1. Manhattan is a beautiful, "must-see" place to visit in the winter.

It is not. I assure you, I have been there in the winter, and it is not. Oh, I know it looks good in movies and pictures. But the truth is, between the months of December and February, Manhattan is just one big, jumbled mess of slush eroding from the sidewalks into the streets and massive heaps of snow in empty parking lots. And beeping horns, how could anyone forget the constant beeping horns?

2. Times Square is the best part of Manhattan.

I would go as far as to say that it's not even the best "Square" in Manhattan. I like Union Square much better, as it comes with quaint bookstores and cafés, a quiet park to relax in, or if you are like me, to nap in, and easy access to multiple uptown and downtown trains, just as Times Square does, but without the huge crowds. If you want to make the food argument in support of Times Square, Union Square has its own set of excellent restaurants in the surrounding area. Have you ever tried Max Brenner?

3. New Yorkers never sleep.

The bright lights of Times Square and the many, many buildings across the city might not go out, but New Yorkers do. Some get up at 6 AM, or even earlier, to make the commute and are away from their homes for up to 12 hours a day in the MetroCard City, which some may consider a very tiring trip. Everyone needs their beauty sleep.

4. "New York City" is made up of Manhattan only.

There are five (5!!!!!) boroughs that make up New York City. They are Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Long Island is NOT a borough, and it is not in New York City. They don't have good enough pizza or bagels to be a part of New York City. Try L&B Spumoni Gardens' pizza in Brooklyn if you disagree, and then get back to me.

5. It is easy to succeed in the city.

False. Opportunity is everywhere. Success, however, is certainly not. In fact, only 1% of actors and actresses in NYC will actually be cast in a play on Broadway. (That stat is courtesy of the MC at Ellen's Stardust Diner, which is a phenomenal place to visit and I would highly recommend for everyone to go and to enjoy the entertainment as well as the great food). But seriously, there are 8.5 million people living in the city who are willing to do exactly what you are, and then some more, just to win that subpar job working long hours for low pay so that they can (barely) afford a studio apartment. Competition is vast, rigid, and you will need a lot more than a "can-do" attitude to make your dreams work here. Next.

6. Everyone in New York City is a bad driver.

I'll admit, our roads aren't the best. I will also admit that we also have an excessive amount of traffic lights. However, there is a difference between a "bad" driver and an "aggressive" one. You would probably drive aggressively, too, if you had people crossing the street in front of you all the time, even when you have a green light. Road rage is very real, and in New York City it is very prevalent as well.

Fuhgetaboutit.