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10 Reasons why NYC sucks

After last week’s article, 10 Things Awesome About NYC,  here’s a little counterbalance.

1. The Insanely High Rents

$700 a month in Harlem.

What $700 a month will get you in Harlem.

NYC has the highest rents in the US—and ranks 4th highest in the world. As of January 2015, the average rent in Manhattan was a whopping $3,928. The cheapest room in Harlem or Buttfuck, Brooklyn will still cost you $700-800 a month. Finding a place when I first came here almost broke my soul.

2. Freezing Winters & Stifling Summers

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Last week, it hit 3°F (-18°C). That’s bloody cold. At one stage this winter the mayor even banned cars off the road. And as for summer, temperatures frequently creep up to the 90s (mid-30°C) with uncomfortable humidity of around 80%. You sweat like a mo-fo.

(All that said, it’s still nice to experience actual seasons. In Ireland, it feels like the one season all year long—shit.)

3. Classism

classism

The only thing more extreme than the weather. In the Western world, I can think of few places where the divide between certain nationalities/ethnic groups is so stark. Much like South Indians in  Dubai or Oman, Mexican workers here are treated like sub-human worker ants by employers. Furthermore, because the inescapable link between class and race in the US, racial prejudice abounds. (Although NYC apparently fares better than other US cities.)

4. Crazy Homeless People

crazy-homeless-man

Speaking of poor people, the only thing worse than homeless people are crazy homeless people. I’ve encountered plenty of vagrants through Africa and Asia, but NYC has more nut-jobs than anywhere. I blame drug use. You’ll notice these kooks pretty quick—talking to themselves while people slowly back away from the smell of urine. Not sexy.

5. Beggars on the Train

pahandler

Another unavoidable breed. You’re sitting on the subway enjoying a nice book , then suddenly—

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen! Can I have your attention please!”

God dammit, not another one. I don’t mind musicians or dancers, but the ones with the sob stories get tiring. They bellow a tale of woe, play on your emotions, and mope around with their hands out. The worst is when you get two on the same train journey. It’s sad, yes, but it’s still annoying. You just don’t have to deal with that kind of thing in Europe.

6. Trash Galore

Garbage

In most civilized cities, you put your rubbish is these things called trash cans. Not in NYC. They just leave their bags stacked in trash mountains right on the sidewalk. Gross, lads. Cop on, will ya? Which leads us to our next problem…

7. Rats, mice and cockroaches

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I haven’t dealt with so many rodents and insects since my last trip to Somalia. For rizzle. At my first apartment, every morning there was a crew of cockroaches waiting by the sink. We also had several mice. Aside from what’s indoors, you can’t call yourself a New Yorker until you’ve had a giant rat scurry over your feet on a midnight stroll.

8. The L train

l Train

The only thing worst than beggars on the train, is waiting for the train. And the L train is the worst. Anybody who’s ever come home from Williamsburg at 4am knows what I’m talking about. You have to wait forever for that slow piece of junk.

Image result for sex and the city9. Entitled White Women

“Your salmon isn’t farm-raised, is it?”

“Is your lime juice freshly squeezed?”

“Does your bottomless brunch have a time limit?”

…all asked with a nasally, valley-girl inflection that can’t help but ignite your inner Chris Brown—POW! I’ve also never wanted to punch more women in the face.  I’ve met some cool chicks in NYC, but so many are of them are spoiled, uncultured idiots with think the sun shines out of their arse.

10. Pretentious Nightlife

rope

I’ve played the high-end game. The red velvet ropes, VIP guest lists, promoters, models, bottle service, etc. It’s all a load of bollocks, overblown and unbearably pompous. Guys pay top dollar just to be in the same room as girls who bothered to put on a cocktail dress. I can understand if you have money to burn or if you know a promoter (that’s how I did it), but otherwise, don’t waste your time and money. For the same price, you can grab a flight to the Caribbean.

All that said, I still fucking love this city.

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28 Responses to 10 Reasons why NYC sucks

  1. Marty March 6, 2015 at 4:12 am #

    NN,
    So in all your travels what places are best for lads who want unpretentious white women and good nightlife for a decent price?

    • Naughty Nomad March 6, 2015 at 5:10 am #

      Eastern Europe of course!

      • Matt February 17, 2019 at 9:25 am #

        Seriously dude?…How in the hell are you going to bash New York City, which the title of this page “10 reasons why NYC Sucks” alone by itself does ever so thoroughly, and then at the end turn right around and say “I still fucking love this city”? The content/message of this page clearly expresses that of someone who despises New York City, yet you say you “love” it? Just where exactly are you coming from? I mean it makes no sense. SMH

  2. Martin March 6, 2015 at 6:33 am #

    I got a job in NYC and moving up there in May. I can pay about 3K for an apt. I will be working in midtown Manhattan. Do you think I should find something in the city or for that price I can get a better deal in Brooklyn?

    Also, what are some of your favorite pubs/bars to pick up women. What about day venues?

