So look, not trying to be a dick here, but legit, why do people who live in nyc always give off the vibe that they’re so proud of themselves? Like they’ve accomplishing something just by being there. I’ve lived in huge American cities before but never felt compelled to aggressively pat myself on the back just for signing an overpriced lease. It’s a great place and all, don’t get me wrong, no need to get defensive, but come oooooon, really? Just curios that’s all :)

Anytime someone starts a sentence with “not trying to be a dick, but...” or “not being rude but...”
99% of the time, yeah they’re about to do just that or insult you.

There is quite literally no other city that compares to NYC in the US. No matter what Chicagoans, SFers, or LAers tell you. It’s intense and competitive both professionally and personally, a financial success to be able to afford to live here, and to make it here means you have grit that many don’t.

We don’t think anything about you. There is so much happening that you really don’t enter our minds at all. What you are sensing is a reflection of your own perception of reality and the universe, subconsciously processing what it means to live in a “huge american city” and when you see a NYer, you are probably projecting what you think they are thinking. It’s kind of like that term BDE that was going around: This person seems normal but there’s something about him I can’t quite figure out. A powerful confidence and worldly presence. That’s what you gain from living here, squeezing onto the subway with 100s of people, living in 400sq ft, walking down the street to the Moma or the Lincoln center. It is not an American city, it is an international city.
Hope that helps. (Don’t get me started!)

No one's on here passive aggressively posting about other huge American cities.

Let’s be real New York is a touch place to live, and part of the reason New Yorkers resent people leaving the city is because they want you to stay and suffer with them.

Try it.

Lived in NYC a long time. New Yorkers love their city (and for good reason) but they’re not gatekeeping or snobby about it. Seattle on the other hand. Oy. Been here a couple years and never seen a group of people so unwelcoming and pretentious about so very little. Restaurants, bars, music venues, museums and other cultural institutions are all pale imitations of things that were popular in other cities 10 years ago. The nature and coffee are nice but not big city rent nice, IMO.

Overrated.
I’ve worked in NYC my whole life, but live in CT. City is overrated.

I’ve lived here for 7 years - I love other cities: SF, LA etc. but something about NYC is uniquely unforgiving - it’s fucking hard to live here at times, it can feel really lonely and too crowded at the same time, the competition is intense (esp for creatives), etc. it’s quite a nice to feeling to eventually live comfortably after years and years of grind and grit here. You eventually find your group of people and it feels like a chaotic home.

That said, I don’t think it’s any better than any other city - I’m actually moving to LA soon for a new opportunity. Where you live is all a matter of your preference, access to opportunities, maybe it’s where it’s closest to your family, etc. There’s tons of talented people and agencies in many cities.

A lot of the posters that don't believe NYC is worth all the hype seem to qualify their opinions by explaining that they've experienced other big cities. Is the same true for those who see the city as the best place in the world?

Better seamless

Just one guy’s opinion here, I love New York and live in Dumbo, BK. And honesty I am pretty proud that I moved to this city, worked my ass off at great agencies and have so far done a pretty good job of it. A lot of people can’t hack it here for various reasons, and that’s fine. But I think that anytime you’re able to succeed at something really difficult, of course you’re going to feel some pride. THAT SAID if people are being douchebags about how badass they are simply because they live in NY, they may be overcompensating for the fact that they aren’t actually thriving. Whatever. Everything is case by case. But what’s indisputable is that the food here is outstanding. The East Village alone is better than most US cities

Grew up in LA, lived in NY for 4 years, back in LA...I’ve never encountered a New Yorker who thinks this way

If you’re good at what you do and hustle(by which I mean, make money), New York is amazing.

A lot of the complaints people have about the place go away once you make enough money.

And it’s easier to make a ton here than it is anywhere else.

But idk. NYC is definitely better than chicago and San Francisco. LA is just too different to compare.... when I’m in LA I’m in a totally different state of mind.... whereas SF and CHI are just like, lesser versions of the city.

*I actually like chicago but it’s not comparable to New York.

Some good answers here. 1, it is challenging considering cost of living and job market competition due to over saturation and politics.
2, it’s not nearly as raw of a city as it used to be. I experienced NYC before and after the gentrification we see today. NYC just doesn’t have that sense of danger and rich culture it used to due to rapid gentrification. It’s still there but not out in the open like before. It’s been pushed out by suburban rich kids who now think they’re tough New Yorkers. The money is good for the city but the trade off is more business professionals and chain restaurants.

There’s a hustle New Yorkers have to endure other cities don’t but like any professional, it comes down to the work. AND although the culture isn’t the same amazing NYC it used to be, the mass diverse cultural presence is still a great experience and education in itself.
So some street cred is due. If someone can make it there, it should be seen as at least an accomplishment in their career journey. It’s not everything.

I’ve worked in small and big markets. NYC is very different. Now since COVID I don’t think it will matter as much where you work from. A city will always expose an individual to more culture but the cost of someone from NYC may not be worth it if it’s remote.

Does New York make you mad, or do mad people live in New York?

I've never lived in New York City but have worked in agencies there, on average, for 5-6 months a year the last 12 years. I've never once ever gotten that vibe, impression or feeling off anyone. Ever.

Who caaaaaaaares

What's more annoying is the people who come to ad agencies from every other place in the country, rent their first closet apartment and within six months are calling themselves "New Yorkers." I grew up a 30 minute train ride from midtown and lived and worked in the city for 12 years. Just because you move to NYC from Oklahoma, you are not instantly a New Yorker. And everyone from the tri-state area laughs at people who say this.

It was my dream to move here and work at great agencies. That’s all fine, but I’m so far from home and so entangled in NYC now that I’m fighting a lingering depression just to make commercials that I can’t even physically go shoot anymore.

I love this city. I just wish I could afford to buy something. The renting culture is pure greed, and the gentrification that goes on and on has ruined it to some extent. However, I can safely say that NYC, especially Brooklyn, needs another "creative director" like it needs another luxury condo building. We can definitely stand to lose one… or 100k.