NYC Stigma

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 8, 2005

Where on the Upper East Side will you be living? It is my favorite area of the city. My folks apartment sit for a couple of weeks each summer (around 90th and First Avenue), and I love to visit when they are there. I always get the impression that I'm in a small town in a big town.

The thing about NY, is that it never sleeps, there are usually many people going about their business.

I got mugged once in NY, and that wasn't in the city....no... it was on the LIRR within miles of my home. In the meantime, I have absolutely no problem walking around during late or early hours in Manhattan.

Where are you going to be working? God, I'm excited for you...enjoy and don't worry so.

Kris

student52 · Feb 8, 2005

I lived in Manhattan, on the Upper East Side with my g/f over the summer of 2003. She is a nurse, in NYC as a traveler, we actually had the fortune of having 3 different apts. while there. We lived 86th and 1st, 74th and 2nd, and W16th St and ?? anyway She worked at Mt. Sinai, and the subway was only a couple blocks away from each apt. So that was nice, and really the subways are wicked close to each other, and the buses run all over the city,( that's more difficult to figure out). She worked 7P-7A and their were tons of people out. I would walk with her to the subway, ride with her to work, then either walk back to the apt, or catch the subway. Really, there is very little to worry about that time of night in Manhattan. One night though I wanted Applebee's on 46th street and I didn't know after MN that the subway changes a bit, I ended up in Brooklyn, and the funny part (I think it's funny) some girl did the same thing, and asked what I was going to do, so I told her I was going to take the train back. Applebee's closed at MN. oh well, I got to see another part of the city at a peaceful time of night. So, I would say there really is not much to worry about, by the by I'm from Vermont.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

I did an 11 month travel assignment (2 hospitals and 2 apts).

One was at NYH - Cornell, and I lived on 80th. I walked to work and back. I could have used the bus, but it was only a 12 block walk. I used to buy fresh fruit from the street venders and fresh bread from the bakery on the way home. I could go out to a restaurant for drinks and not have to worry about the drive home. The walk on York avenue past Sotheby's auction house, was nice.

The other was at BI on the lower east side, and I lived on 39th. I took the bus or walked. I actually liked walking the 22 blocks home at midnight. There were plenty of people/police/all night diners/stores on 2nd avenue. I did avoid 1st avenue after dark, because it is not well traveled and gets spooky near NYU/Bellvue. And walking in the snow around the holidays was lovely.

For a brief period, I lived on 39th and walked up to NYH - Cornell - about 40 blocks. It was a refreshing way to end a shift. I could shop at the weekly green market at Dag Hammersjold park, visit the Katherine Hepburn garden, pass diplomats and translators going to the UN. I saw some of "the Apprentice" people outside Trump Tower, and World Bar. And they were filming "The Interpreter" in the area. Most everyone comes across a filming of "Law and Order" at various times.

I have been mugged in my small home area in Florida but not in NYC. And Philadelphis is a lot scarier/more dangerous.

If you are really nervous, there are yellow NYC medallion cabs. But the drivers with the way that they drive used to scare me. That and they (Russian/Israeli/Jamaican/Indian/Arab) would hit on me when it was noted that I was single and a nurse. Safe but annoying.

Note: do not get into a "gypsy" cab or any nonmedallion cab. And watch your subway stops at night. I took the line down to Rector street and got off after dark, and it was a bit spooky. The car gets very deserted at the end, the station has almost no one there and Wall Street is pretty deserted after six PM. That and passing Cortland exit (closed, was below the WTC) is a bit eerie.

kjt2004 · Feb 17, 2005

You will be fine. if something was meant to happen to you, it will occur in any state.

The upper east side is my favorite part of the city to live.

Lenox Hill hospital is on the upper east side.

As I have mentioned before, I will be moving to Manhattan in June and will be living on the Upper East Side of the city. I am totally and completely guilty of being influenced by the stigma that your beautiful city has come to have in that crime is high and living there can be dangerous. Many have told me that this is definitely not the case but having not visited NYC, I still have this fear. My question is... get ready for this... it's a stupid one... how do you go about getting to work safely when it's dark out? I know this sounds extremely silly but I get freaked out here in my small Oregon town when I have to walk across the dark parking lot during early morning hours. It's probably the one thing I think about that really gets me nervous about the move. I've even considered asking my husband to walk me to and from the subways once we get there. Any ideas or advice? Thanks.

littlenursey · Feb 25, 2005

I live in Queens(about 45 min ride from Manhattan), but work part-time in the Upper East Side

NYC really is a city that never sleep

With the extensive subway and bus line, there are always people every where

plus there are people either going to work or just got off work all night

Just be a little cautious and just a bit on-guard...look around a little when u walk at night...stay in the crowded street, etc...

I think there's danger in every city ...so enjoy! :chuckle