    • Naughty Nomad March 6, 2015 at 8:47 pm #

      For 3k you should be able to a decent place in midtown. I’d recommend Greenwich, Hell’s Kitchen or East Village.

  3. Ali S March 6, 2015 at 11:07 am #

    Your parallel of Dubai (lived there for 11 years) with NYC regarding the treatment of Mexican workers surprised me. NYC is considered to be the most egalitarian major city in the US and labor unions are pretty strong. You should compare it with Texas or even L.A.

    Regarding accommodation, you should have pointed out that it’s just Manhattan (and the hipster parts of Brooklyn) which is a complete screw-over when it comes to rents. You can find a decent studio apartment in Queens or even a 1-bed in the Bronx for $800/mo.

    • Mike March 6, 2015 at 5:27 pm #

      I agree with the rent part. Manhattan, Williamsburg area, LIC area in Queens are ridiculous. Plenty of other places which are cheaper away from the action. Bronx may not be my cup of tea unless you’re avoiding Yankee Stadium area, Hunts Point, East Tremont.

  4. Tideride March 6, 2015 at 2:45 pm #

    Zolo
    This is tideride from the Naughty Nomad Forum. A spambot got me for posting a news article man. Unban me when you get a chance. Thanks.

  5. Mike March 6, 2015 at 5:22 pm #

    I’ve lived/worked between Long Island and Queens and Manhattan my whole life. The “Entitled White Women” part is SO TRUE. I’d say 50% live in Manhattan, and 50% come from LI. Rather a more down to earth Hispanic (yet not ghetto) girl from Queens, or a nice Polish/German girl from Maspeth Queens area. Of course these girls are 1st generation, which I think you stated.

    I’m a fan of white women (I’m white myself), but I get so turned off by the attitude of Manhattan/LI girls.

    Cheers!

    PS. Tinder Passport is an absolute GOLD MINE!

  6. Jean Luke March 8, 2015 at 7:59 pm #

    Nomad
    I like the old site layout better man. The City skyscraper landscape view is nice with the fast tabs to go to other areas of the site but this weird logo with slow tabs is not cool.

    • Naughty Nomad March 9, 2015 at 10:37 am #

      Are you browsing via mobile or laptop?

  7. oasis March 12, 2015 at 10:40 pm #

    5.don’t have too deal with beggars in Europe??? BS I see them all the across western Europe on subways in Spain Portugal and Paris and London (tube). Its really bad.a lot of homeless in Ireland for that matter.

    9.hah do tell more.example?

    10.yep nightlife has gotten really pretentious BS,a friend used to promote,I would get snuck in,the whole thing was gross and weird.it’s the whole class I am thing (not to mention putting pussy on a pedestal)

    Yeah I am with you on the rent aswell

  8. fucksong March 15, 2015 at 7:23 am #

    Hey Zolo! If you think the people in NY are crazy, you haven’t seen nuthin til you visit the Tenderloin in San Francisco. People taking a shit in the middle of the street, having a pee bag out of their body walking around in a hospital gown. People talking to themselves, pfft, I used to see that everyday on the bus/subway.

    Great article overall though man. I miss NY already.

  9. Perry March 17, 2015 at 10:56 am #

    Everything you said was spot on!! I’ve been living here all my life and I can’t understand how people brag about this city. I’m dying to get the hell outta here but only time will tell.

  10. Somedude August 29, 2015 at 11:17 pm #

    I totally agree with this article 100 percent. Mexican workers are underpaid and treated like trash by they bosses they are usually fights on the trains. The MTA is getting a worst service more train delays and buses don’t come. You see the difference on how people are treated in NYC it depends what on you look. And so on

  11. a REAL New Yorker September 16, 2015 at 9:36 pm #

    This is the most obnoxious and clueless article I’ve come across in a while. You are exactly like the people you claim to be “over” and hate….how dare you talk about “crazy homeless people”….do you have any clue about who those people you are disgusted by are? They are displaced in a system that is catered to you and your asshole buddies who think they have any clue about what NYC is or was or would be better off being. I do hope you are right and people like you and your little group of guys and gals are getting disgusted and fleeing to wherever people like you go to….leave NYC for good…you don’t belong here…your mentality is absurd and as uncultured as any of the entitled white girls you so quickly condemn. You are not in any position to talk about NYC other then your shallow and minimal experience. Good riddance to you….have fun in eastern Europe where they see right through little spoiled babies like you and will surely take the piss right out of you and have a laugh….

    • Mark Zolo September 17, 2015 at 6:01 pm #

      I even have a book of NYC coming out. I know the city better than you ever could.

      • Jones October 2, 2015 at 6:30 am #

        Again. I’m actually shocked someone with such a horrible personality such as you has your own website. So you just insult people who have a difference of opinion than you? How old are you? You clearly have no education.

        • Mark Zolo October 2, 2015 at 12:37 pm #

          I actually have a masters, bitch.

          • Crazy April 17, 2016 at 5:51 pm #

            And that proves anything because?

