Preconceptions of New York

So I'm just a few hours away from my flight to New York, and I'm thinking about all of the things that I'm expecting:

1) Criminals
2) Dirty, congested streets
3) Mean people
4) Tall buildings

I'm basing this off of what I've seen in the media - namely Law & Order, White Collar, and 30 Rock. And maybe a bit of How I Met Your Mother or Friends - although these shows seem to focus on the insides of NY buildings rather than the outsides. I'm very interested to see what New York is really like, because I can't believe that so many people would want to live there if it's really THAT bad.

I'm guessing I'll hate it or love it. But either way, I can't wait to find out!