Now that I've talked about HoustonTexas tell me how it is living in New York CIty. Tell me things I wouldn't know.

fluid said:

dont look at people directly in the eye. keep your head down and never i mean never ride the F train at 4 am

IAintTheOne said:

who wants to live somewhere like that? i love the south

BabyGirl said:

I know everyone's all nice and stuff..

IAintTheOne said:

id never fit in where i cant talk to people i pass lol

BabyGirl said:

ya know, living in the south has its drawbacks as well...but not enough to outweigh the positive...I love the south

Living in New York, for me, is a love/hate relationship.


There is an indescribable energy here that I've not really felt anywhere else. You can get anything you want, pretty much any time you want: live music, any kind of food you want, etc. There are so many experience that are "only in New York"...like my friend Matt carrying a six foot whale rib bone on the subway at rush hour and no one batting an eye. It's diverse. It's crazy. It has its own set of rules.

But on the down side, unless you make a lot of money, everything is expensive. And a hassle. For example, it's usually a 20 minute subway ride for me to get home from work. On Friday evening rush hour I waited 10 minutes for a train, it was too packed and I couldn't fit on. I waited 10 more minutes. Another train came, also too crowded and I couldn't fit on. (And of course the platform is getting more and more crowded because people are getting off work and waiting.) Ten minutes later a third train comes. I could have walked home by this time. Seriously. It takes me 30 minutes to walk home (but it was colder than I anticipated and I didn't have a hat, and I was tired). I shove myself into the train and it's like sardines for me to go two stops. I had to push people out of the way to get off or I would have missed my stop.


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[Edited 2/14/09 20:50pm]

BabyGirl said:

Girl, you wouldn't have time to talk to people you meet. Time = money in New York and if you're moving slow, you're wasting someone's money.

Oh, another things I thought of. It gets really, really humid in July/August. This is something I was not prepared for when I moved. Heat I don't mind (I grew up in the midwest) but I *hate* humidity. (One reason I could never live in the south.) By this time of the summer, the city really stinks because of the heat and the garbage. And it's also very empty as everyone with means gets the f*ck out of the city, because it's humid and it stinks.


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[Edited 2/14/09 21:33pm]

jone70 said:

how is it late April? is it nice then?

fluid said:

You wouldn't know how racist it is until you've lived here for awhile. New Yorkers are sneaky about their prejudices - it's not in your face compared to southern cities.

I fell in love with New York through comic books when I was a little kid. It was an odd fascination, but I knew I loved it and wanted to live here. To me, it's the most amazing city. The architecture is incredible--every building has a story, every area has an interesting history. The city itself has a personality, and if you let it, it will pick you up any time you need it. Restaurants, Broadway, museums, live music, Central Park, and sightseeing all go without saying. And you see people at their best and their worst. Yeah, there's racism, crime, overcrowdedness, and all that--there's also the best people you'll ever meet here.

It's an expensive city but there are also tons of things to do for free or on the cheap. Any time I feel the slightest bit down, all I need to do is go to Union Square to cheer up.

I'm not one of those people who think New York City is better than anywhere else, but I do get annoyed when people act like it's some horrible, awful place and can't understand why anyone lives here. It remains the most amazing city in the world to me.

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[Edited 2/15/09 5:59am]

Well you got other kinds of music that htey don't listne to in other parts of the country..

In California they got Hardcore Rap and West Coast Style. The SOuth they got Booty, Miami Bass, and and Dirty Sawf Rap. But up North you got a whole lotta differentstyles. Umm The North is basically the whole of urban music. Disco was big there before the 80s. Then in the 80s syntheseizers, 303s,samplers and beatboxes came along and you got East Coast Rap mainly. But you also had other styles like Freestyle and Electro, They listen to Raggae. There are alot of latinpeople in New York City, but I don't know if you'd call Salsa and Meringue part of the urban scene although blacks hangout with Peurto Ricans.

Then in the 90s you got Techno and House.Both part of the Northern Urban scene.
Drum&Bass and Jungle got popular in the late 90s. Miami I believe is the center for Raggeton, don't know iff there's any in New York. In Texas we do have Mexican but Tejano is the big music gorm for latinos in Texas. We do listen to something called Zydeco which is a Cajun style of music mainly centered around Louisiana but they do listen to it in East Texas. Trance is part of the dance music world but it'snot hardly gehtto in it's rythms.So are there any new styles of Urban Music out of New York that the rest of the country hasn't got Hip too or heard about?
[Edited 2/15/09 14:45pm]

fluid said:

Yes, we have Reggeton here. I *hate* it. I'm not on the hard core club circuit but there are a few bars where I go to dance. They usually start out playing stuff I don't mind, but when the DJ starts spinning reggeton, I'm out. I find it entirely unlistenable and undanceable. I can't speak about any "new styles" that the rest of the country hasn't heard of because like I said, I'm not into the club scene, and I'm really not in the live music scene either.

