by Kyle Shirk and Eric Storms
Huge stores. Beautiful parks. Historic museums. These are just a few of the features that make New York City one of the most famous cities in the world for both tourists and residents. But with so many positives, there have to be some negatives that come with the Big Apple. So what do people dislike most about the city?
“The honking and traffic,” agreed two women visiting from Florida. “The pigeons don’t bother us because we have tons of birds and bugs in Florida.”
The general noise associated with the city was a popular complaint, particularly for those tourists who were not used to it. Another popular answer was one that you’re more likely to hear from a native New Yorker than from a visitor.
“The most annoying part of New York City is the Metro transit system all throughout, especially Manhattan,” said Matthew, a Bryant Park Corporation employee. “They are always raising the prices and they are always doing construction… people always coming late. It is a big hassle.”
Willy, from the Jamaica section of Queens, said he can’t stand the commute.
“I take the E train from [Bryant Park] all the way back to Jamaica,” Willy said. “They are constantly getting more train delays and signal problems, it’s just a mess. I think that problem is going throughout the whole city. They’ve even got a mess down there in Penn Station.”
Glenn, a businessman on a work-related trip to the city from London, had multiple reasons he favors London to the Big Apple.
“The traffic is my least favorite part,” he said. “When it rains, there are too many puddles. Nothing seems to be flat here, there are a lot of potholes. I would prefer London because it is more historic. There is a lot of falseness here.”
Some notable complaints no one mentioned were the high costs, the high crime rates in some areas, the smell and the pigeons always on the prowl for food.
Despite all the downsides, there are people like Paul from Maryland, who couldn’t think of any unfavorable parts to this city.
“I don’t really have one,” he said. “I love it here. I absolutely love it.”
“The honking and traffic,” agreed two women visiting from Florida. “The pigeons don’t bother us because we have tons of birds and bugs in Florida.”
The general noise associated with the city was a popular complaint, particularly for those tourists who were not used to it. Another popular answer was one that you’re more likely to hear from a native New Yorker than from a visitor.
“The most annoying part of New York City is the Metro transit system all throughout, especially Manhattan,” said Matthew, a Bryant Park Corporation employee. “They are always raising the prices and they are always doing construction… people always coming late. It is a big hassle.”
Willy, from the Jamaica section of Queens, said he can’t stand the commute.
“I take the E train from [Bryant Park] all the way back to Jamaica,” Willy said. “They are constantly getting more train delays and signal problems, it’s just a mess. I think that problem is going throughout the whole city. They’ve even got a mess down there in Penn Station.”
Glenn, a businessman on a work-related trip to the city from London, had multiple reasons he favors London to the Big Apple.
“The traffic is my least favorite part,” he said. “When it rains, there are too many puddles. Nothing seems to be flat here, there are a lot of potholes. I would prefer London because it is more historic. There is a lot of falseness here.”
Some notable complaints no one mentioned were the high costs, the high crime rates in some areas, the smell and the pigeons always on the prowl for food.
Despite all the downsides, there are people like Paul from Maryland, who couldn’t think of any unfavorable parts to this city.
“I don’t really have one,” he said. “I love it here. I absolutely love it.”