Whether I agree about NYC, and I only agree about Manhattan being a terrible place to live, please realize that the city of the port of entry is NOT the first place most arrivals see and not the first impression most get.
The vast majority are simply changing planes for somewhere else in the U.S,. or elsewhere, and the process is less friendly than other countries but not too bad.

Be more concerned about the SS's, oops I mean HS's, policies about simply being able to change planes to another country as a destination.

Think about the impression it gives people from other nations.

Homeland Security removed the transit lounges from all US airports shortly after 9/11 even though there had NEVER been a "terrorist" incident in any of them, and promised another easy solution within a short period of time.
Nothing yet, and the load on the US consulates in other countries is horrendous since EVERYONE has to apply for a transit visa (which assumes the person wants to live in Amerika.)

Every time I have a friend from outside North America try to visit me at my home in Mexico they have to try to get a transitl/tourist visa at a cost of $100 and it usually takes 2-3 tries IF they are lucky.

They then asked (arm twisted) the UK, Canada, Germany and others to do the same in the name of "security". Almost all air traffic in the western hemisphere is forced to go through a small # of countries which now require transit visas.
This increases the cost and inconvience for everyone, including the airlines.
There are 2, count them 2, flights from Tokyo to Tijuana at 2-3 times the cost of going through LAX, SFO, or SEA-TAC.

In Asia it is different and is still handled in a sane manner.
Passing through Tokyo on my way to and from the Philippines last year was just like it should be.
Get your carry ons, exit the plane, clear immigration and security all in one easy step and go to your departure lounge.

Hong Kong and Manila are the same from personal experience except for the double search when going to LAX.

As Benjamin Franklin wrote: They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

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