It's Tough Out There for a Middle-Class New Yorker
Income levels that would enable a very comfortable lifestyle in other locales barely suffice to provide the basics in New York City, says the the Center for an Urban Future in a new report that merely provides data to back up what all city residents already new. The group estimates that the same quality of…
Income levels that would enable a very comfortable lifestyle in other locales barely suffice to provide the basics in New York City, says the the Center for an Urban Future in a new report that merely provides data to back up what all city residents already new. The group estimates that the same quality of life that costs $50,000 a year in Houston will run you $123,322 in the Big Apple; San Francisco is a distant second at $95,489 with LA at $80,583 and Philadelphia at $69,196. In addition, many New Yorkers put up with commutes that double the national average of 25 minutes. One Brooklyn Bridge Park even gets an unnamed reference: “If it wasn’t already clear that the cost of living in New York City is greatly out-of-whack with the rest of the country, it certainly became apparent in early 2008 when a new condo development in Brooklyn Heights began selling individual parking spaces—not apartments, parking spaces—for as much as $280,000.” So it’s no surprise that the report finds that many people have been giving up on New York. In fact, twice as many people with bachelor’s degrees left New York in 2005-2006 than in the prior two-year period. So what’s to do: Among other recommendations, the report suggests diversifying the economy, focus on basic infrastructure and quality of life issues rather than building flashy new projects and increase housing stock that is affordable to the middle class.
Montrose,
You must, must, must listen to Santaland Diaries:
– http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/lists/sedaris/
“Santaland diaries launched the career of writer and commentator David Sedaris. He recounts his days as a Christmas elf at Macy’s department store in New York City.”
Someone may have already said this, but…
You may be “middle class” on $50k in Houston, but are the job opportunities there? Recession aside, if you were to up and move to Houston are there as many companies and/or outlets for your profession/expertise?
I’m a City teacher and I contemplated moving once. The cost of living here was high, but as a teacher I was also making 2 to 3 times what other teachers were making in Seattle, or Chicago, or Philly. So the cost of living may have been half, but my salary would have been 1/3.
And there are the intangibles. Houston would require a car a person (most likely). You can live in NYC a never own a car. If you want to be your own boss/freelance are the opportunities available in a place like Houston? If you want to change careers does a place like Houston offer the options of further education and professional options?
I think the trade off for higher cost of living is the opportunity NYC offers. People have always come and gone in waves. The city becomes enticing and the droves move in. The city falters and people move. Soon enough the cycle will come around and the city will be thriving again and people will be clamoring to live here.
.02
I don’t find David sedaris so funny. And I’ve never heard of Amy. Put me in team bear ignormauses.
David Sedaris on Letterman – 5 min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBdymtyXt8Y
‘BRG, you must be as pretentious as I am.’
I think you are more so!
OK, I had read that quote during election time, and thought it was brilliant. Didn’t know who said it. Will have to check him out. Thank you, oh recepticals of popular culture wisdom.
And by Sedarist I mean: Sedaris
BRG, you must be as pretentious as I am.
Turns out I’ve actually read some of Sedarist’s stuff in the New Yorker. Just didn’t know the name.
Live and learn.