12 Pros and Cons of Living in NYC
Living in New York is an adventure. Every day is a new story and a larger than life experience. Some of these stories are incredible, while others may be tragic, but they are all part of that big city life that people dream of. EB White said there were about three New Yorks. The New York of those who were born here, the New York of those who commute and “the New York of those who were born elsewhere and came to New York in search of something”. Whatever NYC a person knows, there are good and bad parts of the city that are essentially universal.
Benefits of living in New York
The food
The food in New York is easily some of the best in the world. There is a huge concentration of Michelin starred restaurants, but some of the best places to eat are the little holey restaurants that people seem to stumble into. Almost every cuisine a person can think of can be found in this city, which is prepared by the brilliant hand of a great chef. There are endless restaurants to enjoy in the Big Apple, and trying to enjoy them all will feel like traveling the world.
The diversity
Queens, New York is one of most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world, and the rest of the city is also full of diversity and culture. People from all over the world travel to New York to live and work. This diversity brings a lot to the city and is celebrated by the city in the form of museums, parades and festivals. This diversity also shines through in the art, cuisine and shopping experiences, making everyone feel at home in this crazy city. NYC has always been a melting pot, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Art
NYC has art for everyone. From the most exclusive gallery to a free sculpture garden in a park, everyone in the city can enjoy beautiful art. This doesn’t just apply to sculptures or paintings either. Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway theaters tell stories to anyone who will listen. Carnegie Hall to a small stage in a dive bar means everyone can listen to great music. Even on the street, the artists and graffiti can evoke a sense of admiration in those who live and visit here. NYC is a city of art and finds its way into every corner of this concrete jungle.
There’s never a dull moment
NYC is a city of entertainment. Wherever people look, there is a party, a disco, a cinema or a beautiful park. Some people travel across the country to experience the festivals that take place in New York. Seasonal events are a big hit in the city, with summer and winter providing some of the best entertainment and arts in the world. Even something as simple as a walk with a friend can turn into a great adventure. People just need to look out and something amazing will happen.
24-hour transit system
Many people might disagree with this point, given the lack of enthusiasm for the MTA. However, most cities in the United States don’t have public transit systems, and those that do don’t have the same coverage as New York’s subways. The best part is that they run all day every day, so people can stay out as late as they want and not have to go home. New York’s public transit system may not be perfect, but it’s easily one of the best in the country and it makes life in the city a whole lot easier.
A resilient city
New York City has seen its fair share of large-scale tragic events. Not too long ago, the city went into quarantine in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID. “Two weeks to flatten the curve” quickly turned into “Hopefully we open in about a year.” However, that didn’t stop NYC from being NYC.
Using the COVID guidelines, a ton of socially distanced outdoor events have been organized. Restaurants have added outdoor seating so people can still eat safely. Even city dating has adapted, with walks in a park becoming hugely popular. Whatever the tragedy, New York finds a way to survive and thrive. This attitude is one of the best parts of living in this city, as it inspires people to innovate, create, and be bigger and better for those who live here.
Disadvantages of living in New York
It’s crazy dear
Most people know that NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Housing prices keep rising, often artificially by landlords and developers, but that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. The cost of everything is rising in New York. It’s easy to leave the house for a few hours and accidentally spend hundreds of dollars.
It is particularly difficult because wages do not keep up with inflation. Even with the $15 minimum wage, many people get kicked out of town or are forced to work two or three jobs just to feed themselves. NYC has a restless culture that says those who work hard will live well, but many of the hardest workers have the hardest time paying for their homes. It’s a problem that has plagued the city for decades.
The noise
The city is noisy. It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s something that may surprise people. Even in the middle of the night, cars honk, dogs bark and sirens sound. It can be difficult to find a quiet place in town. Even when a quiet space is found, firecrackers may go off randomly or you may end up with noisy neighbors. Most people who live in cities get used to noise and can eventually tune out. However, many people never learn to live with it, forever putting a sour note on their New York experience.
Traffic
NYC has one of the worst traffic in the country. Rush hour, construction, parades, marathons, just about anything can stop all traffic on a main road. For those who depend on public transport, this is normally not a problem. However, all this traffic and road construction leads to another problem: air quality, which is a major health hazard and deteriorates especially in summer. Again, this problem is minor for most people. But for those who have a car or like to take Ubers or Lyfts, it’s a common annoyance that won’t go away any time soon.
The tourists
NYC is a tourist city. The good thing is. Many cities depend on tourism. Most tourists who visit NYC consider it a privilege and are perfectly respectful and pleasant. However, authorized tourists are often much louder than the good guys. Some tourists come to New York expecting the city to revolve entirely around them. It’s especially bad during major holidays and festivals like St. Patrick’s Day and SantaCon. People will enter the city, destroy parts of it, and then leave without regard for the people who actually live there, which can be very annoying.
pests
NYC is full of rushing little creatures. Rats, cockroaches, and bed bugs are beautiful creatures outside. Unfortunately, they like to live inside other people’s houses. Cockroaches, in particular, can be annoying to eliminate, so much so that many apartment complexes have a monthly sign-up sheet where residents can request an exterminator covered by the landlord. The rat problem was also particularly severe after the pandemic when dining sheds were abandoned and destroyed, leaving thousands of rodents running around to find new shelter. These parasites are pretty gross for most people and are everywhere.
Infrastructure issues
NYC has some interesting budget priorities. You would think that city functions like street repair, building maintenance, bridge inspection and garbage collection would take up a lot of the city budget, but these services certainly need a lot more. of financing. There’s trash all over the city, potholes are commonplace, and fines for unsafe buildings are ridiculously low. The people who pay an arm and a leg to live in this city deserve better maintenance, especially considering the increased risk of flooding during the last years. It’s a problem that’s hard to ignore, and many New Yorkers struggle daily to solve it.
There’s a lot to love about living in New York and there’s a lot to be bored with. NYC is not everyone. It’s a tough, expensive city with a lot of noise and big political problems. That said, most people who live here love it. The sights and sounds easily outweigh the negatives, especially when those negatives can possibly be corrected. In fact, every problem NYC faces is totally fixable. The city just needs to put time, effort and money into the right things. There’s a lot to love about city life, and the people who call it home can make it even better.
