Hey guys, and welcome to Cool Vision! In this video, we’re going to be talking about New York City. Some call it the least American city, and no wonder—55% of households don’t have a car here. It’s the most popular city in the U.S. with a population of 8.8 million, and 20 million people live in the metro area. Let’s learn more about New York.
New York City is situated on a large natural harbor composed of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and, of course, Manhattan. Two blocks down and take a right—”a block” has a literal meaning here. All streets are perpendicular and form a grid, except for the southern tip of the island where the streets don’t follow the grid system. Broadway, which runs diagonally across the island, is another exception. The Commissioner’s Plan of 1811 was the original design for the streets of Manhattan, which put in place the rectangular grid plan. It’s pretty convenient! The basic thing to remember is that avenues run north and south, while streets run east and west.
Everything is so compact and congested that you don’t even notice how you cover large distances. Every new intersection brings something new and exciting. To better understand the city, let’s take a quick look at its history. New York traces its origins to a trading post founded by Dutch colonists on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. They named it New Amsterdam. Forty years later, in 1664, it came under English control and was renamed New York after King Charles II of England granted the lands to his brother, the Duke of York. Then came the Revolutionary War and the signing of a peace treaty. British troops set sail for their homeland, and in 1785, New York became the capital of the United States for five years. The city soon transformed into a large industrial and financial center, with Manhattan being developed further north, featuring giant bridges and the first skyscrapers. The New York Stock Exchange overtook the London one. Over the course of the 19th century, New York City’s population grew from 60,000 to 3.4 million. In 1886, the main symbol of New York, the Statue of Liberty, was erected on a small island near Manhattan. It was donated by France. Immigrants from all over Europe—Italians, Irish, Jews, and Russians—flocked here. By 1925, New York became the largest city in the world. In 1952, it solidified its global geopolitical influence when the United Nations headquarters were completed.
Now, let’s take a look at the five boroughs, starting with Manhattan. Manhattan Island is divided into Lower Manhattan, Midtown Manhattan, and Uptown Manhattan. Times Square is the main tourist destination in Midtown Manhattan, famous for its numerous billboards. It got its name in 1904 when The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly erected Times Building, now called One Times Square. A Times Square billboard today costs anywhere from five thousand to fifty thousand dollars a day. This place is always super crowded, day and night, but honestly, it’s much more impressive at night. It’s just fun sitting there, watching the people and all the ads running around. If you like large crowds and street performances, this is the place to be.
You’re going to enjoy it—it lives up to its name, the city that never sleeps. Oh, by the way, see those ATVs? That’s illegal. The NYPD continues to crack down on illegal dirt bikes and ATVs, having seized 565 of them in the last three months. But we’ll talk about crime in New York later in this video. Now, let’s relocate to Central Park. It’s the most famous city park in the world and a great place to find some peace and serenity during the day. The park is entirely man-made and has several artificial ponds, two ice rinks, and even a zoo. Yes, the same zoo from which animals escaped in the movie Madagascar. We are in the heart of New York City, Central Park, and this is the most visited urban park in the United States, with 42 million visitors a year. On top of that, it’s the most popular location for filming movies, which is why I’m filming my video here.
Central Park has everything: street musicians, sports grounds, horse-drawn carriages, and even unique historic monuments that you wouldn’t expect to find in a park, like the obelisk, also known as Cleopatra’s Needle, which was brought from Egypt and is roughly 3,500 years old. The park also offers a wide variety of landscapes, from meadows and woodlands to lawns, and there’s always someone practicing yoga, meditating, or just reading books. We walked across the park from south to north and exited at the northern side, where Harlem begins. Harlem has had a rather dubious reputation, but I know, I know, people kept telling me it’s fine now—it’s been gentrified, and it’s safe. In fact, the word “gentrified” was the most common term I heard throughout my road trip in the U.S. There’s no denying that Harlem has improved, but just to give you some context, this is what it looked like in the 70s and 80s. Even today, residents of East Harlem still consider crime to be the biggest concern. There are still many gangs in Harlem today, though.
On a positive note, Harlem has been known for its jazz clubs, soul food, nightlife scene, and African-American heritage. 125th Street is considered to be the main street of Harlem and is home to the Apollo Theater, a notable venue for African-American performers where artists like Stevie Wonder, Billie Holiday, and Diana Ross began their careers. In West Harlem, you’ll find the magnificent Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue, as well as colleges and universities, including Columbia University, one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S.
