By Ilana Siyance
New York City has always had a special allure. Despite the high costs of living in the Big Apple, for many being in the center of the business world made it all worthwhile. It afforded opportunities that not many other places could live up to. Now, with the breakout of the pandemic, the will to social distance from other people, the prolonged shutdown, and finally the violent riots have residents questioning if NYC still holds its appeal.
For months now, New Yorkers have been leaving their homes. This new challenge, where protestors have proved violent, has kicked it up a few notches leading to fear. Many residents are contemplating whether or not to return at all. As reported by the NY Times, some 420,000 New Yorkers have already left between March and May as a response to the pandemic, according to cellphone data analyzed by the Times. Those who left were mostly affluent, or those who had the means to do so.
Of course, this city has seen its fair share of problems in the past. We had the 1970s recession, the Sept. 11 terror attack, hurricanes, and prolonged power outages. Each time, however, there was a resurgence and the city and its residence bounced back. Why would this be different? Some say the very nature of the pandemic threatens the way of life that NYC optimizes. This is the bustling city that never sleeps. If it can’t be bustling and it has to be put to sleep, then maybe it loses its allure. Further, if people are working remotely then why opt to pay the higher price of living in NYC. Why not move to other places where the same rent can provide a backyard and more square footage?
One New Yorker who left is Rebekah Rosler, 40, a therapist and doula. She picked up with her husband and two children and is looking for a home in Connecticut. She grew up in Manhattan. Her parents and grandparents lived here since the 1870s, but she decided to leave. “I had never felt an energy like that before, like the city was on the brink of something, and I don’t know what it is,” she said. “I was like, ‘We need to get out of here right now.’” She said the recent curfews and violence further confirmed her decision to relocate. “I live near Union Square, and it was terrifying to watch what was happening,” she said. “It made me realize what a relief not being there is right now.”
At the same time, there are other New Yorkers who feel differently. They wouldn’t consider leaving their city when the going gets tough. “These times of crisis, when things get tough in the city, it’s where I want to be, it’s where my neighbors are,” said Joseph Holmes, 66, a photographer in Park Slope, Brooklyn, who moved here in 1984. He takes offense to those who are leaving, and particularly to those who say that the city has no value if the museums, bars and restaurants are shuttered. “I hate to admit it, but I do feel like if you don’t want to be here, ‘So long, I wish you the best of luck and goodbye,’” said Holmes.
“I don’t understand people who would consider leaving the city because of events that happen once every few decades and last for a matter of days,” added Holmes. He sides with those who have faith that NYC will return to its prime, and will overcome all obstacles as it has in the past.
