How Livable is New York City?

No one is going to tell you that New York is an easy city to make it in.  The cost of living is considerably higher than other places in the world, the job market is among the most competitive in the country, and the city itself is massive. The Municipal Arts Society of New York – an organization that champions a more a more livable New York City - does an annual study on New York City living.  The survey of over 1,300 New Yorkers tells a story that in reality, living in NYC is not that difficult once you’ve adjusted to the change – and future changes will only make it an easier place to call your home.How Do New Yorkers Feel about their Neighborhoods?There is an overwhelming majority – 84% - of New Yorkers saying they are satisfied with living in New York.  There was a higher level of satisfaction for those in Manhattan and Brooklyn than in other boroughs. Similarly, the same percentage said they were satisfied living in their specific neighborhoods – again, with some boroughs having a higher satisfaction rate than others - Staten Islanders were much more satisfied than those in the Bronx.What Do New Yorkers Care About?New Yorkers’ biggest concerns were employment opportunities, safety, housing, and the costs of goods and services. The issues regarding employment opportunities were the same across the five boroughs, but the other issues varied. Housing was a bigger issue in Manhattan than in Staten Island, for example, since housing space is much more expensive in Manhattan than on Staten Island. The costs of goods and services was a much bigger concern for Staten Islanders than for Manhattanites who are probably used to paying higher prices for goods which can be found cheaper in other boroughs. Other issues with New York City life included public services (sanitation, for example) and the lack of green and park space, which were mentioned by all four boroughs as being minor issues.Neighborhood Attributes - New York's OpinionThere are a number of attributes that affect New York City living - but what did New Yorkers determine to be the most important factors contributing to their happiness with their neighborhoods? Cleanliness, the ability to raise children, safety, easy access to public transportation, the quality of grocery stores in the area, open spaces, and access to cultural events were all considered important to defining if a neighborhood is livable. Most New Yorkers from all five boroughs decided that they were primarily happy with these attributes - save the access to cultural events and activities. 48% of New Yorkers were not satisfied with their neighborhood’s access to cultural events. The majority reported not having attended a cultural event in the last 12 months because the events either didn’t exist or were too difficult to access.Which Borough is Best For...Those who answered the survey were also asked which borough was best for specific aspects of New York City living. The responses can be seen below.

• Best Place to Live?
  • Manhattan (28%)
  • Queens (25%)
  • Brooklyn (24%)
  • Staten Island (9%)
  • Bronx (8%)

• Most Diverse?
  • Manhattan (34%)
  • Brooklyn (27%)
  • Queens (25%)
  • Bronx (7%)
  • Staten Island (1%)

• Artistic?
  • Manhattan (62%)
  • Brooklyn (23%)

• Best Value for Money?
  • Queens (25%)
  • Manhattan (24%)
  • Brooklyn (18%)

• Best Place to Start a Business or Company
  • Manhattan (44%)
  • Brooklyn (21%)
  • Queens (12%)
  • Bronx (8%)
  • Staten Island (4%)

Improving New York City LivabilityThe MAS organization conducting this study frequently reports on how the city will be improving livability, as they did at their Summit for New York in October.  Some interesting initiatives include reducing the housing costs in New York in the future.  Housing costs have been identified as a key obstacle in making living in New York City possible for immigrants and young people. “We lose when this happens,” said one of the keynote speakers. To make New York living space more attainable for these groups, suggestions were made regarding  improving public housing.Other future New York projects mentioned include increasing public green space – including the possibility of a year-round garden, the Low Line.  Making the city more efficient and environmentally friendly was a common topic among projects discussed, from skyscrapers to public pools and everything in between regarding the future of New York.When asked how optimistic New Yorkers were about the future of New York City living, the majority only had good things to say.  Those who responded from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens all responded with an 80% optimism rate or higher that things would continue to improve in New York City in terms of sustainability, livability, and a more progressive New York.So, Is New York Livable?In a word – yes. Living in New York City is not the easiest compared to other places in the United States or the world, but if you are determined to make it you might be surprised to see that the city that never sleeps offers opportunity, community and lifestyle that, once adjusted, isn’t as difficult as you may assume. For more information about the future of New York, check out the Municipal Art Society of New York’s website and the entire set of survey results.