New York is so much bigger than Manhattan. There are quite chill neighborhoods you could live in. When you frequent touristy areas you're gonna see crazy $h*t.
This wasn’t in New York but I feel like it just proves crazy shit happens everywhere! I was at a gas station in Fresno California and a homeless man walked up to my car, grabbed the handle and got in my car while I was pumping gas. He asked me for a ride and luckily got out when I said I didn’t have time because I had work. I always wonder what tf I would’ve done if he wouldn’t get out... 😣 LOCK YOUR DOORS!
!!!!! I’ve ALWAYS locked my doors pumping gas 😂 i one time saw a video of a man steal someone’s car and I’m anal about it ever since. That’s TERRIFYING!!
I can see you looking back and reminiscing on this chapter in your life, from the comfort of a smaller safer town in your future💕enjoy the moment as much as you can
Im a college student moving back to nyc soon and I love that I’ve been able to find a community in the city that I wasn’t able to find at home. But with the thousands of college students returning to the city in the next few months i really hope safety is prioritized more for the well-being of everyone
Ok being honest it's like everywhere you go in this world.. there will be something crazy and dangerous.. But at least we can look at the beautiful side of world to not be terrified :)😅🌈
Bryant Park is my favorite park! I hope you get to see the real NYC after the pandemic. I had a guy stalk me this weekend and I had to be escorted to my car. I live in Georgia. These things happens everywhere.
Lmfaoooo I’m sorry to laugh but I grew up in NYC and it’s so true that you develop a tough skin and are wary of everyone bc there’s crazy people and homeless people everywhere. And hearing your stories from another perspective reminds me of my cousins from Orlando every time they come they get freaked out and I’m like chill out. And you remind me of them 😅 (no offense obv, but it can be scary)
My friends from here SAY THE SAME THING .. but when they are in FL jump when they see a gator or a lizard or have to drive a car 😂 I guess its all what your norm is!
@@d.2542 Crime in NYC, per capita, is lower than dozens of US cities. NYC is more than just tourist neighborhoods. There are beautiful, safe, friendly neighborhoods in EVERY borough. I’m from the south and found a place to live here that reminds me of home.
Crime happens everywhere. We lived in a small Virginia city of 99,000 and listened to the news each evening. Always a crime committed, so we now live in the countryside of Virginia. Life is slow here, definitely not a place where a vlogger could be very successful, but it's away from all of the nuts in this world. Not to get too political, but in 1980 President Jimmy Carter signed the Mental Health Systems Act which provided money to mental health centers. In 1981 President Reagan repealed it and I think that's been part of downfall of the larger cities where the mentally ill have not had help for a few decades now. Homelessness only adds to the problem.
As someone who grew up in a small town in Virginia: while it might be quieter and have less crime (though true crime podcasts and tv shows will definitely remind you it happens everywhere), some of these towns tend to have more closed-minded individuals and are unsafe for many types of people. I knew people kicked out of their homes by their parents for being gay, people targeted in racially motivated attacks, and I, personally, was told multiple times I was going to hell for being Jewish. That's why a lot of those people head to larger cities. Maybe NYC has more "nuts", but I (and many that had hard times growing up in small towns) would take it 100 times over because there's far more acceptance here for those that may be ostracized in small towns.
@@DanielleDoherty We don't watch tv/cable, only have networks we subscribe to, so we are not reminded of crime unless we go online and seek out information on it.
Laughed throughout this whole video because this is so NYC lol its wild, you're so innocent to it cause you're from the south, so it makes the stories funny. It is sad tho that it's gonna be this way for a long time. I have my bf's location on the citizen app and everyday, literally everyday, there's notification that he's near an incident. It is scary.
Thank you for this video Renee, no one talks about this things in NY, usually the stories comes from other big cities, but NY is not different from what we hear about LA for example! That is why I love small cities!
This video is interesting . I’m from here , Brooklyn . It is like that honestly . You gotta be tough to live here whether born or not born . Named the concrete jungle for a reason .
I’m 44 and I’ve lived in NYC since birth, and believe me, it’s paradise now compared to when I was a kid. Forty years ago in 1981, we had the year of most reported homicides ever. Eleven years till Southern California for my retirement…but in defense of COVID NYC, most people’s crimes are due to not having worked (or had access to mental health medication) in a year. It’s not Sex & The City here and a pet peeve of mine is when influencers try to make it so. New York is only good with Mr. Big’s money. The rest of us are peasants.
Oh sweetie I'm so sorry those things happened to you, I've never been to New York but I know it's a tough city to live in. I can see why they say "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere" I love how you can still see the good in NY as it's still amazing❤!
These are all things New Yorkers would have told you. But people love to sell the NYC vibes and the aesthetic. There’s definitely a problem with people with mental illness and homelessness here like other cities
This is the same complaint I have about people romanticizing L.A! People move to L.A, and they are shocked at how the city actually is. The cute instagrammable spot is usually surrounded by homeless people and it smells like shit and piss everywhere. When I moved out to L.A from the SoCal suburbs, I had my own rude awakening too lol I remember when I signed my lease, the manager told me not to check off the section that said that management can come inside the apartment when necessary to fix things because she said the LAPD uses that as a loophole to force entry into people's apartments when they are looking for a suspect. I've had my gamut of dangerous city experiences, from cops closing off my entire block and choppers flying overhead all night to look for a stabber hiding in one of the apartment complexes to busting down illegal gambling joint operating out of a church on my street lol I also learned that not all grocery stores are grocery stores, some are a front for the mob, the local Starbucks is not safe to go into after 8pm because mob bosses have their meetings there, and that cute cupcake place actually has a meth lab operating out the back. This is all apart from the big homelessness issue here. But living in the city, you quickly learn how to fend for yourself but you also learn how to watch out for signs of danger and the areas to steer clear of. I feel like big cities are all the same. Great opportunities in terms of work and career, even inspiration but daily life is pretty scary and sad there.
New York is more than Manhattan. Manhattan was my least favorite place to live in the city. I lived in Queens (in an area with lots of greenery and trees) and now north Brooklyn. VERY different vibes. It's more relaxing and peaceful than Manhattan.
