I've visited NYC about 5 times (used to live nearby in Pennsylvania, visited again last summer). I've seen Wicked on Broadway, seen the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center before and after, etc.
I've been to almost 40 states, seen Mt. Rushmore and Old Faithful, lived in Chicago, been to Vegas and most of California, Washington state and D.C. Visited Florida 20+ times.
Aside from Alaska, New York is the only (U.S.) place I've been that hasn't disappointed. It was as big and bold and exciting as I imagined.
I am 68. Live in Deep South. Dreamed of it all my life. Love visiting. I don’t do tourist stuff. I’m delighted now when I go I visit my child who’s been there 7 years and it’s glorious. Wish I could live there!
No. I moved out. Too crowded, too dirty. I live in the metro area still, close enough to enjoy the good when I want to, but far enough away to not be in it every day.
I'd probably say the same of any city proper. This is not an issue with NYC itself
No. I live in Chicago and I'd way rather live here than New York.
It's cheaper, cleaner, and friendlier. Also Lake Michigan > the ocean.
I've only been to New York once and it was alright. I'd go back. But I'm not in any rush to get back there. And definitely wouldn't want to live there.
Yh I’ve romanticised NYC my whole life, it’s my ultimate dream to visit. But I get what you’re saying I live in London and once you’re outside the touristy areas, it’s very bleak and dreary
Well if I visit I’ll go try food places, visit the museums, see the architecture, use the public transport
All those things I can do in London
But the experience obviously won’t be the same
What if I told you that neither the museums nor the architecture are the same? Zero chance you'll get the experience of the American Museum of Natural History at any museum in London.
I dream about NYC because I grew up there. I don't live there anymore. But every once in a while a dream will take place in my old neighborhood. I don't think I could ever go back, but it's nice to remember the old stoop.
Gotta tell ya as someone who is from neither, NYC blew my socks off in vibes. Its just so much easier to cover ground in NYC and theres something interesting to see pretty much everywhere.
I did enjoy London and I have good friends there but I see why you find NYC to be special. It feels so alive in such a unique way but its also crowded, dirty, and overwhelming. So people have very different relationships with it.
Also I dont know how bad Ice will be but if you want to go theres sometimes roundtrip direct tickets for around $300. You have to be lucky and its usually in the winter but its not bad.
The hostel and hotel prices are wildly more expensive than London but the cabs are cheaper and some of the takeaway is too.
I used to when I was younger, but then I visited and really spent some time there, not just in the touristy parts. It's fun to go for a weekend, but I would never want to live there.
I live in a city that's close enough to NYC that weekend trips are easily possible, but still far enough to prevent me being there regularly. My city and NYC also have historic rivalry.
That being said , I love being able to visit. NYC can be an amazing experience. The history, the cultures, the architecture, the things to do. Food from everywhere. New York is a huge global metropolitan that basically has everything.
I don't know if I'd live there. It's a lot, and you don't experience the city the same living your daily life in one corner as you do a visitor running around enjoying everything it has to offer. I like my city. I also fantasize about the complete opposite of NYC, quiet towns, woods and forests and lakes and mountains and coastlines. But NYC is a true metropolis. There's so much to do and see and enjoy.
I'm glad to have my space, but I'm glad that I can also be a frequent visitor.
I loved London for the brief stretches I've been there. Anyway, there's New York City (the real place where people pay bills, walk their dogs, miss the train, go grocery shopping and so on), and New! York! City! (ie, the place people come to visit- Broadway and Times Square and the Statue of Liberty and all the other stuff). I've known people who work in the parts I'd call New! York! City! (I've worked inside some of the landmarks) but I can't say I know anyone who lives there. It'd be like trying to live inside a birthday party.
I've heard of people being so disappointed that Paris, say, is an actual place with people who live lives (instead of a sort of alternate plane of style-and-fashion) that they kind of have a tiny breakdown because of how much they've built it up.
