Well it is not always beneficial and can even be a bad thing, especially getting someone who has no idea how to play or what RP really is, entering new york. and of course the people *i KNOW they are around here* that will get all over their case for not knowing about it or being "OOC" which can easily make for a really bad experience.
but the fact to have a place to relax in is just kind of nice, don't gotta worry bout being attacked or getting trapped in new your or something with all the ways out, its in the middle of everything, it was a perfect meeting spot that was neutral and safe.
now the only safe spot is to hide all alone or something in some remote system which kinda kills getting to know people outside of RP, since being in RP means that some people act completely different, and using the forum as you mentioned is well, different.