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If someone spent a few years in the City in the mid-2000s and never returned since, came back now, would this person find a totally different NYC ? Or is the vibe still more or less the same ?
My question is about both:
1- NYC as a whole
2- the UWS (especially the southern part of the UWS)
would this person find a totally different NYC ? Or is the vibe still more or less the same ?
Way different.
2007 still had some remnants of the 90s/pre-9/11 NYC feel to it.
But by 2008-2010 it started changing drastically. Becoming less unique but safer. The pandemic has changed that in there isn't the same sense of safety but the vanilla vibe of the 2010s is still there.
It's still a solid and interesting place to be but if you're looking for what it was like in the past and expecting that you'll be disappointed.
NYC circa 2007 was much more interesting than now. For one thing you don't have so many starbucks and franchise fast food every corner. There are lot more neighborhood eats.
Today a private eatery is some type of gimmick trendy eats so it can charge up to $20+ per item. Gone are the delis selling just egg and cheese or bars. UWS always has a pub or 2 at every corner and newstands selling lottery.
I missed the old days when you see a diner every few blocks that opens late that you can get a burger or soup anytime. Today all you see is smoke shops.
2007 still had some remnants of the 90s/pre-9/11 NYC feel to it.
But by 2008-2010 it started changing drastically. Becoming less unique but safer. The pandemic has changed that in there isn't the same sense of safety but the vanilla vibe of the 2010s is still there.
It's still a solid and interesting place to be but if you're looking for what it was like in the past and expecting that you'll be disappointed.
I see, thanks. Yeah, I think I would be disappointed. I lived there in 2005-2007, then came back for a visit (10 days or so) in September 2008, and never been back since.
Back then it was (or at least it felt) quite safe. But it had character. The best of both worlds, I guess. Years late I read articles that made it sound like Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn had turned into a giant Disneyland. And what you are saying kind of confirms that.
If someone spent a few years in the City in the mid-2000s and never returned since, came back now, would this person find a totally different NYC ? Or is the vibe still more or less the same ?
My question is about both:
1- NYC as a whole
2- the UWS (especially the southern part of the UWS)
Interesting questions. But hard to answer since the NYC experience really varies by age. In 2007 I was 35 and had plenty of money to party in more "classier" joints vs. my 20s in the 90s. However I'd say the 90s were a lot more fun and authentic NYC. The NYC you saw in movies back in the day.
Generally speaking, in 2007 the city was still recovering from the aftermath of 9/11. But the vibe was good, from what I remember. I worked in midtown and downtown and both areas were totally vibrant and really gave you that corporate excitement during the day! And it was def safer. I really didn't think twice about crime in Manhattan back in those days. The NYPD were still cracking skulls.
While I no longer go into Manhattan often, hard to argue its the same since covid but more importantly the BLM riots of 2020, and the handcuffing of the NYPD. Not sure what kind of good feeling vibe a city can have knowing that criminals have NO FEAR of police or being arrested or going to jail.
Interesting questions. But hard to answer since the NYC experience really varies by age. In 2007 I was 35 and had plenty of money to party in more "classier" joints vs. my 20s in the 90s. However I'd say the 90s were a lot more fun and authentic NYC. The NYC you saw in movies back in the day.
Generally speaking, in 2007 the city was still recovering from the aftermath of 9/11. But the vibe was good, from what I remember. I worked in midtown and downtown and both areas were totally vibrant and really gave you that corporate excitement during the day! And it was def safer. I really didn't think twice about crime in Manhattan back in those days. The NYPD were still cracking skulls.
While I no longer go into Manhattan often, hard to argue its the same since covid but more importantly the BLM riots of 2020, and the handcuffing of the NYPD. Not sure what kind of good feeling vibe a city can have knowing that criminals have NO FEAR of police or being arrested or going to jail.
Yes, that's true regarding the age. I was 24/25 back then. Wasn't into partying or restaurants and the like, but had plenty of energy to take walks, enjoy the parks, and the general vibe of the UWS. And you're right about Midtown giving you that corporate excitment during the day - I definitely felt it. Is that gone ?
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