New York City

"A fetid and festering hellhole"

Taking one look at this Alpha-world city I expect a sense of organization, however, everywhere I go in the city it seems unorganized. Have you looked at Times Square?! It's like a teenagers room with posters on the wall. Although, I must admit it is very impressive and Central Park happens to be one of my favorite things about this city! Just don't forget this city is very messy, someone left there toy taxi cars all over the floor. Can't people pick up their toys these days?!

I LOVE NY!!!

I have seen oceans, I have seen Mountains, but nothing ever prepared me for the majesty of the first time I flew into NYC! Nothing like it, it is mind boggling!

Without a doubt the most magnificent skyline in the world. Has twice as many skyscrapers as any other city in the world and probably the only city in the world where you cant see the whole skyline from one spot, you have to move around to see it all.

The Greatest City in the World. Great Sports teams. All the best of all the Arts. Again need I say more. The Greatest City in the World.

The epitome of skyscraper overkill but still the best. Just under 6,000 high rise buildings in New York City! Amazing considering that Chicago "only" has slightly over 1,500 and it comes in a distant 2nd in the USA.

I love New York City's skyline, it's initimidating. It's a nice city to go too, but probably not to live!

The city first known for skyscrapers, it is awesome the first time you see it. It is strange and sad to see it minus the World Trade centers.

i hate to say it, but it no longer is a 5 due to the absence of the world trade towers. it is still dramatic, though, with the empire state building leading the way.

Magnificent! And the only skyline with a big shiny diamond aka the Chrysler Building.

I've gotta admit, it's a pretty impressive skyline. The most famous in the world.

The skyline will not be the same after 9/11. The buildings do not seem to be as "artistically" arranged as they are in Chicago, but Manhattan (not the rest of the boroughs) is still an eye-grabber.

New Yorks clusters of sky scrapers are quite overwhelming, with the only negative aspect being that they overwhelm eachother. As a sky scraper enthusiast its clear why I love the skyline of the skyscraper capitol of the world (although, unfortunately for me Shanghai will be in a few years), but I cannot help but feel taht there could be some resolve to all it. After the twin towers were destroyed the skyline, though still distict, lost part of its soul...and just needs a little something to resolve the financial district. However, the memorable ones in midtown (empire, chrysler..etc) keep the spirit of New York alive.

Overwhelming really, but truly impressive, best one I've seen.

Funny. Of all the times I've been there, I've yet to see a big apple.

I actually prefer the NY skyline as see in photos and film clips from the 1920s and 30s when the skyscrapers weren't so closely packed. It's still very distinctive, however. Nothing else quite like it in the world. The loss of WTC 1 & 2, although tragic and so very sad, was not harmful to the skyline, in my opinion. Aesthetically those were some butt-ugly 1970s style buildings. Hopefully the replacement building(s) will be attractive and add a little punch to the existing skyline. The computer generated mock-ups that I've seen don't inspire much confidence, I'm afraid. The thing looks like a long beveled sewing needle with an empty gridwork sort of thing making up the top floors. Here's hoping for the best.

I wouldn't call it a skyline. I'd call it vertical sprawl.

New Yorks skyline is difficult to rate as it's hard to tell where it begins and where it ends and Manhattan is very clustered so it's hard for many buildings to really stand out. My favorite skyscraper in the city is the Chrysler building with its dynamic art deco and steel spire look. The Empire State building is a good one but the concrete gives a bland look to it. With the WTC gone it's hard to look at Lower Manhattan without knowing a big element is missing but that go's without saying. A great aspect of the skyline would be to drive north on FDR drive along the East River (with loud tunes on) as you come around the bend it unfolds a jaw dropping view of Midtown.

One of the most recognizable skylines in the world, even without the twin towers. Much like a Michael McDonald or Abba recording, the New York skyline is almost immediately identifiable and difficult to confuse with anything else.

I have visited New York for a small period of time, and feel that this city has the exuberance and diversity like no other place in the world. It has a culture of its own that is more about living than visiting. Manhattan is the place of opportunities. I would definitiely like to work there for a while.

