Ah New York, a concrete jungle where dreams are made of and where there's nothing you can't do...except expect to ride the subway without seeing rats and smelling piss. A city where millionaires own penthouses and regular people pay thousands of dollars to live in a moldy shoe box. A place where you'll find Michelin-starred restaurants next to deliciously greasy food trucks — hey, if it wasn't so contradictory, would it even be worth visiting?
No one loves and hates New York as much as New Yorkers, which is why they'll practically choke with these hilarious memes. But even if you're not from the city, these memes will help you understand (and make fun of) everything that makes New York so great and so terrible at the same time.
NYC Isn't for the Weak
You know the person taking this picture was a tourist because no New Yorker would've been surprised enough to stop.
Lil Nas X Has His Priorities Right
He wants the real NYC experience.
Ah, Yes, Just Like We Dreamed It Would Be
Some people save all their lives to visit NYC, dreaming of Central Park and the Empire State. You'll definitely see those things...just be prepared to fight a few rats along the way.
The Temperature and the People
You know what they say: Once you've survived in New York, you can survive anywhere. And we mean anywhere.
The City Just Likes to Keep Us on Our Toes
If you wanted stable and boring, you should've gone somewhere else.
This Isn't Even a Meme. It's Just Daily Life in NYC
This is why people put up with the rats and rent.
Another Reason to Live in NYC
The only other place on Earth with decent pizza is Italy.
We Call This Bodega Chic
Sure, you might live in a bathtub shared between 20 people, but that doesn't mean you can't get bits of luxury here and there.
New Yorkers Are Just Built Different
And they'll find a way to stop and scream at tourists along the way.
Your Grandkids Will Never Believe the Stories
Except the ones about pizza rat because it'll still be around, terrorizing the city.
We're Pretty Sure 'Quid Game' Took Notes on Sadism from MTA
Can you figure out the MTA? It's the ultimate test of survival, tenacity and resourcefulness. Not everyone makes it.
The Biggest Betrayal There Is
It hurts more than that time you found out your ex cheated.
Stop Playing, New Jersey
Sometimes you get close to your dream, but not quite close enough.
People Wanna Be a New Yorker So Bad
If you're not in one of the boroughs, you're not a New Yorker. Period.
You Mean Those Stripes Aren't Street Art?
This whole time we assumed it was a Banksy political statement.
Don't Get Your Hopes Up
Yeah, we know they won two Super Bowls in the last 15 years ... but that must've been divine intervention or something.
He Didn't Have to Go so Hard
If you identify with this ... you should ask yourself some serious questions.
No One Is Safe From Rent Hikes
The rent is definitely too darn high.
The Real Reason New Yorkers Want Tourists Banned
They have an underground art gallery/anarchist cafe/independent film house/local band concert venue to get to!
It's Like the Air Makes People Weird
And we love it.