Anyway, its funny to me that this will be my 13th year in NYC and I never dreamt of it growing up. Actively didn't want to, for a long time. I will admit there's a lot of cool stuff about this city, but I still would advise people that living in a city of any size is a kind of a skill and not everyone wants to have it.
I was able to visit for the first time last year and it was an amazing experience. They have so much to do, it felt like you couldn’t even scratch the surface of it in a visit. I think living in a nearby city where you could take public transport into the city would be cool. Have no access to good public transport is something that I dream about.
Honestly, unless it comes up in like a tv show or movie, I don't even think about New York City, much less dream about it. It's the other side of a very large country from where I am. It looks like chaos. It's described as having a certain odor (at least during the warm season). It has no real appeal to me as a place to visit or live.
I also romanticize NYC the way you do. And I live right next to it! I truly believe it’s the best city in the world, and it’s only going to get better.
Never. I’m not a big city person. I like wide open spaces and a slower pace. I could probably spend a few days there but I would be much happier going to Colorado for a trip.
I used to as a west coast person. I met my wife there, she was born and raised in NYC. We lived there together 10 years and came back to the west coast to raise our child. We visit family there 3x a year. It’s one of the greatest cities in the world.
It’s fine, but this thread is a great illustration of the dichotomy between people who have a bizarre fascination with the city and people who are way too dramatic in their disdain for it.
City living in general takes a tolerance for 24x7 noise and light that some people struggle with, especially if they're used to living in rural areas. NYC especially so. I know the first time I visited I didn't sleep well the whole trip.
Yeah, any kind of change is jarring at first, but you can adapt. It doesn’t take a special breed of person to live here, we don’t have some kind of innate strength that other people lack.
But it does take certain personalities to enjoy living there, just as it takes certain personalities to enjoy living on a 5 acre property in the middle of nowhere.
Yeah. Always wanted to live there. I’m actually moving there for college in a few months. Just got very lucky that a college in New York has one of the best programs for the career I want
I enjoy visiting it, but I doubt I’d ever live there. I much prefer living in San Francisco. For me New York has too little green space relative to its number of people plus rather mediocre weather.
I do. Any time I ask someone around my age what city they would like to move to if they left Minnesota, more than half the time New York is one of the answers. I mean New York has been a big part of American pop culture. There’s no shortage of tv shows and movies set there. It’s diverse. Probably has great nightlife. It would be paradise for people that love trying different cultural foods. Is more walkable than most cities. Has public transit that lets you move around without needing a car. Has a young population.
It’s really not that hard to imagine why New York in particular would be a city that many younger Americans would “dream” about living in, especially if they live in states that are relatively “boring”
Im from San Francisco but live 10 minutes down the coast. I have very vivid dreams driving around the city and can remember neighborhoods and people I was with when I wake up. Ive been obsessed with NYC my whole life but only made it there for the first time, last year. I went in January and October. I dont think I know NY well enough to dream about it!
smurfe@reddit
I've been there. No desire to ever go back.
Kennesaw79@reddit
I've visited NYC about 5 times (used to live nearby in Pennsylvania, visited again last summer). I've seen Wicked on Broadway, seen the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center before and after, etc.
I've been to almost 40 states, seen Mt. Rushmore and Old Faithful, lived in Chicago, been to Vegas and most of California, Washington state and D.C. Visited Florida 20+ times.
Aside from Alaska, New York is the only (U.S.) place I've been that hasn't disappointed. It was as big and bold and exciting as I imagined.
BON3SMcCOY@reddit
As a California guy who discovered a love for theatre as an adult, yes absolutely.
reblynn2012@reddit
I am 68. Live in Deep South. Dreamed of it all my life. Love visiting. I don’t do tourist stuff. I’m delighted now when I go I visit my child who’s been there 7 years and it’s glorious. Wish I could live there!
flp_ndrox@reddit
I visited a couple times. I enjoyed it; found it to be strangely underrated. That said, I don't dream of it. I'm not a city person TBH.
machagogo@reddit
No. I moved out. Too crowded, too dirty. I live in the metro area still, close enough to enjoy the good when I want to, but far enough away to not be in it every day.
