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I'm originally from upstate NY and now live in the city. When I first moved to the NY area I moved to Westchester. Before living there I thought that everyone in Westchester (or NJ, CT, and LI) went to the city at least once or twice a week. I had no idea there were so many people that rarely go to the city. I also thought that Westchester people didn't drive much and took the Metro North to get around.
Anyway, when I discovered that many people in the NYC suburbs rarely go to the city or even dislike the city, I was left wondering why live there then? Why pay the high cost of living and taxes in a less than desireable climate if you don't like NYC? I put up with the high cost of living because I like the city, but if I didn't why would I?
Cause you can have just about everything the city has to offer in your backyard. At least thats why "I" stay. I like "city" life but not necessarily NYC life.
For us, it was all about schools and resale. We are unlikely to be here long term so we bought where we thought were the best real estate fundamentals: access to NYC, train line, top schools, low crime and location, location, location. But I agree with you, life here is harder and more expense than it need be....
What you are saying makes perfect sense. What I am asking is the people that don't like the city but live in the NY Metro suburbs despite the high cost of living. Even if you go into the city 3-4 times a month you are still taking advantage of the city. I don't understand people that go like once a year or less.
Cause you can have just about everything the city has to offer in your backyard. At least thats why "I" stay. I like "city" life but not necessarily NYC life.
Yes - agreed with this. I like having proximity to the city, and knowing that if I need to get in for work or otherwise, I can within a reasonable amount of time. However, that does not mean that I have, or even want, to go into Manhattan once or twice a week. I enjoy going in for a show once every few months, and then coming home to surburbia.
Because proximity to the city drives the whole economy in places like NJ, Westchester, and Long Island. Also, there are better dining, nightlife and entertainment options. There is generally a better class of people near large cities (higher educated, etc). Some people like knowing their neighbors and having their kids ride bikes to their friends' houses (as opposed to most of upstate, where acres and acres separate your neighbors in some cases).
Also, there is a higher concentration of jobs in Northern NJ than in remote areas. Even small business owners, who own businesses in NJ (not NYC), benefit from having their business in North NJ because their clients often DO work in NYC, and have money to spend. And there are MORE customers, because it is a populated, high-income area.
So it's a bigger picture, and more complex than just "going into the city". The whole area's economy (including NJ, Long Island, and WestChester) is supported and based around the metropolis known as NYC.
For me personally it's a matter of circumstance. I'm 20 now, but when I was about 5, my family lived in Orange County, NY. However, my mother and father worked in Paramus and Hackensack respectively, so we relocated to River Edge. Since then, I've lived in a bunch of different towns in Bergen County, and although the city has always been right there, I didn't start to utilize it til I had a couple of internships there in 11th and 12th grade.
So my take on it is...I don't need the city, but hey, if I ever want to go, I have a world-class city at my doorstep.
Because it's there when you need it. When you don't want to, you don't have to deal with NYC. Sounds like a good thing to me. A mix of everything.
I can access NYC, the shore, the mountains, Philly, urban areas, suburban areas, rich, poor, many different cultures, food, all within close proximity.
All of this culminates into a truly unique existence for a place like North Jersey.
I don't have to live in a 4th floor walk up, shoe box sized apartment to experience it.
For those who grew up around the NYC Metro, the "wow" factor wears off.
When I have someone to see or something to do in NYC, I do it. When I want Brazilian food, I go to Newark. When I feel like gambling, I go to Atlantic City. When I feel like visiting friends in Boston, I go to Chinatown & get on a bus for $15.
It's just that simple.
I'm originally from upstate NY and now live in the city. When I first moved to the NY area I moved to Westchester. Before living there I thought that everyone in Westchester (or NJ, CT, and LI) went to the city at least once or twice a week. I had no idea there were so many people that rarely go to the city. I also thought that Westchester people didn't drive much and took the Metro North to get around.
Anyway, when I discovered that many people in the NYC suburbs rarely go to the city or even dislike the city, I was left wondering why live there then? Why pay the high cost of living and taxes in a less than desireable climate if you don't like NYC? I put up with the high cost of living because I like the city, but if I didn't why would I?
Can someone explain this?
That's like asking people who live in the city "why do u never go into the suburbs?". Most people rather live in the suburbs, is that not so? but besides that I think people stay because they were born and raised here there and it's where there family is. But isn't it also true that NJ lost 300,000+ native residents since 2000?
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