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07.14.08, 11:11 AM New York City
63 replies
Natives NYers tell us what you think has changed for the worse here and why [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 07.14.08, 11:11 AM Flag
 

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Not that much IMO. Don't find it that different really. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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Change is the only constant [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:15 AM Flag
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No one tags the subways anymore [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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real estate prices changed to the worst [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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Oh come on in relative terms its pretty standard [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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Soho is now the mall [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:17 AM Flag
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where was the mall before [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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New Jersey [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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I think the mall is still in Jersey [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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was it better as an industrial neighborhood? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:20 AM Flag
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it's just something that strikes me...it was more of an artistic hood, neat shops, bars, etc. that's all. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:21 AM Flag
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yeah, but before that it was an industrial neighborhood. The neighborhoods move around, nothing stays the same. Just saying- soho was only an arts neighborhood for a decade or two. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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so weird to see Gap Banana etc there to me still [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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that's all over the US [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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indeed [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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Soho was always overrated. The UES and UWS haven't changed that much at all [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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I kind of liked the gallery scene- so easy to see so much while walking around [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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try chelsea. same scene, different decade. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:19 PM Flag
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you must be kidding (np). The Upper west side is completely different. It's now full of the Gap and Victoria's Secret and Duane Reade. Yet another strip mall. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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The UWS was not the outer zones of civilization you know after the late 70s. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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but it wasn't all chain stores, more mom and pop. That has changed [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:08 PM Flag
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people complained it was a mall in 1986 when cp shades moved in. these are the kinds of complaints my grandparents make. times change. if the banana republic in soho means more money to build the city's infrastructure, bring it on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:18 PM Flag
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Well, I don't want the crime, etc. of the 70s back, but I do really miss the heterogenous feeling the city used to have. Now it's all chain stores and bugaboos, no matter what part of town you're in, and there's no one under 60 who's even slightly bohemian or arty because they can't afford rent. There have always been wealthy people here, but they didn't used to be the only people, and it's shame. The city and the arts have become much less interesting. It costs $100 to go to the theater now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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But thats inflation, a $25 ticket in 1979 is the value of what $100 will buy now [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:19 AM Flag
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not so. I grew up here in the 70s, two sibs, went to private school, lived in a 3bed apt on the UES, which we rented, my mom did not work and there was plenty of money to go around. My dad was not on wall street or anything like that. the percentage of your income that things like rent/school/etc took was much lower. real estate was so different [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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I grew up here too, I think you are wrong. $1000/mo for rent on a 2 bedroom considering a big salary was 200K is pretty in line with $3000 now with salaries hovering around 400K [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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but who pays $3000 for a 2BR? We pay almost twice that! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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Aha, because you are not from here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:15 PM Flag
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what does that have to do with it? the rent for a 2 bedroom on the UES (in a good area) can be $6000 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:16 PM Flag
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Right, If you haven't been in ny for years, that's what is available to you. Us- 3 brs, maid's room LR, DR, Sep Kitch, Parlor+2 bths for under 1K monthly. I grew up here but not in this apt. I'd never pay $6K monthly on anything that I I wasn't buying-or anything over $2500. Native NYers, do not generally pay $6k for a 2br on the UES- unless they're the kids of extremely wealthy parents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:01 PM Flag
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ps We're on the UWS. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:03 PM Flag
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And then did you move to your current apartment? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:03 PM Flag
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Moved out of newly coined Nolita in mid 2001; we had a floor thru w/a backyard for $1100 but the neighborhood got malled-so we split. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 03:54 PM Flag
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I can still find spectacular exhibitions and most of the major museums are some of the best anywhere. There are plenty of small museum gems, too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:19 AM Flag
