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Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
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TedSez
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
I was in Manhattan for the first time in a while last week, and I have to admit that I was surprised how cheap the setup of the "car-free" area in Times Square seemed. It looked exactly like a mall food court -- which, I suppose, is pretty much what it is. #newyorkcity
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ninety_nine
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
For every person on this thread that complains about any aspect of NY: please move. Now. Yesterday. If you are complaining from afield but still visit, say, on weekends, please find a bar in your own great neighborhood. If you've already done either, your input on our fair city is always welcome and entertaining. #newyorkcity
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Dictator for Life
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
I moved to Manhattan from North Carolina two months ago, and I still can't figure out why a lean cuisine here is $3.89 instead of 5 for $10 like they're supposed to be. #newyorkcity
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Saxon 212
10/28/09

@Dictator for Life: It's to stop you from eating that cancer causing crap. Get out there and have some of our lovely take out! #newyorkcity
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Dictator for Life
10/28/09

@Saxon 212: I did, but I gained too much weight for my pants to fit comfortably. I'm on temporary restaurant hiatus until I can go out in public without risking a pants blowout. #newyorkcity
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TorturedWriter
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
In theory, New York should be cheaper due to economies of scale (the more people here to share the burden, the cheaper is should be). But really, New York is so expensive because all the governments here waste our money (example: public employees get the kind of benefits that no one in the real world gets anymore). The only solution is to rebuild how these administrations function from scratch—which no one has the stomach to do (there would probably be a lot of suffering before everything gets straightened out). #newyorkcity
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BettyCrocker
10/28/09

@TorturedWriter: The biggest money waster is the MTA, which has established a public fraud tipline. They can't audit themselves, clearly, because they "find" money everytime the public screams about a fare increase.

So, when - not if - you see MTA maintenance folks stealing paint and supplies for their houses, post it here: [angrynyer.com]

When I climb the stairs at the ruins of Penn Station and see dust bunnies that would send my 18-pound cat running for cover, and I think about the $3000+ I spend per year commuting, I get pissed. #newyorkcity
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TorturedWriter
10/29/09

@BettyCrocker: Word, BettyCrocker. Word. #newyorkcity
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Rumpelstilskin
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
Oh good god, people. Go read the diary of Philip Hone, early 19th century mayor of NYC. He detested the way the city changed during his lifetime. Upon reading in the newspaper that they were unveiling a statue of Commodore Vanderbilt, he wrote in his diary: O' Israel, these be thy gods! #newyorkcity
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WillSmithsMom
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
You get what you pay for, etc., but New York is doing something right with all that scrilla. In Philly, for example, the wage and sales taxes are much higher.

Wage Tax: 3.9296% for Philly residents v. $3,071 plus 3.648% of the excess over $90,000 (highest rate in New York City -- for married residents filing individually).

Sales Tax: Eight fucking percent in Philly. Eight. v. 4.5% in NYC.

Yet, here, across the river from Camden, we live in constant fear of suspended trash pickup; closing libraries, swimming pools and parks. Plus we have to deal with Arthur Kade. How is that fair? #newyorkcity
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HenryLovesFonzie
10/28/09

@WillSmithsMom: Umm.... from the nyc.gov website "City sales tax rate is 4.5 percent (in addition to the New York State sales and use tax of 4 percent and the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge of 0.375%), for a total Sales and Use tax of 8.875 percent." Just sayin'. #newyorkcity
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quotidian
10/28/09

@HenryLovesFonzie: Indeed. 4.5% is a pipe dream. And let's remember, a high sales tax (or any sales tax) is that liberal nightmare--a regressive tax. #newyorkcity
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Cynical Media Bitch
10/28/09

@quotidian: "Liberal" nightmare, my ass. Anyone with a freshman-year grasp of economics can tell you that a sales tax is regressive when it's applied to necessities of life. #newyorkcity
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BxgrlJeri
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
I have been questioning my staying here (Manhattan) for at least 2 years. Because of all the "mall" and "chain" stores, it's become like Anywhere USA except with free delivery.

