Do people sacrifice a lot when living in NYC? (New York: rent, home)
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Today, there appears to be a Transplant gneration reared in an antithesis environment, which they view as *normal* and commensurate with life. Yet, within that normality, there is something missing, which this generation is seeking within NYC (and other urban environments).
Strongly agree.
And many of that group are seeking that "something missing" in Harlem in particular.
Yes, but you need to look in both ways. In other cities, you may acheive/receive those benefits which may be sacraficed while living in NYC, BUT conversely, living in those other ciities, you sacrafice those tangibles that life in NYC provides.
So, it is not as if scarafice is a one way street.
For example, in other cities, you might afford an beautiful spacious home, but sacrafice nightlife and intellectual stimulation. In NYC, the converse is very often the case.
One significant difference between NYC nad other American places is this:
In NYC, and its surrounds, with enough money, one need not sacrafice much at all.
Unfortunately, in other cities, it is very difficult or impossible to *purchase* the tangibles/intangibles which NYC provides, no matter how much money one may have.
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That said, in answer to your overall question, NO! The average normal and I'll add FULL middle class lifestyle cannot be had in NYC. NYC is unique. It is not a part of the "normal", which I imagine you have in miind.
How could it be? That sort of suburban car centric mall focus family lifestyle is just not what NYC is about, which is why those alternate lifestyles and communities were created, to be the anithesis of urban NYC.
Today, there appears to be a Transplant gneration reared in an antithesis environment, which they view as *normal* and commensurate with life. Yet, within that normality, there is something missing, which this generation is seeking within NYC (and other urban environments).
Yet, that "normality" is so ingrained and inherent in their nature and lifestyle and family view, that even though they *may* find what they have beeen missing in Transplantland; found it the urbanity of NYC, this generation still, inherent and true to its basic nature, simultaneously seeks to hold onto much of their Transplantland values and life view, effect to TRANSPLANT their inherent values and basic lifestyle and views onto their VISION of NYC ubran life, and into the NYC lifestyle.
Transplants effect this, despite the reality of NYC, and urban life, having little in common with the Transplant *vision*. For example, this notion of public transport being the **essence** of NYC nad urban life, as well as the foreign to NYC, NOTION that bicycling, in the Euro fashion, is part of the NYC urban fabric.
These are *Transplanted* effects, not germaine to the native NYer mindset. Specifically, alien to the middle class of the outer boroughs, who find thse Transplantations INTRUSIVE onto and into established NYC! Conflicting and upsetting tradional manners of urban NYC life.
It is this "Transplantation", Transplant' mentality which clashes with the traditional urban nature of the city itself and the Native NYer mentality and lifestyle. You see this conflict within preferences such as, mom and pop stores vs chain/mall storess; street life vs quiet blandness; street smart vs SUPER safety (and the overall need for virtually absolute safety); small scale markets supplemented by diverse local mom and pop food stores vs one sop SUPERMARKETS!
Well said coltrane and I agree. I would like to add that it's not the transplant generation that is like that it's the whole entire generation called the millennials who are like this. You can take someone out of Kalamazoo but you can't take the Kalamazoo out of Braidy who lives in an out of place condo on 31st Avenue in Astoria with 2 other roommates from no name town in fly over country. Transplants segregate themselves from New Yorkers from the work place to certain venues.
cost of housing is very high. i would say that you wind up sacrificing a much higher percentage of your monthly income on housing than you would in other cities which in turn leaves you with less money to spend towards quality of life (ie: actually getting to go out and enjoy the city) or savings and investment.
also, living in a city where modern appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are considered luxuries instead of the norm does put a damper on things especially when laundry day also happens to fall on blizzard day and the laundromat is at least 3 blocks away.
truth be told many of the aspects of living in nyc are very much romanticized. nobody ever thinks of having to haul thier rapidly melting groceries on a hot summers day through the subway because the local bodegas always charge almost double for everything.
cost of housing is very high. i would say that you wind up sacrificing a much higher percentage of your monthly income on housing than you would in other cities which in turn leaves you with less money to spend towards quality of life (ie: actually getting to go out and enjoy the city) or savings and investment.
also, living in a city where modern appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are considered luxuries instead of the norm does put a damper on things especially when laundry day also happens to fall on blizzard day and the laundromat is at least 3 blocks away.
truth be told many of the aspects of living in nyc are very much romanticized. nobody ever thinks of having to haul thier rapidly melting groceries on a hot summers day through the subway because the local bodegas always charge almost double for everything.
This is a funny post. Typical of a Transplant puzzled, in the NYC way of life. It would appear moved to NYC w/o the truly necessary financial ability; and, unlike natives, w/o a support system magnifying income.
What native goes to the laudromat during a BLIZZARD??? LOL! Much more fun things to do when snowed in, though it does take a member of the opposite sex!
WHAT are your groceries doing on the subway?? Millions of people, a thousand or more on any given subway train. What portion of people are carrying *melting* groceries???
Btw, what native shops for their groceries at the BODEGA?! That is not what they are for. Bodegas are the equivalent of 7/11s, not supermarkets. Did you do your grocery shopping at the convenience store?
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The problem Transplant, is that you thought you could just move here w/o the slightest idea of *how* to live here! I don't know of a single person with your issues.
The fact that *you* don't have the money to enjoy the city, whose fault is that? It is READILY apparent that hundreds of thousands of people partake ALL the city has to offer, on a DAILY basis!
It is ot a matter of "romanticizing", but rather YOU moving here, apparently, unknowing and unprepared, with little BUT your romantic notions!
I don't want to state the obvious but do New Yorkers really sacrifice comfort and quality of life for the ability to enjoy what NYC offers? Or conversely, is it possible to live with relative comfort in NYC?
Put another way, do people live in NYC primarily for the unique attractions offered by the city (and are prepared to sacrifice their quality of life), OR is a normal, sustainable quality of life also possible there, as in any other city?
The COL is higher thats all. Sure I can go live in Kansas City and pay like $700 a month for a 3 bedroom house, but where's the closest NBA arena? And my wife already makes some mean ass BBQ ribs in the oven.
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"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
so you're saying I need to be a hipster to live in NYC?
Don't know what you mean by hipster, but if that means bunk beds yep. NYC is only reserved for those with $$$. If you have money, then NYC is wonderful place, but if you are broke......relocate. Not worth it and arguably the dumbest mistake in your life. Only move here if you have a job here or seeking one.
Rebuilding your network takes years, not days to fix. Even in NYC it will be tough to make new friends in your professional life. Want to know why? Make no mistake. Every employee is hoping for your termination. Job market in NYC is vicious.
i can tell you after thinking we were going to relocate to the poconos where we had a home the thing you sacrifice when living in nyc is giving up boredom.
there is just endless things to do here but you need the dough to enjoy it.
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