Growing up nearby, sometimes my school would have class trips into the city. Being on the buses and seeing the traffic from within was enough for me to decide, “I never want to drive in NYC.”
I’ve only driven inside the city proper twice in my life, and it was as awful as I expected it to be. Trains are the way to go, no question. Stations that go there are abundant in the nearby areas, and the subway can get you almost anywhere you need to within the city, with walking for the rest. Pedestrians dominate crosswalks, traffic lights be damned, like roving herds migrating to the next watering hole. The light turns green for the vehicles, but there’s still two dozen people stepping off the curb - traffic waits for them to pass.
I can’t imagine living there and owning a car at all. Even if parking weren’t an issue, it just doesn’t make sense. You need incredible situational awareness, abundant patience, but also the ability to make merges and turns within tight spaces while surrounded by drivers who see your emerging presence as a threat. Both times I’ve driven there included near-accidents from other drivers.
If you’re thinking of visiting NYC, for your safety and sanity, do not drive there. If you’re traveling by car from somewhere farther away, do yourself a favor and find long term parking by a train station outside the city. This is not hyperbole, driving in the city is a miserable experience that you do not need. It’s one of the few places in the US where pedestrians rule the roads - embrace it and get your steps in, and take the subway for longer distances. Your legs might feel sore by the end, but it’s worth it, I promise.
I also grew up nearby. My first and only time driving in NYC was for work. I was 19 and my boss was having a bunch of us go renovate his wife’s apartment in Brooklyn so he could rent it out. So we all meet at the shop and proceed to follow him to the city.
This fucking asshole starts driving like he’s in a race in his brand new jeep suv, I’m in an old ass work van. I managed to keep sight of him till we got to the Lincoln tunnel before he just disappeared. When I finally got through the tunnel I had no fucking idea where to go. It was the early days of smartphones and Google maps was just useless inside the city. It took me a few hours to get to this guy’s apartment. Trying to figure out the city with all the traffic was stressful as fuck. Finally somehow find my way to the apartment and this asshole starts berating me.
I should have called him a stupid asshole but being a shy anxious 19 year old I just apologized and took it.
The few times I have had to drive in NYC - just drive like you’re playing Mario cart, the rules only exist for people who follow them, and from my experience, no one does.
I live in a suburb to the north. This week I drove in for a concert at Radio City. There was traffic and crowds. Those are expected in a city. An app provided a method to secure a parking spot before I left home. At the show, we met several folks that had traveled large distances to attend. After, the street crowds were celebrating the Knicks’ win with enthusiasm. We grabbed some street food and drove home on empty streets.
I find it nice to know that I am so close to so many of the world’s best museums and other cultural highlights.
Driving has trade-offs. The ability to come and go as you please vs. carefree travel. Taking what you want or being limited to what you can carry. Commuting is best by transit. Special or occasional trips are best by car.
I disagree, but respectfully. I’m glad driving in the city has been less stressful for you, but even for special occasions, I always opt for the train. I usually bring a bag/backpack full of water bottles, and maybe sunscreen at this time of year.
The only downside I can see is if mobility is an issue. If walking for long amounts of time is a problem, I can see preferring your own car. Otherwise, I don’t mind walking multiple blocks to get to each of the museums. Though, I do wish the museums had longer hours. Every time I’ve gone to the Museum of Natural History, I’ve felt rushed along, because it closes at 5:30 for some reason. There’s just so much cool stuff to see, and never enough time to see it all.
Growing up nearby, sometimes my school would have class trips into the city. Being on the buses and seeing the traffic from within was enough for me to decide, “I never want to drive in NYC.”
I’ve only driven inside the city proper twice in my life, and it was as awful as I expected it to be. Trains are the way to go, no question. Stations that go there are abundant in the nearby areas, and the subway can get you almost anywhere you need to within the city, with walking for the rest. Pedestrians dominate crosswalks, traffic lights be damned, like roving herds migrating to the next watering hole. The light turns green for the vehicles, but there’s still two dozen people stepping off the curb - traffic waits for them to pass.
I can’t imagine living there and owning a car at all. Even if parking weren’t an issue, it just doesn’t make sense. You need incredible situational awareness, abundant patience, but also the ability to make merges and turns within tight spaces while surrounded by drivers who see your emerging presence as a threat. Both times I’ve driven there included near-accidents from other drivers.
If you’re thinking of visiting NYC, for your safety and sanity, do not drive there. If you’re traveling by car from somewhere farther away, do yourself a favor and find long term parking by a train station outside the city. This is not hyperbole, driving in the city is a miserable experience that you do not need. It’s one of the few places in the US where pedestrians rule the roads - embrace it and get your steps in, and take the subway for longer distances. Your legs might feel sore by the end, but it’s worth it, I promise.
I also grew up nearby. My first and only time driving in NYC was for work. I was 19 and my boss was having a bunch of us go renovate his wife’s apartment in Brooklyn so he could rent it out. So we all meet at the shop and proceed to follow him to the city.
This fucking asshole starts driving like he’s in a race in his brand new jeep suv, I’m in an old ass work van. I managed to keep sight of him till we got to the Lincoln tunnel before he just disappeared. When I finally got through the tunnel I had no fucking idea where to go. It was the early days of smartphones and Google maps was just useless inside the city. It took me a few hours to get to this guy’s apartment. Trying to figure out the city with all the traffic was stressful as fuck. Finally somehow find my way to the apartment and this asshole starts berating me.
I should have called him a stupid asshole but being a shy anxious 19 year old I just apologized and took it.
The few times I have had to drive in NYC - just drive like you’re playing Mario cart, the rules only exist for people who follow them, and from my experience, no one does.
So a tourist who only went to Manhattan (20 years ago probably) has a relevant opinion.
Do you have anything relevant to add to the discussion, or are you just here to make assumptions about people?
Counterpoint:
I live in a suburb to the north. This week I drove in for a concert at Radio City. There was traffic and crowds. Those are expected in a city. An app provided a method to secure a parking spot before I left home. At the show, we met several folks that had traveled large distances to attend. After, the street crowds were celebrating the Knicks’ win with enthusiasm. We grabbed some street food and drove home on empty streets.
I find it nice to know that I am so close to so many of the world’s best museums and other cultural highlights.
Driving has trade-offs. The ability to come and go as you please vs. carefree travel. Taking what you want or being limited to what you can carry. Commuting is best by transit. Special or occasional trips are best by car.
I disagree, but respectfully. I’m glad driving in the city has been less stressful for you, but even for special occasions, I always opt for the train. I usually bring a bag/backpack full of water bottles, and maybe sunscreen at this time of year.
The only downside I can see is if mobility is an issue. If walking for long amounts of time is a problem, I can see preferring your own car. Otherwise, I don’t mind walking multiple blocks to get to each of the museums. Though, I do wish the museums had longer hours. Every time I’ve gone to the Museum of Natural History, I’ve felt rushed along, because it closes at 5:30 for some reason. There’s just so much cool stuff to see, and never enough time to see it all.