Not according to the HDI, on the inequality-adjusted HDI it's not even in the top ten. Not in the top ten for literacy rates. Not in the top 5 for GDP/Capita. I'm sure there are tons of other metrics as where they fail as well, those were just a few that I googled. They have a lot going for them though, a strong economy and military, a incredibly strong media industry that is affecting the culture of countries throughout the world, an innovative technology sector etc. Greatest as a broad label however cannot be applied to any area without very specific metrics.
New York has a military? Sweet!
Perhaps Mister Bridges can take this one :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw
FWIW, that's Jeff Daniels not Jeff Bridges ;)
Dammit! I suck at Jeffs :( I should stick to my strengths.