Use subway or avoid, that tis the question (New York, Holland: crime, safe)
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It's been 6 yrs since we last visited NYC. Based on what I've been reading lately, the subway has turned into Thunderdome. Should we just avoid the subway this time around on our trip (leisure). Just trying to get a read from real New Yorkers that ride the subway every day.
IMO the much of what you're seeing in the media is overblown - however it is worse than its been in recent memory. Safe during the day and evenings, opt for a cab or uber after dinner. Its definitely in need of some TLC, though. Just my two cents.
This is something I think about for my next trip. I think it all depends on where you're at, going & how busy it is. If you're in a busy area. Avoid standing near the edge and stay off your phone. I'd probably stand against something. Be mindful of people around you. If you can get closer to a large group that you feel is probably not going to cause trouble that would put you in a safer spot to.
At night I think you should consider Uber as I know I will. Again, depends where I'm at and going. It's all about weighing your odds. Thousands and thousands ride the trains every day so the more you do to be "safer" the better your odds are to be okay.
One thing I always do though is if I feel like I'll ride the train a good amount I get an unlimited metro card even if I'm still paying more than what I would for each commute. Reason being I like the idea of just walking down the stairs, through the gate and swiping the card quickly than going up to the ticket counter and taking my wallet out etc.. Again, you might spend more $ with the unlimited but if you're not losing to much I think it's worth it.
This is something I think about for my next trip. I think it all depends on where you're at, going & how busy it is. If you're in a busy area. Avoid standing near the edge and stay off your phone. I'd probably stand against something. Be mindful of people around you. If you can get closer to a large group that you feel is probably not going to cause trouble that would put you in a safer spot to.
The above is good advice.
As for nighttime usage, it depends where you are going and how late at night. I think the early evening and even early nighttime (until 9-10 PM) is usually okay in heavy traffic areas of the subway system.
I stopped taking the subway around 8-9 months ago, and I can carry a gun. It is not worth the risk when other options exist. My last trip to the city I parked right outside the Holland Tunnel, walked south past the WTC and back just to avoid taking the subway.
I say use it at least once and see how it feels to you. I am using it frequently and so far no problems anymore so than in previous years. Which means there are homeless or crazy people or people you think you'd better avoid, here and there but I haven't seen any actual incidents.
It's good to use it when there are some people around but I try to avoid it completely during the rush hours as it's too crowded for me.
I ride the subway 4-5 times every week, from Brooklyn into Manhattan.
The media overblows everything, as-is always the case, pumping fear into everyone, about most topics.
The biggest issue with the current subway state of things, is that there is a much higher amount of mentally ill individuals. They are usually homeless--and there is a big uptick in the amount on the trains.
When riding the subway, my advice is to be aware of your surroundings and who is in the sphere of where you are standing/sitting.
Lately, I see a lot of tourist folks tend to treat the subway like a suburban monorail, which it is not. Talking super loudly, phones out, looking and sort of staring at everyone. Don't do this--you'd be making yourself prime target for undesired interaction and attention of these unhinged mentally ill folks (and just crime targets in general).
Ride the trains--it's an easy way to get around NYC. But just be aware of your surroundings and don't forget that you are in a huge city of 8.5 million people and it's not a theme park.
I take a train to work every day and don't feel afraid. It's usually full of commuters like me. My biggest complaint is systemic delays which happen more often than not. I don't think the trains are dirty.
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