Do you still think that NYC is the 'greatest city on earth'?

Question

For those who still think the NYC is the greatest city on earth, I'd like you to reconsider. May be you've never traveled outside the US, I don't blame you. Most American think that USA is the whole world. I want you to open your eyes on some other corners of the world. I can compare it to a few Asian cities I've been to: San Francisco, Buffalo, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore (country), Taipei (Taiwan):

1. Transportation: NYC has the oldest subway system, trains are small, smelly, dirty and very bad on schedule. When I lived there, I got stuck in the train at least once per week. Compare this to Hong Kong, where the subway system is clean, accurate and fast. If the subway has problems and bring a 10 minutes delay, it will become headlines on next day's paper already. NYC - lose.

2. Sanitation: Most of the city area are full of trash, trash cans are full all the time without cleaning. Subway tracks are full of rats and trash, subway walkway sometimes filled with the smell of urine. In Singapore, you can hardly find ONE trash on the street. NYC - lose.

3. Crime rate: NYC became much much safer these years (thanks to NYPD), but many high schools are still very scary. High school students bring in knives and guns to school, I just wouldn't want my kids to go to any public school in NYC. Compare to Taiwan, where there has been 0 killing at high schools in the past 15 years. NYC - lose.

4. Communications: In Tokyo, people are using 3G, 4G cell phones to watch TVs and have face-face conferences with friends already, while NY-ers are still doing text message, and the worse thing is that there is no cell phone signal in subway!! What the hell~~ NYC - BIG lose.

5. Shopping: NYC has great shopping, but it also comes with 8.75% taxes, while Hong Kong has a no-tax-at-all shopping environments on almost everything (except for cigarette and gas). NYC - lose.

6. Museum and Arts: NYC is the place for museum and arts and no place can compare (not sure about Euro cities), so NYC - win.

7. Traffic: Most big cities have traffic problems, but NYC roads are the worst in the US. NY drivers are well trained with avoiding holes, compare to San Francisco, and any other city in the States, NYC - lose.

8. Housing: With $250K, what can you buy in NYC? A 500 sq ft apt? Or a shitty house at Halem? With $250K, I can already afford a 2000 sq ft house in Buffalo with a forrest behind and river view in the front: NYC - lose.

NYC is definitely a great city to work in, to visit, but it is NOT a great city to live in. People, please open your eyes, stop saying NYC is the greatest city on earth for God sake. That will only show your ignorance.

Answer 1

You really feel it, don't you!

There's something special about New York, but I remember Japanese friends there said they were scared of the creaky squeaky elevators some NY buildings had.
NYC is variety and art everywhere, even the garbage is art, but it's noisy and lots of theft.
I love Amsterdam, Lisbon, Paris, Berlin, London, Madrid, Rome.
I would rather live in those than New York, since I already spent 10 years in NYC.
I don't know Asia, but I might miss the variety of NYC.
I'd like the hi-tech stuff and design, and I wouldn't miss the trash, but New York is a gentle giant with a heart and soul, too. Just not very comfortable unless you're rich.

Answer 2

OK THIS MEANS WAR.

1. Transportation- the Subways are virtually spotless, New York City is among the top 5 cleanest cities in america with a population of over 1 million.

2. See above; New York city is spotless

3. OK, you win. some statistics would be nice. Taipei is tiny comapred to the NYC metro population.

4. Communications- How can you watch a television show with a crappy little cell phone, cell-PHONES are for CALLING not watching. You would strain your neck.

5. Shopping- Hong Kong may have lower taxes, but everything is virtually afke and counterfeit. Not to mention limited variety. You may be a ble to buy a Gucci bag for $300, but it will probably rip apart in the rain.

6. Agree

7. Traffic- If you think you NYC traffic is bad, wait until you see Los Angeles. For an area with over 20 million people in it, the traffic is pretty low. Nobody in NYC is stupid enough to drive, We take the bus or tarins. Most of the traffic are suburban people, Taxi's or limo's.

8. Housing- The demand to move into the BEST city in THE world can and will be expensive. If Hong Kong/Taiwan was the best, then their rents would be off the roof.

As for Buffalo, The economy of Buffalo is CRAPPY, 75% of homes are being depreciated at an alarming rate and have been for 30+ years. You can't sell it!

BTW: There are no houses in Harlem. They are apartments, apartments START at like $400,000 I think?

HERE ARE SOME WAYS NYC IS BETTER THAN OTHERS;

1. Diversity- Eveyone in Hong kong is pretty much asian with a few whites. We have virtually every race.

2. Nightlife, Hong Kong nightlife sucks, especially Taipei's.

3. Stock Market- Ahh, my afvorite, we have the most Fortune 500 companies in the world and our economy is in the best shape. Taipei economy doesn't have shi* on the the NYC economy. NEW YORK CITY IS A WORLD CITY FOR A REASON.

4. Weather; We have ALL 4 seasons AND NO Typhoon season.

Answer 3

Hmm, I don't think it's the best city in the world but maybe one of the best... NYC is definitely on my list, but there's no #1. There are so many great cities, it just depends on what you want in life.

