Sunday, 06 March 2011
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New York City...Greatest in the World?
Okay, so over the past week I have relocated, and am now living in New York City, otherwise known as "The Big Apple," and commonly called "The Greatest City in the World." I grew up in Central NJ, pretty much still a suburb of NYC, and am currently residing in a 2 bedroom apartment in Bushwick, a neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Now, everyone thinks that their city is "the best." I don't think there's really anything wrong with this; life is quite subjective after all.
But, in an attempt to approach the question objectively, I'm gonna have to say "yes," New York most definitely is the best city in the world.
There's really only a few places that can legitimately, and objectively, claim to be the greatest. London, Shanghai, Rome. Maybe Paris? Maybe LA? And New York.
It's such a unique place, and only recently has it hit me that I grew up about one hour outside of the craziest, most diverse, and largest conglomerate of culture, creation, and production on the planet.
It's one of those few places that people come to from literally everywhere. To visit and to live. It's the place that forever was thought of as where you go if you want to make a name for yourself or hit it big.
I work with tons of actors, many of whom even relocated to New York from Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world.New York is the birth place for so many musical movements, and some of the most revolutionary in history at that.
New York has Harlem, THE center of the African American cultural universe.
New York has the Yankees, (as much as I root against them) THE marquis sports franchise in all the world.
Fashion is essentially synonymous with Manhattan.
And don't forget "Lady Liberty." the international symbol of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.
New York is pretty much synonymous with America to most of the world, and America, for the last 100 years (give or take) has been the place to be in the world.
Obviously New York is not everyone's favorite city. It sure is expensive to live, which makes it really difficult to get by. It's loud; it's intense; it's wild and crazy. Or, it's exactly what some of us are looking for.
It feels great to be able to call myself a "New Yorker." To chuckle at the old dudes in sweater vests who carry a copy of Street Smart Manhattan around with them and uncomfortably lean over seated riders while they're trying to read the map on the subway. (Don't they know there's an app for that?) And to giggle when I see the "Chinatown Cafe" outside of Penn Station in Midtown.
Thomas Wolfe said, "One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” The city owns you, and makes you its bitch right away. You have to bust your ass to even have a shot at survival.
They say, "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." Only time will tell, but from my experiences here so far, I'd say that's true. And that's why I think New York really is "The Greatest City in the World."
What do you think is the Greatest City in the World? Try to be objective.
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- From: bdel008
- Name: bdel008
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Comments (43)
But does it have good burritos?
Nope.
I'm sure the city is nice, I'm visiting it in a couple days. But it's only great because of how spoiled it is. What New York wants, New York gets.
And even then, I'm sure it's pretty overrated.
And add on top of that: I HATE New Yorkers. The people are awful. Thankfully the girl I'm staying with has lived down here in Miami and it's humbled her so she doesn't think she's the greatest thing for simply living in a popular city.
@PervyPenguin@xanga - Someone's going to say Chipotle. But that's not only in NYC.
Chicago! Diverse like New York, amazing food culture, wonderful museums and intellectual institutions, but with genuinely nice people walking about who don't feel as large a need for pretenses and haughtiness.
There are tons of things to do, you meet all kinds of different people and if you grew up in a small town like I did before moving to NY, it makes you "grow some balls".
But sometime in the next few years I'd like to move again and settle back in the rural suburbs. It's just what I am most comfortable with. I love nature too much to be surrounded by concrete and I love privacy and silence. Public transit is something I can barely get used to and even so, I hate it. And when I do drive my car it's a huge pain in the ass in many ways.
I've mostly gotten used to NY and it has taught me some things that living in my small town wouldn't be able to teach me. But I'd never settle down here for life. I'd go crazy.
You got that right :)
@Ailean@xanga - Hence why I'm trying to move to Chi-City!
When I read the title I yelled "HELL NO"....To me NYC is not the greastest city in the world. I live here all of my life and I hate it with a passion.
I was born and raised here, and it's alright... But I'd rather be somewhere else.
@PervyPenguin@xanga - If, by "good burritos," you mean mushy slop wrapped in a tortilla, then yes. :P
what is with all the islam mumbo jumobo above my comment??? @_@ ads? spam? im confused.
i hear the city is amazing. i would love to visit some day.i personally love los angeles. or seattle. the food. culture. areas surrounding. it is good stuff.
they are cities that are busy yet still relaxing.im afraid from what i hear, new york is too hectic for my peaceful state. lol. to live in that is.i currently reside in vegas and it is awful. blech.
New York City is a really nice city. I'd love to live in NYC just because there is so much life in it. But the fact that there are as many rich people as there are homeless people in the same place disturbs me about NYC.
You couldn't get newer pics???
New Yorker born and New Yorker bred!!
Austin, seconded by either Chicago or London.
I am a huuuge fan of new york and consider myself lucky to have grown up here! it just teaches you so much about independence and opportunity. i love being able to take the subway and explore every nook and cranny (except for the really shady ones, of course) and there are always jobs and internships and everything available here. new york has so much grit and soul and character and the energy is so uplifting and i can't imagine being anywhere else! though i'll be leaving it soon, i know that no city will ever match up to new york in its intensity and i'll always have a special place for it in my heart.
New York City is the fucking best. I'm a proud New Yorker.
I'm there every day, and I wish I never had to see it again. @.@
I'm the kind person who grew up around a big city but really just wishes she could live in the country alone with no one around for miles.
I hate New York. Well, the city, anyhow. I've only been halfway upstate once, so I can't vouch for that. However, I can't deny that I'm a full-fledged bitch of a New Yorker who always gets her way. I would definitely not fit in in a small town, as much as I'd love to.
xX Ame ~*~ Hana Xx
I don't really like gigantic cities. Would rather live in upstate NY.
ive always wanted to visit ny. i had a friend that lived in ny and everything was just so expensive from what he told me. and like subways are pretty much a must if you dont have that much to spend on taxis or your own car.
"if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.".....(addition)
in the united states. (maybe).@Ailean@xanga - From Chicago! And I definitely agree! The city is ten times cleaner also. I'm usually in new york twice a year, but it definitely doesn't tug at my heartstrings like chicago.
@MangoWOW@xanga - I grew up in Florida and lived in New York as well, and I'd have to say New Yorkers are some of the nicest people I've ever met. Floridians are assholes (for the most part) and that's coming from one who loves her home state! Ha.
@wideopenskies@xanga - I HATE HATE HATE Florida. I live in Miami and I wake up miserable everyday knowing that I have to stay here for another two years before I can graduate and move to Chicago.