I've been in NY so many times and I totally understand your description. In Italy, Rome, is getting really similar to NY. Ten years ago was the safest city in the world... so sad to see the city where i grow up changing for bad like this :( and now after Covid is much worst everything.. I feel also the people I know are much worst. I'm not living a happy time. I'm in the countryside at my parents place in Tuscany, feel much more happy surranded by nature. literally nature is my safety now
Moved to NYC from the south when I was 26. I moved for a job. I perfected what I call the “don’t f*** with me face” real damn quick. You HAVE to. Never look like you’re lost. Never make eye contact. Stay out of Times Square.
Totally get it! I used to live just outside LA and things got even crazier during Covid. It’s not that you felt unsafe everywhere you went, but more that you felt like you had to be on edge and never be too friendly. Being from a small town it just wasn’t what I was used to and it really drained me. I loved certain things about living there but feel like I can relax more and enjoy myself now that we’ve moved away from that area.
Everything ur saying is true! I’m from Philly, which is a few hours from NY. Whenever I visit NY, I need to mentally regroup and take a super long shower once I return home..Lol 😅 It’s..A LOT! If you wanna stay up north and live in a big city, visit Philly. I think you’ll love it!
The amount of homeless people is alarming. Here in Finland we don't see much people who sleep in doorways due to our social security system, who helps most of poor people. It's saddening to see, how many people are struggling in the big cities of the world and that politicians are doing nothing about it.
Born and raised in NY I made the decision to move to FL when I was 33 because I did not want to raise my children in NY. I have no regrets and I made the right decision. Their is crime no matter where you live BUT NY is a whole different ball game. NY is on a different level.
You moved right at the most devastating time for NYC - you literally were thrown to the wolves so to speak. I'm so glad you are giving it a second chance - but that being said, for ME and my anxiety - I would have ran far far away and never went back. Own that strength, girl! :)
Love that you share your genuine experiences! Lived in the city for 5 years and finally moved out bc of all the reasons you listed. Being on guard ALL THE TIME isn’t a great way to live.
Thanks for sharing your truth! I love NY and I want to visit and this will definitely help me have a better and more realistic perspective about the city
Honestly, Covid has changed NYC in a lot of negative ways. It is a lot less vibrant right now. That being said, a lot of what you're describing is just living in a big city. LA, Miami, Seattle, Boston, SF, Chicago are all similar. You'll eventually learn to ignore it
This was interesting I'm glad you're getting out more and seeing "the world" because I don't know how you lived in Florida and didn't see any of this stuff. Florida has the exact same kinds of people and crimes you don't remember the "zombie" and the big thing about bath salts? Before I moved to Houston I was from a small Texas town where everyone really did know your name and I never saw a homeless person at all and everyone knew who had mental illness. Even after living in Houston I wasn't prepared for LA, LOL.
Citizen definitely stresses me out whenever I visit NYC. I would wake up with 10+ alerts of crime within a couple of blocks from my friends place in Brooklyn, which always freaked me out (and I'm from Chicago). There is crime/situations everywhere, especially in big cities, but I definitely appreciate the realness with this video!
Thanks for sharing. Sadly this is not only happening in New York. All those things you talked about happen here in every capital city of Australia as well. I am 55 years old and I still get cat called and whistled at in some areas of the city. It is very frustrating and aggravating.
This is definitely terrifying. But I am grateful of this video so I know to be aware. I’m moving to NYC to start uni and this video has made me open my eye to the other side of NY that I need to pay attention to when I move ther e
Check out Sasha and Christy on YT..they're twin sisters who moved to NYC for uni last year aged 17. You'll get a much more balanced and unsensationalised view of being new to city life through them. They are very impressive young women 😊😊
If you are so scared, you should come and live in my home country Switzerland for a while because we have none of that here and you will see how boring it will get and want to go back to New York and appreciate all this craziness. When I was in New York on the subway in the 2000s, a crazy man came to me and thought I was his lawyer. He was so convinced about it. I hoped so much that I was a good lawyer to him but he seemed a bit angry at me hahaha I removed myself from this situation. At first it felt very scary because in my home country mentally il people normally get treatment so I never saw people talking to themselves or threatening others, after a few days I got used to it in New York. I watched my back a bit more. Now I am living in a small town in California and it seems to be ok here.
Love this video about the real NYC. I’m from Florida the Jacksonville area and we have a lot of homeless people every where and lots of drug addicts. I was wondering which part of Florida you’re from that you said doesn’t have any of those issues??
I have lived in Florida as a student without a car and i have faced similar problems when having to use the bus, or walk by myself alone to Publix, or used Greyhound (which as a foreign student was a cheaper option). In Florida nobody really walks around or uses public transportation and in this way you can not see the inequality, poverty and ''weird'' or mentally ill people which actually exists in every part of USA.
Agree I just think Manhattan is so small and condensed it feels like it’s happening all over yet in FL it’s more spaced out so it might not feel as overwhelming? But agree - every place has something!
@@ReneeAmberg yes, I think that's got a lot to do with perception and population density. Plus there are a lot of people with different backgrounds, wealth etc. it's like a microcosmo on its own. It can feel overwhelming :/
I’m in Texas and I’ve had strange things happen to me too. I was at a gas station and this lady legit tried to get me into her car at like 1 in the afternoon. And then I’m at my parents watching the news and in that area sex trafficking was very heavy. A girl I went to high school with and talk to on occasion her family just found her two states away because she was missing for about two weeks and she was sex trafficked. It’s just so crazy. I’m glad you are staying safe 💜
I completely agree with you. NYC has felt a lot less safe since the pandemic I think largely due to the fact that a lot of people have moved out of the city, leaving the dangerous, drugged out, and/or mentally ill much more apparent. Sure all large cities deal with similar issues, but I don’t think other cities emptied out during the pandemic the same way NYC did. Thanks for posting this content as well as the beautiful parts of living in the city. Stay safe!