I love visiting New York, but I must admit I began to get bored with the city after the third visit, though we still visit it often. But if New York is such a great place, I can't help but wonder why all of the South is filled with ex-New Yorkers who have moved away and don't want to move back. Upon my many NYC visits, I am often struck by just how insular the attitudes are of New Yorkers. I don't like to use the word "closed-minded" because I think that is a substitute for saying someone simply has a different opinion, and snobbery is not the right word either. I think its more of a shock, suprise, and unfamiliarity with people and things that are different than they are in New York. I've also noticed this attitude with the New York dispora who make up much of the Southern suburban population and many of my friends and co-workers. I think it comes from how much the American media is so New York-centric. People in Iowa are made aware everyday of the fact that people live differently a... Read more

If you are into women, then NYC for the brunettes and California for the Blondes. If you are into other things, then NYC is the place to go. It is the best in the world.

NYC is the best!! Every other city is so small and has like no culture. You want to be around good food, sexy people and lots of culture, then move to NYC. NYC has over 8 million people ...what does your city have??? hahahahaha

Didn't believe the whole People there are so rude statement untill I actually went there. I asked a guy directions to a pizza shop and he told me to get lost.The guy at the pizza shop wasn't any friendlier, it was kinda busy and the waiter guy just hollers Ya what you want? in a kinda nasty voice. Everywhere you go it's crowded.Overall I just didn't feel comfortable there.

Its overrated, im so sick of every movie taking place there too. There is more to the US than New York

Ya it is New York city, but what so good about it? The Media just gave its reputation. Too crowded

A nice place to visit occasionally, otherwise, a nice place to be from - as far away from it as you can get. I do think that it shoiuld be everyone's destination at least once, because it has many unique attractions. However, there are plenty of other cities with their own unique attractions as well.

Crime,cost of living,traffic!

When rating the cities I guess you have to view it from two perspectives: living there or visiting. I've worked in Manhattan for 5 years now, I live in West New York New Jersey a stone's throw from Manhattan and there is much about NYC that I can't stand. The people can be rude, obnoxious know-it-all's. Traffic is horrific and travel is at times simply irritating. Taxes are oppressive, everything is overcrowded and overpriced. However I tend to take for granted all the positives the city has to offer- the culture is so widely eclectic that it is unmatched with any other place I've been. The fans of the sports teams are deeply loyal and spirited. The city is filled with restaurants, museums, theatre's, cafe's, stores, stadiums, zoos, aquariums, convention centers etc.- there's always something to do any day of the week. The nightlife that was legendary for years has taken a hit since the Guliani crack downs and increased police presence but there's still plenty to do until the w... Read more

Stay away from the Bronx and Harlem and it's a great (but crowded) city.

I grew up 13 miles from New York City. I moved 903 miles away from New York City. Need I say more?

PLEASE GIVE IT A REST! Quit your whining about New Yorker's and their so called bad attitudes. Sure, there are some people who are rude, but most people are more than willing to help out a fellow stranger. I remember one time I saw this girl at Mcdonalds and she went to pay for her food with food stamps, but Mcdonalds doesnt accept food stamps. Well, a man who was waiting in line offered to pay for her meal and I thought that was very nice. There have been plenty of times I didn't have change for the bus and people have offered to give me change. I have met plenty of nice people in New York. SO, I really DONT think we deserve the reputation for being the RUDEST people. Most people here are really busy and are trying to get somewhere, so it may seem like their rude, but if you talk to them, you'll find out that they are not that bad, no matter what you've heard. Anyway, NEW YORK IS A GREAT CITY! It is very interesting, there is a lot to do here. AND THERE IS MORE TO NEW YORK THAN MANHA... Read more

not by far. overcrowded and full of tons of people who think they are better than everyone else. you want to see the worst in American consumerism and pop culture, go to NYC. you cant even walk down the street w/o someone right behind you b/c it's so overcrowded. culturally NYC has a great history, but history is exactly what it is. there's no culture in NYC now, just consumerism. even Broadway is full of Hollywood stars, so that they can make a buck. there's no quality. there's no music scene, and the literary life is definitely dead in NYC. i go to the homes of old writers and wonder what happened. UPDATE: i think NYC is a good city for someone who hasn't learned how to amuse themselves.