Back to Central Park—there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re just going for a casual walk, picnicking, or jogging. There’s no denying that New Yorkers love their park, and squirrels do too.
So, what’s it like living in New York these days? I think New York’s a great place to live. In some ways, maybe this sounds a little arrogant, but you feel like you’re in the middle of the world or the center of the world culturally, in business, and in terms of diversity. There’s a lot to explore. The downside to living in New York? It’s kind of a hassle. It’s very crowded, expensive, dirty, and things like that. But at the end of the day, I think it’s worth it. It’s a nice place to live. Like many people, we moved to New York for our careers, to try to get ahead in life. That’s why a lot of people come here. I work in finance, and she works in tech—two of the big industries here. We live in a fairly small apartment, one bathroom, fifth-floor walk-up, and we pay about $2,500 a month.
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Okay, that I think is considered pretty inexpensive for New York, and I imagine you don’t have a car.
I don’t have a car, but I want one. I really like cars a lot, but it’s hard to justify the expense.
I appreciate it, guys—anytime we’re in Central Park, New York City. And are you a local?
I wasn’t born here, but I’ve lived here for many years, working as a photographer, actually.
Name three things you love about living in New York City.
Well, the whole world lives here, so that’s number one. When you can’t travel, you’re in New York, meeting people from all around the world, like the two of you. That’s number one. Number two is, it’s part of the harbor, part of the ecosystem here—it’s the estuary. On good days, you can walk or bike out to the Hudson River and smell the ocean. And third, it’s the cultural capital of the Western world.
The Big Apple’s most famous street is Fifth Avenue. It crosses Manhattan from north to south and is one of the most expensive streets in the world. There are so many interesting things here: the world’s famous Apple Store, Trump Tower with a BLM mural in front of it, the Flatiron Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral—a gorgeous Catholic cathedral built in 1878, the Empire State Building, and so much more. A section of Fifth Avenue, running from 34th to 60th Street, is a concentration of boutique shops and expensive high-end stores. This is where Audrey Hepburn freezes on the sidewalk and stares at the jewelry store window in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Now, let’s relocate to Lower Manhattan. This is the center of the financial universe, known as Wall Street. Bankers and stock traders rush to their offices early in the morning. The city’s security industry represents over 163,000 jobs with an average salary of $422,000 a year—impressive! This is where you find the headquarters of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and other financial giants, as well as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, the world’s largest stock exchanges. This is the famous New York Stock Exchange. If you happen to own some American stock, this is where they’re traded. I have some stocks, so I want to figure out what’s going on at Wall Street. You’ll also find Trinity Church and Federal Hall. This is where, in 1789, George Washington was officially proclaimed the first president of the United States. If you’re bullish on stocks, take a picture with the famous Charging Bull, a bronze sculpture that symbolizes a bullish market, financial optimism, and prosperity. Nearby is another statue, Fearless Girl, which promotes female empowerment.
To get great views of Lower Manhattan, just take a ferry. A lot of locals use it every day—it’s very affordable and enjoyable.
If you’re looking for some awesome views of the city, you might want to check out the best observatories. First, the Empire State Building, a 102-story art deco skyscraper that provides stunning panoramic views. It was the tallest building in the world from 1931 until 1970. From here, you can see the Chrysler Building, considered by many to be one of New York’s most iconic structures.
The next great spot to visit is the Top of the Rock Observatory, located on top of the Rockefeller Center. Built by the Rockefellers in the 1930s, it features an ocean-liner-style design and offers a 360-degree view of the entire Manhattan. The third highest observation point is One World Trade Center, the tallest skyscraper in New York and the U.S. It’s completely enclosed with a 360-degree view. One of the new additions to New York’s skyline is The Edge, located at Hudson Yards. This observation deck has a glass floor, which offers a thrilling experience, although we didn’t get a chance to visit because it was too foggy that day. Also, at Hudson Yards, you can visit The Vessel, a 16-story structure of connected staircases. Its unique beehive-like shape is quite impressive. Another great idea for panoramic views is to take a funicular ride to Roosevelt Island. This small island sits between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. Today, it’s a residential area, but historically, during British colonial rule, the island was owned by the Blackwell family and called Blackwell Island. You can take a cable car to get there, which is part of New York City’s public transportation system, with the same fare as the subway, just $2.75.