As a tourist, I didn't feel like NYC was romanticised even half as badly as LA. Descriptions and portrayals of NYC almost always pointed out that even though it's an amazing cultural melting pot, it also a big dangerous city whereas I hardly ever heard anything bad about LA. When I visited LA I had the worst culture shock; aside from Beverly Hills it was nothing like it's talked up to be
LA is more than just downtown, SM, etc. If you didn’t visit Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, etc then you didn’t experience the real LA. Also, LA is nice because of the road trips available to you not too far from the city
I really love that you’re being so honest with us. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! I’ve never been to New York but I think I kind of know what you’re talking about. I live in Berlin and even though the city isn’t 100% comparable, I still feel you. I love this city so so much and I’m extremely thankful for being able to live here, but still there are quite a few things that scare me on an almost everyday basis. People being drunk all the time, screaming on the street, drug addicts, catcalling, you name it. But on the other hand: So much diversity, amazing food places, absolutely stunning architecture and many other awesome things. But I don’t think that developing a thick skin is the answer to everything. I mean where is the empathy and the compassion? Some of us are just not as confident, brave and tough as others and I don’t think that should make it any harder for us to live in big cities. I think the generally missing compassion and moral courage is much more of an issue than our "weakness". Unfortunately I can’t really offer a solution, I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. At least it felt really good hearing your words and that you feel the same.
Haha I think these are just city things! I'm in Minneapolis and could relate to a lot of the stuff you described. I absolutely love New York but it can definitely be a shock at first.
In NYC you defintely have to develop a thick skin, which you will after a while bc you become desentisized. There is at least always one crazy person on the subway, try to avoid any eye contact and subtly remove yourself. We've all been involved in crazy situations at some point being verbally or even physicaly attacked. I don't know how crazy it became after Covid bc I moved away before that. Yet, I honestly have to say that I always felt way safer in NYC than in Europe where I moved back to bc in NYC there are always people around at all times and they will stand up for you in dangerous situations, mostly if you are a woman. In my European town thats not the case and you find yourself alone in the streets late at night and cars sometimes following you, wanting to pick you up and no one being around to help. I love NYC, but the media and movies keep on romantisizing it to the point where people are actually shocked when they arrive, which clearly sucks.
To me, NYC happens twice a year on TV from the comfort of my suburban living room. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and the New Year's Eve ball drop. Oh yeah- I watch SVU and Law & Order Organized Crime:)
Thanks for the video, i know all this must be happening in this big city which makes it really creepy. Living in city with such insane crimes give me fear to relocate to NYC
Thanks for the entertaining story time! So sorry these things happened to you. I saw another comment that said it's like this everywhere you go in the world, and I'd have to agree. I grew up and live in a northern Canadian city that is literally about the tenth of the size of NYC. Even as a teenager on the bus, I would have grown ass men try and talk to me. Once as a kid, I was riding my bike down the sidewalk in the busier part of my neighbourhood, and a guy walking the opposite way (but towards me) stuck his head in my face at the last second as I passed him. I know someone who was a bouncer at a bar downtown and got shot (apparently the bar was some sort of undercover drug operation. The guy survived). I've had multiple break-ins to the homes and garages I've lived in ... I could go on. It sucks that the word is like this! But I guess the bigger the city, the bigger your chances are in running into some sketchy characters. Good for you for taking this move, and stay safe!!
Ugh thank you for this. We live in CT and I’m in the city quite often. Not only is it insanely expensive, but sooooo many people are just plain nasty. The sense comradery is non existent and I would fear that in an emergency, someone would tell me to F off rather than help me lol. I give you so much credit for living there!!!
It sounds like you learned a new skill from living in NYC. Being aware of your surroundings is important no matter where you live. I'm glad you enjoy the positives of the city. :) NYC is definitely it's own beast. :)
I live in London, England and it's the same here. It's really sad and scary sometimes but I did have to laugh when you mentioned the naked guy. If you don't sort of see the funny side sometimes it can be even more overwhelming. I think living in a big city when you didn't grow uo I one can be really hard on the mental health.
Makes New York sound like a love affair gone wrong. At first it’s all pink and then he cheats and everything turns black. Also when you look back at it after a while you only see the good parts, miss him and you want to go back 🙈 That’s basically how I see big cities 😂
I felt in New York after dark most people and tourists take Uber and lyfts and when you decide to take public transportation it's a commitment to deal with possible freaks. It's an Intense place but in Paris, London and Berlin very similar. One huge mistake would be wearing headphones and not being constantly aware of the surroundings. The best tip from René here is to keep moving remain fierce and confident and steer away if things get weird and they will at some point. The piles of garbage bags are a phenomenon in all neighborhoods wich is really strange indeed. God I miss this town. Take care
Berlin similar to New York? You must be joking. Aside from terrorism, there is not much to fear about. I lived in London many years, and London is more dangerous than Berlin, but for sure not as dangerous as New York.
@@mariaairam357 well people in Berlin got attacked with extreme violence on the public transport for random or no reasons. Of course New York is much bigger and rougher but here in Berlin things get quite edgy in parks and on the east side after dark... Anyways that's probably part of any city with population over 4 Mio.
I’ve been to NYC many times and can attest to everything you said. One of the first times I went to the city by myself I was riding the subway. This man got on a full subway car, dropped his pants and started peeing. I’ve never seen a subway car empty as quick as that one did at the next stop! 🤣 Still my favorite city though!
You should be mindful of saying “these people are on drugs”. Mental health is very real, some people are on drugs but others are struggling severely, mentally. I understand you’re from a suburban area, and may be more ignorant to these things which is understandable but in a city like new york, you have people from all walks of life that may not have had access to the same resources you have. Not an excuse for bad behavior but sometimes it’s not just drugs and it also does not make them “crazy” just mentally unwell. Just a thought. :)
Well, that's a really interesting video :) And a side really almost nobody talks about, so thank you. I still want to visit NCY hopefully but this is good to know I guess
Why did you renew your lease? I feel anxious for you. I could not live there. I lived in a bad suburb for 2 years and you don’t realise how badly it affects your mental health. I stopped going outside.
