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NYC Impressions
 

DonVon's picture
IB
(King Kong, 1,914
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 10:30am
nyc.jpeg

Good morning all.

So being the hillbilly that I am, I've never actually been to New York City. "Liek, oh my gawd, that is so totes unbelievable" -- yes, I know. Now this recently changed, as I went to school with a million New Yorkers (even though the school was _not_ in the Northeast), and one of my close friends now lives in NYC and got married.

So a few weeks ago, I make the trek up to NYC from my "crickets chirping 24/7" Southern semi-rural place of existence.

I think too many people played it up far too much for me.

Now I lived in Chicago for a few years so I am somewhat familiar with the large American city. Chicago is, however, a very Midwestern place. Even though it has that smattering of hipster culture, if you hang out on the North Side you are generally running into guys and girls who went to Big 10 schools and Chicago was their Mecca. It's a fine place, but I always felt like it lacked a little in terms of intellectual life -- literally everyone's obsession with the Cubs contributes to this a little bit, and I can't quite pinpoint why people so desperately love the worst team in the history of baseball, but I digress.

Bottom line: I went to New York under the impression that it would be a bigger, dirtier Chicago with a little more culture.

When I landed in LaGuardia, I hopped on the bus through Queens, followed by the train to Manhattan, where I got off at the most touristy place on earth: Times Square.

Needless to say, in the first 10 minutes of walking around, I heard people speaking maybe 15 different languages, which was interesting in and of itself. The spot is, as you all know, extremely touristy, but I didn't exactly "know where to go" until my friends arrived, all of whom were familiar with the city. I visited the Empire State Building, walked by the JPM headquarters, and it took me and my friend who is a BB analyst a good hour and a half to decide where to eat lunch simply because there were way too many options. Surprised he had that much time on a Saturday, but that worked out nicely.

I spent the rest of the weekend around the Upper West Side, which was actually a really awesome spot and though I don't ever envision living in New York City, I wouldn't mind living there. I liked the blend of artistic influence and intellectualism that seems to be prevalent in the UWS. I liked the fact that it's next to Central Park (duh), which was a really really awesome place to walk though, and nothing Chicago has compares to Central Park. The other parts of NYC that I had seen seemed boring to me: Midtown, Financial District, etc. -- just a bunch of people walking around and a bunch of office buildings. Nothing spectacular. But the UWS had that nice urban-residential community feel that is both a little bit slower-paced and more friendly, at least based on my experiences.

Everything I ate in NYC was top-notch, and because I love food, this was a really nice addition to my trip. My friends took me to some more obscure spots, a few places where there was literally no room to stand inside because the establishment itself was so small, but they all still served food that was off the chain (and with out of this world prices -- ouch!!!). I had perhaps the beast peanut butter pie I will ever eat in my life, and I for the life of me don't remember the name of the place, but it was somewhere north of Chelsea.

The girls aren't as attractive as they are in the South or Midwest. Not elaborating on that.

One thing that really stuck out to me was when I was taking a cab back to my friend's spot at 3:30AM on a Sunday morning (this was after the wedding) and I still saw thousands upon thousands of people in the streets going out, shopping, eating, etc. This is something that is characteristically missing in Chicago's culture because everything closes at 8pm and while there are spots that are open 24/7 or close very late at night, they're more separated so you get that eerie "it's night time so everyone is asleep" feel. Being able to go out and do whatever you want at 3:30AM seems really cool to me.

Overall folks, I'll give it to you guys, you have a pretty good city. I personally wouldn't want to live there because it's too expensive, crowded, and would honestly be overwhelming to me after a few years (maybe even a few months), but it's an awesome place to visit.

What do you guys think about NYC? I was only there for two days, but is my assessment fairly accurate? Plan on staying forever or leaving after a few years? And, please, let's NOT start another Chicago vs. NYC thread.

Thanks for reading.

"An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Check out my blog!
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Comments

Bobb's picture

I'll be in NYC or a suberb of

AM
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:21am

I'll be in NYC or a suberb of NYC my whole life. Grew up here, my whole family is in the area...I am not going anywhere

neilol's picture

You are way off on the

IB
(Orangutan, 251
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:26am

You are way off on the girls.

I think they rival West LA girls (looks, obviously intelligence)

Did you hit up the Lower East Side?

Neighbor's picture

The first time i went to NYC

IB
(King Kong, 1,236
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:30am

The first time i went to NYC I basically felt the same as you did. Coming from a relatively small town in the south, the constant super-late night atmosphere was awesome as I am a night person. I remember everyone seemed so damn busy though. Now I guess I understand why.

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

Senvik's picture

Your assessment is fairly

 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:35am

Your assessment is fairly accurate although there are, I believe, some mistakes. For one- the girls are not cuter down south. It's just that here you have millions and millions of people living within the city so you see many more as you walk around. Also, there is incredible diversity and you just may not be as attracted to all the Asians/Africans/South Americans/etc.. we have (I am under the assumption the South and Midwest are predominantly white).

