wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

New York was home to me, with all of the meaning that word can hold. But it was stolen from me by a dead landlord, by false politicians, by the Pataki Appeals Court and by the inevitable creep of gentrification. I have come to perceive anyone making less than $100,000 as a leftover. At some point the only people living in Manhattan will be the rich and the subsidized, or those who bought or were rent-regulated before prices and rents went through the roof. The city is still colorful, still full of diversity, still visually interesting. I do fear, however, that only a disaster will ever make it available to more than one income class again.

I am leaving the city after 15 long years here. I feel the city is for people in there 20's and people who can afford to live here. After being here and now I am in my 30's I realize it's not worth being in the city and not being able to save a great deal of money. I would rather have fresh air to breathe and be able to own a car and house then live in a tiny apt and have annoying crabby people around. If you look on the streets everyone looks so unhappy and I feel sorry for them. Manhattan changes you because it's a constant struggle for survival. Wheather it be getting a cup of coffee of standing in a line at the store people are ready to jump down your throat. I had fun here but it time to move and have a better quailty of life.

I am a native New Yorker who has lived elsewhere, and knows what is on the other side of the curtain. I escaped Manhattan for the relative "cheapness" of Queens a couple years ago.

I love the vibrancy of this city, but am moving to Westchester this weekend to escape the city taxes. I'm also seriously considering relocation to Atlanta or Portland, OR, both of which are significantly more affordable and offer a better standard of living.

I just moved to NYC from Chicago and I feel bad for your listeners who are moving to places like Baltimore and Louisville. These cities are empty cores. No downtown life, no culture, one or tow museums. Even Chicago, 2nd city, is dead after 8:00 pm.

Nothing is like New York. I love it!

Raised in the HK (hell's kitchen)..I may leave in few years after I get married, but I am sure it will to a satellite burb, of course the most nycesque of the bunch..(maplewood, montclair, southorange)

My husband and I lived in the city for years and finally had to move to Texas for a better job. What we pay for our mortgage down here is cheaper than the rent that we paid in New York. We miss the city, but we really like to have a yard and our own home.

I have lived in NYC for 13 years. I left Manhattan for Queens because of the cost of living (mostly housing). Now I am thinking of leaving the city altogether (to maybe sullivan county or PA) because even though I make a decent salary, I know I will never be able to afford a house in NYC. The cost of everything in NYC is demoralizing.

Mick Jones is the Clash singer for "Should I Stay or Should I go, not Joe Strummer.

i moved here 10 years ago and would never leave. it only gets better and better!

nothing compares and i'm spoiled by the city.

I'll just say that while I love the city and the boroughs and what they have to offer, I will probably leave in another year and a half or so. I've only lived here for about three years and already feel the city is not the same as it was, and its accomodations for the rich and real estate developers have jaded my view of the city.

I thought I would move here to find cheap education and likeminded, bohemian attitudes, and instead I got reactionary Williamsburg yuppies and their vegan diets.

I'm 25, and I think many young people feel the way I do and never truly plan to live here permanently.

Taxes in NY/NYC - too many and too high. Because of the cost of living and taxes - my wife and I may need to move soon.