I truly agree with you and I feel how you feel ,anxiety on 100.I live in queens by and it's the nice area ,but once you step into the other boroughs I see everything you are explaining ,everyone wants to come to ny ,I live in ny and dont care to enter manhattan to sight see. I feel its always the person that's minding thier business that gets into something crazy for no reason .I love your vlogs by the way 😘
I think people always love the idea of living in nyc because of the aesthetic of living in the city.. but the cons is so real (people | finance etc.) and people don't realise that nowadays
There’s crime everywhere. You should watch Home Alone 2, Lost in NY 😂 . As a New Yorker born and raised, I understand your from a totally different state and environment. You came during the beginning of the pandemic and everything it’s practically opening up now, so you can explore other parts of NY not just Manhattan lol. Covid definitely had a bad impact on NY, financially and peoples mental health. NY is not all glitz and glam everyday ,but it’s the place everyone wants to come too. Toughen up some and you’ll be okay lol.
Midtown is definitely more like that. I have been living in the UES for a long time now and I have never felt unsafe. But have definitely felt like that more often in Times square are and midtown in general, although my office is in midtown east and that area is pretty nice in some parts.
God girl this sounds similar to LA, definitely not as hectic but sooo many homeless people, drugged out, city smells like hot garbage it's just.. yikes. Granted it's also beautiful but there is definitely an ugly side to every major city
Your observations are correct. I was born and raised in Queens and the pandemic has definitely brought out the mentally ill people like never before. Part of it was the homeless people who got moved into hotels around the city and the other piece of it is that they can get away with these types of crimes because there are far less cops and no more crowds where people could jump in prevent them from committing their crimes. It was definitely much safer pre-covid when the city was full of people and cops.
I've been to NYC many times (pre-covid) and had no problems whatsoever. However, perhaps I'm just used to big city living as I lived in downtown Toronto for many years and have noticed these things that you have mentioned too.....I generally try to avoid Times Square as well as there's nothing I truly need there unless I was going to a broadway show. Although "Carmines ~ the Italian restaurant" is really good...but there's one in the Upper West Side too. I don't understand why there can't be huge garbage containers for each apartment building & houses for the residents. We have those in Toronto.....and it definitely helps. The pee smell definitely is gross but again in many big cities with large homeless population it happens. I think as you live in NYC longer you'll get used to all these things.
I 100% agree with you. I moved to NYC from Canada and while the city has a lot to be romanticized, NYC is one of the least safe cities (based on how I feel) that I've visited. Definitely take care of yourself, there are a lot of crazy people in the city.
London was the exact same, since moving back out to Northern Ireland I genuinely feel like I can relax walking down the street, the energy feels so much lighter, people are so much happier. The lifestyle of cities 100% is for some people, it allows some people to thrive - the hustle and bustle, not wanting to know your neighbours etc but I'm from a small town and love this slower life so I'm glad to be home, the rent on a 1 bed was 4x our current mortgage on a 3 bed, we grow veg in the garden, go to the beach and forests, we know all our neighbours etc - we still have so much fun and there's still everything we made use of in London (restaurants/bars) but with that lighter energy and less busy lifestyle. Everyone is so different and some acc love busy cities but I agree, people joke about London and these things but I genuinely think it's affecting a lot of peoples mental health and they don't even realise! I do think it's good life experience to get out and live in a different environment, you definitely learn a lot!
I’m from a cozy little Indiana suburb outside of Indianapolis where people are sweet and friendly for the most part and just moved to New Jersey 7 months ago. I often visit the city and yeah, I agree with you. I was sooo excited to live just 15 mins from NYC but now here for a bit I’m not a fan either. It’s just a big city with rude people. There’s a lot to do which is really great but agree with you about the crazy people and dirty atmosphere. Stay safe & strong / much love Renee ❤️💪🏻
omg these stories you have experienced is crazy, the one of the guy in bryant park.... thats so scary, ive had a few situations that were scary and weird but not as bad as these, the world is a crazy place
Its The authenticity and the editing for me
I’ve lived in NYC all my life and you really just become numb to everything. People also fail to realize that NYC is not just Manhattan too!
@coco marineblu yeah, it's like visiting Disneyworld and being like this is what Florida is like.
YEP
It was pretty unsafe outside of Manhattan regardless too, I would say Manhattan was the safe bit. Plus, becoming “numb” is if anything, upsetting.
New York is so much bigger than Manhattan. There are quite chill neighborhoods you could live in. When you frequent touristy areas you're gonna see crazy $h*t.
This sounds like big city problems not only NyC. Seattle, San Francisco, Portland,...have very similar issues.
This is why I follow Renee, great (REAL!) stories/content! Keep IT up!
This wasn’t in New York but I feel like it just proves crazy shit happens everywhere! I was at a gas station in Fresno California and a homeless man walked up to my car, grabbed the handle and got in my car while I was pumping gas. He asked me for a ride and luckily got out when I said I didn’t have time because I had work. I always wonder what tf I would’ve done if he wouldn’t get out... 😣 LOCK YOUR DOORS!
!!!!! I’ve ALWAYS locked my doors pumping gas 😂 i one time saw a video of a man steal someone’s car and I’m anal about it ever since. That’s TERRIFYING!!
I can see you looking back and reminiscing on this chapter in your life, from the comfort of a smaller safer town in your future💕enjoy the moment as much as you can
Haha same!
Im a college student moving back to nyc soon and I love that I’ve been able to find a community in the city that I wasn’t able to find at home. But with the thousands of college students returning to the city in the next few months i really hope safety is prioritized more for the well-being of everyone
Ok being honest it's like everywhere you go in this world.. there will be something crazy and dangerous..
But at least we can look at the beautiful side of world to not be terrified :)😅🌈
Maybe city life isn’t for you. This is a problem all over the country and the world.
ok ashley
Bryant Park is my favorite park! I hope you get to see the real NYC after the pandemic.
I had a guy stalk me this weekend and I had to be escorted to my car. I live in Georgia. These things happens everywhere.
Your videos make my mornings so much better 🤍 I grab a cup of coffee, start working, and watch them as I go along, thank you.
Couldn’t agree more, safety in the city is difficult but the optimism is important!
