This appears like a subjective definition to me considering 8.3 million seem alright with what nyc has to offer
That’s a very bizarre metric to use. I guess Kinshasa is twice as nice as NYC then.
I'd assume its better than alternatives. People don't just decide to whip their back with a rope every day. They make choices that make sense to them and give them the best individual outcome.
NYC is a fantastic city -- high paying jobs, ubiquitous transit, amazing food, support for the arts, beautiful parks, good people...
But compared to other world-class cities they have (had?) this weird car-shaped blind spot where every neighborhood and park was filled with cars and most people don't care.