You only have to visit the Big Apple once to understand why New Yorkers believe it’s the greatest city in the world. Here’s the real scoop on New York, and that elite breed, the New Yorker.
We Won’t Help. Also, We’re Mean.
Walk down any crowded street in the five boroughs and chances are you’ll see lots of busy-looking people walking just as fast as they can. But ask any one of those folks for directions to the nearest subway, or where you might find the best food truck in the neighborhood, and you’ll find yourself in a friendly and informative chit-chat. We love to help, so just ask!
It’s Dirty. And You’ll Probably Get Robbed.
New York City may have earned a pretty nasty reputation in the 1970s, but the New York of today is safe and sanitized! (Well, maybe not sanitized — but mostly trash-free.) New York City is also one of the safest big cities in the world, according to Business Insider. Walk like you know where you’re going until you do, and you’ll be fine.
Everything Is Close.
New York City is huge. Huge! Take the subway train from Yankee Stadium to the Rockaways and you’ll be riding the rails for hours. Even getting from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to Midtown can take upward of 30 minutes.
That may be why it’s easy to forget that the same city that features the Empire State Building also has beautiful beaches, more parks than you can count, an incredible zoo, zillions of highways and oh yeah, the Statue of Liberty.
It’s Too Expensive.
Okay, we admit it — spending oodles of cash is easy in NYC. But once you’ve paid for your hotel, getting around, doing stuff and eating terrific food is remarkably affordable. The subway is the best deal in town and is incredibly easy to navigate. Street food and local cafes offer famously affordable — and famously delicious — food. And the city’s sights and attractions are often free or inexpensive.
It’s Easy to Get Lost
Get yourself a map of the five boroughs and you’ll see how easy it can be to navigate city streets. The city is set up like a grid, and Manhattan is the easiest of all to navigate — especially north of Fourteenth Street. Remember that most streets are one-way — you can spot them on a map by looking for the tiny directional arrows. If you’re worried about parking — and parking can cost a fortune — opt for mass transit instead.
And if you get lost, ask for help — because New Yorkers are friendly!
