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.
David Sedaris = humorist.
funny.
amy sedaris’ character on strangers with candy was GREAT. at a person, i think she’s a total tool. and her brother isn’t funny at all. pretentious peoples i’ve noticed like to like him for some reason.
now Mo’Nique on the other hand. that’s funny!
*r*
“And who is David Sedaris?”
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/10/27/081027sh_shouts_sedaris
Regarding undecided voters he writes:
“To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?†she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?â€
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.”
Haha, MM beat me to it, re David. 🙂
I did wikipedia her, which just confirmed that I don’t know her, nor do I know her brother.
As far as the cost of living thing goes: color me unsurprised. I lived in a gigantic 1BR in Philly for roughly half of what I make here, and was able to save almost as much money even while having a car payment, insurance, and a bunch of other stuff I don’t have here.
That said, I still love Brooklyn and I still want to own here. I’d just like to make bucketloads of money, too!
Thanks, Snark.
And who is David Sedaris?
dave- so which of the BF’s are you taking? Or are you taking all of them? Or are you taking all of Us? (yay!)
Amy Sedaris is the less funny sister of David Sedaris, and is best known for her portrayal of Jerri Blank in “Strangers with Candy.”
I have to run now for a lunch meeting, bxgrl. I think a perfect example of what you are speaking about is the huge number of over-the-top, Jean Georges type restaurants. Many of these will fold. They will not be missed. Who wants to dine in a trendy place where the noise level is ridiculous because everyone thinks he’s more important than anyone else.
If you ask me, the best restaurant in NYC for ambiance, service and food is La Grenouille. It’s not cheap but it will stand the test of time, as will many other places, but many will not. I’m going there next week for Valentine’s Day. It’ll be a truly fine dining experience and it will be quiet (no cell phones allowed).
great post northsloper. i love nyc and can’t imagine living anywhere else, but there is a limit for everyone for how long a commute or dangerous a neighborhood they will endure and i think a lot of people neared that point at the height of the bubble.
for me, 45 minutes on the subway from a shit neighborhood is my limit and when that becomes my only option for living here, i’m out…