I just got back from a whirlwind of a trip to NYC. Years and years ago, I actually lived in Midtown and racked up a pretty penny in credit card debt because of it. Now, I just like to visit every now and then. But I thought I should share my take on which city is better (in my opionion).

Airports: Seattle wins

• Sea-Tac: I know in a previous post I mentioned my distaste for Sea-Tac. I since realized I’m a dumbfuck and have come to love their cleanliness, their easy going attitudes and if you go on a Saturday at 7am you won’t have to wait on any lines at all.
  
• JFK: Normally, I wouldn’t fly into JFK but for whatever reason this was either the cheapest or the most direct way to get to New York. When I got off to use the bathroom I was petrified. Old stinky bathrooms, with kids crying and doors that wouldn’t lock properly. Never mind the fact that an Italian dad slapped his kid for just standing there. I knew I arrived in New York, and immediately wanted to go back home.

Food: Tie

• Seattle: I think that Seattle has had some great new restaurants lately. Since I live here, get Daily Candy and know a thing or two I have an advantage over tourists who will probably just go to Wild Ginger and never know the glory that is Rancho Bravo or Lunchbox Laboratory. There are some major disappointments though. Like, for a city that has some of the freshest fish, I have yet been to an amazing fish place. I think Tom Douglas is overrated. And don’t even talk to me about Jewish Deli’s or a decent slice of pizza.
  
• New York: Sure, they always say everything is just great there. But I kinda think it’s all hype. For instance, I think Boston has a better Little Italy. And Vancouver has a better Chinatown. Granted I didn’t go to Balthazar (although I’ve been) or Tavern on the Green (I’ve also been and it’s a huge waste of money), but I did go to bodegas, one decent sushi joint and enough Jewish delis to get my fill for the year. I bought one unmemorable black and white cookie at Zaro’s (if you want a Jewy bakery chain that delivers, place your bets on Juniors instead) and then one very memorable one at Mother’s (in the Bronx). Liebman’s Deli had a reasonably priced, and not famously stuffed pastrami sandwich. And I did get to go to my FAVORITE pizza place ever near Columbia on 110th and Broadway. But my $6 hot dog at the Yankees game pissed me off more than filled my tummy with goodness. And besides Mother’s black and white cookie and the pizza, the most memorable food I had was a one scoop of Butterfinger fro-yo at Tasti Dlite. Basically, the things we don’t have in Seattle are great in New York but you can also hit some real duds. A lot.

Transit: New York wins

• New York: Hands down, the subways, buses and everything else are just easier to follow in NYC. You get one little map and you can just figure it out.
  
• Seattle: In Seattle, even the bus drivers don’t really know where they’re going. And the maps (if they’re even there) at the bus stops are in Japanese. The maps on the bus are even worse, because they don’t actually show you ever stop they make. The only way I get around Seattle is on the bus and so I’m dependent on our Trip Planner and I know that if I’m going somewhere I haven’t been to before than I sit up front and tell the driver to tell me when to get off. These are the tricks you learn when living here, but if a tourist came to to Seattle, I can only imagine how confusing getting around would be for them.

Bums: Seattle wins

• Seattle: Okay, maybe the bums only live in Capitol Hill, Downtown, Pioneer Square and University Village but there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t get asked for money or a cigarette. And I don’t even smoke.
  
• New York: Surprisingly, they were missing from this week of tourist fun. Maybe it was the unbearable heat that made them scatter deep into the bushes, but I simply didn’t see many of them. Only one dude made his speech on the train about how he can’t pay for rent, but even he smelled decent enough and didn’t look like he had the crazies. Just shove a Real Change in his hand and he might actually get a buck from me.

People: Seattle wins

• Seattle: I love that Seattle doesn’t have loads of people living here (yet). Because the more people in a city, the more suffocating it gets. In Seattle, you can escape the noise. You don’t hear cabs at all hours. You can go through your whole day without hearing a car honk. And I love this.
  
• New York: When I lived here in my early 20s, I loved the people, the life, the noise. But even after my 3 month stint, I just wanted to relax. Maybe go to a zen garden without my discman (before ipods were invented) and just be. You just can’t do this in Manhattan. And so, for me, this is the biggest reason why I only go to visit and not to live. Because after a week of all that noise and all the people, I just want to curl up in a ball and hide.

Sights: New York wins

• Seattle: I actually kinda think Seattle wins, but to be fair New York really does have so much to see and do. Almost too much. I like Seattle for their breathtaking views of the city and their abundance of parks, but when it comes to old buildings and cool sculptures I think Seattle lacks. I’m much more into older buildings, rather than obscure sculptures of an ampersand. The modern styles of our library are nice, but the older libraries are nicer. And there just aren’t enough big museums here for me.
  
• New York: Museums. Check. Old buildings with character. Check. A great big park in the middle of it all. Check. Check. Like I said, there’s almost too much in New York. But that can also be a good thing.

Overall: Seattle

• I’m biased of course, but I just love it here. Seattle was the first place I moved to where I didn’t know anyone. And I was scared and excited. And as I was driving into the city, it was the first time I said out loud, “I’m gonna live here forever.” It’s only been a little over 2 years, but so far Seattle hasn’t disappointed me yet.