[I lived in NYC most of my life, I was even fortunate enough to obtain a hand gun permit, Per capita NYC seems less violent than my new home of Chattanooga, TN.]
It probably was, Joel.
Aside from the fact that NYC gets a bum rap in crime, I had the same experience in Colorado when I lived there in the mid 70's. I've lived in small towns here and there, but always returned to the big city. Neither myself or anyone I know has come to any harm here in the big city, but living in Trinidad Colorado, and Waynesville Mo., I had friends that were involved with violent crime. Now as a retired old fart, the wife and I spend one weekend a month in NYC just for the shows, museums, resturaunts, and sight seeing. I'd rather go to NYC for a weekend than go to Trinidad Colorado again. Besides, it's nice being where if you can't sleep, there's something always going on, even at 4AM. Some little Bistro for a drink, or something.
Carl.