My New York Diary: Why Do Our Friends Love New York?

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Why Do Our Friends Love New York?

New York City's Police Force: Penn Station Subway station, circa 2012

Dear officer, "May I keep the handcuffs?": NYPD are frequently referred to as New York's Finest.

In 2008 I married a New Yorker, and moved in the city that never sleeps. How did I feel about moving to New York? Well, I've been visiting this town for over 30 years, and have since experienced many changes. For example, in the mid 1970s traveling safely in the subway was a huge concern, and Central Park in the nighttime was dangerous, or at worse - a scary place. It is understandable that before our friends visit New York, they often asked us “is it safe to come?” A reasonable question considering its reputation. It's no surprise that people's perception of New York is that it is dangerous and crime- ridden city. But bear in mind that no city is crime free. And so, Vyna and I do feel safe, and enjoy our time in New York - both day and night.

In memoriam: A plaque for a fallen NYC police officer

NYFD

New York Skyline

5th Avenue: New York's Museum Mile

Bryant Park Subway Station

Mini Cooper: A trendy, and convenient car to drive around New York

New York City consistently ranks in the top ten safest cities in the United States. Violent crimes in New York have dropped by over 50% in the last decade. However, you should still be aware that many swindlers and thieves are skilled at preying on, and identifying out-of-towners, and folks that may seem disoriented or confused while walking around in the city. These statistics however shouldn't scare you away from visiting the Big Apple, and so using common sense should make you feel fairly safe.

Street performances in the New York are often an engaging source of entertainment. But they can also provide pickpockets an ideal opportunity. While it may be fun to watch some of the musicians, and artists performed, be aware of your surroundings, and the locations of your wallets and valuables.

A few random images of our out of town friends:

While visiting New York, keep in mind that during the daytime, almost all areas of Manhattan are safe for walking -- even Harlem and Alphabet City, a neighborhood located within the East Village. Central Park is a place that I often visit, as well as Times Square. Times Square stays heavily populated by tourists well after midnight, when theater-goers on Broadway head home. New York hasn't been called The City That Never Sleeps for no reason.