I'd probably say the same of any city proper. This is not an issue with NYC itself
jomo789@reddit
No. I live in Chicago and I'd way rather live here than New York.
It's cheaper, cleaner, and friendlier. Also Lake Michigan > the ocean.
I've only been to New York once and it was alright. I'd go back. But I'm not in any rush to get back there. And definitely wouldn't want to live there.
But I get the appeal. To each their own!
AndreaTwerk@reddit
I’ve been there, so no.
This has “the streets are paved with gold” energy. It’s a place in the real world, just like your city.
little_runner_boy@reddit
If you're a city goober, sure. If you want affordability, space to breathe, easy access to nature, etc like me, NYC is the last place I want to be
OpposumMyPossum@reddit
Lots of people do.
It's amazing but you gotta be tough to live in big cities. Walking to work or the subway on cold and snowy days, schlepping groceries, etc.
If I was rich it's as easy as living rurally but for regular folks it's challenging.
I go there a few times a year and it's very fun. A bit exciting every time!
Traditional-Let9530@reddit
People don’t really “dream” of NYC, they romanticize the idea of it until they actually live there and realize it’s equal parts opportunity and chaos.
FlashyWorld540@reddit (OP)
Yh I’ve romanticised NYC my whole life, it’s my ultimate dream to visit. But I get what you’re saying I live in London and once you’re outside the touristy areas, it’s very bleak and dreary
FunTricky903@reddit
What do you think you’ll get out of NYC that you don’t get from London?
FlashyWorld540@reddit (OP)
Well if I visit I’ll go try food places, visit the museums, see the architecture, use the public transport All those things I can do in London But the experience obviously won’t be the same
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
What if I told you that neither the museums nor the architecture are the same? Zero chance you'll get the experience of the American Museum of Natural History at any museum in London.
FlashyWorld540@reddit (OP)
That’s the point I’m making, the experience won’t be the same
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
So you did! Reading comprehension fail on my part!
anonymousambassasor@reddit
Do you want to live in a very expensive apartment your entire life? I hated apartment living.
FunTricky903@reddit
They live in London. I doubt that’s an unfamiliar concept.
I love how people post things like “NYC IS EXPENSIVE” as though it’s a revelation.
anonymousambassasor@reddit
Didn’t say it as a revelation. And didn’t say it in all caps. Said it because it’s stupid.
FunTricky903@reddit
What’s stupid? Telling someone from London that cities are expensive?
anonymousambassasor@reddit
Wow. You are an angry person. Good luck with that.
Bear_necessities96@reddit
I just like how walkable is (and well the old buildings) but I found living there a mess, it disgusting (specially Manhattan) and way to overpriced
dgputnam@reddit
no, but only because I've been there so often. It's a great city
No-Lettuce-5783@reddit
I dream about NYC because I grew up there. I don't live there anymore. But every once in a while a dream will take place in my old neighborhood. I don't think I could ever go back, but it's nice to remember the old stoop.
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
I’ve visited a few times but it’s not for me. I prefer places with nature and quiet.
reluctantmugglewrite@reddit
Gotta tell ya as someone who is from neither, NYC blew my socks off in vibes. Its just so much easier to cover ground in NYC and theres something interesting to see pretty much everywhere.
I did enjoy London and I have good friends there but I see why you find NYC to be special. It feels so alive in such a unique way but its also crowded, dirty, and overwhelming. So people have very different relationships with it.
Also I dont know how bad Ice will be but if you want to go theres sometimes roundtrip direct tickets for around $300. You have to be lucky and its usually in the winter but its not bad.
The hostel and hotel prices are wildly more expensive than London but the cabs are cheaper and some of the takeaway is too.
Itsdanaozideshihou@reddit
Fuck no! There is literally nothing I find appealing about NY or cities in general.
ScorchedByTheSun@reddit
No.