The catcalling does seem draining, I’d be so annoyed as a woman in the city
Lmfaoooo I’m sorry to laugh but I grew up in NYC and it’s so true that you develop a tough skin and are wary of everyone bc there’s crazy people and homeless people everywhere. And hearing your stories from another perspective reminds me of my cousins from Orlando every time they come they get freaked out and I’m like chill out. And you remind me of them 😅 (no offense obv, but it can be scary)
My friends from here SAY THE SAME THING .. but when they are in FL jump when they see a gator or a lizard or have to drive a car 😂 I guess its all what your norm is!
It’s because you got immuned to living in a scary unsafe city. It’s quite fucked up
It should be scary this is not normal or okay !
@@d.2542 Crime in NYC, per capita, is lower than dozens of US cities. NYC is more than just tourist neighborhoods. There are beautiful, safe, friendly neighborhoods in EVERY borough. I’m from the south and found a place to live here that reminds me of home.
@@d.2542 well when its all you know then yes. especially if all you know is small town suburbia also.
Crime happens everywhere. We lived in a small Virginia city of 99,000 and listened to the news each evening. Always a crime committed, so we now live in the countryside of Virginia. Life is slow here, definitely not a place where a vlogger could be very successful, but it's away from all of the nuts in this world. Not to get too political, but in 1980 President Jimmy Carter signed the Mental Health Systems Act which provided money to mental health centers. In 1981 President Reagan repealed it and I think that's been part of downfall of the larger cities where the mentally ill have not had help for a few decades now. Homelessness only adds to the problem.
Don't listen to MSM, they are liars. Better to check information by yourself and connecting dots.
As someone who grew up in a small town in Virginia: while it might be quieter and have less crime (though true crime podcasts and tv shows will definitely remind you it happens everywhere), some of these towns tend to have more closed-minded individuals and are unsafe for many types of people. I knew people kicked out of their homes by their parents for being gay, people targeted in racially motivated attacks, and I, personally, was told multiple times I was going to hell for being Jewish. That's why a lot of those people head to larger cities. Maybe NYC has more "nuts", but I (and many that had hard times growing up in small towns) would take it 100 times over because there's far more acceptance here for those that may be ostracized in small towns.
@@DanielleDoherty We don't watch tv/cable, only have networks we subscribe to, so we are not reminded of crime unless we go online and seek out information on it.
I love the authenticity of your channel Renee!! You have a Beautiful Soul
thank you 🥰
Good descriptions. Now I’m homesick lol. I grew up on Long Island and lived in Queens for a few years before moving to the Midwest
Laughed throughout this whole video because this is so NYC lol its wild, you're so innocent to it cause you're from the south, so it makes the stories funny. It is sad tho that it's gonna be this way for a long time. I have my bf's location on the citizen app and everyday, literally everyday, there's notification that he's near an incident. It is scary.
Honestly all that you've mentioned happens in EVERY big city.
100%, I've witnessed all of things that she mentioned in my city
Agree. I live in Chicago, I’ll say no more 😳
Sounds just like San Francisco
So true
I witness this shit on the daily in KC
Thank you for this video Renee, no one talks about this things in NY, usually the stories comes from other big cities, but NY is not different from what we hear about LA for example! That is why I love small cities!
The morale among the police there is at a all time low it’s no wonder when the mayor doesn’t support his officers 👮♀️
This video is interesting . I’m from here , Brooklyn . It is like that honestly . You gotta be tough to live here whether born or not born . Named the concrete jungle for a reason .
I’m 44 and I’ve lived in NYC since birth, and believe me, it’s paradise now compared to when I was a kid. Forty years ago in 1981, we had the year of most reported homicides ever. Eleven years till Southern California for my retirement…but in defense of COVID NYC, most people’s crimes are due to not having worked (or had access to mental health medication) in a year. It’s not Sex & The City here and a pet peeve of mine is when influencers try to make it so. New York is only good with Mr. Big’s money. The rest of us are peasants.
It’s not paridice it’s hell on earth to have to live like that
@@debrafirestone861 and that’s to say nothing of how dirty it is here!
Oh sweetie I'm so sorry those things happened to you, I've never been to New York but I know it's a tough city to live in. I can see why they say "if you can make it here you can make it anywhere" I love how you can still see the good in NY as it's still amazing❤!
These are all things New Yorkers would have told you. But people love to sell the NYC vibes and the aesthetic. There’s definitely a problem with people with mental illness and homelessness here like other cities
stopped an old renee video to watch a new one. if that isn’t a vibe i don’t know what is
haha ILY
This is the same complaint I have about people romanticizing L.A! People move to L.A, and they are shocked at how the city actually is. The cute instagrammable spot is usually surrounded by homeless people and it smells like shit and piss everywhere. When I moved out to L.A from the SoCal suburbs, I had my own rude awakening too lol I remember when I signed my lease, the manager told me not to check off the section that said that management can come inside the apartment when necessary to fix things because she said the LAPD uses that as a loophole to force entry into people's apartments when they are looking for a suspect. I've had my gamut of dangerous city experiences, from cops closing off my entire block and choppers flying overhead all night to look for a stabber hiding in one of the apartment complexes to busting down illegal gambling joint operating out of a church on my street lol I also learned that not all grocery stores are grocery stores, some are a front for the mob, the local Starbucks is not safe to go into after 8pm because mob bosses have their meetings there, and that cute cupcake place actually has a meth lab operating out the back. This is all apart from the big homelessness issue here. But living in the city, you quickly learn how to fend for yourself but you also learn how to watch out for signs of danger and the areas to steer clear of. I feel like big cities are all the same. Great opportunities in terms of work and career, even inspiration but daily life is pretty scary and sad there.
it used to be an arrest-able offense to pee in the street in nyc, but the current mayor removed that legislation, then the problem got a lot worse.
WHAT!! I didn't know that
New York is more than Manhattan. Manhattan was my least favorite place to live in the city. I lived in Queens (in an area with lots of greenery and trees) and now north Brooklyn. VERY different vibes. It's more relaxing and peaceful than Manhattan.
Good point that many people dont realize
I've been in NY so many times and I totally understand your description. In Italy, Rome, is getting really similar to NY. Ten years ago was the safest city in the world... so sad to see the city where i grow up changing for bad like this :( and now after Covid is much worst everything.. I feel also the people I know are much worst. I'm not living a happy time. I'm in the countryside at my parents place in Tuscany, feel much more happy surranded by nature. literally nature is my safety now
Nice to see and hear what's life looks like in this part of US. Thanks for video. Best wishes from Serbia/Europe.
