The Downfall of New York City

New York City is one of the most sought after places to live in the world. From its list of never-ending activities, to its fashion, to its luxurious lifestyle, millions of people romanticize NYC life. So, while people who are not from New York City tend to make it seem like living there is a dream, those currently living there are living quite the opposite. From the rising costs of living, the overpopulation of rodents, to the rising level of homelessness, to the increase in crime, it has become quite unpopular with natives.

New York City has always been quite expensive, but more recently(post-covid), the median rent in NYC is roughly $4,000. The rent isn’t the only thing rising in cost. Anything you buy in the city is going to be significantly more expensive than anywhere else; but this is nothing new. This is causing the “Mom and Pop’s” shops to go out of business as well. Shopping locally has become much harder. In other places outside of the city, shopping locally can mean cheaper products, but in NYC, the more local you shop the more expensive it will be. Although, it is not the small business owners’ fault. It is the competitors in the area that either force the businesses to up their prices or just close down altogether due to lack of funds. Even the worldwide known brands markup their prices based on where you live in the city. For example, on the Upper East Side, you can get a latte for $6, while in the East Village, the same drink will be $8. It’s worrying as the prices are increasing, even affecting coffee!

Frank Nestola works within marketing in Manhattan, and has lived in New York City for his entire life, and even raised kids here as well. “Our prior mayor was ineffective and made terrible decisions that resulted in higher traffic congestion and more homeless on the streets.” He is very passionate in his words and though he was raised in the city, he doesn’t hold back.. “The rats have taken over the city which is driven by the abandoned outdoor restaurant seating, which also takes up parking spaces.” He continues, “Rent has skyrocketed and has forced many to find housing elsewhere, and has even driven out some native New Yorkers.”  Frank spoke more about the decline of the city, referencing how the pandemic has made all of these unruly things happen. “We will never be where we were before the pandemic.”

New York City is known to be dirty, but has it ever been this dirty? Just about every New York City resident has had a mouse in their apartment once. This is normal, especially in the colder years, but what about rats? This year, 2022, there are two million rats living in New York City alone. You cannot walk down the street on trash night in the city without seeing at least five rats scurry past your feet. The subways are crawling with them, along with just about every trash room in New York. It has always been an ongoing joke that NYC is flooded with rats- but it genuinely is, and it’s a safety concern. These rats are carrying diseases, and a bite from one could lead to deadly consequences. 

Kristina Belestocki, a Queens native, believes that the rising cost of living in other NYC boroughs is not talked about enough. She believes that NYC life has been negatively affected during her life in NYC. “In all five boroughs, after paying rent, not much is left over to cover other expenses. It is difficult for a person earning minimum wage to be financially self-sufficient, and this is only the beginning. Everywhere is overcrowded, full of crime, pollution and rats. This contributes entirely to the worsening quality of life.” She then goes on to speak about a close friend who lives in Southern New Jersey, who has been thinking about moving to the city. “I constantly tell her to consider her finances and tell her to make sure the move makes financial sense. On the other hand, there is so much to love about the city. There are so many opportunities, whether it be cultural, or career oriented that are not able to be found anywhere else which may make the trade off worthwhile.” 

As Kristina said, New York City is full of opportunities. There are so many ways to thrive, but is the climb worth it? The average salary in New York City after college is about $74,000. The city is all about working hard, which is true in the case that the average college student in NYC works while also going to school. So, why do the college kids keep coming, even with New York’s “decline?” It’s because life is not what it seems. Life in NYC is romanticized through social media aps, such as TikTok. The creators who live in NYC make videos, such as “Day In My Life” or “Going Out” and make the city seem like heaven on earth. These social media stars make millions and will never have to worry about paying rent or finding an apartment. They also do not show any part of their lives that do not look desirable. It makes them money, but it also lies to their viewers. New York is great but it’s not quite as perfect as they make it seem. It makes people want to move to the city without seeing the reality of living there. It causes a lot of kids to be unhappy or unprepared for this decision to move to NYC.

 Diana Dunkin goes to NYU and is originally from the Bay Area. She has lived in downtown Manhattan for two years now and has no plans to return to California. She speaks on how New York felt different when she had arrived, and did not live up to the idea that was instilled in her growing up. “When I arrived in New York City, when I first got off the plane and ubered to Manhattan, the first thing I noticed was the excess of trash on the streets. It definitely made me feel a bit worried about living here.” She then goes on to talk about the “guilt” she has for living in affordable housing. “The rising rent in New York City honestly sucks for everyone, and I feel so bad, because I feel like I’m contributing to that. There are so many college kids moving to the city each year and they take away the opportunity of housing for people who are native New Yorkers. I’m so grateful to be living in an apartment that is rent-stabilized, but I just can’t get over that guilt. I just feel as though rent-stabilized apartments should be more available, especially to those originally from New York, not the “transplants.” 

A New York transplant is when someone who is not from New York City moves there. Are they really “taking” these apartments? Is this why there is such little inventory for apartments? There are roughly 1 million college students in New York, so yes, they require some sort of housing, which increases demand, which leads to higher rent prices. In 2017, New York City had 3.5 million apartments. Why are more of these apartments not stabilized and why do some of them increase the highest they are legally allowed to each year? It’s because no matter what, someone will pay an ungodly amount for rent if it means that they have housing, even if there are over 3.5 million apartments.

Aside from the dirtiness and the constant rising costs, there is another part of NYC that is on its downfall. Clubbing used to be the most famous thing about New York. Clubbing in the 1980s was hardcore, and people would dress in crazy costumes just about every night of the week and party at iconic clubs such as the Limelight. Almost all of these iconic clubs were closed. This inevitably affected the nightlife of New York. Zeke Palmer, the bartender at a local downtown gay bar spoke on his life in the city and the influence on clubbing and its decline. “I’ve worked as a bartender in NYC for thirty years. Trust me, I’ve seen it all. I was alive in the golden era of clubbing. You could turn your head and see the club kids and Rupaul in a corner at the club. It was magical. It was so fun back then, it felt like we all put on a different persona at night, and went out. There was such a vibrance and sense of youth in the clubs back then. Now, it’s all the same stuff. I haven’t gone out in years, and it’s because half of these clubs will never be able to replicate those feelings I had. Zeke described the 1980s as the golden years and explained that it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. “Either the nightlife is dead, or I’m getting old; and I’ll never get old.”

New York City will always have the charm, even through the chaos going on currently. One thing about New Yorkers: they bounce back from anything. The city has been a home to many for years and years and will continue to be. Through the bad, there is always good. It’s one of those places where you either love it or hate it.