Some like it expensive - 11/25/2007

It is no secret, NYC is very expensive, and Manhattan is the epicenter. Unless you can afford to live there or near by(as opposed to the outer boroughs), you will more than likely be a semi-substantial commute away from most of the things you'd like to do and people you'd like to see. But if you are willing and the daily grind/rat-race doesn't get to you, the cultural options, food, activities will no doubt be worth it. No city like it in America, for better or for worse.

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I Love NY! - 11/7/2007

No one ever says I love NY and doesn't mean it! It is the greatest city in the world!

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High Crime and High Cost of Living - 10/28/2007

The cost of living is way too high and the crime rate is too high. Once a person retires its time to leave.

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Feedback from Akay's opinion from Brooklyn plus my - 10/15/2007

Akay's views unfortunately are "right on". I have a love, and "not so loving" view of what NYC offers in terms of the “human connections”. Akay's views about a lack of "legitimate relationships" and "lack of accountability" with personal relationships are right on. Read Akay of Brooklyn’s entire review, it is excellent regarding the interpersonal aspects of life in the city. To that I would add that NYC like everywhere is going through very stressful times because of the mortgage mess and the terrible impact that this is having on jobs now here. NYC has a huge percentage of its jobs vested in finance/Wall Street and those industries that support then. I have been here 14years. I am East Coast but lived in Italy 5 yrs and San Fran 5 yrs. Before 2000 NYC was really fun, upbeat and positive. People felt opportunity was abundant. But then came the tech. stock market crash and then 9/11, then the war, and now the mortgage fiasco. All have changed life significantly but for the very rich. Tax law has even changed the “private equity” firms which were smaller, more fun and “hipper” than the larger firms and provided great perks and bonuses. All that has changed. Real estate up to 4 years ago was abundant and affordable. There were tons of studios in the best neighborhoods for $220,000. I saw a fabulous one with a private terrace for $175,000 across the street from Central Park. It sold in 2 days but...it existed. And these low prices were at 5.5 % interest rates. Now, you are looking to spend $330 for the same studio with an mortgage rate of at least 6.5 which adds approx. $300 to your monthly mortgage payment in a job market that is depressed and wages have dropped rapidly since May 2007. In addition workers are being asked to take on more work and work longer hours than ever. But just try getting a job. Unless you have a very special expertise, you are a superstar in your field or you have LOTS of extra cash and dont really need to work....wait a few years before moving to NYC unless you can live for free with someone. This is NOT the time to move here. This is a low period for the city. Everything goes through cycles and this is a low one and NYC is a tough place to be when times are tough. Additionally our mayor Bloomberg stated that due to the anticipated reduction in tax revenues due to Wall Streets woes and the the volume of Real Estate sales plummeting, the city will have less money to run it and therefore he has stated he will cut back on spending. NYC is NOT fun when a mayor stops spending on services. This affects transportation, street cleaning and lots of things that you will feel over time. Overall, NYC is interesting, stimulating and there is a lot of opportunity. The trick is to move in when times are good and be well settled by the time bad times hit so you can ride it out with minimum pain. Even in down times, if you are financially stable there’s lots to do for free. It’s not a “party” atmosphere now but the museums are great for beauty and introspection and perspective. The weather now is great for biking and walking. Did Central Park on the bike this Sunday. The leaves are starting to change and the park was full of people enjoying the changing of the seasons. The west side along the Hudson from Wall St. up to 150 street is full of bike paths, restaurants, cafe’s and natural beauty. Very San Fran. “like” by the water. NYC is hundreds of small little “villages” so just doing food shopping is fun. You feel connected to your neighborhood, you run into neighbors and chat, pat their dog, play with their baby then finish your shopping. That “village” life is what is so special about NYC. Also it is always best enjoyed with a partner. Being single except for the very young, 20-26, is not much fun at all. You want someone to enjoy and share things with and there lots to share and enjoy in NYC.

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If you don't like the weather in NYC, wait. - 10/7/2007

The weather in NYC has a pattern, beautiful, muggy and ten cold. or any variation of the three. Beautiful would be one of the not too warm or too hot days when you'd like to lay down in a park and take it all in. Expect a refreshing breeze on days like that. Muggy ranges from humid and cold to humid and hot. The hot days are typical in August and cold in February. I've seen smarter NYers (please don't call us locals) wear a face mask in the summer. It comes in handy. And the cold days follow ice storms, wind storms and the occasional NorEaster. We do also get hurricanes at hurricane 1 or 2 levels in the city.