I used to live in Chicago and went to a lot of clubs, but since moving to NYC I have't gotten into that scene. I liked Chicago house (Derrick Carter and Jesse de la Pena) when I was there.

fluid said:

You pretty much got it. I have Caribbean roots (both parents) but I was born and raised in NYC. Grew up with Salsa/Meringue/Calypso (now mostly referred to as Soca)/Jazz/R&B/Disco/Rock/Pop music all through the house and at family reunions. Reggae was basically born out of Jamaica, and Reggaeton is really a mixture of Salsa and Reggae. Each Caribbean island has their own style of music even though they share what is the popular trend at the time. Reggaeton music I would say you would find many Puerto Ricans/Dominicans, other latin groups here in NYC who listen to that, as well as Blacks who have roots in the Caribbean islands. Blacks in NYC hangout with whomever they choose really, no set pattern.

As Uptown has stated, yes there is what you call "sneaky racism" or what I call "silent racism" in NYC. It is not as "upfront" as it is in some parts of the south or "in your face" so-to-speak. I guess because Uptown and I are Native New Yorkers, and have lived in NYC for so long is why we know of this along with others. Other than that, NYC is a very, multicultural city, although we still have racial issues in "real-estate" and other areas, but everyone still basically goes about their lives freely on a daily basis.

NYC is my home and I really can't compare it to any other city. It has so much culture here that one really cannot get bored. Yes, I have to agree there is that "arrogance" that goes with many of the personalities here, but then there are nice people here as well. I think many people have heard about citizens in NYC being rude for so long, that when they come to visit and experience an individual that gives them "attitude," then naturally, it will confirm what they were expecting, but it all depends on the individuals you encounter.

Also, we have crime like any other major city, but for the most part, not much different than any large city. I don't see it as the best city in the world, as it has its advantages and disadvantages, but I do see it as a "city of plenty" Anyway, NYC is my home, and quite frankly, despite the yays and nays about it, it really is about what you make of your life here. That's my two cents.
[Edited 2/15/09 16:58pm]

roodboi said:

I've lived in New York City and in Louisiana. I would never ever ever go back to Louisiana, even if you paid me. The culture of the south is something that I just couldn't get used to. I really enjoyed how everybody treats each other nicely, even if it's only superficial. I do think that more people should have adopt that "Southern Hospitality" because it does exist and is wonderful. But other than that and the food, there's not much else I liked about the south.

Now I loved living in New York City but it's not for everyone. It's very fast paced, very expensive, and can be a very difficult place to live at times. However, it's also a very diverse and open place as well. There's lots of exposure to different cultures, the arts, music, etc. You can get whatever you want, if you know where to look.

One thing about New York City that I think many people who are not familiar with it tend to overlook is that once you leave the tourist areas what you really have is a network of close knit communities. It's true that some New Yorkers live a transient existence but there are many who have been in the same place for years. There are lots of neighborhoods throughout NYC and the five boroughs that have a real close, almost small town feel without having all of the drawbacks associated with being a small town.

So, for me, living in New York City was a wonderful experience. If you are considering moving there, spend lots of time in the city before hand so you know what you are getting yourself into. Before I moved there I would go up there to for weekend visits for about 3 or 4 months before I finally made my decision. If I didn't go back to school, I would have stayed in New York forever.

Funny i tend to think of southerners as inhospitable. Yes they are too friendly too much of the time and don't shutup. That and they result to violence quickly.

Here in Texas it isn't that bad but the deeper parts of The South like Louisiana have big issues with violence, murder, and crime. Infact higher than any part of the country. FOr the past few years LA wasn't even in the top 10 for crime. New Orleans, Atlanta, and last years high crime winner St.Louis topped the list. THose were at the top last year. SOme Mid-Western cities got on
the llist this year like Gary Indiana and some place in Ohio. Detroit was the only non-southern city at the top of the list. This year saw some new entees like CHatanooga Tennnesse, and some town like Mobile Alabama. Miami(technically southern) is also on the list this year. FUnny how these litttle towns with "southern hospitatlity) are th emost dangerous and top the list for crime. 2 cities in my homestate Texas Houston and Dallas made the top 10 last year but along with LA aren't on the list anymore. It's funny how Camden New Kersey and Baltimore got on th elist but the nig Northern cities are very safe. True crime is high in CHicago but New York ranked one of the very safest cities in the country. ANd I don't mean just major cities I mean cities of any size. THe very most dangerous were small towns of like 50,000 in places like MIssissippi and Alabama in The South. Big cities like New York and although ccandian Toronto are very safe.