The most exciting experience I had was a helicopter ride, which cost $300 for a 30-minute tour. What’s cool about it is that the helicopter had no doors. It was surprisingly smooth, almost like sitting in a car—if you can afford it, I highly recommend it. New York City is home to over 50 rooftop bars, which are popular for romantic dates and celebrations. These bars offer amazing views of the city and are a unique way to enjoy both the scenery and the ambiance. New York City is the third city in the world with the most skyscrapers, behind Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and rooftop bars are a great way to enjoy a view while sipping a drink.
Let’s take a look at some other parts of Manhattan. Greenwich Village, or just “The Village,” is an upscale area that was once the center of bohemian culture and various political movements. It was home to artists and writers, and today, rainbow flags attest to the neighborhood’s LGBTQ-friendly vibe. At its heart is Washington Square Park, where musicians, skateboarders, dog owners, chess players, and NYU students all gather around the historic fountain in the shadow of the arch. It’s a popular filming location for movies and TV shows. However, I noticed a huge police presence in the area. I asked the officers about it, thinking there might be an event happening, but they mentioned it’s still a rough area, especially at night, which was surprising to hear. New York is full of surprises, like the fact that this is where Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City used to live, running down the stairs to catch a taxi.
While I was in the village, I saw some NYU students protesting and decided to talk to them. They were on strike, demanding fair compensation, better healthcare, and the removal of immigration officers from the campus to protect international immigrant students. Moving on, we headed to SoHo, an area that has been home to many art galleries since the 20th century. Today, it’s an affluent neighborhood with cobblestone streets, elegant cast-iron facades, designer boutiques, and high-end art galleries. SoHo is also a nightlife hotspot. Directly from SoHo, you’ll find Chinatown and Little Italy.
Manhattan’s Chinatown feels like a slice of China, with its numerous green grocers, fishmongers, tea rooms, and dim sum parlors. Since 1850, this area has been inhabited by immigrants from China, and today, New York has the largest Asian population in the U.S., surpassing even San Francisco and Los Angeles combined. Despite being a minority, they’re doing exceptionally well, with a strong work ethic and a high rate of college-educated residents and lower crime rates. When I asked a local how they liked living in Chinatown, they said it was okay for them, but their wife and son loved it. They didn’t enjoy how crowded it was, but they liked the food. When I asked what I should try, they recommended beef, but not the stomach, which they didn’t like.
While in Chinatown, I tried bubble tea, a drink I had enjoyed during my time in Taiwan. Nearby, you’ll find Little Italy. Italian immigrants began moving to this neighborhood in the late 1800s, bringing their customs, food, and language. Today, however, it’s become very touristy, influenced by the growth of Chinatown. It’s not the same as it used to be.
Next, I visited Chelsea, Manhattan’s art district, known for its mix of architectural styles, from elegant 19th-century townhouses to modern housing projects. Chelsea also has a large LGBTQ population, with one census tract reporting that 22 percent of its residents are gay couples. If you’re hungry in Chelsea, head to Chelsea Market, a wonderful place with plenty of food choices. Interestingly, the market used to be a factory where Oreos were invented in 1912. I went there to try some chili, a dish I really enjoy from my time in the South.
Finally, we reached Tribeca, which was once home to industrial warehouses but is now one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods. With an average income of $879,000 a year and a median home price of $3.8 million, Tribeca is even home to celebrities like Jay-Z.
Once, I purchased a penthouse here for $6.8 million after I moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Yeah, I’m at Brooklyn now, but I’m down in Tribeca right next to De Niro. Still, I’ll be hood forever. But why did I move? Well, Tribeca has it all: elegant townhouses and modern high-rises, trendy restaurants, and a spectacular view of the Hudson River on its western border. And finally, there’s Billionaires Row, a stretch of super-tall luxury towers on the southern edge of Central Park. The cheapest condo here goes for $3 million, and the most expensive ones are over $60 million.
What are the downsides of Manhattan? Well, let me just say there are a lot of homeless people. As of January 2020, New York had an estimated 91,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given day, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While most are peaceful, random attacks happen way too often. During my stay, two girls from Russia were attacked and rocked by some crazy homeless person. Another complaint is the bad smells, and yes, that includes marijuana – it’s everywhere. You can’t escape it because there’s always someone walking in front of you who’s smoking, and it’s really annoying for someone like me who’s not into it. Locals don’t seem to notice these issues; they just put on headphones and pretend they’re too busy to care. I’ve seen some ugly stuff, like a guy urinating in a bottle in the middle of the street, and piles of trash—don’t get me started. I think these things should not be happening in a place that claims to be the world capital.
