I'm not sure how diversity is supposed to change the fact that it's kept up about as well as a cesspool.
It varies; some places are worse than others, if your broke then yeah. Continue on defending your blanket statements though, really compelling, cunning stuff (*Thumbs Up*)..
If you live in the South Bronx, and take the subway around, that's probably true. If you live in some Chinatown area, that's probably true. If you live in the Projects, that's probably true. Doesn't mean it applies to everyone though.. thats why you sound like a jealous outsider, who's generalizing and can't get into specifics - rather than a cunning linguist ..
I'm sure some areas in Harlem aren't all that well kept, I wouldn't really know, just passed thru there on the train a few times..
Conversely if you live in the Upper East Side, lets say East End avenue(overlooking the East river), or on Park Ave, 5th Ave, Lexington Ave, Madison Ave -- These places are well kept, same as many places downtown near Wall st. Park Slope in Brooklyn isn't dirty at all, they use the sidewalks to those brownstones shoot commercials all the time. The Parks are really well kept.. I'm not saying its the cleanest city in the world, if your a nancy who's worried about dirt or garbage, I suppose then it's not the place for you, It's really not a big deal though, depends on circumstance.