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NYC - 9/30/2007

I love it here, but the cost of living is suffocating.

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Must Know Someone to Be Someone - 9/26/2007

Despite the fact that New York has 8 million people, somehow it's got a small town attitude about hiring. You really need a reference to get a job where you aren't exploited. If you don't have a reference, expect to work for less than you are worth because they know you don't have a choice. If you have a reference, make sure it's a good one. If you want a middle class lifestyle, make $100,000 a year, or go home. I'm not kidding. A 600 square foot apartment in a bargain-basement location costs $2,000 a month.

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Moderate Climate - 9/22/2007

New York has developed a more temperate climate over the years. Winters see a little snow fall, more rain and temperatures in the 20-40 range. Summers have been nice recently, with temperatures rarely exceeding 90 and generally average humidity.

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Housing is too expensive - 9/14/2007

Unless you are a financial district person.

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New York - 8/31/2007

Great town - many busy people and great museums

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Overcrowding and lack of pakring - 8/25/2007

My neighbohood, as well as others in the city used to be a nice, quiet neithborhood, although parking has been sparce. Lately they've been putting in small condos, which are not selling, many houses by long-time tenants have been being put up for sale and THEY are not selling. Around the corner from me, they're almost completed with the building of 40 3-family unit houses with only parking for 4o units. Another 5 hourses are being built on my corner with parking for each house. With all these new houses and with an average of 3 cars per house in a neighborhood that it already strapped for space, it's so overcroded, we think it's time to get out of New York City and go somewhere with more space available!

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House are too experience. - 8/24/2007

Real estate in NYC is crazy. Everything is going up. Even thought the market for real estate is bad, real estate are still going up in NYC.

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Brooklyn - Park Slope - 8/23/2007

Woderful family atmosphere, yet still "New Yorkish". Should have moved here years ago.

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Too Expensive - 8/9/2007

It cost way too much to live in New York. The cost of living doesn't add up when your comparing it to your quality of life.

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No City compares... - 8/8/2007

There is not another city in the United States that can provide such an amazing transportation system like New York. Not only are New York City and the surrounding boroughs/cities gorgeous and filled with things to do, but you can get to each and every area with the greatest of ease!

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New York - Best of Both Worlds - 8/4/2007

Yes New York may have the hustle and busy of a noisy, stressful and unforgiving city, but just think no matter where you are in the metro area you are within an hour of countless serene beaches. Which is what I love the most about NY! Visit Brighton Beach or Coney Island in Brooklyn, Rockaway Beach in Queens or Fire Island and the Hamptons on Long Island, you will have the luxury to escape to their peaceful surroundings on the weekend or any given day of the week.

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High Cost of living - 8/4/2007

New York's cost of living is going through the roof. The middle class is finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities. Pray for us!!!

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New York, New York, big city of dreams... - 7/30/2007

Extremely diverse. Can find anything anywhere. You know the rest

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Hectic in concrete jungle!! - 7/26/2007

For the hipsters, NYC is the place to be. There is always something happening - even steampipe explosions dubbed as terrorist attack. But honestly, for those seeking action in everyday life, there is no better place than NYC. For a person like me, I work in the city and live in the city. So apparently, there is no change between my weekday and weekend. The same traffic, same commotion. I would not want to leave NYC for another job, but I would certainly think about living within a 45-60min commute. That would give me the ideal lifestyle - hectic in the weekdays and relax in nature on weekends. I assume many people might think the same way - but those 8million people who live in the city don't. I would like to know other people's comments.

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Be afraid; be very afraid. - 7/23/2007

I've lived in New York for four years now. When I came here from Boston I just couldn't get enough. I was out every night, meeting exciting new people, drinking in the culture and learning to grow a New York attitude. About two years into my experience, I began to notice that every one around me was fixated on success, work, money, being busy, being occupied... It is almost impossible to form legitimate relationships here because there is always something better around the corner for everyone. In addition, there is very little accountability here because you can count on never seeing most of the people you meet ever again. Forget dating here-it's been the most psychotic experience of my life; this city attracts and breeds psychopaths. I'm only just beginning to realize that I'm surrounded by people who have sacrificed their humanity to stay on top in the Big City. ALOT of people here are all alone, extremely neurotic and missing out on the beautiful things that make a life worth living. Sure, we've got entertainment...we've also got smog, trash, cockroaches, and a heartless rat race. It's a cruel, materialistic city--come check out some shows, and go back to a kinder, gentler existance.

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