New York City: a fast-paced, glamorous, popular and well known city loved by many. The city has booming industries in finance, art, music, fashion, commerce and entertainment. On average, over 50 million people visit the city each year. Needless to say, NYC is admired and intrigues most people, but I am one of the few people that, well, just doesn't like New York City. I'm a native to California, but even with living across the country, I've been to NYC about 10 times in my life. Sure I'm not a local to NYC, but I'd say going to the city 10 times in 19 years is a considerable amount given how far away I live. Now, I'm not saying NYC is a horrible place to go, and I really do think all Americans ought to go explore the city at least once in their life. There is a lot the city has to offer, but for me it's not worth the trek across the country, and here is why.
1. The weather is never perfect
Now, maybe I'm just spoiled because I grew up where it is sunny and 75º all the time, but the city weather is never nice. I've been so many different times of the year and I'm always uncomfortable because of the weather. It's either way too hot and humid, or super cold. And when it's hot, buildings overcompensate by blasting the AC, and when it's cold out, buildings are unbearably warm, forcing you to take off your six layers of clothes.
2. People are everywhere
I love cities like San Jose, Boston and San Francisco, but Manhattan just has way too many people. Everywhere you go there are tons of people in your way, making it impossible to get anywhere.
3. Transportation sucks
Since there are so many people, transportation is impossible in the city. With so many people, the sidewalks are always crowded, but driving is probably a worse option than walking. There are far too many cars on the road, there is always traffic and there are aggressive drivers that do not stop honking their horns. It takes forever just to drive a mile, so you're forced to use public transportation like the subway, but even the subway is crowded and gross.
4. The locals aren't the nicest
People in the city have the reputation of being mean and aggressive and, well, it is kind of true. Plenty aren't nice to you and just want you to get out of their way. New York City really doesn't have a welcoming atmosphere.
5. But that is probably because the tourists are quite annoying
If I had to live and work in the city with all these tourists, well, I'd probably be mean too. The tourists walk so slowly through the city and take pictures of everything. The key is to stay as far away from the tourist traps as possible when in the city. Time Square is cool to see once, but it is packed with tourists and really not that glamorous.
6. The city sort of smells
Sorry locals, but your city stinks. There is trash on the streets everywhere, and when it's hot out the scent is even worse.
7. No fresh air or nature anywhere
Manhattan is full of people smoking, smelly trash, and exhaust from cars. There is no fresh air because nothing can leave the fence of skyscrapers that surrounds the city. When you try to escape the stink of the city, you have to go find fake nature. Central Park, Bryant Park, and Madison Square Park are all nice escapes from the madness of Manhattan, but they just don't compare to true nature. They are man-made parks that give the facade of nature, but really aren't nearly as nice as the real outdoors.
