It seems as if every month I mention just how amazing New York City is. And that’s partly because I’m biased. Either way, I’ve loved the city since I was a young child, and I will always be a New Yorker. And sometimes I get caught up in my love for NYC and I forget that there are billions of people in the world who’ve never been. Some of them choose not to visit for a variety of reasons; others, sadly, cannot visit for reasons beyond their control. I want to give everybody an idea of what the Big Apple is really like, so I will be answering some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding NYC.
Why is New York City Called “The Big Apple”?
New York goes by many names; one of the most prevalent is the Big Apple, and for decades, people have wondered why New York City was given such a strange moniker. As it turns out, the reason isn’t too terribly fascinating. In the 1920s, John Fitz Gerald, a news reporter from a New York City paper, had heard some stable hands referring to New York as “the big apple” and Fitz Gerald implemented the term into his column. The name caught on but then shortly lost popularity until a 1970s marketing campaign for tourism to the city reintroduced the name, and it stuck permanently.
Is the city dangerous?
Thanks to the media’s exaggerated depiction of New York’s less-than-stellar reputation in the 70s and 80s, people to this day believe that the city is dangerous. However, while certain fears aren’t unfounded (terrorist attacks), worries of random attacks or muggings on the streets shouldn’t be entertained. New York City has seen crime rates drop in recent years. While you should still use caution when traversing through New York (and any city for that matter), you do not need to constantly look over your shoulder.
Why visit New York City?
This is a question that is asked quite a bit, surprisingly. Why should you visit New York City? This is a really tough question, as it is a completely subjective answer. But, in my opinion, you should visit New York to experience the sheer diversity of it. It’s honestly quite unlike any other city I’ve ever been to. Miles and miles of tall buildings in every direction, throngs of people, from various different backgrounds, shuffling through the streets at breakneck speed, the infamous subway, these are all things that are unique to New York City in their own way. You always feel the urge and want to do something and to meet people and do exciting things. You should at least visit New York City if for no other reason than to say you did it. Trust me, once you go, you’ll be hooked.
