Can you describe New York to a person who hasn't been to America?

Thanks Anshul Prant for sharing such wonderful story:-

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Hey there, I am planning on going there with a friend in summer 2021 and I wanted to ask where we should live? We are tryna get an Air BnB and wanted to know what’s the best place to stay there that’s cheap but also has a lot of fun things to do outside? Travelling is not an issue since we both love doing that.

There is indeed nothing like this city! One thing I can say is if you like the architecture of New York, you must go to Chicago. The architecture there is really impressive. Back to New York, living here is a humbling experience. I believe it makes you a better person. I have lived in other cities and other countries but New York has a way of “calibrating” you. It draws the best of the best, in any field, and the creativity and innovation of this city is a reflection of that. The people who come and live in New York are the risk takers, the driven, the fighters, the creatives, the crazies… There are so many talented and creative people here that you are just one of thousands so don't hype yourself up too much- You ain't all that! There are other cities that will better stroke someones ego. This city will chew you up and spit you out with a quickness, and only those who have been put through the ringer shall remain. There is a bit of a hazing and initiation process for those who choose to move here.

I use to get really annoyed at tourists because most “non New Yorkers” are slow and most don’t come from walking cities. I didn’t have the perspective of how impressive NY can be to a first timer so I have become more understanding and tolerant. This is a VERY fast paced city. We are 9 million people from the hours of 8a-6p. There is a rhythm to it or else it wouldn’t work. If you have a family of 4- the 4 of you can’t take up the whole side walk. We walk in single file (one person behind the other), or 2 side by side “if” there is space, and never at rush hour. All bets are off during rush hour. People are in a huge rush, some have 1.5 hour commutes to get home (some folks live in New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, etc. etc). You will crash into someone if you keep looking up. Just stay clear of rush hour train traffic. That would be a good time for you to find yourself in a destination or take a break, and sit down and have coffee somewhere or you could become a victim of some sort of verbal aggression. As beautiful as Grand Central station is, and it is indeed a must see and not to be missed; please, please don’t go during rush hour, and if you have to- stand to the side. You will get run over!

In NYC trains and streets, you will see every personality combination and permutation in 1 train car. Don't stare (to my German folk - DON’T STARE!) It is considered rude here!There are behaviors in this city that you won’t see anywhere else. We are just immune to it. Here’s the protocol when you take the train: when a train pulls into the station, stand at the side of the doors, not in front of the doors when they open. You wait for folks to exit the train FIRST before you enter, and if you get a seat, you get up to give the elderly, pregnant and older person the seat (this is one thing that I really don’t see tourist doing much but this is how it’s done here. And, yes, a lot of men give up their seats for women. No one is offended by it). If you are traveling with kids, you need to teach them the same thing. Don’t have your 10 year old rush to take a seat, when there is an elderly person standing. They also need to get up and give up their seat. You will get nasty stares if you don’t. Also, don’t try the balancing act. Hold onto the handrails. When you leave an establishment, it is customary to slightly hold the door for the person behind who is also exiting the same establishment.

NYC rats- We have many varieties and all sizes, and I mean ALL sizes. They are not going anywhere. Don't mess with them, and they won't mess with you. We have learned to cohabitate, and that's just how it is.

You will find everything here, a restaurant to represent specific regions of China, Korea, restaurants from Rwanda, Yemen, Afghanistan, etc. and everything in between. New Yorkers have a bad reputation but I find them to be kind and real, yet not fluffy. Anyone can strike a conversation with you, and they are not looking to get anything from you. You can ask anyone for directions without a problem. They will help you, just not at rush hour). If I had to go through a catastrophe, and this city has had its fair share; there is no city I would rather be. New Yorkers come together and will defend and support their fellow man. There is a huge sense of community that I haven't experienced anywhere, yet at the same time it's ironic because it’s a city of loners. There is a lot to take in here. Stay long enough and all of your senses will be awakened to the 10th power.

The same way I wouldn’t expect to see Flamenco in the north of Spain or order fettuccine Alfredo in Italy, this city also has it’s own culture and protocol. Make sure to order a bacon, egg and cheese on a roll from a bodega (corner store), and get yourself a really good bagel! If you do go to a bodega, and see a cat sleeping on a loaf of bread, don't worry about it. It's normal. He/she works there. They've worked all day keeping the critters away, and need a break too.

You should follow newyorknico and IG to get your dose of daily NYC life.

It’s a different world. I mean, I’ve been to other cities around the world like Madrid, London, Dallas, Paris, Tokyo or Los Angeles, but New York is something else. I am not saying I didn’t enjoy the cities listed above, but New York is a different experience. I am originally from Spain, so maybe my shock to New York was different in comparison to other Americans.

Thank you for this. For everyone (like me) who moved away and is happy, but was a real New Yorker while we were there, our memories of “what it was” are valuable but the City always changes and moves on without us. This is one of the greatest things about the world’s greatest city! “New York’s home but it ain’t mine no more” :) And someday it might be my son’s or daughter’s City, yet a mostly different NYC than my NYC was. I am willing to say that New York is the best city I have ever visited. It has its problems just like every other city around the world, but I would describe it as the most beautiful and enjoyable chaos one could experience. Old and impressive modern architecture all over. Landmarks in every corner. People from all over the world speaking all types of languages right next to you. The noise, the rush, the rich, the poor, the greedy and the humble walking together. Even the subway as dirty as it can be while people are playing music, the smell of New York during summertime, the freezing cold during winter, or the steam coming out of the streets is just something that gets stuck in you.

One thing I love about New York and that sets it apart from other cities in America is, it is a very welcoming place for everyone, you can be yourself, whatever style, vibe or mood you want to be and there is not much judgment. I love the variety of food and style there that you don’t get in many other cities in America. I live near d.c and as much as I love it there it’s nothing compared to the variety and diversity that New York offers. That being said, I would never live in New York though. New York is different to any other American city in a good way. Paris feels French, or London, although is quite diverse as well, feels British, New York just feels like you are in America, Europe, Asia or wherever you want to be in just that small tiny island.

Sounak, the steam usually forms when the cooler temperature of the air above ground hits the hot pipes below the surface. It is more likely to happen when it is cold and raining. The rain and cooler air reach the pipes through the round metal manhole covers in the streets. These manholes are points of entry for workers who need to work underground in the city, and they are always covered with round metal plates when they are not in use—but the plates sometimes let a little rain and cool air get underground! New York is so weirdly magical, that after you leave it, you even start missing the sound of the ambulances passing by or the big rats running in the subway stations, seriously. New York is literally a movie, and it’s worth it to visit every time you want to. There are so many things to do, whether you go to the parks, bars, museums, restaurants, or tourist traps.

Manhattan and then further north in Northern Manhattan, Airbnbs. If there are any that describe themselves as in Hudson Heights it's a quiet gem of a neighborhood still in Manhattan and on an express train to downtown and Midtown, surrounded by a lot of parks. I would also look at parts of Harlem, Inwood and Washington Heights (Hudson Heights is actually a part of Washington Heights). I say parts because some parts of those areas can be really noisy and somewhat dirty, and other parts are clean, quiet and gorgeous. You won't know since you are not familiar with the addresses so you really have to read the reviews from previous guests. So look thoroughly at their comments. You could also look at the Upper East Side (below 96th St) or places in Brooklyn, and Long Island City, Queens or close-in New Jersey, but you'd want it close to the PATH train. I suggest Jersey City or Hoboken for a gift time visitor. Last thought: don't rule any neighborhood out if you want to be more in the center of town. Hotels will likely be offering good deals to lure tourists back it's been really hurting. You may just luck out!

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