Thank you for making this vid....young girls/guys..hell anyone needs to know this about NYC.
Moved to NYC from the south when I was 26. I moved for a job. I perfected what I call the “don’t f*** with me face” real damn quick. You HAVE to. Never look like you’re lost. Never make eye contact. Stay out of Times Square.
This is random but your eyes are soo beautiful, I constantly needed to rewind to keep up with what you're saying cause I was staring at your eyes lol
Totally get it! I used to live just outside LA and things got even crazier during Covid. It’s not that you felt unsafe everywhere you went, but more that you felt like you had to be on edge and never be too friendly. Being from a small town it just wasn’t what I was used to and it really drained me. I loved certain things about living there but feel like I can relax more and enjoy myself now that we’ve moved away from that area.
Thankyou for speaking on these things
Everything ur saying is true! I’m from Philly, which is a few hours from NY. Whenever I visit NY, I need to mentally regroup and take a super long shower once I return home..Lol 😅 It’s..A LOT! If you wanna stay up north and live in a big city, visit Philly. I think you’ll love it!
My dads form philly and one of my close long time friend lives there - it def has a special place in my heart :) I’ve visited a few times
Yessss girl the thumbnails is amazing yuppp I'm obsessed with your channel and you are sweetheart and you are gorgeous
The amount of homeless people is alarming. Here in Finland we don't see much people who sleep in doorways due to our social security system, who helps most of poor people. It's saddening to see, how many people are struggling in the big cities of the world and that politicians are doing nothing about it.
Finland should be so proud! I read about it! Xo
Im from Turkey Alanya and I never saw a homeless person here...
Born and raised in NY I made the decision to move to FL when I was 33 because I did not want to raise my children in NY. I have no regrets and I made the right decision. Their is crime no matter where you live BUT NY is a whole different ball game. NY is on a different level.
Wow could you please make more videos about the reality of living in NYC? Its so interesting and enlightening
You moved right at the most devastating time for NYC - you literally were thrown to the wolves so to speak. I'm so glad you are giving it a second chance - but that being said, for ME and my anxiety - I would have ran far far away and never went back. Own that strength, girl! :)
lmao thank you!! Haha
Love that you share your genuine experiences! Lived in the city for 5 years and finally moved out bc of all the reasons you listed. Being on guard ALL THE TIME isn’t a great way to live.
Thanks for sharing your truth! I love NY and I want to visit and this will definitely help me have a better and more realistic perspective about the city
New York City is not for the faint hearted. It's tough but rewarding
THIS is v true!
I would not want to be a part of crime that is going on rhete
It’s not worth it to me
Honestly, Covid has changed NYC in a lot of negative ways. It is a lot less vibrant right now. That being said, a lot of what you're describing is just living in a big city. LA, Miami, Seattle, Boston, SF, Chicago are all similar. You'll eventually learn to ignore it
Funny how all those places you mentioned are run by Democrat leaders. Think about that for a minute…
This was interesting I'm glad you're getting out more and seeing "the world" because I don't know how you lived in Florida and didn't see any of this stuff. Florida has the exact same kinds of people and crimes you don't remember the "zombie" and the big thing about bath salts? Before I moved to Houston I was from a small Texas town where everyone really did know your name and I never saw a homeless person at all and everyone knew who had mental illness. Even after living in Houston I wasn't prepared for LA, LOL.
Citizen definitely stresses me out whenever I visit NYC. I would wake up with 10+ alerts of crime within a couple of blocks from my friends place in Brooklyn, which always freaked me out (and I'm from Chicago). There is crime/situations everywhere, especially in big cities, but I definitely appreciate the realness with this video!
Thanks for sharing. Sadly this is not only happening in New York. All those things you talked about happen here in every capital city of Australia as well.
I am 55 years old and I still get cat called and whistled at in some areas of the city. It is very frustrating and aggravating.
This is definitely terrifying. But I am grateful of this video so I know to be aware. I’m moving to NYC to start uni and this video has made me open my eye to the other side of NY that I need to pay attention to when I move ther e
Check out Sasha and Christy on YT..they're twin sisters who moved to NYC for uni last year aged 17.
You'll get a much more balanced and unsensationalised view of being new to city life through them. They are very impressive young women 😊😊
My principle beef with NYC is that I cannot wear my jeans 2 or 3 times without washing.
Lmfaooooooo but true
Oh what a shame you can’t be serious
@@debrafirestone861 Serious is the operative word here 😂😂😂
If you are so scared, you should come and live in my home country Switzerland for a while because we have none of that here and you will see how boring it will get and want to go back to New York and appreciate all this craziness. When I was in New York on the subway in the 2000s, a crazy man came to me and thought I was his lawyer. He was so convinced about it. I hoped so much that I was a good lawyer to him but he seemed a bit angry at me hahaha I removed myself from this situation. At first it felt very scary because in my home country mentally il people normally get treatment so I never saw people talking to themselves or threatening others, after a few days I got used to it in New York. I watched my back a bit more. Now I am living in a small town in California and it seems to be ok here.
Love this video about the real NYC. I’m from Florida the Jacksonville area and we have a lot of homeless people every where and lots of drug addicts. I was wondering which part of Florida you’re from that you said doesn’t have any of those issues??
I didn't grow up in the city I grew up in the suburbs :) by the bay
@@ReneeAmberg Miami is pretty scary too !
you pretty much described the worst of it. this is life as a new yorker! sending you so much love
I have lived in Florida as a student without a car and i have faced similar problems when having to use the bus, or walk by myself alone to Publix, or used Greyhound (which as a foreign student was a cheaper option). In Florida nobody really walks around or uses public transportation and in this way you can not see the inequality, poverty and ''weird'' or mentally ill people which actually exists in every part of USA.
Its actually not surprising with most big cities....theres danger every where even Florida. Many shootings happening in Florida right now.
exactly lol
Agree I just think Manhattan is so small and condensed it feels like it’s happening all over yet in FL it’s more spaced out so it might not feel as overwhelming? But agree - every place has something!
