Leaving New York City

[Parsad]

4 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Its not the northeast it's big cities.  Pretty much all big cities are like that.  Its the hustle to get ahead. 

 

Comparing NYC or LA or London to the Midwest or areas people go to retire isn't a comparison. Nobody in their 20's or 30's wants to live in the suburbs or surrounded by families and old people.  They want vibrant excitement.   And they generally dont give a crap about taxes.  

 

When people get older, get married, have kids, retire- then they want quiet and space and a slower lifestyle.  Its why young people move to big cities after college and then move to Florida or quieter places when they retire.  Cycle of life. 

 

Maybe it's just Americans...Canadians aren't like that.  We say hello and acknowledge each other when we walk by...at least 80% of the time.  My neighbors are awesome...we go to each others homes for coffee, dinner, etc.  The only aspect of Vancouver that is similar to other NA cities is the road rage and gang behavior...but the people themselves are very friendly and nice in day to day interaction...no ulterior motives.  Cheers!

[73 Reds]

13 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Maybe it's just Americans...Canadians aren't like that.  We say hello and acknowledge each other when we walk by...at least 80% of the time.  My neighbors are awesome...we go to each others homes for coffee, dinner, etc.  The only aspect of Vancouver that is similar to other NA cities is the road rage and gang behavior...but the people themselves are very friendly and nice in day to day interaction...no ulterior motives.  Cheers!

People who are friendly and nice don't engage in road rage and gang activity.   Like I said, talking out of both sides of your mouth.   But when you are into stereotypes, I suppose anything goes.

Edited May 9 by 73 Reds
word

[Spekulatius]

18 hours ago, Gregmal said:

Ha! Yea theres no amount of money that would compel me to go back. And it's amazing what it's like, in terms of the psychological difference, just in general, being around nice, happy, polite people. Our first week down here, a neighbor came over asking to help with some stuff and my initial thought was "WTF's this guys angle? What does he want?"...turns out theres actually folks out there whom just do shit out of the goodness of their hearts. Was weird at first, now Im like OK, I cant believe people live like we did back in the northeast. Just total animals. 

It’s definitely not a Northeast thing, it’s a big city thing. You moved from a metropolitan area that is infamous for selfish people, into a small master planned community of mostly wealthy people  (basically gated ). 
 

I lived in different areas cities and people in the 4000 people town in MA where we lived where the nicest you will ever find . I live now in a suburb of CLT and things are a bit different although people in the South are definitely more friendly than let say in Boston.

[Castanza]

22 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Nobody in their 20's or 30's wants to live in the suburbs or surrounded by families and old people.  They want vibrant excitement.   And they generally dont give a crap about taxes.

Nobody? I think you’re way tf off on that. 60% of people live within 10 miles of where they grew up. 80% within 100 miles. 27% of Gen Z moved from their hometown to urban areas after college. This is the highest it’s ever been. And yet still 47% of people consider moving back towards home towns once they make that move. 
 

Also wound we be hearing all this groaning about unaffordable housing from people that n their late 20s and early 30s if everyone was moving to big cities to rent shoe boxes? Nah. 
 

I think the real cycle is smaller less congested areas are getting better amenities. Travel is easier, remote work is a thing etc. it’s providing more nad more options. NYC, LA etc will always have their draw. They are irreplaceable for sure…but lots of mid and small tier cities are on the up and up along with boroughs and suburbs just outside. 

[dwy000]

3 hours ago, Castanza said:

Nobody? I think you’re way tf off on that. 60% of people live within 10 miles of where they grew up. 80% within 100 miles. 27% of Gen Z moved from their hometown to urban areas after college. This is the highest it’s ever been. And yet still 47% of people consider moving back towards home towns once they make that move. 
 

Also wound we be hearing all this groaning about unaffordable housing from people that n their late 20s and early 30s if everyone was moving to big cities to rent shoe boxes? Nah. 
 

I think the real cycle is smaller less congested areas are getting better amenities. Travel is easier, remote work is a thing etc. it’s providing more nad more options. NYC, LA etc will always have their draw. They are irreplaceable for sure…but lots of mid and small tier cities are on the up and up along with boroughs and suburbs just outside. 

