Because we would rather live in NYC than Nashville. It's true NYC can be brutal if you don't make enough, but once you get over a certain threshold, there is no other place like it.
Most of the air in NYC is reasonably clean, and there are lots of quiet streets and less packed pavements. And you can always pay for special double insulated windows, or for a higher floor. My PM 2.5 readings in my Manhattan apartment are usually under 5, and better if I open my windows.
And it’s hard to beat the health benefits of waking every day vs driving like you do in almost every other American city.
i like walking & cycle pretty much everywhere i can. i've never found walking amongst/against throngs of people to be relaxing or enjoyable - quite the opposite so i'm sure the stress of walking in NYC negates much of the health benefits of walking in general.
A rhetorical question
> of NYC
of any crowded city.
> Consider, however, that those things are not important to the parent commenter, at least not as important as other attributes.
I hope the irony of you making this statement isn't lost.
> how clever.
Bite your tongue and be civil.
2 bucks on a lotto ticket achieves the same result for me.
What's the threshold you think you need to earn for it not to be brutal?
It all depends where you want to live in NYC. Manhattan you'll want to make at least 150k to live alone. If you move outside then you have a lot more options but still be able to commute into the city easily.
I lived in Manhattan for 7 years and SF area for 6. I now live outside of Denver and its by far the best move of my life.
It's a vague answer but honestly, those factors can swing the threshold almost $100K in either direction.
- Manhattan rent: $2k-$4k (depends if you are sharing or living alone)
- Not cooking: $1-1.5k ($5 lattes, $15 salads, $20 meals, x 30 days)
- Socials & drinking: $1k (~$150 x 4-6 per month)
- NYC events: $1k (gigs, comedy clubs, festivals)