[title]
In honor of Halloween, we were curious about what New Yorkers would “ghost” (or abruptly leave behind) about the city, so we put the question to our readers who we know always creep it real.
There seems to be a consensus because several answers—like rent prices and Times Square—came up over and over. But there were also a few boohoos that surprised us.
Here are 16 things Time Out readers would ghost about our totally ghoul city.
RECOMMENDED: Eight last-minute NYC-themed Halloween costumes
1. The center of Times Square
Indeed, dissing and avoiding Times Square is one of the many uniquely New York habits people pick up after living here.
2. The TRAFFIC!
New York was ranked as having the most stressful commute in the U.S.—eek.
3. People driving scooters, motorcycles, bikes, ebikes, razors, and riding right up on you when you’re walking on the sidewalk or crossing an intersection
Also stressful.
4. Slow walkers and sidewalk blockers
Bonus points for the rhyming in this one.
5. Watering the sidewalk every morning as if it grows like grass
It does help keep down the stinky smells, though.
6. The rats, but then I’d miss them immediately because it’s not NYC without them
The rats are definitely a part of NYC’s culture, but we could do with fewer. There are more rats now than ever before and the city has a plan to get rid of them.
7. Dry bagels
Life is too short for bad bagels. Here's our list of the best bagels around town.
8. Those damn rent prices
As of this summer, the average Manhattan rent climbed over $5,000 for the first time ever. The good news: Two new studies show that the real estate market is finally cooling down, albeit slowly.
9. Not having enough closet space
High rent AND not enough closet space? That's a ghost-able offense for sure.
10. Bicycle riders who don’t stop for pedestrians and ignore red lights
Let's all agree to watch out for pedestrians, whether we're on a bike or in a car. One step in the right direction: New York drivers will soon have to learn about pedestrian and bike safety to get a license.
11. The heat in the summer
It’s not a dry heat, it’s a smelly, wet heat.
12. Gentrification
According to the Urban Displacement Project, there are 314 super-gentrified or exclusive neighborhoods in the New York City metro region.
13. The parking tickets
Yes, but ... what if you could make some money by reporting illegally parked cars?
14. Big box stores
We're all about shopping local. To get you started, here's a guide to the best flea markets around the city.
15. Pigeons
Well, Brenda Fricker (aka the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2) would disagree with this one.
16. Trash on the streets
Some good news: There's a new proposal limiting how long trash can sit on the streets.