Well jeez obviously not every single person ever.  The point was that cities attract a very different demographic than suburban and rural. If you are young, aggressive and ambitious and you want a vibrant social life you aren't moving to the suburbs or rural, you are going to a city - and the bigger the better.  Very few people are flipping a coin and can't decide between Manhattan and suburban Florida. 

 

Its the same reason people leave big cities or move from downtown to suburbs when they get older and have families and a very different social life. 

[Parsad]

19 hours ago, 73 Reds said:

People who are friendly and nice don't engage in road rage and gang activity.   Like I said, talking out of both sides of your mouth.   But when you are into stereotypes, I suppose anything goes.

 

Keep it up, this time you will be out permanently!  Who the fuck do you think you are? 

 

I'm not running this site to take bullshit from some fucking asshole!  

 

Am I talking out of both sides of my mouth now?

[73 Reds]

3 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Keep it up, this time you will be out permanently!  Who the fuck do you think you are? 

 

I'm not running this site to take bullshit from some fucking asshole!  

 

Am I talking out of both sides of my mouth now?

Sanjeev, you deserve all the credit in the world for creating this site.  But on this (politics stuff) thread, you stir the pot more than anyone.   Sometimes a little pushback is well deserved.  

Edited May 10 by 73 Reds
words

[73 Reds]

15 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Well jeez obviously not every single person ever.  The point was that cities attract a very different demographic than suburban and rural. If you are young, aggressive and ambitious and you want a vibrant social life you aren't moving to the suburbs or rural, you are going to a city - and the bigger the better.  Very few people are flipping a coin and can't decide between Manhattan and suburban Florida. 

 

Its the same reason people leave big cities or move from downtown to suburbs when they get older and have families and a very different social life. 

NYC has a lot of competition from other cities for a vibrant social life.  From the perspective of a property owner/developer, I think you'd have to be crazy to venture into NY at this point in time.  The population itself may not be in decline but the tax base surely is.  

[73 Reds]

4 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Keep it up, this time you will be out permanently!  Who the fuck do you think you are? 

 

I'm not running this site to take bullshit from some fucking asshole!  

 

Am I talking out of both sides of my mouth now?

BTW, sorry if I offended you.  I write like I talk to friends and family.

[Gregmal]

9 hours ago, 73 Reds said:

NYC has a lot of competition from other cities for a vibrant social life.  From the perspective of a property owner/developer, I think you'd have to be crazy to venture into NY at this point in time.  The population itself may not be in decline but the tax base surely is.  

Remember NYC hedge fund bro favorite and Whitney Tilson's "one of the two stocks I'd put 50% of my children's accounts into"(form 2015) Howard Hughes? They thought all these things that we get thrown at us about how great NYC is and lost over a billion dollars developing in the city. Had to learn the hard way I guess. But the numbers are pretty obvious and at this point it's not the 50s or 90s anymore. Theres plenty of other places with nightlife and restaurants with way lower taxes and safer streets. 

[texual]

Suppose you're a well-off professional and happen to be single. Where else would you live to get a combination of the culture, arts, theater and restaurants with possibilities to date other similarly minded professional women? Asking for a friend, lol.

 

I've done the research and some data points to small/medium cities with a higher % of single women, ie. Rochester and Pittsburgh (also very affordable!) as good dating markets, the reality of living in such a place as I did last year left a lot to be desired. Guys like me don't thrive in the rust belt or blue collar towns. I also know I would hate Florida, lol. 

 

This last year I foreited a high 6 figure income to get a lower one in NYC. So far I've enjoyed it and seem to be finding plenty of dating opportunities with women I actually like for their ambition and energy. I've been blessed to live in a low cost area with a high income for many years - but at some point the financial returns cant outrun an unsatisfying personal and social life. I took the gamble and ran back to the city, Mamdani be damned.

 

Many people would be happy in Atlanta, DC, Dallas/Ft Worth, or Ft Lauderdale. Highly person dependent! As a neurotic/Seinfeld/Curb guy in a cerebral field, you'll not find a more fitting city than Gotham. 

