Eventually, all of the notions that you projected onto the City wear away. This takes time -- decades, sometimes. Then you see its actual nature. And you vow never to return.
Really, the only reason I moved here many years ago was to work in the theatre -- that was why I kept to midtown and the west side, when the east side was clearly the better part. Now that all of those doors are not only closed, but obstructed by vegetation that's grown in the interval, I look at the place in considerable disbelief. Midtown has become what was, even a couple decades ago, only found in the raciest parts of Chelsea and the East Village. And the old bohemian areas are simply wealth-extraction points via the rent. Between the enthusiastic young epicures and the money-raking owners, there's not really a place for a serious artist, writer or thinker to stand.
Homo, fuge!