Last year, a significant number of New Yorkers decided to leave the city, citing a noticeable shift in the atmosphere that has enveloped the streets. Many attribute this change to escalating crime rates and skyrocketing costs.
Samantha Pillsbury, 31, who moved to Los Angeles in February after spending nine years in New York, expressed concerns about the city’s safety and cleanliness. “As a single woman, I began to feel less safe, which impacted my entire lifestyle,” she explained. Pillsbury is among the tens of thousands who have recently departed from New York City.
According to the latest US Census data, approximately 78,000 individuals left the city in 2023. This marks a continuation of the population decline observed since the pandemic, albeit at a slower pace, making it the third consecutive year of decreasing numbers.
“The city just didn’t resonate with me as it used to,” Pillsbury shared. “Over the last few years, my feelings towards the city shifted.”
Pillsbury also highlighted the intense work culture in New York as a factor in her decision. Her career as a content creator and marketing consultant offers her the flexibility to work remotely, allowing her to escape the city’s relentless pace.
The increasing threat of crime since the pandemic further influenced her decision to leave. “These factors certainly accelerated my departure,” she admitted.
Stephanie Heintz, 37, echoed similar sentiments. Having moved to New York 14 years ago to pursue a career in fashion, she initially found a sense of community and safety in the city. However, the pandemic eroded her sense of security, prompting her to move from her Hell’s Kitchen apartment to a more secure building in NoMad, before ultimately leaving the city.
“The pandemic transformed the city for me,” Heintz said. “I found myself carrying pepper spray and experiencing physical attacks on the street.”
Despite her initial love for New York, the pandemic, coupled with a significant rent increase, led Heintz to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October. “Moving to a place with sunshine, lower taxes, and friendly neighbors has been a refreshing change,” she remarked.
Heintz is part of a larger trend, with over 58,000 New Yorkers moving to Florida last year alone. “Living in New York is a humbling experience, but after 14 years, it was time for a change. Safety and financial concerns were the main factors,” she explained.
A Citizens Budget Commission poll indicates that nearly half of New Yorkers plan to leave the city within five years, with only 30% expressing satisfaction with their quality of life, a sentiment exacerbated by the pandemic.
Sophie Alvi, 30, left her job as a lawyer in Manhattan to move to Austin, Texas, seeking a slower pace and a more fulfilling lifestyle. “The culture in New York felt cold and overly focused on work and money. I wanted more from life,” Alvi shared.
In Austin, Alvi enjoys a more affordable lifestyle and is considering launching a mindfulness brand. “Austin offers the space to be oneself, free from the rigid mindset of Manhattan,” she said.
Many who left New York during the pandemic did so seeking new experiences and taking advantage of remote work opportunities. Despite their departures, they still hold fond memories of the city and encourage others to experience its unique offerings.
“There’s a lot of negative talk about the city, but it remains an incredible place with so much to offer,” Pillsbury concluded.