Manhattan has everything:all stuffed on one very busy,overcrowded island.There is plenty to do and see-but it is a very expensive place to visit.It is NOT true that New Yorkers are all rude:many times people have been quite helpful to me there.It is very windy and cold there in wintertime.The subways can save you a lot of money getting around,but can be confusing.Cabs will run up a big bill as well as sometimes giving you one terrifying ride.You can get any kind of food in the world,and the Museums are top notch.Be ready for lots of walking!

Especially when the GOP comes to town!

New York is the greatest city in the USA. It's great because it is a city in every sense of the word. There is just so much to see and do that it never gets boring, is always happening and just has a vibrancy and life that you wont find anywhere else in the US. New York has some of the best bars, restuarants, entertainment venues, shopping,nightlife to offer. Many places you may have heard of are in NYC. It takes a thick skin and some street saavy to get around the city but there is just so much to offer that it makes it's faults enough to deal with. New York is a great walking city as well. Walking and the subway are the best way to go unless you really need to take a cab. Life on the city streets is great as well. It's a great place to just people-watch. I've got a lot of love for New York. I never thought I'd feel that way and that tells me(you) just how great this place really is. Very cosmopolitan as well.

Busy and frenentic, but it's hard to argue that this isn't the most exciting, culturally fascinating, vibrant city in the United States. From the tip of the financial district to Harlem, Manhattan absolutely hums with activity, and has the best restaurants, music, art, and culture in - well, certainly the United States, and one could easily argue in the world. And, amazingly, it's friendly - people are busy, but they'll stop and tell you where the best restaurant on the street is. The ratings are right - it's slightly below Chicago in terms of sheer livability and expense and open space - but beyond that, this is the most exciting city in the country.

It's the greatest city, it's just, the american city. I don't live there, and i probalby never will because i prefer to live in a house with a yard, which unless you live on staten island or some of brooklyn or queens you can't really get. But it is deffinetly my favorite city to visit. It is pumped full of energy, history, people, (who are way nicer than people stereotype them to be, everyone will stop to give you directions if you are lost) and culture. America's largest city deserves to be called the biggest and the best, because as far as cities go, it really is.

When I was little I was given a beautifully illustrated children's book of American stories and one, about a taxi running the streets of New York, caught my imagination. The drawings were wonderful and it was set at Christmastime. Many years later I had the opportunity to visit the city at New Year's and was delighted to find that, in the snow, it looked exactly like the impressions I had captured all that time ago - and was a more intimate place than I could ever have imagined. The whiteness of Central Park fringed by the brooding apartments on all sides and the soft grey sky could easily be a painting.

I love NY. It's practically a second home to me (my town in NJ is only about half an hour away from NYC). I love to shop there, see Broadway shows, go to museums, and it's the dance capital of the world, and I'm gonna be taking open classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps there.

I *heart* NY!

In my recent trip to NY, i didnt like it at all. the people were very rude and stuck up. the city is too crowded with skyscrapers limiting the view to the sky. One would wonder if a new yorker has ever seen stars before. and its just not a good place to live. The cost of living is far too expensive

New York is incredibly diverse. It's impossible not to find something to do here. New York has some of the best restaurants in the world, the best museums in the country, and it has great cultural attractions. Mile for mile, you can't beat New York. If you're going for the first time, go to all the main places like Statue of Liberty, Fifth Avenue, Broadway, Times Square etc; but I would also suggest that you go further afield as well. Don't go to tourist-trap restaurants like 21 and Tavern On The Green. They charge a lot of money for mediocre food and service and you don't really get the feel of New York. There are far too many places like this in the city. Try one of the variety of ethnic restaurants in the city for an interesting experience. There are plenty of excellent Arab restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn, but in my view, the best Italian restaurants in the country are in New York. Take a cruise around the Manhattan to get a full view of the city, which looks incredible from ... Read more

Overrated to an extreme degree. Crowded, fast-paced and extremely dispersonal, New York City is a movie that I hope I never return to! While the buildings are undeniably impressive, one could have a nervous breakdown trying to keep up with a group of friends in this crazy city. Not only that, but most of the citizens have a bad attitude towards others, the restaurants are crowded to an insane degree, there is lots of litter and the streets are dirty. One of America's worst travel destinations.