Update from my review of NYC written 11/20/2012 ab
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9/2/2014
I just reviewed my review of NYC from 11/20/2012. Here it is 2 years later and can honestly say my review was "right on". Your experience of NYC depends of course on YOUR personality, your situation in life, and what is most important to you. NYC is for a certain type of person, a certain situation.
If you are a middle class family with 2 kids, I would NOT recommend NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx) . If you have in income of at least $500,000 a year.. you might find Manhattan or Williamsburg (Brooklyn) interesting.
If you are single and young, you'll love it. Will open your eyes, your world, and when you are young, you can just squeeze into tiny places and share with 4 people LOL. By 26 though you will be sick of that arrangement. I do hear so so many young people complaining and discouraged about work opportunities and these are attractive, educated young people so this saddens me. Then there are the lucky ones to get something.
If you care most about personal space, and owning space, and being the king of your world and not interacting much with people except close old friends and family that will "affirm" you are loveable and special...NYC is probably NOT your place unless you have Millions. In NYC you have to prove yourself... again and again. It takes a very strong willed individual with a passion to achieve and surive in NYC to get what they want or at least something of what they want. You have to push relentlessly to get what you want. It may not be worth to you, but for some they NEED this rich environment of culture, music, the arts, innovative ideas and an atmosphere of creative. For some the just MUST have this kind of environment despite the hardships. I am one of those.
That said, yes, the job market is STILL tough. The competition is fierce but I am not sure the work environment is GREAT.... anywhere:( We are still in touch times for work opportunities.
Also housing has gotten more expensive than ever. This is a big change from 5 years ago. People are moving to West Harlem, Washington Heights and Innwood to try and escape the high rents. They were always high in NYC, but now it is much worse... and yet not much job opportunity.
Since I last wrote in 2012, the city has gotten much more crowded, job opportunities are a little better but companies, even big finace companies STILL want to hire consultants, temps to save themselves money. Terrible.
Note that you can commute from Long Island which is sooooooo charming. I LOVE Long Island and there are adorable communites, with nice friendly, family oriented people everywhere. The beach is close by. You can get a home or apt, literally across from the train stop. Easy commute, not expensive. So THAT is an option. You get the best of both worlds. Most middle class families commute from NJ and Long Island. These communities are close knit, very East Coast mentality, and friendly people.
I have sort of rambled all over the place but the summary is this:
NYC is very tough to get settled and get what you want. It can take 3-4 years to feel settled and get a job you'll be ok with.... but when you DO get the great place to live and great job with good salary... its the best place in the world for those to whom those things I mentioned above, culture etc, are important. For people who want MORE than just....being.....comfortable, NYC is rich.
Laurie | Midtown East, NY