    • Andy September 20, 2015 at 7:15 am #

      The coolest part in NYC is Jackson heights.. actually that is in Queens which is a totally different city/culture.

      Manhattan is a shithole .. in regard to people.. yes there are more bars and cafes (they all suck big time BTW) – basically everything is equivalent to a mcdonalds in Europe.. copycats.. no personality.. full of retard hipsters and other corporate rats..

      Like the guy who had a “PayPal” sticker in his laptop – OBVIOUSLY he was working at Paypal..
      I guess it is part of the HR corporate culture to “encourage employees to express themselves by putting corporate stickers everywhere”..
      nothing worse that working for a shit company and being forced to let everyone know about it. or maybe the guy was such a brainwashed retard that he was actually “proud” ..

      whatever…. I have spent 3 months in NYC – what NYC is missing is empathy.. people are just fucking rats with no souls.. just blending in, obedient.. acting as they are told by TV or their peers.. unable to think for themselves ..

      much worse than Germany for example.. i think it is probably just the stupid american xenophobia or NYC xenophobia ( we are the best bla bla)…

      All I see are brainwashed rats.. so leaving back to whatever country I can find where people are still humans. )pretty much any country except usa, UK, and Nordic countries – these are by far the worst brainwashed places on earth,

      Women.. there are gorgeaus one in NYC – but how would you feel going out with a retard women ? you know, drooling her saliva, talking shit all the time, unable to actually have a conversation or any thoughts of their own.. I mean.. what kind of looser man would sleep with a mentally retarded person .. really .. I mean.. when you travel outside US are you going to a mental hospital to find women ? not really.. you usually just talk to people on the street etc.
      So in conclusion – NYC is jus a shithole.. a shinny(actually not that shinny) shithole with a lot of BS. People are just crap.. Maybe in 50 years if it becomes predominantly Spanish it will be a nice city. Unfortunately new rats are moving in eager to work for that shitty corporate or the equally shitty hipster place… (translated – eager to fit in and make it or eager to be “cool”).. I am sure there is some illness name for it..

      So instead of the big bad jungle I found only some obedient retards eager to follow the rules and fit in.. just a big prison full of retards..

      Jackson Heights.. I salute you .. the only place worth visiting in NYC (in my 3 months stay probably there are some others blab la bla .. maybe .. just maybe some places in East Village.. however considering teh amout of beta male hipster retards in the region.. don’t really think so.

    • bill January 15, 2016 at 2:04 pm #

      Thank you Mr. Trump. Now learn to laugh at yourself.

  12. David November 7, 2015 at 5:28 am #

    Racism from “cool” white people to the rest of their fellow men/women?… Everywhere.

    Mexicans being underpaid, and worst treated?… Everywhere in the US, Europe, well,

    even in Mexico. Trash in the street?… It could be far worst taking in consideration the

    size of the city. I came from a bigger city and that problem is more chaotic. Stupid and

    pretentious women?… Everywhere in the world, as the same with stupid pretentious

    men. Extreme weather?… I don’t know, just extreme heat bother’s me, but actually I love

    the snow (I feel like having and excursion to the Himalayas while walking in the street).

    High rents?… Yeah, that sucks, but… I think you just should do a good research out of

    Manhattan. Rats, cockroaches?… As the same with the trash, it could be far worst if you

    measure the size of the city. I guess that the pros are more than the cons, because

    despite of all of that I also love his city. My home for the last 6 years and counting.

  13. Guest December 11, 2015 at 8:55 am #

    NYC has the highest rents in the US? I thought SF had higher rents!

    • Crazy April 17, 2016 at 5:52 pm #

      SF does now have higher rents.

  14. Eliza2016 May 25, 2016 at 4:02 pm #

    NY just SUCKS arse! Pretentious, rude women AND men everywhere. Those trains stink to high heaven…and you pay 50% more for anything and everything.
    NY is highly overrated. Has been for too long….and I keep hearing from many wise people that they looking to leave. I can’t say I blame them. The weather here truly bites too!
    2 lousy months of summer. with 80% humidity. Please.

  15. Queensnative September 9, 2016 at 5:47 pm #

    Mark, great article. I agree with all 10 reasons; especially the classism. One thing: I don’t fucking love this city anymore. And, before the wannabe hipster transplants start barking, I AM thinking of getting the hell outta here.

    NYC is no longer for the true natives that endured the dangerous, bankrupt city of the 70s and early 80s. All the pretentious Prada wearing dingbats wouldn’t last a nano second when NYC was gritty and truly artsy. Neither would their man purse toting metrosexual male peers.

    The whole lot of you can party and pay high ass rents, that you perpetuate by the way, until you bankrupt your parents, or your plastic melts.

  16. Scott June 17, 2019 at 10:01 pm #

    I’ve never been to the US actually. But will definitely one day. I would probably give NYC a miss except for the airport which is in Newark I believe. I don’t like overcrowded subways. I would prefer venturing to places like Texas or Kansas and experience the real America.

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