New York Pros & Cons, Like Anywhere... - 8/25/2006

Having lived in Brooklyn my entire life, I really don't have much to compare it to. Of course there are pros & cons to this place like any other. The cost of living is rather expensive in New York, but if you try hard and are lucky, you can still find a somewhat affordable place to live if you don't mind living far out into the boroughs as I do. I'm not too far from the city (one hour on the subway or the beach, without having to constantly be in the bustle of Manhattan. It is really awesome having such a variety of life available at any time; of all the things there are to do in New York, I may not do half of them in my life, but it's great that I CAN, anytime I want. On the other hand, there really in so much room for improvement here too, there are so many ignorant, self-centered, elitist, uneducated, destructive, shallow, superficial, miserable, and mentally unstable/homeless people here, it really sucks sometimes. But there are some fine, decent people too, they're just harder to find. As far as the climate, I think New Yorkers are the biggest pussies ever when it comes to weather, anytime it rains or snows more than a little, people make such a big deal about it, just to have something to talk about. Many say there is no spring or fall here, just summer and winter, but that's bull, there are four distinct seasons and the winter is not as bad as people make it out to be, though of course winter does FEEL longer than the other seasons; there are some nice things about it though. Overall New York and it's boroughs do offer an attractive and plentiful though often expensive quality of life.

[Comment on this Posting]

New York Pros & Cons, Like Anywhere... - 8/25/2006

Having lived in Brooklyn my entire life, I really don't have much to compare it to. Of course there are pros & cons to this place like any other. The cost of living is rather expensive in New York, but if you try hard and are lucky, you can still find a somewhat affordable place to live if you don't mind living far out into the boroughs as I do. I'm not too far from the city (one hour on the subway or the beach, without having to constantly be in the bustle of Manhattan. It is really awesome having such a variety of life available at any time; of all the things there are to do in New York, I may not do half of them in my life, but it's great that I CAN, anytime I want. On the other hand, there really in so much room for improvement here too, there are so many ignorant, self-centered, elitist, uneducated, destructive, shallow, superficial, miserable, and mentally unstable/homeless people here, it really sucks sometimes. But there are some fine, decent people too, they're just harder to find. As far as the climate, I think New Yorkers are the biggest pussies ever when it comes to weather, anytime it rains or snows more than a little, people make such a big deal about it, just to have something to talk about. Many say there is no spring or fall here, just summer and winter, but that's bull, there are four distinct seasons and the winter is not as bad as people make it out to be, though of course winter does FEEL longer than the other seasons; there are some nice things about it though. Overall New York and it's boroughs do offer an attractive and plentiful though often expensive quality of life.

[Comment on this Posting]

get me out of here! - 8/20/2006

N.Y is not the place to raise children. Gang culture very big. Too expensive-I make a preety decent salary( mid 40's ) yet still rely on that weekly paycheck cause my livelihood relies on it. That is the norm. NY is a community of people living paycheck to paycheck.

[Comment on this Posting]

NYC: Women galore but expensive$$$$$ - 8/14/2006

Couple things. I haven't disagreed with anything I've read. NYC is a tough nut to crack, no doubt. You need to make at least 40k to get a share in a crappy apartment. If you make 40k elsewhere, you have a shot at 50k and your own place in Brooklyn or Queens. The people are very nice I found, but it's hard to get to know people. People there don't trust anyone to make friends because people come and go so often. If you are stable and sure you can afford to stay there for years, you'll be in paradise. There are so many beautiful women in NY and all of them seem to need a man. It's truly paradise if you have your stuff together. But if you are making 40k and don't have a proper apartment to bring a women to for a nightcap, it can be a desolate experience. You need to make a bit of coin. And you probably need connections to get a job too. All the bonus stuff is great, I don't need to repeat it. If you are going to try to scrape by, I would get my act together somewhere else first THEN move to NY. Don't move to NY unless you are in good shape - you'll get smoked. A studio apartment will cost you 175-200k with a 45minute to hour commute, and that's if you find a good deal. Renting is a joke. You'll give all your money to a landlord....and I mean ALL. The city is extremely safe now, it's like an outdoor shopping mall, but it's pretty segregated. If you go to Brooklyn or Queens, you'll run into neighborhoods with angry minorities. If you are white, you probably won't get hassled, but don't expect smiles either. Minorities are constantly getting hassled there and priced out and they'll pass that on to you. In Manhattan, it's the opposite, you'll get the snob treatment in rich areas. And the rich ARE taking over the city, step-by-step. Soon it will be completely gone. But it's fun! Don't expect to get ahead unless you are already ahead.