Sufficient_Cod1948@reddit
I used to when I was younger, but then I visited and really spent some time there, not just in the touristy parts. It's fun to go for a weekend, but I would never want to live there.
FunTricky903@reddit
That’s interesting, because, honestly, the tourist traps are far and away the most unpleasant parts of the city.
SenetBoard@reddit
In a way, yes.
I live in a city that's close enough to NYC that weekend trips are easily possible, but still far enough to prevent me being there regularly. My city and NYC also have historic rivalry.
That being said , I love being able to visit. NYC can be an amazing experience. The history, the cultures, the architecture, the things to do. Food from everywhere. New York is a huge global metropolitan that basically has everything.
I don't know if I'd live there. It's a lot, and you don't experience the city the same living your daily life in one corner as you do a visitor running around enjoying everything it has to offer. I like my city. I also fantasize about the complete opposite of NYC, quiet towns, woods and forests and lakes and mountains and coastlines. But NYC is a true metropolis. There's so much to do and see and enjoy.
I'm glad to have my space, but I'm glad that I can also be a frequent visitor.
Current_Poster@reddit
I loved London for the brief stretches I've been there. Anyway, there's New York City (the real place where people pay bills, walk their dogs, miss the train, go grocery shopping and so on), and New! York! City! (ie, the place people come to visit- Broadway and Times Square and the Statue of Liberty and all the other stuff). I've known people who work in the parts I'd call New! York! City! (I've worked inside some of the landmarks) but I can't say I know anyone who lives there. It'd be like trying to live inside a birthday party.
I've heard of people being so disappointed that Paris, say, is an actual place with people who live lives (instead of a sort of alternate plane of style-and-fashion) that they kind of have a tiny breakdown because of how much they've built it up.
Anyway, its funny to me that this will be my 13th year in NYC and I never dreamt of it growing up. Actively didn't want to, for a long time. I will admit there's a lot of cool stuff about this city, but I still would advise people that living in a city of any size is a kind of a skill and not everyone wants to have it.
omgcheez@reddit
I was able to visit for the first time last year and it was an amazing experience. They have so much to do, it felt like you couldn’t even scratch the surface of it in a visit. I think living in a nearby city where you could take public transport into the city would be cool. Have no access to good public transport is something that I dream about.
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
No. I would love to visit the various museums there, but the city itself holds no position of desire in my heart.
It's just not my type of place, I'm not denigrating others for having the opposite feeling.
Hitthereset@reddit
No, definitely, not... but I have no desire to live in any big city so that may be disqualifying on its own.
DeathofRats42@reddit
Honestly, unless it comes up in like a tv show or movie, I don't even think about New York City, much less dream about it. It's the other side of a very large country from where I am. It looks like chaos. It's described as having a certain odor (at least during the warm season). It has no real appeal to me as a place to visit or live.
Reyr0man@reddit
I also romanticize NYC the way you do. And I live right next to it! I truly believe it’s the best city in the world, and it’s only going to get better.
FlashyWorld540@reddit (OP)
OK FINALLY 😭 someone who feels the same about Nyc as I do
DrBlankslate@reddit
No. I have friends who live there, but they come to see me out here in LA.
tetlee@reddit
If I could click my fingers and move maintaining similar house etc I'd be in San Diego by the morning.
stoicsilence@reddit
Dude there is a whole segment of our population that hates cities as a matter of identity.
New York is not the exception to that.
No-Pickle-8200@reddit
If you don’t like London… NYC is going to be disappointing. London is like a cleaner and prettier New York.
Personally I love both of those cities but London is my preference after living there for a few years.
Bluemonogi@reddit
Never. I’m not a big city person. I like wide open spaces and a slower pace. I could probably spend a few days there but I would be much happier going to Colorado for a trip.
Derplord4000@reddit
I used to l, but not anymore.
MrsFrondi@reddit
I used to as a west coast person. I met my wife there, she was born and raised in NYC. We lived there together 10 years and came back to the west coast to raise our child. We visit family there 3x a year. It’s one of the greatest cities in the world.
