- I’ve lived in New York City for a decade and spent $2,000 on rent every month.
- That high price tag isn’t worth the traffic, crowded events, and insular people.
- I decided to move to Philadelphia instead and finally left the city earlier this month.
I’m a born and bred New Yorker who grew up on Long Island — in the shadow of New York City.
As a kid, I remember fantasizing about my life adult life in the city. I imagined living in the heart of Manhattan and having a busy, beautifully chaotic social life. Honestly, I pictured myself as Carrie Bradshaw — as clichéd as that sounds.
I was lucky enough to make some of that a reality; I moved to New York City right out of college in 2015. I couldn’t afford to live in Manhattan, but I set up in Brooklyn. While my social life wasn’t anything like Carrie’s, I still had fun and met some of my closest friends.
Of course, I understood that the city was expensive, but for me, it was worth it. New York City had everything I could ever want.
Ten years later, I’m now in my 30s, and the city lost its charm. Spending $2,000 on rent every month no longer felt worth it.
In January, I did what I thought I’d never do: I left New York City and moved to Philadelphia. Here’s why.
The affordable apartments aren’t livable
I’ve always said that in New York City, you either have a great apartment in a not-so-great neighborhood or a not-so-great apartment in a great area. You simply cannot have both if you make under $100,000 a year — which I always did.
I moved every two years, so that’s five apartments in the city. I had plywood for flooring, four-story walk-ups, duct tape holding up walls, and mold that never went away.
I also had beautiful apartments in neighborhoods where I didn’t feel the safest.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I want my home to be comfortable, to be in a neighborhood I love, and to have everyday amenities like a backyard and washer/dryer — both basically unheard of in New York.
Being single and independent is expensive in New York
After many years of living in close quarters with roommates — both total strangers and best friends — I just wanted to live alone and work on my independence.
But in New York, that’s difficult, especially if you’re a single person. Most people move into one-bedroom apartments with their significant other to cut costs.
In my last year in New York, I finally landed my first one-bedroom apartment, which marked an important step in adulthood. I learned to be OK with being alone. I learned to handle finances, and I learned how much I love my alone time. I couldn’t do any of that while living with roomies.
But it came at a cost. For $2,000 a month, I spent most of my salary on rent.
In Philadelphia, I scored a two-bedroom apartment in a great neighborhood with a backyard and washer/dryer for less than my New York rent. And I get to live alone.
Cultural events are becoming increasingly crowded
It’s often said that New York City’s high prices are worth it because of everything it has to offer. It’s true that the city does have a wealth of events, concerts, and theaters.
But in the past few years, I’ve noticed how difficult it is to get tickets to these events. Most times, they are sold out, too expensive, or too crowded.
The Bell House in Brooklyn was my favorite venue to see comedy. But you had to get there at least an hour before the doors opened just to secure a seat. In New York City, you are in constant competition with millions of people wanting to do the exact same thing you want to do.
Plus, it was becoming more difficult to see a Broadway show for less than $100.
In Philadelphia, on the other hand, I’ve easily been able to book tickets to events at cheaper prices.
New Yorkers seem to be set with their friend groups
The most famous generalization about New Yorkers is that they’re mean. I never found that to be true. I’ve witnessed hundreds of acts of kindness between New Yorkers throughout my years in the city.
I think it’s more accurate to say New Yorkers are insular. I found it difficult to make friends because most people seem set with their current friend groups. They aren’t interested in welcoming people into their lives or even having a conversation with a stranger.
Most New Yorkers are too focused on their current friends, their jobs, and their hustle to reach out to a stranger and try to connect.
I’m at a phase in my life where I want to branch out and meet new people. Thankfully, the people I’ve met in Philadelphia are all eager to welcome me into their lives and show me around the city.
Traveling in and out of New York City has become unbearable
It’s no secret that traffic in New York is terrible, but it’s most apparent while traveling in and out of the city.
For years, the Hudson Valley has been my favorite escape, but ever since the pandemic, those small towns have become increasingly crowded, making a quick trip up there nearly impossible without hours of traffic.
Also, to get to and from any of the three airports in the city is a nightmare. With traffic, it could take you over an hour, and the Uber prices are near $100. It got to the point that I didn’t want to travel anymore because it was too much of a hassle to get in and out of New York City.
No city is perfect, but New York isn’t for me right now
New York has been my home for years, and I understand why people still love it. I will always love it.
But for me, right now, I am looking for something different. And New York just doesn’t fit anymore — especially at its current price tag.
