Why can't we all live in NYC?

J

jky

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The past couple of days I've walked around the downtown area of my hometown (Calgary) and found the lack of life a little frustrating. Don't get me wrong, I have a sentimental attachment to this place, but although the city has over 1 million people, it's still mainly a suburbian (is that a word?) city. The best time to people watch, and take snaps, is around the working hours of the day. As soon as 5pm hits though, everyone flocks back to suburbia....
Many I miss the big apple!
 
My hometown, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the same. The downtown is a dead zone, and the suburbs are a cultural wasteland. I wouldn't want to live in New York. Too expensive, too many people, too dirty. I miss Santa Fe.
 
I don't know if Portland is classed similarly, but look up Amy Sakurai's Portland - A love letter. This was produced for lasy years Solo Photo Book in a Month project and I think it's great, but it doesn't suggest the town's at all like NYC.

Mike
 
I live in the UK but love to visit the US. Been to NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Vegas, LA and of course Orlando. I have throughly enjoyed all my trips there. I always take hundreds of pix but like jky I find it difficult to find inspiration in my home town. Took a trip to Manchester at the weekend and got some shots there. I think it's because it's a city there's more going on, more people giving you more chances for good shots. I try to find events locally in my home town to give me more shooting oppotunities.
 
Every city in the States is exactly the same. The only other places I've seen alive at all hours of the day is Budapest and London.

The thing about New York is that its the only city in the U.S. where people live and work in the same area. And so it's always alive and bustling. The first time I went to Chicago I was astounded how a city of 2 million could be so quiet. And it's because "Downtown" is where everyone works and hardly anyone lives. So once the business day is done, it's desolate.

And apparently everyone is trying to live in NYC. hence the unbelievable rent here in New York. After college I moved to Milwaukee, WI for a job. My first time living away from home. And the price of my 1 bedroom apartment, and my own studio combined was half as much as a crappy basement apartment here in NYC. And every other person I meet is from somewhere other than New York. I think NYC has actually been ruined by this. The city lacks character the way it used to when i was growing up. It's become stale and bland. All of the people moving here seeking to partake in it's rich culture have actually just diluted it.
 
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You think you've got problems? try living in a country that only homes 3 million people. my only consolation is that I live very near the capital city.
 
Only 1.4 million people in my country, and about 600 000 in the capital city Tallinn. Only time something is happening here is in summer, when tourists come.

Oh, and wouldn't want to live in New York.
 
Its Funny....I'm a native 'New Yawker' and Looking to Escape :)

What is that saying 'The Grass is Greener on the Other Side'

Cheers!- H
 
jky said:
I have a sentimental attachment to this place, but although the city has over 1 million people, it's still mainly a suburbian (is that a word?) city. The best time to people watch, and take snaps, is around the working hours of the day. As soon as 5pm hits though, everyone flocks back to suburbia....
Many I miss the big apple!
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I often feel the same way about Omaha. :)

Living out here in the toolies does have its advantages. Standard of living is high, cost of living is low, unemployment is {knock on wood} low.
 
Moved out to Lon Guyland from NYC for the kids education.
Soon as junior graduates I'm moving back. Seems like I'm there every weekend anyway.
 
Al Kaplan said:
Find yourself a coffee house or a bar to hang out.
Click to expand...

Al, there are a couple places I frequent (cafes & pubs). I meant photographically speaking, it's hard to spot interactions and such when the streets are filled with concrete only....

I'm passionate about the streets & enjoy street photography wholeheartedly - that's where the angle on my original post stems from. I just find it funny that one of the main downtown strips here can be down to just a handful of people (from probably thousands) @ around 5:30-6pm... don't even ask about Sundays...:(

Prior to these economic times, there was a big urbanization push happening here. Condos sprouting up in the downtown core like an uncontrollable grass weed in late summer. It was actually nice to see... we'll just have to wait for what our future economic times may hold.
 
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