I should think twice before entering the raging SF vs. NY debate that has suddenly cropped up all over the place, spurned on by Nick D's Gawker, and other refugees. Anyway, much truth to either side, but I remain a San Francisco defender, despite it's faults and the fact that I am an SF refugee myself.
The latest defense of SF is Mylerdudes top 16 reasons people in SF are of better mind than NYers, whatever that means. Here is the list, with my comments in italics:
- SFers don`t have to fight like an ant to get to where they need to be
(comparatively true)
- SFers can park in front of their favorite restaurants and not arrive smelling like a cab, or a cabbie for that matter.
(um, no you can't. Though I don't see this as a problem)
- SFers can get in the water anytime of the year to surf without having to ride a train in a wetsuit
(keyword: Wetsuit. In SF you need one year-round)
- SFers don`t really give a fuck about gossip
(very true)
- SFers can always go BACK to NY and still be just as anonymous as they were when they first left
(guess so)
- SFers get twice the room for the same money
(yep)
- SFers don`t have to worry about their Beemer`s parked on the street
(well, yes you do)
- NYers diet of sidewalk bagels and over-creamed coffee is a deathwish
(absolutely)
- NYers think `time at the gym` breathing in recycled air and cheap perfume is healthy
(he he)
- NYers have to spend 1/2 the weekend in escape mode in order to "get out of the city", in SF you`re out in 8 minutes
(absolutely)
- NYers who DON`T get out of the city are just lost in their own mind
(well, same goes for SF)
- SFers can get paid to work for NY companies while living in SF, harldy ever the other way around
(probably, but are any companies still based in SF?)
- Marin lifestyle beats Westchester
(hell yes)
- Stinson Beach Chill beats the Hamptons Fashion Show
(I would imagine so)
- The 101 beats the L.I.E.
(still aint no picnic)
- NY will always be a GREAT place to visit
(indeed)
Ken Layne, who hates San Francisco, but is otherwise quite amusing sums it up slightly more eloquently.
Anyway, by far the best retort comes from my former roommate Gaby who's reply is more worth reading that anything I could come up with on an already overworked afternoon.
SF vs. NY
Comments on this article:
One word: attitude. There is a pointed difference in the attitude of people who came to SF a couple of years ago expecting to make it big and the fell flat on their asses and those who are here now. I find that after being out of the SF business-class loop for the past two years has greatly increased the enjoyment that I find in living here and in the quality of people I meet. Most people are here to actually live here, not to score big and do whatever it was they thought the boom would afford them. They enjoy San Francisco for what it is, not what it was, or not what someone else wants it to be. Bottom line: it's better now without them here. They can stay where ever it is they went as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Tom on January 21, 2003 11:56 AM