Why I’m Leaving New York City

Summary

The speaker shares their decision to leave New York City after 20 years, citing issues like high taxes, public safety concerns, and inefficient use of taxpayer money. They discuss incidents of rising crime, particularly around the subway, and frustrations with the city's costly and delayed infrastructure projects. The speaker, though pro-tax and pro-immigration, criticizes how funds are mismanaged, resulting in poor services, such as failed pre-K programs. Now living in New Jersey, they express relief, noting improved quality of life and better value for their money.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The speaker lived in Manhattan, New York City for 20 years but has decided to move due to various concerns.
• 💰 High living costs: A small studio in Manhattan costs $3,900 per month, compared to much larger homes in other areas for the same price.
• 💸 Taxes are a major concern: The speaker paid over 50% of their income in taxes between city, state, and federal levels.
• 🚨 Public safety has deteriorated: The speaker had several unsettling encounters with aggressive individuals on the streets of New York City, making it feel unsafe to raise a family.
• 🚇 The subway system is both unsafe and inefficient, with rising costs and poor infrastructure, despite major investments.
• 👷‍♂️ The New York City government is criticized for mismanaging taxpayer money, particularly in projects like the subway and public safety initiatives.
• 👶 The 3K (free pre-K) program, intended to provide free daycare for 3-year-olds, is failing due to mismanagement and the influx of migrants.
• 👥 The speaker supports immigration but is concerned that New York City is attracting migrants through extensive free housing and benefits, while failing to address its homelessness and mental illness crisis.
• 🌳 Neighborhoods and parks are affected by long, disruptive construction projects, further decreasing the city's quality of life.
• 🚶 The speaker has moved to New Jersey, where they feel safer, experience better quality of life, and believe the government is more effective in managing resources.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to leave New York City after living there for 20 years?

The speaker decided to leave New York City due to rising safety concerns, frustration with how tax money was being spent, and a declining quality of life, especially for families with young children.

What specific safety concerns does the speaker mention in the video?

The speaker mentions multiple safety incidents, such as encountering violent or unstable individuals in broad daylight, being almost assaulted in a park, and the general increase in crime and unsafe conditions in New York City.

What are the speaker's complaints about New York City's tax system?

The speaker is frustrated with the high taxes in New York City, stating that over 50% of their income goes to taxes, including city, state, and federal taxes. Despite this, they feel the return on public services, like safety and infrastructure, is inadequate.

How does the speaker compare living costs between Manhattan, New York, and Manhattan, Kansas?

The speaker compares the cost of living by stating that a small studio in Manhattan, New York, costs $3,900 per month, while the same amount could buy a large 8-bedroom home in Manhattan, Kansas.

What does the speaker say about the condition of the New York City subway system?

The speaker criticizes the New York City subway for being dirty, frequently smelling like excrement, and being unsafe due to encounters with mentally ill or unstable individuals. They also mention how the subway system has become an international embarrassment.

What are the speaker's views on New York City's public spending and infrastructure projects?

The speaker feels that New York City's public spending is inefficient, citing the example of an 11 billion-dollar subway station project and long, expensive construction delays. They compare this unfavorably to infrastructure projects in other cities like Paris and Shanghai.

How does the speaker feel about immigration in New York City?

The speaker is generally pro-immigration, recognizing it as a key factor in New York City's success. However, they are critical of how the city has been spending taxpayer money to offer free housing and other benefits to migrants, leading to challenges with access to services like daycare.

What frustrations does the speaker have with New York City's '3K' program for free daycare?

The speaker is frustrated that despite the promise of free daycare for all 3-year-olds in New York City, it has been difficult to secure a spot for their child. They feel this failure is a result of mismanagement and an influx of migrants taking available spots.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the homeless and mentally ill crisis in New York City?

The speaker believes that the homeless and mentally ill crisis is a major issue that should be addressed with the city's tax dollars, instead of spending on free housing for migrants.

How has moving to New Jersey impacted the speaker's quality of life?

After moving to New Jersey, the speaker expresses happiness, noting a higher quality of life, better management, and more value for their money compared to New York City.