[Comment on this Posting]

Good for the all work and drink crowd - 8/14/2006

Well le me tell you NY is wonderful to VISIT but I have lived here most of my life and CANT wait to get out....the neighborhoods where mom and pop owners are disappearing faster than the terrorists and new bigger taller buildign are being buil on every vacant lot imaginable, great for people who are robotic and unsocial, you get on a subway train and everyone is a stranger no matter what weve been thru theres no comrodery here, most people are her eto make the money and move on, its a transient city, loosing its history and character thru commercialization and industry. I visited other countries where Ive felt more homeliness that in my own town. I guess if your a city bugger then its for you, Ill be leaving soon and its a trend more popular than people are admiting to especially since we are the MAIN target for terrorist to make their point. Cest la vi

[Comment on this Posting]

The Big Apple - 8/4/2006

The big apple has the best pizza in the world :-)

[Comment on this Posting]

retired - 8/2/2006

Retired to New York City as the place that best suited our interests and needs especially regarding the cultural activities available. My wife and I believe that the City has more than fulfilled our expectations and we find that everyday is stimulating.

[Comment on this Posting]

READ HERE: The honest truth about NYC - 8/2/2006

Dear Reader, I am going to give an honest, straight up font portrait of NYC just how it is in terms of living, working and playing here in the NYC area. I will not be complaining and focusing on negatives like other posters. Living in NY area (Tri-state) is very challenging for newcomers and natives. It is very expensive, congested and costly. Yes it is dirty, 8 million people live here. Very long commutes for some. However, if you are well off in your career or business you will enjoy the benefits of the good life in the Tri-state. The well off have vacation homes for the summer in places like the Hamptons and Hudson valley and winter homes in Vermont or Mass. as well as a main home in NYC area. There is all types of housing. But very expensive. You do not get what you pay for. Indeed I will say it is hard to get ahead here unless your from here from a wealthy family that can start you off. In a nutshell living in the NY area offers a wide array of possiblities. Working in the NY area can be tough and challenging. Its a grind! New job growth is very low. But creative and financial careers, there are plenty opp's out there. New York City is a tough egg to crack for newcomers and college grads. It a place where you really need to know someone. Its the top people who you know to get in basically. NETWORKING BY PHONE FAMILY OR FRIENDS best way for success here for employment. Most apply jobs on internet do not get the time a day. As most top execuatives and HR dept's wont even give you the time of day either. Salary growth is low. Worker satisfaction is low. In a nutshell unless you are working for yourself or a top position at a company, working in NYC can be ruthless. COLLEGE GRADS LOOKING TO MOVE TO NYC, RESEARCH IT HARD FIRST. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETITION AND AMBITION HERE. CHECK OUT FORBES BEST CITIES FOR SINGLES. JOB GROWTH AND REPORT. ITS EXPENSIVE, YOUR ENTRY LEVEL PAYCHECK WILL BE SWALLOWED. NOT KIDDING! Playing in the NY area is the best. Its very easy to have a great time. From NYC nighlife to the beaches in the summer and early fall. To some great skiing up north in NY and Vermont. Possiblities are endless. It can be costly too depending where your weekending. But there are plenty of cheap and free places to go. You do not need a car if you live in the city, use trains or rent a car for the weekend to go out to long island. The Hamptons are very expensive, but Fire Island and NJ shore is great and fair on the wallet. Numerous state park

[Comment on this Posting]

Expensive, but worth it - 8/1/2006

This city is very expensive for people out of college, but it is a lot of fun and full of great opportunities.

