From Alex...
Alex: wow, NYC really is america's asshole
Alex: i don't see why anybody would want to live there
Me: hahahahahaha
It's interesting the way people perceive various places. I've never been to NYC, so I'm not qualified to have an opinion, but I doubt I'd want to live there. Diana did for several years while working in theater.
But there are definitely places that have different character. Minneapolis is totally surreal because people are so nice. In Seattle, people drive the speed limit and don't seem to be in much of a hurry. Las Vegas is glittery excess with happy (i.e., drunk) people everywhere. Chicago is vibrant and feels cultured. Portland is laid-back and tree friendly. Baltimore wants really badly to be a better city.
Isn't it amazing that despite the Internet and (relatively) inexpensive means to travel, that American cities are so diverse?
I spent a week working in NYC once. I was glad to leave by the end of it. Living there might be different, but visiting/working there was kind of tough. I'd visited a couple of times before that for a couple of days at a time, and that was great, though.
I work in NYC but would never want to live there. It's got a lot of hustle and bustle, but I like living in a suburban, quiet neighborhood.
To each their own.
New York City is one of the most vibrant places on earth.
There are only a few places that are as truly global as New York City. London, Paris, and Tokyo come to mind.
It's not for everyone, but when I think of the nations asshole, I would think of a place that has little to offer anyone. Maybe Newark or Philly or Detroit. ;)
New York is dirty and rude, but so is Paris. What they lack in cleanliness and grace they more than make up for with culture.
Now there are global places that are equally dirty and rude, but offer no culture. Moscow is one of those places. Cold, nasty, and absolutly nothing but Soviet era buildings and Soviet era lack of culture.
OK Eric I was holding back but now that you voiced my opinion I have to agree. New York is one of the most amazing cities in the world. Of course when you get that many people all in one place, you will see examples of the worst that human kind has to offer, but also the best! The best music, the best food, the most diversity. I am in awe every time I walk down the street there - I feel so ALIVE. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but just because you prefer not to be around that many people doesn't make it a horrible place. I definitely think everyone should experience it at one time or another, and I am going to try to live there for a year or more before I settle down - like Diana! :)
I really liked NYC. When I moved away, I stayed away for more than a year out of fear of wanting to move back. There are some things I really miss (all the great restaurants within blocks of one another), but now that I'm gone, I don't miss the real estate prices and I wouldn't want to trade having a bit of land you call your own.
When it comes to the nation's asshole - I wholeheartedly agree with Eric that Newark NJ is one of THE WORST places to be. Trust me, I'd been there enough times.