Unfortunately, you were only here for two days and that's not even close to enough time to really get a feel for the city. The 24/7 culture, the attractions (Central Park is great but there are a dozen other places you should have went as well), and the people are incredible. Being in NYC for only two days doesn't leave you much time to get to know New Yorkers. Also, growing up in NYC, you develop an incredible love for the city and we become incredibly proud of it. Of course I should only speak for myself, but I say "we" because this is a view I've seen repeated among many New Yorkers I know.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." - IlliniProgrammer

AndyLouis's picture

old post - but a good

 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:42am

old post - but a good contrast http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/i-fing-hate-...

WSO's COO (Chief Operating Orangutan) | My story | Connect with me on Linkedin.

2013 WSO Conference

jpc100's picture

I love New York- I moved here

O
(Monkey, 51
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:04pm

I love New York- I moved here for school and never left. I think you hit the nail on the head though- the best part about it is the fact that you can do anything you want any time. It's perfect for those of us who don't have tons of free time.

In The Flesh's picture

You really have to live in a

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,811
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:06pm

You really have to live in a couple of different places and experience a couple of different lifestyles before you decide whether New York is for you or not. You have to actually experience it over a couple of years for yourself. People who have grown up/lived here all their lives can develop some serious tunnel vision. Same for the out-of-towners, though.

Head of Metal Website: www.headofmetal.com

https://twitter.com/headofmetal2012

Ron Paul's picture

Vontropnats: The girls aren't

 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:32pm
Vontropnats:

The girls aren't as attractive as they are in the South or Midwest.

truth

Senvik:

Your assessment is fairly accurate although there are, I believe, some mistakes. For one- the girls are not cuter down south. It's just that here you have millions and millions of people living within the city so you see many more as you walk around. Also, there is incredible diversity and you just may not be as attracted to all the Asians/Africans/South Americans/etc.. we have (I am under the assumption the South and Midwest are predominantly white).

What matters is the percentage of hot chicks among all chicks. South, Midwest, and many other places soundly defeat NYC by that measure.

Neighbor's picture

Anyone who says the girls are

IB
(King Kong, 1,236
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:38pm

Anyone who says the girls are hotter in the northeast than the south or midwest is living in denial to make themselves feel better or blind, sorrry

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

FeelingMean's picture

I like NYC, and I really like

VC
(Gorilla, 651
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:47pm

I like NYC, and I really like the idea that the city is busy at all times, i.e. you could take a train there at midnight and go out and do whatever. The thing that bothers me the most is how dirty NYC looks and feels. Maybe there was just poor air quality or something the days I was there, or maybe I have been checking out all the wrong places, but I just cannot seem to find any part of NYC that is not filthy. Not knocking anything, just making an observation. That would be the biggest factor in my lack of desire to live there.

"That dude is so haole, he don't even have any breath left."

shark-monkey's picture

I've been all over. Girls

HF
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 12:50pm

I've been all over. Girls aren't as attractive in/near NYC.... Sorry ladies.

Fear is the greatest motivator. Motivation is what it takes to find profit.

BigBucks's picture

New York City sucks. Its

IB
(Gorilla, 509
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:11pm

New York City sucks. Its crowded, polluted, dirty, expensive, and full of haughty individuals (lots of 6's and 7's think they are 10's).

IlliniProgrammer's picture

You are a good writer

ST
(Almost Human, 9,244
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:28pm

You are a good writer Votropnats, but I am not sure how this got on the front page.

You are a much better writer when you stick to stuff that you have more than two days of experience with.

Or if you talk about your experience in New York, you have to focus on one or two really crazy stories. Like the lady on the subway who wanted money so she could buy herself shoes. Someone gives her a pair of shoes on the subway, she puts them into her purse, and walks onto the next car barefoot. People want variable rewards for reading these posts- so you do better telling stories or talking about Chicago than you do telling New Yorkers- often originally from other parts of the country or world- what they already know about the city.

Work hard, play hard.

Inception's picture

I'm glad someone wrote this

PT
(Baboon, 133
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:29pm

I'm glad someone wrote this post! I've lived in Chicago my entire life, spent nearly every childhood summer in LA & SF and also been to all the other major U.S. cities - except NYC. So the WSO conference this past weekend was perfect not only to network and attend an awesome conference, but to also explore NYC.

Simply put, NYC was fantastic. It's a phenomenal city that truly is international in nature. You may hear 5 to 6 languages being spoken in places like Chicago, LA or SF but in NYC it's legitimately double those cities. The city oozes diversity and culture. I've heard of NYCers get stereotyped as being rude but I found people there to only be helpful and nice. So +1 for the people of NYC!

