In case you haven’t noticed, New Yorkers are leaving New York. In fact, people are leaving the Northeast, including commuter-friendly states like New Jersey and Connecticut, in droves, with their sights set on warmer climes. The state of Vermont, dismayed at the lack of young millennial professionals who are full-time residents, is even offering $10,000 to a select few applicants who are willing to move to the Green Mountains in 2019.
But is it just the harsh weather that is driving New Yorkers south? Though everyone knows someone whose grandparents bought a condo in Florida after their retirement, the vast numbers of people moving away from the prestigious Northeastern states, world-renowned for their Ivy League universities and beautiful scenic landscape, is shocking.
It seems likely that a variety of factors are impacting this phenomenon, including financial reasons and the desire for greater job security. While it used to be only the broke and the elderly who willingly said goodbye to the city that never sleeps, trends seem to be changing. If you’re one of the people who’s been tempted to leave and you don’t even need dentures, you’re not alone.
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The cost of living.
While some born-and-bred New Yorkers would undoubtedly rather go hungry than live anywhere else, many people are finding that they cannot afford the lifestyle. The high cost of rent compared to the average residents’ income is not sustainable, and New Yorkers who wish to own homes someday are definitely not going to be able to do it in the city. Millennials have grown jaded with the increasingly unattainable way of living in New York and are heading to greener pastures. Texas has seen an amazing amount of job growth in the tech realm, and Austin is quickly becoming one of the coolest cities to live.
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The pollution.
New Yorkers tend to grow accustomed to the smog after a certain amount of time, but it’s certainly not healthy. In 1966, heavy black smog obscured the New York City skyline, killing approximately 200 people and serving as a harsh reminder of the dangers of pollution. Today, fewer New Yorkers smoke cigarettes and the city is driving eco innovative in many ways, but smog is still a prevalent problem, so much so that the city plans to sue neighbouring states for allowing smog to blow downwind. Increased awareness of the facts about lung cancer is causing many people to pack their bags and head to a cleaner city.
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The blizzards.
The cold might be manageable to someone who’s lived in New York for a while, or they might be willing to overlook the harsh winters for all the other favourable aspects of the city. But for many people, the 2016 blizzard that shook New York was the final straw. This event, which was one of the most intense storms in New York history, served as a turning point. Seemingly, the increasingly bad weather is one of the reasons even long-time New Yorkers are calling it quits.
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Wanderlust.
The prevalence of the growing gig economy has allowed millennials to pursue their desire for adventure well into their adulthood. So-called “digital nomads” are entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote tech workers, and contract employees for larger companies. There have never been a greater number of affordable ways to travel. The best caravan park in Cairns is driving tons of New Yorkers to one of the most beautiful beachfront cities in Australia to live and work.
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Property laws.
Unless you are extremely wealthy, it’s unlikely that your property in New York provides you with a lot of extra space. In addition, if you’re renting, you probably have the occasional dispute with a rowdy neighbour. Other areas of the world provide more space for the same amount of money, which is why many New Yorkers are looking to Australia, which has lenient real estate laws. Learn more about conveyancing in Gold Coast if you are considering moving down under.