Things are tough all over in New York, and a recent citizens survey describes just how dissatisfied residents are with their homes and neighborhoods. Between the soaring crime, soaring illegal immigration, infestation of rats, and astronomical cost of living, the Big Apple just doesn’t seem as appetizing as it once was. In fact, according to the poll, half of those surveyed said they will be moving out of the city.
Leaving New York
The Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) conducted the 2023 Resident Survey, then compared the results to those of similar polls from 2008 to 2017. It found that, overall, residents were not happy with the quality of life in New York. What a shocker. The poll looks at how life is now after the pandemic and found that only 30% of responders said they’re happy in their homes while 50% said they don’t plan to stay in the area over the next five years.
“People are fed up with the quality of life,” Queens Councilman Robert Holden told the New York Post. “There’s a general sense of lawlessness. You go into the CVS and there’s shoplifting. People’s cars get vandalized.” He added, “There’s general disrespect for the police. We moved away from broken windows policing that brought this city back.” He opined that people who can afford to move out of the area “can’t wait to get out of here.”
Tome Grech, president and CEO of Queens Chamber of Commerce, agreed with Holden regarding the crime. “In general, it’s pretty ugly out there,” he remarked. “There’s a free for all mentality over there the last couple of years. There’s a little sense of things spiraling out of control. We’ve got to get back to basics.”
One-third of New Yorkers rate the quality of life as poor, the survey demonstrated. In the 2017 poll, 50% of respondents rated public safety in their neighborhoods as excellent or good, but only 37% feel that way now.
NYC and the Migrant Crisis
CBC’s survey did not include any questions regarding the migrant crisis; however, that has been a huge issue among citizens. As Mayor Eric Adams struggles to find housing and financial aid for the illegal immigrants, residents have complained about the rise in crime, how their tax dollars are being spent, and the sheltering choices. Recently, Liberty Nation reported on the mayor’s debit card program which would provide loaded cards for migrants to use, causing a huge outcry among politicians and citizens alike.
Although it is not indicated in the survey that the flood of migrants into the city has added to poll takers’ dissatisfaction, the complaints by residents would indicate it was a huge factor. Even Adams suggested something similar, saying: “People have a right to be angry over what has happened with the migrants and asylum seeker crises and how it has impacted the quality of life for migrants and asylum seekers and on everyday New Yorkers. I know New Yorkers are feeling a certain way right now.”
The quality of life in the Big Apple has dwindled since 2017, according to the survey. Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the New York City Partnership, said: “CBC’s survey reflects the loss of confidence that New Yorkers feel in the aftermath of the pandemic.” It seems no longer in dispute that the Big Apple has lost its luster. One could easily change the iconic John Kander/Fred Ebb ode to the city: If I can’t make it there, I can make it anywhere else.