Unlike OP, I liked roaming around and gawking at the buildings Midtown and Downtown. I like looking at buildings and architecture in general so maybe that's why I was drawn to them. The architecture of NYC has a sort of "old charm" to it that I liked. To me, the architecture of NYC tells a "historical tale" when you stroll around. Corny as it sounds, I could "feel" a connection to the past when I walked around on the cobblestones of the Meatpacking District and SoHo. And not to bash on other cities, but only NYC and Chicago truly have skylines worth to remember.

But definitely the best part about NYC is the 24/7 nature of the city. No one sleeps. Ever. Here's a perfect example: As I was walking back to my hotel at 3am, I saw a nail salon still giving a pedicure, a hair salon still giving haircuts and a small produce stand on the corner still selling stuff. Oh, and people were still shopping and dining at that time. Being a Chicagoan...that's unheard of. You can literally go anywhere and do anything at any time. By the way, getting a cab in NY is miles better than Chicago.

Yes, NYC is probably the dirtiest city in the US (I take Chicago's "cleanliness" for granted). Yes, it is packed and crowded. And yes, cost of living (rent/property cost specifically) is probably really expensive (though I found the cost of food not to be much more than Chicago). But that energy, cultural diversity and "charm" captivated me. I actually could see myself living there!

Ron Paul's picture

Inception: Unlike OP, I liked

 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:31pm
Inception:

Unlike OP, I liked roaming around and gawking at the buildings Midtown and Downtown. I like looking at buildings and architecture in general so maybe that's why I was drawn to them. The architecture of NYC has a sort of "old charm" to it that I liked. To me, the architecture of NYC tells a "historical tale" when you stroll around. Corny as it sounds, I could "feel" a connection to the past when I walked around on the cobblestones of the Meatpacking District and SoHo. And not to bash on other cities, but only NYC and Chicago truly have skylines worth to remember.

Ted Mosby, is that you?

justin88's picture

I dunno why the OP thinks NYC

HF
(Gorilla, 584
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:40pm
DonVon's picture

IlliniProgrammer: You are a

IB
(King Kong, 1,914
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:45pm

"An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Check out my blog!

TexasTim's picture

NYC is all about the

(Baboon, 101
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 1:48pm

There is life and death. I'm going to bust my ass to make an impact 'til the latter comes.

BillyRay05's picture

Loooot of NYC haters ITT

ST
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 2:01pm

"Sounds to me like you guys a couple of bookies."

Nabooru's picture

Interesting post. I live in

(Gorilla, 689
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 2:13pm

Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?

jrt336's picture

Nabooru: Interesting post. I

(Orangutan, 337
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 2:19pm
IlliniProgrammer's picture

If you need to do anything

ST
(Almost Human, 9,244
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 3:10pm

Work hard, play hard.

Going Concern's picture

Lawl at thinking that a 2 day

(King Kong, 1,698
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 3:29pm

And I think it's gonna be a long, long, time

Nabooru's picture

Going Concern: NYC is pretty

(Gorilla, 689
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 3:43pm

Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?

Futures Trader Man's picture

Thanks for this thread OP I

IB
(Orangutan, 299
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 4:16pm

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros

Ron Paul's picture

this was in the related

 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 4:27pm
Going Concern's picture

Ron Paul: this was in the

(King Kong, 1,698
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 4:50pm

And I think it's gonna be a long, long, time

Bollinger's picture

"Live in New York City once,

(Monkey, 62
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 6:00pm
justin88's picture

IlliniProgrammer: If you need

HF
(Gorilla, 584
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 6:01pm
Tommy Too-toned's picture

NYC's da bomb, but don't

(Gorilla, 505
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 9:11pm
WWHD's picture

Haven't lived there yet but

EN
(Chimp, 3
 
Points)
 on 8/1/12 at 11:59pm

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.

gamenumbers's picture

NYC is an amazing city,

IB
(Gorilla, 678
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 12:54am
DonVon's picture

gamenumbers: NYC is even

IB
(King Kong, 1,914
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 9:20am

"An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Check out my blog!

Going Concern's picture

Vontropnats: gamenumbers: N

(King Kong, 1,698
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 9:52am

And I think it's gonna be a long, long, time

brandon st randy's picture

gamenumbers: NYC is even

PE
(Gorilla, 703
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 2:32pm

...well, he's no use to us if Detroit is his idea of a small town!

holla_back's picture

Is OP Ross Gellar? Take this

O
(King Kong, 1,121
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 2:47pm
BillyRay05's picture

holla_back: Is OP Ross

ST
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 3:03pm

"Sounds to me like you guys a couple of bookies."

gamenumbers's picture

my point is that NYC is

IB
(Gorilla, 678
 
Points)
 on 8/2/12 at 10:15pm

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