I guess you make some good points but some of your comparisons are a bit unfair... On 'communications', I'd say most cities in the US are less advanced than Tokyo or most of Asia or Europe for that matter, not only NYC. On 'traffic', what do you expect? It's the largest and most populous city in the US. Have you witnessed LA traffic? or Manila? or Delhi?... On 'crime', I'm from Philly (but live in LA) and crime is worse in Philly than NYC. My friend is an elementary school teacher in LA and has had 3 or 4 lock downs during her 1 year career. On 'sanitation', you can't compare NYC to Singapore, the laws are different. And how can you compare NYC housing costs to Buffalo!? That's a bit confusing to me. I agree with you on the 'Arts' section. It's somewhat of an epicenter. The museums there are wonderful! Going to concerts and seeing bands from all over the world are really great too, I miss that the most. Great artists have hailed or began their career in NYC.

In NYC there's a great vibe and energy like no other city. I'm always happy when I go there. EveryTHING is different and everyONE is different. It's one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Which is why so many people hate NYC...unfortunately. Now can you see that in Tokyo or Hong Kong or Buffalo? There's so much change and change is a good thing. Without change, life would be boring. That said, I wouldn't mind living there. I'm not trying to bash you, just saying that your points seem somewhat ignorant yourself...

Answer 4

With this pitiful list of excuses you clearly show your ignorance. Just because you couldn't hack it here doesn't mean the rest of us can't.
How many nationalities of takeout can you get in Buffalo at 4 am?
Most New Yorkers never worry about traffic since we don't drive, sure the delivery guys and idiots who drive in from the suburbs who work here suffer but most Manhattanites do not have cars and traffic is irrelevent 99% of the time.
Rate of tax for cities is irrelevent without looking at base pricing, if the same (insert whatever item you wish) costs the eqivalent of twice as much US dollars more in Hong Kong than the tax rate is not an issue.
The likelihood of getting murdered in school is actually lower in NYC than in the rest of America. Where do all the school shootings happen? In small town america because there is nothing better for kids to do there, unlike in NYC.
Our transportation system is the best in the country. It is the most extensive and runs 24 hours a day unlike everywhere else, they also don't shove you in with sticks like in some Asian countries.
Our housing market is less affected by dips than the rest of the country, you can always sell your property here unlike the rest of the country thats in the worst housing market in decades. When you can have central park as your backyard and the East river as your front yard we really don't care that you have your own forrest.
Buffalo gets insanely cold winters and snow, who needs that? It is like the ugly boil growing out of the azz of New York.
Keep your ignorant self out of our great city and we will all be happy.

Answer 5

You make some valid points, but the only oddball city on your list is Buffalo. Not a bad place by any means but it's not on the same level as the other cities listed by any stretch of the imagination. I went to college in upstate NY- Binghamton, and am a life long NYer, so I do tend to feel a certain loyalty to the NYC area (born and lived on LI since 1958).

Answer 6

This is not really a fair comparison, since you are comparing NYC to several different cities, depending on the category (by your choosing).

What does $250k buy in Tokyo, I wonder? I'm sure NYC would win that one. Have you driven a car in Hong Kong or Tokyo traffic?
No trash in Singapore? Probably because it's against the law to chew gum there.

Answer 7

nyc is still the greatest city on earth
sure its not perfect
and you make a lot of good points
however,compared to all these placees i've been to, nyc tops them all
yea other places are PREETY, cleaner
but the whole vibe isnt there
the buzz you get isnt there
the dirty subway isnt there
it just isnt there
ny isnt perfect like i said but you know, i wont choose to live anywhere else
and btw you just insulted a girl who went to public schools in ny since kindergarten, it isnt that bad!!!

Answer 8

Excuse me? No city is the "greatest on Earth". Some people love NYC, some hate it. Some love Paris, some hate it. Some love Tokyo, some hate it. The greatest city is simply the one you find to be the greatest. I love New York, I think it's awesome. That's MY opinion. Now hush.

Answer 9

Yes, NYC IS THE GREATEST CITY ON EARTH. In NYC there's a great vibe and energy like no other city.It's one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Asian countries are suck for living, nice for short visit. Who would like to get stuck living in Asia with weird languages. For one thing Taiwan stinks more than any other city on earth! Remember USA is the greatest country. Europe is cool, but for visit of course! Tokyo is the 2nd most expensive city on earth! Followed by London. Taxes are between 60-80% in most European countries. Lets just not talk about unemployment in Europe!!!! United States is full of oppertunity for all kinds of people and classes. If you can't afford a house in NYC, then you may move to Kansas where they give you a free land to live on! What other country would do that. If you don't like NYC City living there are always 49 other states. I wonder which other country can offer the same luxuries/options beside their Capital city? Other countries have only one rich Capital with jobs and etc etc, and the rest of that country is poor. Why do you think people die and struggle for years and years to get to America? NYC is the greatest and because of that its one of the most expensive cities in United State, but more affordable than London, and Paris.

Answer 10

i believe there is just something about the city that no other city has.

great diversity, it isnt that dangerous anymore like people think, food is great, very nice entertainment.

the attitude of a new yorker is great they work hard for what they have and play even harder.