@@ReneeAmberg yes, I think that's got a lot to do with perception and population density. Plus there are a lot of people with different backgrounds, wealth etc. it's like a microcosmo on its own. It can feel overwhelming :/
90% of crime shows I watch are all about murderers in Florida.
I’m in Texas and I’ve had strange things happen to me too. I was at a gas station and this lady legit tried to get me into her car at like 1 in the afternoon. And then I’m at my parents watching the news and in that area sex trafficking was very heavy. A girl I went to high school with and talk to on occasion her family just found her two states away because she was missing for about two weeks and she was sex trafficked. It’s just so crazy. I’m glad you are staying safe 💜
I completely agree with you. NYC has felt a lot less safe since the pandemic I think largely due to the fact that a lot of people have moved out of the city, leaving the dangerous, drugged out, and/or mentally ill much more apparent. Sure all large cities deal with similar issues, but I don’t think other cities emptied out during the pandemic the same way NYC did. Thanks for posting this content as well as the beautiful parts of living in the city. Stay safe!
As a tourist, I didn't feel like NYC was romanticised even half as badly as LA. Descriptions and portrayals of NYC almost always pointed out that even though it's an amazing cultural melting pot, it also a big dangerous city whereas I hardly ever heard anything bad about LA. When I visited LA I had the worst culture shock; aside from Beverly Hills it was nothing like it's talked up to be
LA is UGLY af
@@shirtyou6536 yeah never heard a city say “wealth disparity” so loudly
LA is more than just downtown, SM, etc. If you didn’t visit Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, etc then you didn’t experience the real LA. Also, LA is nice because of the road trips available to you not too far from the city
I really love that you’re being so honest with us. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! I’ve never been to New York but I think I kind of know what you’re talking about. I live in Berlin and even though the city isn’t 100% comparable, I still feel you. I love this city so so much and I’m extremely thankful for being able to live here, but still there are quite a few things that scare me on an almost everyday basis. People being drunk all the time, screaming on the street, drug addicts, catcalling, you name it. But on the other hand: So much diversity, amazing food places, absolutely stunning architecture and many other awesome things. But I don’t think that developing a thick skin is the answer to everything. I mean where is the empathy and the compassion? Some of us are just not as confident, brave and tough as others and I don’t think that should make it any harder for us to live in big cities. I think the generally missing compassion and moral courage is much more of an issue than our "weakness". Unfortunately I can’t really offer a solution, I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. At least it felt really good hearing your words and that you feel the same.
loved this. thank you.
Haha I think these are just city things! I'm in Minneapolis and could relate to a lot of the stuff you described. I absolutely love New York but it can definitely be a shock at first.
In NYC you defintely have to develop a thick skin, which you will after a while bc you become desentisized. There is at least always one crazy person on the subway, try to avoid any eye contact and subtly remove yourself. We've all been involved in crazy situations at some point being verbally or even physicaly attacked. I don't know how crazy it became after Covid bc I moved away before that. Yet, I honestly have to say that I always felt way safer in NYC than in Europe where I moved back to bc in NYC there are always people around at all times and they will stand up for you in dangerous situations, mostly if you are a woman. In my European town thats not the case and you find yourself alone in the streets late at night and cars sometimes following you, wanting to pick you up and no one being around to help. I love NYC, but the media and movies keep on romantisizing it to the point where people are actually shocked when they arrive, which clearly sucks.
What lol? I've lived in both Europe and NYC and this is far from the truth.
To me, NYC happens twice a year on TV from the comfort of my suburban living room. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and the New Year's Eve ball drop. Oh yeah- I watch SVU and Law & Order Organized Crime:)
This is how I felt about Vegas when I first moved here, but after almost two years, you learn to just expect the crazy.
Have a good day or night!
Thanks for the video, i know all this must be happening in this big city which makes it really creepy. Living in city with such insane crimes give me fear to relocate to NYC
Thanks for the entertaining story time! So sorry these things happened to you. I saw another comment that said it's like this everywhere you go in the world, and I'd have to agree. I grew up and live in a northern Canadian city that is literally about the tenth of the size of NYC. Even as a teenager on the bus, I would have grown ass men try and talk to me. Once as a kid, I was riding my bike down the sidewalk in the busier part of my neighbourhood, and a guy walking the opposite way (but towards me) stuck his head in my face at the last second as I passed him. I know someone who was a bouncer at a bar downtown and got shot (apparently the bar was some sort of undercover drug operation. The guy survived). I've had multiple break-ins to the homes and garages I've lived in ... I could go on. It sucks that the word is like this! But I guess the bigger the city, the bigger your chances are in running into some sketchy characters. Good for you for taking this move, and stay safe!!
girl, take a train upstate and explore the rest of the state!!!
Ugh thank you for this. We live in CT and I’m in the city quite often. Not only is it insanely expensive, but sooooo many people are just plain nasty. The sense comradery is non existent and I would fear that in an emergency, someone would tell me to F off rather than help me lol. I give you so much credit for living there!!!
It sounds like you learned a new skill from living in NYC. Being aware of your surroundings is important no matter where you live. I'm glad you enjoy the positives of the city. :) NYC is definitely it's own beast. :)
I live in London, England and it's the same here. It's really sad and scary sometimes but I did have to laugh when you mentioned the naked guy. If you don't sort of see the funny side sometimes it can be even more overwhelming. I think living in a big city when you didn't grow uo I one can be really hard on the mental health.
Makes New York sound like a love affair gone wrong. At first it’s all pink and then he cheats and everything turns black. Also when you look back at it after a while you only see the good parts, miss him and you want to go back 🙈 That’s basically how I see big cities 😂
I’m from NY … thanks for making this video. It’s sooo true
Oh.. my god… that would be such a devastating environment for my introvertedness and anxiety 😥
lmao my struggle but I try to think that I'm growing from it all and building a backbone haha
@@ReneeAmberg lol yes definitely dropping you in the deep end situation 😂
I felt in New York after dark most people and tourists take Uber and lyfts and when you decide to take public transportation it's a commitment to deal with possible freaks. It's an Intense place but in Paris, London and Berlin very similar. One huge mistake would be wearing headphones and not being constantly aware of the surroundings. The best tip from René here is to keep moving remain fierce and confident and steer away if things get weird and they will at some point. The piles of garbage bags are a phenomenon in all neighborhoods wich is really strange indeed. God I miss this town. Take care
Berlin similar to New York? You must be joking. Aside from terrorism, there is not much to fear about. I lived in London many years, and London is more dangerous than Berlin, but for sure not as dangerous as New York.
