NYC living questions...

[InPaulWeTrust]

In light of the current crisis and its exacerbation by the Obama Administration and the Bush Administration perfectly copying Hoover and FDR, what exactly is your take in living in major metropolitan centers? The focus here is NYC.

If anyone currently resides in NYC, how is it? What to expect? If/when the economy goes further south, what is the pro/cons of living in NYC, in Manhattan specifically. I have someone who is very dear to me wanting to move there in the near future. Does anyone have any sound advice? No frantic "It's all going to hell" lines, but some serious, logically thought out advice?

Real estate there? What's the outlook? If Americans really suffer, will there not be overseas investors wanting to purchase these buildings and apts at bargain prices if the dollar truly collapses to new lows in comparison to the Yuan/Renminbi/Yen..?

The quality of life there, will i get "that bad"? Crime rates going up? Out of work, unemployment? A larger concentration of homeless individuals?

I'd appreciate the facts if anyone has any insight.

 

[jy006m]

Life is still normal right now. Unless you always watched the news, you wouldn't be able to tell we're in a bad economy.

I also believe the housing collapse hasn't really hit NYC very hard. It's definitely not as bad as some other places like Cali and Florida.

 

[InPaulWeTrust]

bump

 

[auctionguy10]

Where in NYC are you looking to move into? The cost of living in NYC is very high even in the bad neighborhoods. Also look at the fact that both New York City and New York State are planning to add on well over a hundred new taxes onto people here...and this just doesn't look like the place to be.

As always- NYC is a great place to visit but I wouldn't recommend living here unless you were already very well-off.

There's already a large concentration of homeless individuals- but it really depends on where you are. There was a large blackout here a few years back- looting attempts and crime went up like crazy during those 2 days of no power- so I think that gives a pretty good idea of what could happen if the situation gets worse. The bad neighborhoods are always just a few blocks away from the good neighborhoods in NYC.


Edit: Oops just read the fact that you were looking to get into Manhattan.

Well if its Manhattan you're going into- then life in general isn't bad at all. Again the main issue is the cost of living- nearly everything you purchase in Manhattan will be more expensive. From what I know- overseas investors have been buying up property here- but some are starting to sell as they see that the values are continuing to plummet. Expect more and more cops around the city giving you summons and ticket violations for nearly every little thing you do.

For example, you can be in the subway- and you might decide to go through the car doors while the train is running to switch from car to car(you will see people do this all the time). But if a cop catches you doing that- then either expect to pay a fine or spend a night in jail depending on the officer's mood.

 

[InPaulWeTrust]

Thanks for the input on it, I was just really curious to know. It's a given that large city centers will be the first scene of chaos if things go south, I guess at times like these it's best to stay in the suburbs or in exurbia. I have contemplated moving if things get very bad or transferring to Asia or South America (specifically Brazil).

 

[jpwilhelm]

For example, you can be in the subway- and you might decide to go through the car doors while the train is running to switch from car to car(you will see people do this all the time). But if a cop catches you doing that- then either expect to pay a fine or spend a night in jail depending on the officer's mood.

Damn they bust you for that now? half the time that was the only way I found a seat when I lived there.

 

[auctionguy10]

Damn they bust you for that now? half the time that was the only way I found a seat when I lived there.

Yeah its disgusting to see this is what cops waste their time policing. I saw this one old black man probably in his late 60's go through one of the doors and a plains-clothes officer asked him "Did you see what you just did?"- so he replied "Yeah I went through the door cuz there are no seats in the other car"- and the officer says quite quickly "Put your hands behind your back sir" and arrested him.

Most people locked up in central bookings are in there for silly stuff like smoking a cigarette on a subway platform. One guy I know tripped and fell walking down the steps and unfortunately for him he tried to grab onto a plainsclothes police officer so that he didn't fall. The officer didn't like that very much so he charged him with assault and locked him up for a bit.

All depends on who you are and the officer though...teenage white girls who jump the subway turnstyle don't get any trouble at all- just a warning. But if you decided to be born a minority color then expect a $65 fine or a night in jail if the officer hasn't met his arrest quota for the month and slaps on that general "disorderly conduct" on you.