The city is also constantly under renovation, with scaffolding everywhere. Some say companies put it up just to prevent lawsuits if something falls. As for garbage, the collection system piles huge garbage bags on the sidewalks, waiting to be picked up. They only get collected a few times a week, and sometimes these piles grow to such a size that they block building entrances. Manhattan is full of contrasts. On one hand, you’ve got $2 hot dog stands next to high-end boutiques on Fifth Avenue. Extremely wealthy people share the streets with the homeless. Some people might think Manhattan is just Central Park surrounded by a concrete jungle, but it’s not like that. There are green spaces all over the island, like Bryant Park, next to the New York Public Library. It has a huge lawn where people read newspapers, play ping pong, or chess. In the winter, there’s even a skating rink.
Another great park is Madison Square Park, located at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, overlooking the Flatiron Building. It’s a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a gelato on a hot summer day or a cup of coffee in the fall. One of the most exciting additions to the city is the High Line, created in 2009. It’s a 1.4-mile-long elevated greenway, providing a unique walkway with spectacular views of Manhattan. If you’re looking for green space and architectural inspiration in New York, the High Line is a must-see. Nearby, you’ll also find Little Island, a 2.4-acre park on the Hudson River, supported by 132 pot-shaped structures called tulips. It features an amphitheater with live music, making it a perfect spot to unwind and explore.
When it comes to transportation, New York City’s roads are far from perfect, worse than most other U.S. cities. More than 55% of New Yorkers don’t have cars, and most people told me not to drive here. So, I tried it out with a random car. Street parking is a matter of luck, and if you forget to pay, a ticket could cost you $120. Parking garages can cost as much as $60 per day. Owning a car in New York is a big challenge, especially when parking fees and tolls going in and out of Manhattan can add up to $16 per trip.
New York is an island, so you’ve got a lot of bridges and tunnels, like the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and George Washington Bridge. The Lincoln Tunnel, carrying 120,000 vehicles a day, is the busiest car tunnel in the world. New York is also extremely walkable thanks to its grid layout, and it’s very bike-friendly, with over 1,200 miles of bike lanes. However, watch out for cyclists—they’re fast and can appear out of nowhere.
New York’s subway system is the largest in the world, with 472 rail stations. It’s open 24/7, unlike other major cities, and serves 1.7 billion passengers annually. The subway can be dirty and unsafe, though. In 2020 alone, there were over 600 robberies, six murders, and several stabbings. I don’t understand why they don’t install platform screen doors like in other countries. A tip for subway travelers: check if the station sign says “uptown” or “downtown” to ensure you’re headed the right way. Also, you no longer need a confusing metro card—just tap your credit card to enter.
The World Trade Center station, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is the most beautiful subway station, known as the Oculus. It’s futuristic and resembles a whale skeleton. Despite being criticized for costing $3.9 billion—far more than its original estimate of $2 billion—it’s a magnificent structure. Nearby, there’s the 9/11 memorial with white oak trees and two pools marking where the twin towers once stood. The One World Trade Center, initially called Freedom Tower, is the tallest skyscraper in the U.S. and the sixth tallest in the world.
New York City’s museum scene is remarkable, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art being the most visited in the U.S. It’s enormous, and it would take days to see everything. My second favorite museum is the American Museum of Natural History, with its planetarium, marine life exhibits, and dinosaur skeletons. The Solomon Guggenheim Museum is iconic, though I didn’t find the galleries impressive. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is stunning, showcasing works from various art movements.
Despite all the museums and attractions, some parts of New York can feel disappointing. I visited the Museum of the City of New York, hoping to learn more about the city’s history, but it was mostly focused on global warming, which wasn’t what I expected. Still, New York is never short on entertainment—whether it’s jazz clubs, comedy shows, or Broadway musicals, like Phantom of the Opera or The Lion King.
Life in New York is full of contrasts and a fast pace. From diverse food scenes to vibrant nightlife, it offers something for everyone. New Yorkers appreciate the city’s energy and endless opportunities. Despite its high cost of living, New York remains a magnet for the ambitious and creative. It’s a city where, if you can make it, you can make it anywhere. New York has more billionaires than any other city in the world, and it continues to be shaped by waves of immigrants, with more than 3.2 million foreign-born residents.
But outside the hustle and bustle, New York’s surrounding areas offer serene escapes. Just an hour’s drive away, you’ll find mountains, lakes, vineyards, and national parks, including Bear Mountain, a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and swimming.
In the end, New York may have its downsides, but no other city in the world offers the same level of energy and excitement. It’s a place where hard work, creativity, and ambition can turn dreams into reality.
