How safe is NYC at the moment?

[JManc]

I would Uber/ Lyft with a family of four plus luggage. Wife and I typically do that or take a cab from EWR.

[Mtphilly]

Originally Posted by JManc

I would Uber/ Lyft with a family of four plus luggage. Wife and I typically do that or take a cab from EWR.

Agreed, if it was just me I’d take the subway but with a wife and two kids and a lot of luggage after a long flight, I’d take Uber/Lyft or a cab. Either is fine though.

[streetscaper]

If it's the morning commute, there might be a ton of car traffic though, just something to consider.

[Wigs]

If you read the NY Post, watch Fox, OAN, NewsMax the city is a mad max hellscape

If you listen to actual NYers it couldn't be further from the truth.

I think about how Fox interviewed tourists in town for the recent NYE ball drop and these two women from Oklahoma? or somewhere far away said "We feel very safe walking around"
Their NY is scary narrative failed abysmally

There's also this new attraction
• Video Link

Enjoy your trip!
Please post a photo thread of your travels

[MayDay]

You’re staying in a convenient location, though I’m not the biggest fan of Times Square with the schlocky chain restaurants, etc. I’d suggest taking the tram to Roosevelt Island; the tram is a fun experience and the views are amazing, and Roosevelt Island is a nice spot to get away from the crowds.

Other thing I’d suggest is a Circle Line Ferry tour. Not far from where you’re staying and just an amazing way to see the city. I posted two threads a few years ago that show why I’m suggesting these.

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=248611

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=248638

[montréaliste]

Originally Posted by Wigs

If you read the NY Post, watch Fox, OAN, NewsMax the city is a mad max hellscape

If you listen to actual NYers it couldn't be further from the truth.

I think about how Fox interviewed tourists in town for the recent NYE ball drop and these two women from Oklahoma? or somewhere far away said "We feel very safe walking around"
Their NY is scary narrative failed abysmally

There's also this new attraction
• Video Link

Enjoy your trip!
Please post a photo thread of your travels

Yep. Sucking up New York Post stories is sure to induce NY Post Trauma.

[bobdreamz]

I have to agree with MayDay on this one about Times Square!
There is so much more to New York City than that "Disney-fied" circus!
Go to Harlem or Brooklyn or Queens and EAT at the local Restaurants!

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

with the recent influx of asylum seekers

"Asylum seekers"? Is that what the focus groups have decided is the acceptable term these days?

[dimondpark]

I was in New York this last Monday and Tuesday, it was just fine.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

What would be the most convenient way for a family of four with luggage to get from JFK to 8th Ave and 43rd St near Times Square?

I've been told the A train is the cheapest way but I kinda feel a cab ride would be more comfortable but also more expensive.

Is it a problem riding the trains when you're carrying luggage, specially if the train is packed with people? We would be riding morning peak hours.

I'd take the LIRR, to Grand Central, and then the Times Square shuttle one stop to 42nd Street. If you take the subway, use the E train, not the A train. The E will be faster to Times Square from JFK. Either are absolutely fine.

There's no issue riding the rails with luggage, whether subway or suburban rail. You'll have plenty of fellow riders with luggage.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by streetscaper

If it's the morning commute, there might be a ton of car traffic though, just something to consider.

Yes, I wouldn't recommend Uber/Lyft, taxi or car service during morning rush. LIRR is extremely fast from Jamaica Station to Grand Central. A vehicle will get stuck on bridge/tunnel.

[photoLith]

This is what you can expect NYC to be like now.

• Video Link

[JRinSoCal]

It sounds like the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal is the way to go. I really don't want to be stuck in morning rush hour traffic. I get enough of that here in LA lol. I really wouldn't mind doing the 15-minute walk down 42nd to my hotel from Grand Central but I don't know how the family is gonna feel after flying all night.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by photoLith

This is what you can expect NYC to be like now.

• Video Link

Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by montréaliste

Yep. Sucking up New York Post stories is sure to induce NY Post Trauma.

Does it give them New York Post … Traumatic Stress Disorder?

ROTFL

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by Crawford

Yes, I wouldn't recommend Uber/Lyft, taxi or car service during morning rush. LIRR is extremely fast from Jamaica Station to Grand Central. A vehicle will get stuck on bridge/tunnel.

I agree with this comment.

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

It sounds like the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal is the way to go. I really don't want to be stuck in morning rush hour traffic. I get enough of that here in LA lol. I really wouldn't mind doing the 15-minute walk down 42nd to my hotel from Grand Central but I don't know how the family is gonna feel after flying all night.

I would probably recommend the subway, tbh. The LIRR is indeed the fastest option to Manhattan, but the E (or A) train will drop you off directly at the corner where your hotel is located. Transferring at Grand Central can be a little tricky if you aren't used to it, and you would still have to pay 4 subway fares on top of the LIRR fares and Airtrain fares. Penn Station is actually closer to where you're going than Grand Central, and the walk to your hotel from Penn Station will be shorter than from Grand Central, so if you did take the LIRR I would say that you should take it to Penn Station and just walk from there.

If you do decide on the subway, according to Google Maps, the A and E trains take the exact same amount of time to get from JFK to Times Square, so I don't think it matters which one you take.

On your return to JFK, if you decide to take the subway, be aware that it is a specific A train that goes to JFK (the train to Far Rockaway). If it's not the Far Rockaway train, it will not stop at the airport. All E trains go to JFK.

[montréaliste]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Does it give them New York Post … Traumatic Stress Disorder?

ROTFL

Yup. That’s what I meant, just didn’t phrase it properly. Thanks for the help!

[bilbao58]

Originally Posted by JManc

Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.

Walking through SOHO at night in 1981 felt just like that!

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

"Asylum seekers"? Is that what the focus groups have decided is the acceptable term these days?

What would you suggest calling a group of people who enter the country seeking legal asylum status?

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

I would probably recommend the subway, tbh. The LIRR is indeed the fastest option to Manhattan, but the E (or A) train will drop you off directly at the corner where your hotel is located. Transferring at Grand Central can be a little tricky if you aren't used to it, and you would still have to pay 4 subway fares on top of the LIRR fares and Airtrain fares. Penn Station is actually closer to where you're going than Grand Central, and the walk to your hotel from Penn Station will be shorter than from Grand Central, so if you did take the LIRR I would say that you should take it to Penn Station and just walk from there.

If you do decide on the subway, according to Google Maps, the A and E trains take the exact same amount of time to get from JFK to Times Square, so I don't think it matters which one you take.

Subway is fine too. I just thought, based on the thread topic, LIRR would be slightly less anxiety-inducing as an intro to the city, since suburban rail isn't negatively caricatured in the same manner, and the trains really are convenient for long-distance arrival, with luggage racks. Either option works about equally well.