Where are Most New Yorkers Moving to?

In the last nine years, over a million people have fled the “Big Apple” New York City and the Tri-State region — which includes New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. This statistic is supported by Bloomberg research, which claims that more people are leaving New York City than any other city in the United States.

To be fair, this substantial exodus of people is seen in other metropolitan areas across the country such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and Connecticut’s Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven. Why are people leaving these highly urbanized areas? The reasons include the high cost of living, the deteriorating infrastructure, and the high tax rates.

These reasons are ever more true in New York City where residents have long bemoaned the exorbitant taxes. Schools, tunnels, airports, hospitals, bridges, and trains all around the metro are falling apart. Take a stroll on the city streets, and you’ll be met with crowded and grimy pathways. The city’s crime rate has also risen and to top it all off, New York City’s winters are notoriously cold while the summers are too hot to enjoy.

That’s not all! Take a look at the most common reasons why New Yorkers are packing up their bags and moving out of the city:

1) The high cost of living

The allure of living in New York City does not come cheap. Although a lot of people still migrate to the city each year, more people elect to leave. If you have put down your roots in the city, thanks to a steady job in banking or finance, then good for you. However, most people can’t seem to keep up with the day-to-day expenses of living in New York City. It’s not a secret that the cost of living here is high, which is the primary reason why New Yorkers move to the suburbs or even another state. Necessities like food and housing just cost a whole lot more in New York City than in most U.S. states.

2) Greener pastures

New York is ripe with job opportunities, but only if you have the right set of skills. Typically, those in finance or banking can find their footing in NYC but some people struggle to find a job that allows them to thrive. New York City is an urban jungle, and the competition for a decent job that pays an above-average salary is fierce.

New York City also has a reputation for being a place that can be unkind to small businesses. If you have plans of starting a small business, then it’s wise that you scrap that as New York is the last place on earth to do that. There is plenty of competition amongst local businesses and no matter what grand idea you may have, chances are the city already has a shop or two (or a few dozen) peddling the same product or service.

3) The non-stop noise

If you thought the phrase “the city that never sleeps” was just a mere marketing catchphrase for New York City, then you are in for a rude awakening once you reside in the city. What most newcomers don’t know is the noise of the city is pervasive. And unless you’re moving into a posh, serene neighborhood, you just might end up living above a local bar that doesn’t close until dawn. This might be great if you’re a college student who is looking to party 24/7 but not if you’re a white-collar worker who appreciates a bit of rest before a busy day at the office.

4) Safety and security

If you have a family or plan on raising one, New York City might not be the best place for that. If you are financially stable, you might find a nice school for your kids. However, NYC is not among the safest cities in the U.S. with its rising crime rate. It is for that reason that a lot of people are moving out of the Big Apple.

Where are New Yorkers Moving to?

According to data from the U.S. Postal Service, the post office received a whopping 295,103 change of address requests from March 1 to October 31. While a lot of New Yorkers moved to nearby Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester, and Connecticut, others relocated to other parts of the country such as Park City, Utah; Jackson, Wyoming; and Brattleboro, Vermont.