I live in NYC and take the subway every single week day and it is totally fine. I take my kids into Manhattan (I live in another borough but work in Manhattan) to do tourist things sometimes without thinking twice.

Like other pps I wouldn't stay in times square but that's not for safety reasons, I just prefer a more neighborhood vibe when I travel.

I genuinely don't know what headlines people are referring to. The city has a lot of migrants arriving which is a headache for the mayor but it's not resulting in more crime.

I was there last Christmas (2022) and didn’t notice anything amiss. I keep seeing the headlines so I’ve also been curious.

I lived in NYC for many years and still go in a decent amount.

The media does sensationalize but I do feel I have to be on extra alert these days - on the subway, walking around Times Square. There are more homeless and mentally ill people around as well as migrants. There seem to be more unstable people out and about.

I still enjoy going into the city to see friends and do events but it does require being more cautious and paying attention to surroundings.

I personally would not stay in Times Square, I would pick an area like Flatiron or Midtown East that isn't quite as hectic. But certainly touristy areas will have plenty of people around.

I love NYC and we stayed in the Times Square area around Christmas one night and then the Courtyard Marriott next to Central Park. We liked the Central Park better. We were out late in well-lit areas with kids and never once felt unsafe. There are a lot of homelessness thought but they are harmless. Go for it!

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.

We were just there in November after several years and it seemed the same as always. Of course always pay attention and be smart in the city. But didn't notice anything different than I did in Jan 2020

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes it is a major issue for city administrators, but those folks are not major contributors to crime, as the PP who lives there said.

Also, the crime increases post-covid have been decreasing since mid-2022 in almost every city except DC.

https://abc7ny.com/nypd-crime-shootings-murders/14259597/

National numbers

https://abcnews.go.com/US/homicide-numbers-poised-hit-record-decline-nationwide-americans/story?id=105556400

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.

Yes it is a major issue for city administrators, but those folks are not major contributors to crime, as the PP who lives there said.

Also, the crime increases post-covid have been decreasing since mid-2022 in almost every city except DC.

https://abc7ny.com/nypd-crime-shootings-murders/14259597/

We sometimes stay Murray Hill or Lower E Side. We mix it up a bit. It's not horrible to stay near Times Sq. The stuff we want to do this trip is midtown oriented so dont really want to go upper E or Financial Dist just around that middle area.

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.

I wouldn't call it our vacation LOL - just getting out is easy enough to NYC to see a show and visit a couple sights for a few days. Like a long weekend. We have extensive summer travel plans so just breaking up the wk a bit so we're not sitting home all wk for the kids. But I haven't been in a few years but def less than 5. Our kids are in middle school.

Again - my question relates to the environment around Times Sq.

I live in nyc and it’s completely fine. The media likes to sensationalize and politicians all have agendas. You might see a few people waiting in a line or sleeping on the streets - it is nothing like the tent camps I saw all over DC in recent years.
Personally I’d never stay near Times Square no matter what, it’s been a craphole for decades but there are tons of great places to stay all over the city and lots to do.
I ride the subway almost daily as does my 14yo and my younger kids less often (and with an adult). There are some troubled people but again not more than other big cities and you just ignore them. Crime and violence in nyc is much lower than DC and has been for decades.

How old are your kids? When was the last time you visited? I now live in CT (after being in the city for 10+ years). I have to go in 2 days/week for work and you couldn’t pay me all the money in the world to go there for a vacation.

Know NYC well but haven't been in a couple yrs. Considering doing our March Spring Break there for a few days.

Curious how everything is these days with the news of migrants being based there - how crazy is it these days? Was thinking about staying around Times Sq but wasn't sure if we should look at other neighborhoods?

I just see so much uproar about migrants overflowing cities in NYC, Chicago, now Denver. Wasn't sure quite as bad as some articles insinuated with crime/homeless/etc impacts?