[brobro777]

11 minutes ago, texual said:

Suppose you're a well-off professional and happen to be single. Where else would you live to get a combination of the culture, arts, theater and restaurants with possibilities to date other similarly minded professional women? Asking for a friend, lol.

 

I've done the research and some data points to small/medium cities with a higher % of single women, ie. Rochester and Pittsburgh (also very affordable!) as good dating markets, the reality of living in such a place as I did last year left a lot to be desired. Guys like me don't thrive in the rust belt or blue collar towns. I also know I would hate Florida, lol. 

 

This last year I foreited a high 6 figure income to get a lower one in NYC. So far I've enjoyed it and seem to be finding plenty of dating opportunities with women I actually like for their ambition and energy. I've been blessed to live in a low cost area with a high income for many years - but at some point the financial returns cant outrun an unsatisfying personal and social life. I took the gamble and ran back to the city, Mamdani be damned.

 

Many people would be happy in Atlanta, DC, Dallas/Ft Worth, or Ft Lauderdale. Highly person dependent! As a neurotic/Seinfeld/Curb guy in a cerebral field, you'll not find a more fitting city than Gotham. 

 

that's true about restaurants. Only in New York City and maybe like Newark and Irvington could you find Chinese places like this where you could get fried rice and chicken wings for $3.75, well prices from many years ago

 

https://maps.google.com?q=Empire Corner II, 1415 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029&ftid=0x89c2f744329c59fb:0x78b83e4374c6cf66&entry=gps&shh=CAE&lucs=,94297699,94284505,94231188,94280568,47071704,100809208,94218641,94282134,94286869&g_st=ic

 

man I loved this place when I used to live in manhattan and I can't believe it closed this year. You can't find a place like this in California.....

[Marco Van Basten]

On 5/7/2026 at 11:44 PM, dwy000 said:

Somebody must be moving in because rents were up 6% in 1Q26.

 

https://www.realtor.com/research/nyc-q1-2026-rent/

Article in the real deal on may 8 claiming fifty thousand vacant rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments in the city.  Also, take a look at 800 fifth avenue.  200 rental apartments being lost as the building is demolished and a new condo with fewer and larger apartments being built.  Most condos will be part time residences.  Shows my point that city statistics don’t reflect reality.  

[Mephistopheles]

https://gothamist.com/news/lawmakers-plan-tax-on-nyc-cash-sales-as-hochul-details-pied-a-terre-plan

 

So now the communists lowered the pied a terre tax threshold from $5 million to $1 million. And also a new tax on cash purchases of homes valued $1mn or more.

 

And the tax is like 5% of the assessed value, which is about 45% of market value on average per Google. So if you own a $2mn 2nd home, assuming the tax value is $1mn, you will pay $50,000 per year in extra taxes, on top of property taxes.

 

Do Hochul and Mamdani own shares in JOE or something? 
 

 

Edited May 15 by Mephistopheles

[Parsad]

On 5/10/2026 at 8:51 PM, brobro777 said:

 

that's true about restaurants. Only in New York City and maybe like Newark and Irvington could you find Chinese places like this where you could get fried rice and chicken wings for $3.75, well prices from many years ago

 

https://maps.google.com?q=Empire Corner II, 1415 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029&ftid=0x89c2f744329c59fb:0x78b83e4374c6cf66&entry=gps&shh=CAE&lucs=,94297699,94284505,94231188,94280568,47071704,100809208,94218641,94282134,94286869&g_st=ic

 

man I loved this place when I used to live in manhattan and I can't believe it closed this year. You can't find a place like this in California.....

 

What's hilarious is the tire store and tires on the sidewalk next door in the picture.  Only in NY!!  Cheers!

[brobro777]

https://www.yelp.com/biz/sea-and-sea-new-york?osq=Seafood

 

This is also a pretty good place in NYC that I used to go to years ago - pretty good fried fish and shrimp!

 

 

[whatstheofficerproblem]

And so the time has come. You guys made very good points about leaving NY & staying there. But what about someone who's about the move there? Any suggestions? I've been lucky in life and my paycheck should give me the ability to afford cigarettes here ($20/pack!). I miss Iowa sometimes.

