Poll: Many Residents Don't Heart NYC
Although crime is way down and more tourists than ever are flocking here, a poll from Crain’s (subscription req’d) shows that about a third of New Yorkers think conditions in the city are deteriorating. The results of the poll, which are highlighted in a Daily News article, underscore a growing divide between the way the…
Although crime is way down and more tourists than ever are flocking here, a poll from Crain’s (subscription req’d) shows that about a third of New Yorkers think conditions in the city are deteriorating. The results of the poll, which are highlighted in a Daily News article, underscore a growing divide between the way the city is viewed by minorities and whites and the rich and poor. While 61 percent of white respondents said public transportation is good or excellent, only 41 percent of blacks rated it similarly; 20 percent of black respondents, meanwhile, called public schools poor, compared to 6 percent of white respondents who said they were in bad shape. The growing cost of housing is also weighing heavily on New Yorkers: Five years ago, 8 percent of poll respondents said it was difficult to cover their rent or mortgage, but now 18 percent say it’s hard to cover the cost of keeping a roof over their head. The poll results show that the city is losing its middle class, according to former Housing Commissioner Jerilyn Perine. “We used to have a bell curve, with most people in the middle,” she says. “Now you’re seeing a flattening of that curve and a growing high end and a growing poverty rate.”
One-Third Say New York Getting Worse [NY Daily News]
Photo by nuholeinmyshoe.
I don’t feel anything in the Air. markets go up and Markets go down what do you people want the market to keep going up forever? face reality . Also i must say PS58 in carroll Gardens is a wonderful public school with an outstanding Principal. While not every school or nabe is perfect there are many that are very good. If you bought a home or a Stock and thought it would go up forever without taking a break you are a fool.
I certainly hope so, 2PM. I know plenty of people who are working on improving their neighborhood schools. Elementary schools, especially, need parental help. Instilling a love of learning early is crucial. Middle schools and high schools will take much, much more than good intentions.
I think the City is better than ever and going to get even better in the next 20 years. If you don’t think so go try Palm beach county florida see how u like that
Montrose,
I agree with most of your points except that about public schools. Whatever one’s feelings about income disparity, at least in some places, the fact that families that used to leave for the burbs now choose to stay in NYC (if they can afford to) has benefited some public schools. True, many of them go private. But there aren’t enough space in private for everyone staying. Some by necessity, and some by choice, are going public, and not just in the 2 or 3 “good” publics that everyone used to talk about. (Because again, not enough space for everyone.)
Those bourgeois who 10 years ago would have moved to Montclair or Westchester are instead staying and lending their involvement—and money, time and connections–to local public schools. Has this solved the schools’ problems across the board? Of course not, not even close. But even on Brownstoner, you see a much more positive attitude toward local Brooklyn schools, in Ditmas, Windsor Terrace, South Slope, Kensington, etc., then you ever would have among the same cohort a few years ago.
There may still be “ony a few schools deemed ‘excelllent’,” but at lleast there are a few more of them, and more schools deemed “good,” then there used to be. This kind of change happens slowly, and it may or may not last, but as someone with kids in the schools who’s followed this situation for years, it has definitely been happening. Even if not for the reasons you or I might prefer.
I don’t think 10:11’s Latina was being bigoted, just realistic.
If you’re from a neighborhood that had lower end shops for the last 50 years, has just been “discovered” by mostly white yuppie and hipster types, and someone builds a swanky new supermarket, you know they aren’t doing it because the oldtimers deserve it.
What’s unfortunate is that many minority people don’t see ANY of the improvements to many neighborhoods as being “for” them, not even a supermarket. That encourages the *them and us* divide, and that is just wrong.
I have a few questions for The What. Given your very negative prognosis, what exactly do you think is going to happen? How are you preparing for it? What should other people be doing to prepare?
“Is it just me, or do other people feel that recently there is something negative in the air?”
It’s you. I feel fine!
Everything in this city has gone fucking haywire!!! People want 2000 a month for a fucking studio. Assholes building condos which no one can afford. Mutant housing bubble going apeshit. Food and Gas going up the ass and STILL motherfuckers are drinking Jim Jones Kool-Aid.
Many Residents Don’t Heart NYC???!! I say fuck the assholes that fucked up New York (you know who you are). Fuck off and die!!
The What (Enjoying the Implosion)
Someday this war is gonna end….
“While I was looking in the window of the soon to open South Slope Union Market, a 20 something latina looked in and said to her friend, this area is just like 5th Avenue, only for white people.”
What does that even mean? Did you turn to her and tell her she was a bigot?