ThePickleConnoisseur@reddit
It’s snows there regularly and is humid so that’s two black marks against it
1Negative_Person@reddit
Go ahead and keep your fantasy of NYC being the perfect city, just don’t visit, because you’ll realize it isn’t. It’s not nice.
FunTricky903@reddit
It’s fine, but this thread is a great illustration of the dichotomy between people who have a bizarre fascination with the city and people who are way too dramatic in their disdain for it.
FlashyWorld540@reddit (OP)
I’ve enjoyed every city I’ve visited as a tourist I think the experience of actually living in the city is what ruins the facade
IcyBodybuilder9004@reddit
It would be a nightmare if I did. It’s not for me.
FunTricky903@reddit
I’m sure you’d be fine. It doesn’t take anything special to live here.
round_a_squared@reddit
City living in general takes a tolerance for 24x7 noise and light that some people struggle with, especially if they're used to living in rural areas. NYC especially so. I know the first time I visited I didn't sleep well the whole trip.
FunTricky903@reddit
Yeah, any kind of change is jarring at first, but you can adapt. It doesn’t take a special breed of person to live here, we don’t have some kind of innate strength that other people lack.
OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit
But it does take certain personalities to enjoy living there, just as it takes certain personalities to enjoy living on a 5 acre property in the middle of nowhere.
Zenthane@reddit
I mean the one time I visited I enjoyed it, but living in the city would suck. A lot.
CheesE4Every1@reddit
I dream of a snowy forest and a cabin.
anonymousambassasor@reddit
Same.
anonymousambassasor@reddit
God no. Not outside of the occasional vacation.
OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit
No. And I lived there.
Viper_Red@reddit
Yeah. Always wanted to live there. I’m actually moving there for college in a few months. Just got very lucky that a college in New York has one of the best programs for the career I want
nonother@reddit
I enjoy visiting it, but I doubt I’d ever live there. I much prefer living in San Francisco. For me New York has too little green space relative to its number of people plus rather mediocre weather.
FunTricky903@reddit
I live here, I like it here a lot, but…why would anyone “dream” of any particular city?
Viper_Red@reddit
I do. Any time I ask someone around my age what city they would like to move to if they left Minnesota, more than half the time New York is one of the answers. I mean New York has been a big part of American pop culture. There’s no shortage of tv shows and movies set there. It’s diverse. Probably has great nightlife. It would be paradise for people that love trying different cultural foods. Is more walkable than most cities. Has public transit that lets you move around without needing a car. Has a young population.
It’s really not that hard to imagine why New York in particular would be a city that many younger Americans would “dream” about living in, especially if they live in states that are relatively “boring”
Biteme75@reddit
I would like to see the Statue of Liberty one day, but otherwise I feel no particular need to go to New York City.
Bennythecat415@reddit
Im from San Francisco but live 10 minutes down the coast. I have very vivid dreams driving around the city and can remember neighborhoods and people I was with when I wake up. Ive been obsessed with NYC my whole life but only made it there for the first time, last year. I went in January and October. I dont think I know NY well enough to dream about it!
chainmailler2001@reddit
I dream of avoiding it.
Jumpy-Cranberry-1633@reddit
No, I don’t think about it 99.8% of the time.
Such_Mortgage_1916@reddit
The thought of spending time in New York sounds like hell on earth to me. I'll stick to my closest town, population 4500
Ashur_Bens_Pal@reddit
No. But I'd love to visit some time?
WyomingVet@reddit
Nightmares mostly no dreams
Phantomtastic@reddit
I don’t think so. I once dreamt I jumped off a really tall building. Maybe it was in NYC, maybe not.
DadPuncher69@reddit
No?
TaquitoLaw@reddit
Maybe, I don't remember most of my dreams
huazzy@reddit
Nope
And I have to go there quite often for work.
Tron_35@reddit
Id like to visit but I could never live there, im not a city person.