It's quite adorable to see the new residents of Independence Plaza navigate the big city. Having clearly grown up in the suburbs, they are all seemingly oblivious to the proper ways to behave. They play music and throw parties until the early morning hours. They speak to no one, never introducing themselves to their own neighbors (I suppose that's normal for people who have up until this point shielded themselves from human interaction white picket fences and cars). They have no concept of holding a door, or thanking those who do. They get a doorman who has worked in the building for over 30 years fired because some strange woman mistakenly knocked on the door and they got scared. The complex is one big dormitory for them, to be used and abused until their rent gets raised and they (or their parents) can no longer foot the bill.

While it's cute to see you explore your new surroundings before you scurry back to the warm embrace of the suburbs to have your own children (or at least I hope you will), please be mindful of your behavior while you're living here. A lot of us don't see the city as a temporary stopover. For some of us, it has been our home for the entirety of our lives. We have seen Tribeca grow and change and flourish. We watched in horror as the World Trade Center came crashing down mere blocks away. We earned and worked for the safety and beauty of this neighborhood. But I suppose our time is over, and now you're here to replace us all. Not much anyone can do about that, except to let you know exactly how much you've ruined, how much you've taken away - even without knowing it. Besides, you may live here now, but you'll never be New Yorkers.

Along with our beautiful neighborhood, I hope you also enjoy the expensive rents, crumbling infrastructure and ineffective management that we've all lived with. Hey - you have to take the good with the bad, I suppose.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/13/2009
While I agree with your definition of a good neighbor; respecting the peace and quiet and behaving with general politeness, your tone is entirely condescending. I'm sure at one point you were new to an area and needed time to adjust. Or perhaps you were once young. To live in New York City means to practice tolerance and to teach others by setting an example. Reaching out with patience and kindness will most likely mean that it will be returned to you....Or maybe you should just move to the suburbs yourself.

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