coast or I'll just refer you to the Plaza lobby. Compare apples and apples. I would take NYC's subway a zillion times over Chicago's. Chicago is clean. Like a homeless man's ass. Please.

nycjunior1: about 11 months ago

Chicago is a village hamlet compared to NY.

nyc10022: about 11 months ago

Chicago - 2.8 million in 237 sq mi
NYC - 8.3 million people in 305 sq mi

(whoops)

Chicago is barely a city, its like a town on a lake.

STFU: about 11 months ago

rufus, please read my handle.

Sizzlack: about 11 months ago

"No wonder it's fallen so far behind."

Fallen behind in this imaginary list of best places on earth you keep in your head?

I'm kind of amazed you don't get sick of yourself Rufus.

rufus: about 11 months ago

Chicago has millions of people, but it's extremely clean.

I'll give you a hint: alleys and good urban planning.

NYC needs to get its act together. No wonder it's fallen so far behind.

nycjunior1: about 11 months ago

NYC is a city of 8 million residents, during the work week it swells even larger, it has millions of tourists a year. It has one of the highest population densities (if not the highest) of any large city in the country. I think New York is extremely clean considering these realities. If it's not to your liking you should consider living someplace less populated and less vibrant. Or, you are free to pick up trash you see on the ground or sweep the streets. Otherwise, suck it up. It's really not that bad. It's called urban living. Saying it with me now, "Urban." Good boy.

alpine292: about 11 months ago

I was 99% sure this was going to be a rufus thread before I opened it.

beatyerputz: about 11 months ago

julia - drop the "here"

prada: about 11 months ago

Julia, please get some therapy and definitely legal prescription antidepressants...
We just had a woman jump into the Hudson River a few weeks ago in BPC and just by luck a man walking his dog saw her (around midnight). He was a professional scuba diver and instantly reacted knowing the danger since the current is very strong and water, of course, very cold. He jumped in and saved her...I wonder if she will be forever grateful and get the help she needs. Incredibly selfless individual to risk his own life for another.