NYC

[Anonymous]

OMG.

I go to NYC at least once every other month and often am in/around Times Square to see plays. It is FINE. I generally don't stay there just because it's crowded and loud. I prefer to stay a little closer to the park - NY Hilton, Conrad, etc. I am a single woman and take the subway and/or everywhere. Never a problem. If it's really late (like after 12-1) I will take a cab but otherwise I don't think twice about it.

I know the migrant issue is a real thing and I'm not denying that but I have never seen any problems. My biggest complaint about NYC these days, esp. Times Square, is that everything smells like weed. But that's just annoying, not dangerous.

[Anonymous]

I’ve visited nyc a few times in the last few months and have not experienced any problems at all. In every case, people are helpful (if needed) and friendly and interesting, the food is amazing, and we have a wonderful time.

[Anonymous]

We took our kids MLK weekend, stayed in Times Square, & took the subway everywhere. Of course the migrant issue is real, but it didn’t affect our visit. The Palestinian protests were sort of blocking areas at one point, but that was it. We had fun & no issues.

[Anonymous]

I (solo) took my two kids to NYC for a couple nights just before Christmas. We stayed in Times Square because we were going to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. It was crowded and noisy, as you'd expect, and I was (very) nervous going into it, but it was fine. We took the subway a few times (Harry Potter store, Macy's) and that was fine, too, although we only ever went a couple stops. I work in DC 3x/week and don't leave the office because the area around my office is sketchy now. I felt safer in NYC with police at every intersection, directing traffic, etc. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I (solo) took my two kids to NYC for a couple nights just before Christmas. We stayed in Times Square because we were going to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. It was crowded and noisy, as you'd expect, and I was (very) nervous going into it, but it was fine. We took the subway a few times (Harry Potter store, Macy's) and that was fine, too, although we only ever went a couple stops. I work in DC 3x/week and don't leave the office because the area around my office is sketchy now. I felt safer in NYC with police at every intersection, directing traffic, etc. YMMV.

We were there a few days after Christmas and similar. We stayed a couple of blocks from Penn Station so we wouldn't have to haul our stuff far after we got off the train. The biggest change I've noticed is that the whole city smells like pot. It's gross, but my kids didn't really distinguish that smell from the garbage and other bad city smells.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I (solo) took my two kids to NYC for a couple nights just before Christmas. We stayed in Times Square because we were going to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. It was crowded and noisy, as you'd expect, and I was (very) nervous going into it, but it was fine. We took the subway a few times (Harry Potter store, Macy's) and that was fine, too, although we only ever went a couple stops. I work in DC 3x/week and don't leave the office because the area around my office is sketchy now. I felt safer in NYC with police at every intersection, directing traffic, etc. YMMV.

We were there a few days after Christmas and similar. We stayed a couple of blocks from Penn Station so we wouldn't have to haul our stuff far after we got off the train. The biggest change I've noticed is that the whole city smells like pot. It's gross, but my kids didn't really distinguish that smell from the garbage and other bad city smells.

PP you're quoting and yes! I almost wrote that about the pot smell. We walked by several weed shops/dispensaries, and the smell was overpowering, but my kids didn't distinguish it from the general bad city smells. My one kid commented on all the people smoking (cigarettes) in the crowds, which we don't see as much here, especially in crowds, more just standing outside a building here.

[Anonymous]

I live in New York. Like another poster said, media loves to sensationalize. Subways and homelessness have gotten worse since the pandemic, but they’re still ok.

You couldn’t pay me to stay in Times Square though. Not necessarily because of safety, but just in general. I would stay in the village, or by Central Park (upper east side, upper west side, Central Park south/Columbus circle.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend just got assaulted in a subway station last night in Brooklyn, and it was early evening. Be careful, and I suggest avoiding the subway completely when possible. We used the buses and they were much more comfortable and felt safer.

I am sorry for your friend. But that's an anecdote. I have 2 friends who have lived in Brooklyn for over 10 years and ride the subway pretty much every day and have never been assaulted.

Statistically it's one of the safest big cities in the US.

Have they ever witnessed someone else being assaulted?

[Anonymous]

I’m in NY monthly for work. My office is near the Roosevelt Hotel which has been converted for migrant use and it is very upsetting to walk by and see people that desperate, but I dont feel any less safe in the city because of it. I hate staying near Times Sq with my kids because the crowds can be so bad I worry about losing sight of them if I’m not holding on to them - for that reason alone I’d look a few blocks away (closer to the park, or east side if that doesn’t mess up your subway plans). but not for personal safety.

[Anonymous]

Is Harlem a decent part if the city to stay in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Harlem a decent part if the city to stay in?

It’s fine safety-wise, but pretty far from the action, unless you are interested in Black history and centering your visit around the Harlem Renaissance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Harlem a decent part if the city to stay in?

It’s fine safety-wise, but pretty far from the action, unless you are interested in Black history and centering your visit around the Harlem Renaissance.

Clearly you’ve never need to Harlem.

[Anonymous]

*been

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the migrant issue in NYC is real and not over sensationalized. Even Mayor Eric Adams is begging for help. Outside the migrant issue, crime in big cities have has increased substantially.

Was in NYC recently and did not see a single person who liked like a “migrant”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend just got assaulted in a subway station last night in Brooklyn, and it was early evening. Be careful, and I suggest avoiding the subway completely when possible. We used the buses and they were much more comfortable and felt safer.

I am sorry for your friend. But that's an anecdote. I have 2 friends who have lived in Brooklyn for over 10 years and ride the subway pretty much every day and have never been assaulted.

Statistically it's one of the safest big cities in the US.

Have they ever witnessed someone else being assaulted?

I was assaulted on the NYC subway in 1988 during my first visit and discovered how incredibly kind New Yorkers are. I've been back to the city probably a dozen times since then and don't have a second thought about taking the subway. It's a big city, there've always been crazy people, just be aware, keep your distance, etc.