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For all of you native New Yorkers (defined as someone born AND raised in NYC), do you think New York City was a more interesting place in the 1980s and 1990s than it is now? I always hear a lot of born and raised New Yorkers complain about how the city has become so sterile and sanitized. New York was always known as a place where ladies had to hold onto their purses extra tight. Is that still the case?
My first visit to New York was in 1992. I remember a guy on the subway with all these pet snakes. He was disgusting. I had never seen anything like that in my life. My most vivid memories of Times Square are of constant harassment by local shop owners. There was constant pressure to buy a Yankees jersey (I'm a Phillies fan), or a new Gameboy, or an X-Men comic book. Other than that, I can't really remember what NYC was like in the 90s. I don't think they have those arcades and stuff down there anymore, do they?
Today, I don't really think there's much of a difference between Manhattan and DC. They are both pretty sterile in my view.
Whatever DC has, Manhattan just has more of it. There are 72 times as many places to order chai tea and mocha lattes. I'm sure there are at least 400 times as many Thai restaurants in NYC. But imo, once you've eaten at 10 Thai restaurants, you've pretty much eaten at all of them.
So what was NYC like back then? What are some of the things you prefer about 2010 NYC vis-a-vis NYC 1980/1990? Is the city a better city because of the changes?
For all of you native New Yorkers (defined as someone born AND raised in NYC), do you think New York City was a more interesting place in the 1980s and 1990s than it is now? I always hear a lot of born and raised New Yorkers complain about how the city has become so sterile and sanitized. New York was always known as a place where ladies had to hold onto their purses extra tight. Is that still the case?
My first visit to New York was in 1992. I remember a guy on the subway with all these pet snakes. He was disgusting. I had never seen anything like that in my life. My most vivid memories of Times Square are of constant harassment by local shop owners. There was constant pressure to buy a Yankees jersey (I'm a Phillies fan), or a new Gameboy, or an X-Men comic book. Other than that, I can't really remember what NYC was like in the 90s. I don't think they have those arcades and stuff down there anymore, do they?
Today, I don't really think there's much of a difference between Manhattan and DC. They are both pretty sterile in my view.
Whatever DC has, Manhattan just has more of it. There are 72 times as many places to order chai tea and mocha lattes. I'm sure there are at least 400 times as many Thai restaurants in NYC. But imo, once you've eaten at 10 Thai restaurants, you've pretty much eaten at all of them.
So what was NYC like back then? What are some of the things you prefer about 2010 NYC vis-a-vis NYC 1980/1990? Is the city a better city because of the changes?
NYC's population dropped in the 80s by over 800,000 people. White flight. It was rough, no doubt about it. The crack epedemic of the 80s brought on a new wave of crime, unseen before. 42nd street was a mecca for whores and porn shops...not a place to be in after 8PM. Now, it's a family destination. In addition, the fact NYC was broke during the economic crisis is the early 80s didn't help. I remember when the subways was a literal hell. Every square inch on the subway cars (inside and out), coveredin grafitti. You felt like you were in a garbage bin. I remember always praying that nothing would happen on my way to school on the subway, or coming back home. I remember wishing and hoping I wouldn't be a victim of a stray bullet when visiting family in the Bronx or Harlem, I couldn't wait to get back to Queens. It was VERY stressful. But NY was still NY. We had the same great neigborhoods as we do today. I for one, am very happy NYC is now a great city once again to live in. New Yorkers deserve it. We live in the greatest city on earth. NYC becoming safer and cleaner doesn't make it more sterile, it makes it more livable. New York just looks brighter than back in the 80s...and that's a good thing.
And what's wrong with a latte? I personally love them! And I'm no transplant
Didnt live here back then, but Ican tell you that youve got to dive deeper into NYC if you think its the same as DC only more. Theres no comparison. none.
Didnt live here back then, but Ican tell you that youve got to dive deeper into NYC if you think its the same as DC only more. Theres no comparison. none.
Agreee...DC doesn't have Chinatown, Bowery, Dumbo, The Village, Lower East Side, Little Italy, Central Park....etc. DC and NY are 2 different worlds.
born in nyc in 64...The true hey day of nyc was the 60's 70's and early 80's after the Stockmarket crash in 87 the city changed and many natives left.
Born in Brooklyn. Here's the real secret: there hasn't been a "heyday" for New York City! At least, not yet. There have been changes, and of course people are going to debate whether some have been good and others not so good. But a heyday? That implies the city is somehow past its prime and can only head downhill. You've got a native New Yorker here who doesn't believe that.
Born in Brooklyn. Here's the real secret: there hasn't been a "heyday" for New York City! At least, not yet. There have been changes, and of course people are going to debate whether some have been good and others not so good. But a heyday? That implies the city is somehow past its prime and can only head downhill. You've got a native New Yorker here who doesn't believe that.
Right. NYC is always evolving.
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