The pizza doesn't taste like pizza anymore. A lot of the "neighborhood" pizza places have moved upstate or to New Jersey and you have to go to an outer borough to get really good NYC pizza most of the time. You used to be able to stop anywhere for a slice and it would be uniformly good.

H&H seems to be the only place where bagels taste like bagels and not rolls with a hole in them.

And the streets are lousy with tourists looking up and stopping short to take pictures of god-knows-what.

But my biggest complaint is the outdoor mall feel to Manhattan now. All the chain stores, all the stores you used to NEVER find in Manhattan, all the chain restaurants.

There used to be a flavor to Manhattan not found anywhere else and it's gone for the most part. Replaced by Duane Reade, Red Lobster and The Gap.

I have considered moving not to Florida (egad) but definitely out of Manhattan. I can live in suburban "Anywhere America" for a lot less money.
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Edited by BxgrlJeri at 10/28/09 9:07 AM BxgrlJeri was starred BxgrlJeri was unstarred

Understater
10/28/09

@BxgrlJeri: But my biggest complaint is the outdoor mall feel to Manhattan now. All the chain stores, all the stores you used to NEVER find in Manhattan, all the chain restaurants.
This made me teary-eyed because it's true. True as hell! #newyorkcity
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Edited by Understater at 10/28/09 9:40 AM Understater was starred Understater was unstarred

princess_peach
10/28/09

@Understater: There was a really good article in the City Journal a week or two ago about how really high property taxes and regulations/fees are making it too expensive for the "mom and pop" businesses to stay in the city. It's the prime reason why Manhattan is turning into a giant suburban mall. Only the large chains can afford to deal with the bull shit. #newyorkcity
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Mediahohoho
10/28/09

@princess_peach: Yep. Nothing at all to do with the outrageous rents. #newyorkcity
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princess_peach
10/28/09

@Mediahohoho: The outrageous rents have a lot to do with the high property taxes. Landlords have to pay the bills somehow. #newyorkcity
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Mediahohoho
10/28/09

@princess_peach: Right. #newyorkcity
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Kakapo
10/28/09

@BxgrlJeri: @BxgrlJeri: Duane Reade is shamelessly ubiquitous, but it's actually a local chain. #newyorkcity
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wholenuther
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
Are we complaining here that New York has gotten expensive and too safe or that the people who cleaned it up are leaving and scary NYC is coming back? At some point, we need to decide which is good and which is bad. Whatever the case, we know that Florida sucks. #newyorkcity
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TheUptightMidwesterner
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
Ever since my folks moved to Florida, all I ever hear about is the serial goat rapist that is terrorizing the panhandle.I'd opt for NY is I could. #newyorkcity
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Edited by TheUptightMidwesterner at 10/28/09 7:30 AM

blix
10/28/09

@TheUptightMidwesterner: Funny how the ones who bitch about Manhattan move to Florida to bitch about being there. I'd deport all the whiners "is I could". #newyorkcity
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Edited by blix at 10/28/09 10:08 AM blix was starred blix was unstarred

BettyCrocker
10/28/09

In reply to Cleaner, Better NYC Only Fit for Tourists
Good. Get out. You won't like what you find when you get to Florida. Especially when your kid has to make you drive him 4 towns over to use a library and starts telling you that you're going to hell unless you accept Jesus as your sayv-YAH! #newyorkcity
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BadUncle
10/28/09

@BettyCrocker: a round of mullets and rat tails for all my friends! #newyorkcity
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BettyCrocker
10/28/09

@BadUncle: Don't forget side man-boobs for one and all! #newyorkcity
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City_Dater
10/28/09

@BettyCrocker:

Here here!
Life on our corrupt little urban island would have to reach Escape from New York levels of danger and filth before that trailer park built on a swamp of a state would become even halfway attractive. #newyorkcity
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BettyCrocker
10/28/09

@City_Dater: And even then, I'd give Snake Plisskin a whirl around my personal carousel on the way out the door. #newyorkcity
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City_Dater
10/28/09

@BettyCrocker:

Oh, yes. I would even be willing to sport the Adrienne Barbeau perm for that. #newyorkcity
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