Last updated: October 14, 2023
I’ve been back in New York City for a few days now.
I had prepared to see the worst: boarded up blocks, homeless riots, and deserted streets.
But it is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
NYC feels alive and exciting after six months away.
It definitely isn’t the city that it was. But it’s also not dead (yet).
What I’ve Seen and Heard
Here’s what I’ve seen and heard around my neighborhood:
Several moped-looking scooters, illegal and unregistered, zipping down bike lanes.
I want one immediately.
Catching a glimpse of the Empire State Building for the first time in six months.
I smiled wide.
Same for 1 World Trade.
Hello, old skyline friend.
More shops are still open than not. My favorite massage center is still open, as are many others.
I’ll go soon. My shoulders are tight.
Closures
Yes, there are closures.
Two of my favorite restaurants closed forever: Hu Kitchen on 5th Ave, and The Meatball Shop location on Greenwich Ave.
More Quiet
Mornings and afternoons feel quiet. There’s less traffic and less people out.
But then I walked home through the Village on Friday night, down Greenwich Avenue and left on West 10th Street…
Outdoor dining rooms spilled into the sidewalks and road.
Nearly every table was full.
People were smiling and laughing. I couldn’t believe it. It was a foreign experience in the best way.
Masks
Almost everyone wears a mask on the street.
And if they aren’t wearing it, they’ve got it in their hand or pulled down on their neck.
I thought that having to wear a mask all the time outside would be annoying. But seeing others wear them makes me feel safe.
I got used to wearing mine after the second day.
Parks are full of people. Sitting, talking, busking, laughing. As busy as they ever were.
It’s not all great news, though.
Restaurant Prices
Restaurant prices have increased. That surprised me.
My favorite salad in the neighborhood, formerly $15, is now $19.
Friends tell me that $28 is a very normal price for a pizza delivery these days.
“Things seem to have gone up by 20% or more at most places.”
Homelessness
There are more homeless people in certain areas.
The northeast corner of Washington Square Park, known to locals as the most sketchy area, has doubled or tripled in regular occupants and size.
SCENE: A guy carrying a cooler walks by me in Washington Square Park and calls out loudly, to nobody in particular: “$2 shots? $2 shots here! And I got White Claws for $5!”
Other Things
Everyone dislikes our mayor, Bill de Blasio.
“Before, there was a willful indifference. Now even the liberal left hates him.”
It feels like some teenagers are a little more wild than usual.
Riding skateboards down 6th Avenue against traffic, being loud, and acting out in high-traffic park areas.
But I can’t blame them. I’d probably do the same.
(Actually, I rode my scooter a block against traffic today, so, whoops.)
Same-day car rental is nearly impossible on weekends. You have to reserve at least a week in advance if you want to drive out of the city.
Meeting People
Someone told me that it is a lot harder to be social now.
“I’ve found it difficult to find access points for hanging out.”
The activities, meetups, bar gatherings, shows, and events that make NYC amazing are still gone or hard to find.
And yet…
Friends and Food
Last night I hung out with friends and we talked about business and investing.
They shared with me one of the most ambitious creative and economic projects I’ve heard in months.
I saw my friend Charles and we laughed like old times. We all had a big picnic in the park.
Then I had a spontaneous lamb burger at Mamoun’s with a friend-of-a-friend who told me about machine learning and innovations in customer service software.
Conclusion
It feels great to be back.
I’m writing notes in my notebook again, like these.
New York City is not as dead as I expected.
I missed this city living.
My Favorite Things in NYC
- The Best Picnic Spot in Central Park is Sheep Meadow
- Shu Jiao Fu Zhou: The Best Cheap Dumplings in NYC
- Tennis in Grand Central: My Review of Vanderbilt Tennis
- First Aid and CPR Workshop in NYC
Custom illustrations for Nick Gray (that’s me!) by Fru Pinter.