Yes, you’re right about NYC. If you look at some of the John Cassevettes films of the 60s shot in NYC (like Husbands) you really see a decline. Even in the 70s it didn’t look as bad as that! I never understand what people are talking about when they discuss NYC as a “hellhole.” And Chicago - the same thing. What people are thinking of is the inner city, the ghetto. Or, they are thinking of Times Square in summer after tourists have completely trashed the place.
I was in NYC for a week in 2012. It was clean, subways were clean, only saw one bum sleeping on the street and one panhandler. Nothing like shown in movies about NYC in the 1970s.
I actually fell in love with the town!