[Comment on this Posting]

Astoria New YOrk - 7/28/2006

I've lived in Astoria all my life and it used to be a great community. Unfortunately over the years it has become extremely urbanized and less of a neighborhood. Real estate prices are through the roof and many long time residents are being forced to move elsewhere

[Comment on this Posting]

Nice place to visit, but do you wanna live here? - 7/17/2006

It's 100 degrees today and the subways are packed with sweaty and rude people. As a tourist, you'll find folks happy to give you directions and such, the city is safer and cleaner than in the past, and the tourist attractions and museums and nightlife are unbeatable, but the day-to-day grind and high cost of living should inform any decision to move here. Actors, traders, and others who "need" to be here will have to deal with it until they can afford to live elsewhere.

[Comment on this Posting]

The city that will make you broke! - 7/12/2006

Many people here have to spend $200k just to buy a studio apartment. That amount of money will buy you a very nice house everywhere else (execept the bay area). Many have to spend more than half of the monthly wages on rent. My advice, only move here if you make over $100,000. That is what the "middle class" earns here.

[Comment on this Posting]

A question of priorities... - 7/12/2006

New York City is a great place to live, if you are open to shifting priorities. I've found, that when I was younger, the outrageous cost of rent and food and life in general, didn't bother as me much because I was living in NYC. But, as I get older, using half my salary for a space to live and the other half for food, transporation and taxes...it's just getting old. I still love this city but wish it was more "liveable". Having said that, if money is of no concern, NYC is probably a fabulous place to live!

[Comment on this Posting]

Rude and expensive - 7/9/2006

Cannot wait to move to somewhere more civilized. Loud and rude people without manners, everywhere.

[Comment on this Posting]

East village - 7/8/2006

I just moved to a walk up in the East Village. I love ample night life and restaurants.

[Comment on this Posting]

Left NY after 20 years - 7/5/2006

I moved to NY in my 20s and after living in Brooklyn, NY initially then to the West Village for 12 years, I decided I wanted to try someplace else. I sublet my apt and have the option of renewing my lease that is now going up to 1,600 for a one bedroom apt. (a great deal for that area) and I will not renew. Too much of my paycheck went to paying for the cost of living there, and I was always either in debt or on the verge of debt. My former neighborhood, the West Village, is a beautiful and desirable one, is really now one for rich people, celebrities. Where it once had abandoned piers, old industrial buildings and overhead railways, they have now been transformed into chic restaurants and bars and condos only affordable to the rich. I have many great memories of New York, and like most NYers felt that it was the only place where things were happening. I miss many things such as the nightlife and arts and entertainment scene, there is little that can rival NY in my opinion. The pay is better (out of necessity) than most places. I've seen surprising acts of both rudeness and kindness. I just don't think NY is the ONLY place to live anymore, now that I'm in my 40s. And I increasingly think of how little money I have for retirement. New York WAS very exciting in my 20s and 30s, but I got increasingly frustrated with the constant crowding and, like many, after 9/11 felt very acutely the sense of living in a "target." I can agree with just about all the posts I've read here, NY really does have the best and worst of many things.

[Comment on this Posting]

Great Place to Live After College - 7/5/2006

If you got the money, there is no place that is more exciting than this city. If you're single its a blast with all of the bars and nightclubs. Just be prepared to wake up in a few hours to go to work the morning after.

[Comment on this Posting]

Local Transportation in the Big Apple - 7/3/2006

One of the most positive features of NYC is local transportation. One can reach many locations in the city quickly and economically by way of MTA. Some airports are accessible by local buses. Others can be reached by cab or car service.

[Comment on this Posting]

Can't afford to buy here... - 6/26/2006

My husband and I live in a beautiful, leafy brownstone section of Brooklyn (Park Slope) where the quality of life is, for the most part, quite good. However, with the average cost of owning a home here hovering at $800,000-$1.5 million, we will never be able to afford to buy. Rents are high here as well, and in our current apt. building, dogs are not allowed, which is also a pity. We would also need more square footage, a garden, and some closet space (the turn-of-the century homes in our neighborhood, though lovely in many ways, were built with only 1 or 2 small closets). We are now on a mission to find a new place to live with more affordable housing where we can buy, but also where we can both find jobs.

[Comment on this Posting]

ALWAYS WORK - 6/25/2006

NYC ALWAYS HAS WORK FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO WORK. ITS NOT EASY, BUT YOU SURE CAN LEARN A LOT.

[Comment on this Posting]