SOif you wanna leave The East Coast for a slower safer place somewhere in The South I think you strongly reconsider.ANd although not something I view as a problem Houston has a big drug issue. Since we are the 2nd major port we are a very popular distibution point for drugs. Extacy started in Houston and Dallas in the early 80s. There's by a big bown full of X tablets free for the taking( E was legal back then). It was the only place int he nation to get it. If you lived in New York and maybe even Lodon it had to come from Houston.It fits the psychedelllic ravemood we have in Texas. SUrprised AUstin didn't move on it since they are so big on drugs and partying. Only drug s I know of from New York were one that was popular around '97. Do it 3 times and you die.


I know almost nothing about New York. The imag eon TV is that it's a big city, with crime, crazy people on subways, and a mean unwarm population. Me being from Texas I thought that there'd be to do in the suburbs of Jersey. But this dude told me naaah. There's more to do in the innercity like Brooklyn. I was shocked, and he was like they got some pretty nasty places in Jersey New York has lots of little shops. Almost everybody catches the vab or subway. Surprising withthat they've still got horrible traffic..

Do people actually drive in New York? The roads seems so crowded and congested...don't most people just take the Subway? Here in Cali,you pretty much have to own a vehicle to get around,but that doesn't seem to be the case in New York.

SoulAlive said:

Not having a car is a huge perk of living here. I just walk or take the subway. It's nice.

SoulAlive said:

People drive here but most can't drive for shit . I still have my car from when I lived in California but it doesn't get used much and I'm thinking about getting rid of it. You're right, most people use the subways or the buses here cause they are affordable (for now) and it runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As crowded and jacked up as it can be, I love riding the subways. It's like a city within a city. 5 million people use the subways everyday. It's the most crowded I've ever seen it. When I was a kid, I remember when there was graffiti on the trains and how scary it was to ride the system, especially at night. That was something you avoided at all cost. Thankfully, those days are long gone.

I was born and raised here and thanks to the military, I've lived in a couple of other places but they weren't like NYC. The atmosphere, the crowds, the energy, the realness and the fun that you want to find can all be found here. I love the fact that whatever floats your boat, you can find a place and other people who like what you like here. It is rough here. All of what's been said here on this thread is true and has always been true but if you are down with living in a fast paced town where everything you need you can find in some shape or form, then this is a place for you. I love being a New Yorker, I really do
[Edited 2/16/09 6:59am]

Efan said:

Yeah,I figured most people just walk or take the subway.At least you guys don't have to worry about rising gasoline prices

purplecam said:

Wow, I've never heard anyone express this.

JackieBlue said:

Outside of the Prince World, I'm a transit buff so trains and buses have always fascinated me since I was a kid. I'm even looking at becoming a Conductor with the MTA. Took the test and all, now I just need to wait for the city to let me know the official results and where I rank, even though I've seen my results.

JackieBlue said:

I'm fascinated with the NY subway too I'm a people's person which maybe the reason behind this fascination,,,,,I guess when you're a New Yorker, you get jaded from seeing all the madness everyday for your whole time living there,,,,but it doesn't really become jaded to passionate observers.

I love New York. . . to visit, but I could never live there. The cost, crowds, weather, and having to use public transit are big negatives for me. Even though they have great shopping, I can often get the same items in Dallas or online for much less. I find that prices for goods and services are artificially inflated in NYC. Also, I love to drive and enjoy dropping the top and hitting the highways pretty much year round. Right now the temp in Dallas is 37 degrees but on Wednesday it will be 72 and sunny. Perfect convertible weather.

Harlepolis said:

I do think the NYC subway system is amazing. I like to look at the map and see all the places the trains travel to. I forget how many miles of land it covers. But to actually ride the subway... I think it's one of worst parts of living in NY. Maybe during off-peak hours but I don't know if off-peak hours exist anymore. You can get on the train at 2AM and it's no different from 2PM. And it smells just as bad too.

JackieBlue said:

Thats my only issue

I could tolerate the pushing & shoving,,,,but odors I CAAAANNOT take

Harlepolis said:

It stank in London too.

Harlepolis said:

I have walked many a mile to avoid taking the train. And in the summer it's unbelievable. Some stations feel like you're literally going into hell. You're sweating just waiting on the platform. Then you get on the train with hundreds of other sweaty people and some who don't bathe or use deoderant... argh. By the time you get to work you need to shower again. I know some people actually carry their work clothes with them and change when they get to the job.

SCNDLS said:

Everything stinks in London,,,,,EEEEESPECIALLY the food my god, I could die from starvation whenever I go there.