Edited yesterday at 12:30 PM by whatstheofficerproblem

[dwy000]

3 hours ago, whatstheofficerproblem said:

And so the time has come. You guys made very good points about leaving NY & staying there. But what about someone who's about the move there? Any suggestions? I've been lucky in life and my paycheck should give me the ability to afford cigarettes here ($20/pack!). I miss Iowa sometimes.

Depends on your age and marital status but moving to NY is like going to college.  Your experience is what you make of it.  You can embrace the chaos and energy and go with it or hunker down and ride it out. And you need to be a bit careful because anything and everything is available in abundance and its easy to get sucked in.   Its crazy expensive but try and forget that if you can and take advantage of whats available since you probably won't be there for decades. Go out a lot. 

[whatstheofficerproblem]

7 hours ago, dwy000 said:

Depends on your age and marital status but moving to NY is like going to college.  Your experience is what you make of it.  You can embrace the chaos and energy and go with it or hunker down and ride it out. And you need to be a bit careful because anything and everything is available in abundance and its easy to get sucked in.   Its crazy expensive but try and forget that if you can and take advantage of whats available since you probably won't be there for decades. Go out a lot. 

 

Everything you said rings true now that I made a cursory visit there. Thank you!

[Eng12345]

10 minutes ago, whatstheofficerproblem said:

 

Everything you said rings true now that I made a cursory visit there. Thank you!

If I had visited New York 10 years ago in my early twenties before I was married with a mortgage it would have forever changed the trajectory of my life. 

 

My tiny midwest eyes were so closed. I thought I was well traveled because I had been across the entire American West and a few foreign countries. But New York is a different beast. 

Edited 20 hours ago by Eng12345

[Spekulatius]

On 5/10/2026 at 11:51 PM, brobro777 said:

 

that's true about restaurants. Only in New York City and maybe like Newark and Irvington could you find Chinese places like this where you could get fried rice and chicken wings for $3.75, well prices from many years ago

 

https://maps.google.com?q=Empire Corner II, 1415 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029&ftid=0x89c2f744329c59fb:0x78b83e4374c6cf66&entry=gps&shh=CAE&lucs=,94297699,94284505,94231188,94280568,47071704,100809208,94218641,94282134,94286869&g_st=ic

 

man I loved this place when I used to live in manhattan and I can't believe it closed this year. You can't find a place like this in California.....

This place is terrible. Cheap Chinese food for Gwai- Lo’s. Check out Flushing

[Spekulatius]

18 hours ago, Eng12345 said:

If I had visited New York 10 years ago in my early twenties before I was married with a mortgage it would have forever changed the trajectory of my life. 

 

My tiny midwest eyes were so closed. I thought I was well traveled because I had been across the entire American West and a few foreign countries. But New York is a different beast. 

NY is like 200 countries packed in a few square miles. If you can’t get it in NY it either isn’t worth having or it does not exist.

[Spekulatius]

19 hours ago, whatstheofficerproblem said:

 

Everything you said rings true now that I made a cursory visit there. Thank you!

You live in LA which is like against suburb and not a real city. Sorry.

[brobro777]

9 minutes ago, Spekulatius said:

This place is terrible. Cheap Chinese food for Gwai- Lo’s. Check out Flushing

 

You know there was another Chinese place on Frederick Douglas Blvd that had the same kind of set up as the one on 116th street - Thick glass barrier between the customers where you push the money in a slot and the same terrible quality oil for frying (you can tell by the smell), which was exactly the flavor I was looking for. I stopped going to the place on Frederick Douglas because drug dealers would be dealing inside the restaurant in front of me while I waited for my order. The Chinese guys didn't care because there was that thick glass barrier and whatever happens on the other side, well...

 

I always disliked taking the 7 train. What am I gonna do, go watch the Metropolitans play at the Shea? Come on!

 

[whatstheofficerproblem]

57 minutes ago, Spekulatius said:

You live in LA which is like against suburb and not a real city. Sorry.

 

I really have no attachment to LA. Beautiful beach and girls, but that's pretty much it. It seems like the place where young investors go if they want their passion for investing to die. The caliber of talent I've met in the brief two days I was in NYC.. Man, it re-invigorated my passion for investing. I felt boy-ish wonder that left me after I was 14, felt like I was in college again.