Is new york as hard as new yorkers make it out to be? Would an out-of-towner be able to make it?

Hey right now I live in naive, central suburban New Jersey. and I LOVE NEW YORK. I want to find a job in fashion and graphic design. and I want to sit on top. I'm an artist, fashionista, and an individualist. I just wonder if I'd get along with the people there. or if they'd be too hard on me? ;]