NY Exodus: High Costs, Safety Worries Lead Many to Flee Big Apple

• New Yorkers cite rising crime and safety concerns as reasons for leaving the city, with women especially feeling less safe walking alone at night

• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated issues, leaving streets emptier and some residents feeling confined in tiny apartments

• High costs of living, including massive rent spikes since the pandemic, made the city unaffordable for some even with good jobs

• Many New Yorkers moved to places like Florida and Texas for warmer weather, lower taxes, cheaper rent, and a slower pace of life

• While nostalgic for New York, ex-residents encourage others that the city still has much to offer new people moving in