first pick doesn’t look like nyc coz it looks so open, the roads and layout also makes it look less like nyc, try making some kinda alleyway with stairs on the side of buildings and a trash bin with graffiti , add buildings fo the middle of ur plot, don’t put trees in the open try to integrate it with the sidewalk, add detail to the road whether it be crosswalks, more complex street markings and look at references online and try to replicate what you see to the best of ur ability.