@@mariaairam357 well people in Berlin got attacked with extreme violence on the public transport for random or no reasons. Of course New York is much bigger and rougher but here in Berlin things get quite edgy in parks and on the east side after dark... Anyways that's probably part of any city with population over 4 Mio.
Yes I love the real ness! 💛
I’ve been to NYC many times and can attest to everything you said. One of the first times I went to the city by myself I was riding the subway. This man got on a full subway car, dropped his pants and started peeing. I’ve never seen a subway car empty as quick as that one did at the next stop! 🤣 Still my favorite city though!
!!!! What. The . Actual . Fuck
You should be mindful of saying “these people are on drugs”. Mental health is very real, some people are on drugs but others are struggling severely, mentally. I understand you’re from a suburban area, and may be more ignorant to these things which is understandable but in a city like new york, you have people from all walks of life that may not have had access to the same resources you have. Not an excuse for bad behavior but sometimes it’s not just drugs and it also does not make them “crazy” just mentally unwell. Just a thought. :)
You had me at the thumbnail
Well, that's a really interesting video :) And a side really almost nobody talks about, so thank you. I still want to visit NCY hopefully but this is good to know I guess
Why did you renew your lease? I feel anxious for you. I could not live there. I lived in a bad suburb for 2 years and you don’t realise how badly it affects your mental health. I stopped going outside.
I truly agree with you and I feel how you feel ,anxiety on 100.I live in queens by and it's the nice area ,but once you step into the other boroughs I see everything you are explaining ,everyone wants to come to ny ,I live in ny and dont care to enter manhattan to sight see. I feel its always the person that's minding thier business that gets into something crazy for no reason .I love your vlogs by the way 😘
I feel like this is also true in downtown LA. Im from Tampa (born and raised) and I was not ready for LA. I lived there for a year and moved back.
No way I'd walk around NYC these days, as a woman, without a weapon. Maybe even as a man.
I think people always love the idea of living in nyc because of the aesthetic of living in the city.. but the cons is so real (people | finance etc.) and people don't realise that nowadays
There’s crime everywhere. You should watch Home Alone 2, Lost in NY 😂 . As a New Yorker born and raised, I understand your from a totally different state and environment. You came during the beginning of the pandemic and everything it’s practically opening up now, so you can explore other parts of NY not just Manhattan lol. Covid definitely had a bad impact on NY, financially and peoples mental health. NY is not all glitz and glam everyday ,but it’s the place everyone wants to come too. Toughen up some and you’ll be okay lol.
Midtown is definitely more like that. I have been living in the UES for a long time now and I have never felt unsafe. But have definitely felt like that more often in Times square are and midtown in general, although my office is in midtown east and that area is pretty nice in some parts.
God girl this sounds similar to LA, definitely not as hectic but sooo many homeless people, drugged out, city smells like hot garbage it's just.. yikes. Granted it's also beautiful but there is definitely an ugly side to every major city
Grew up here and i can say this is 100% true. First time i could relate lol
Your observations are correct. I was born and raised in Queens and the pandemic has definitely brought out the mentally ill people like never before. Part of it was the homeless people who got moved into hotels around the city and the other piece of it is that they can get away with these types of crimes because there are far less cops and no more crowds where people could jump in prevent them from committing their crimes. It was definitely much safer pre-covid when the city was full of people and cops.
I've been to NYC many times (pre-covid) and had no problems whatsoever. However, perhaps I'm just used to big city living as I lived in downtown Toronto for many years and have noticed these things that you have mentioned too.....I generally try to avoid Times Square as well as there's nothing I truly need there unless I was going to a broadway show. Although "Carmines ~ the Italian restaurant" is really good...but there's one in the Upper West Side too. I don't understand why there can't be huge garbage containers for each apartment building & houses for the residents. We have those in Toronto.....and it definitely helps. The pee smell definitely is gross but again in many big cities with large homeless population it happens. I think as you live in NYC longer you'll get used to all these things.
I 100% agree with you. I moved to NYC from Canada and while the city has a lot to be romanticized, NYC is one of the least safe cities (based on how I feel) that I've visited. Definitely take care of yourself, there are a lot of crazy people in the city.
People are crazy everywhere.
I am really glad to see you happy again
London was the exact same, since moving back out to Northern Ireland I genuinely feel like I can relax walking down the street, the energy feels so much lighter, people are so much happier. The lifestyle of cities 100% is for some people, it allows some people to thrive - the hustle and bustle, not wanting to know your neighbours etc but I'm from a small town and love this slower life so I'm glad to be home, the rent on a 1 bed was 4x our current mortgage on a 3 bed, we grow veg in the garden, go to the beach and forests, we know all our neighbours etc - we still have so much fun and there's still everything we made use of in London (restaurants/bars) but with that lighter energy and less busy lifestyle.
Everyone is so different and some acc love busy cities but I agree, people joke about London and these things but I genuinely think it's affecting a lot of peoples mental health and they don't even realise!
I do think it's good life experience to get out and live in a different environment, you definitely learn a lot!
I’m from a cozy little Indiana suburb outside of Indianapolis where people are sweet and friendly for the most part and just moved to New Jersey 7 months ago. I often visit the city and yeah, I agree with you. I was sooo excited to live just 15 mins from NYC but now here for a bit I’m not a fan either. It’s just a big city with rude people. There’s a lot to do which is really great but agree with you about the crazy people and dirty atmosphere. Stay safe & strong / much love Renee ❤️💪🏻
omg these stories you have experienced is crazy, the one of the guy in bryant park.... thats so scary, ive had a few situations that were scary and weird but not as bad as these, the world is a crazy place
It's not called the concrete jungle for nothing.