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yes, but how much is it to get into Moma now? $30. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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I'm not including MoMA in my best major museums- I used to work there & it was an awful internal culture. You can go to the Met or the AMNH for free! Free, I tell you. And see world class exhibits [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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since when are those places free (with the exception of one night a week or something)? AMNH has never been free when I take ds. The Met makes you feel awful if you dont' pay. The Whitney is not free, nor is the Frick or any other museum. Please. And not inclduing MOMA is absurd. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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Suggested donation, so you could pay $1 or check for the free times at the info booths. The Whitney has a free night. But what would be your problem with paying for a museum? Not all of them have large endowments & have to pay staff, facilities fees, etc. Seems like something worthy to pay for. I don't include MoMA in my personal like list because it was a very cold, intense place to work- remember the strike? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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we're not discussing jobs here, we're discussing access to the arts for the general public. one free evening a week is not that helpful, either. My point is that all these things cost a lot of money now b/c the museums are also in an arms race to be the "best" and acquire the most prestigious art, and that's where their money goes. The Met and every other one has tons of pieces that never even come out of storage. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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I doubt that much of the general public wants access to the arts & paying a suggested donation is pretty fair- a person could pay 10 cents. I don't think museums are in an arms race- acquisitions are paid for mostly by board members out of their own pockets. I would say that the museums are clamoring to get more people in there and are quite accomodating. The thing about storage is that some pieces are not in display-worthy condition; it's about preservation as much as access. Some places are doing the visible storage thing. I think that having a free night every week is very helpful- what alternative would you suggest? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:18 PM Flag
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AMNH is free. The prices are suggested general admission prices. Just like the MET. Al public museums are free or donation only. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:09 PM Flag
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What do you mean about public museums? Not all museums in NYC that are opened to the public are free. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:28 PM Flag
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it is still $20 when I checked yesterday [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:25 AM Flag
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It prob has a free night [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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fridays, but be prepared to stand on a long line. If you're going to visit more than once a year, become a member [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:17 PM Flag
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Seems like a good idea [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:19 PM Flag
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Or go to the Ford Familly programs on the weekends, and get a free family pass for another visit afterwards as well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:42 PM Flag
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The neighborhood mom and pop stores have all been priced out, and replaced by Duane Reades, banks, and cellphone stores. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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That's nation wide, though, not just Manhattan [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:25 AM Flag
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All neighborhoods have been re-named for real estate purposes. I used to live in Little Italy; I moved when it was renamed NoLita. I grew up in Washington Heights; there was no Hudson Heights. The infrastructure of New York has been completely undermined by our past few mayors-NyC is visitor friendly- Not generally resident-friendly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:40 AM Flag
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Times Square is safe but it is a theme park. really gross. NYC has lost its edge and wild side. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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you prefered the pimps? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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actually, I did. they never hurt me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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To be honest, I miss them too- I saw some truly wild outfits [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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Yes; I also preferred the working girls there; they weren't all married to rich white guys,living uptown and posing as entitled urban women. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:12 PM Flag
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I guess the hookers had to go somewhere...*sigh*. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:14 PM Flag
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lol... I once was a nanny for one of those former wgs... after about 2 days I had a good idea of what her former life had been like... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:18 PM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:22 PM Flag
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this is kind of weird. you liked hookers for the entertainment value, but the wives of rich guys offend you somehow? how's this: the tourist dollars that times square now generates is paying to keep the streets clean and your dc's school in toilet paper. still turning up your nose at the new times square? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:16 PM Flag
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I hate the current Times Square. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 12:10 PM Flag
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yeah, that is a huge one that I think sums up a lot of the other grievances here. I am always in awe that it was condone by the gov't. A while ago I saw the MTA installing a ginormous subway sign on top of the ginormous Foot Locker sign at 34th Street. Ugghh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 02:49 PM Flag
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i think most of the changes are for the better. pretty much every neighborhood is safer. i'll trade "local color" for safety any day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.14.08, 03:52 PM Flag
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Complaining is a bore, so I won't go there. I have noticed recently that the homeless / mentally ill homeless on the streets seem to be back to late 70's numbers. Anyone know why? Should I blame Bloomberg? Where is the support for these folks, outside of "outreach" vans that swing by and tell them to go to a shelter when they're in an area where it looks bad, when you're trying to sell multi-million dollar condos? Maybe I'll post this as a new post, too... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 03:38 PM Flag
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