Is waving evidence of community? A sense of community has been dying in America for decades. It’s not unique to New York City. I recommend reading Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone. It’s even more true today with social media and enhanced technology.

New York’s rental market is a direct reaction to the shortage of housing in America. Few can find an available and affordable home, so they are left to rent. And the job market is booming in NYC, with many young people still dying to live there, despite the conditions.

Many rentals are also vacant/off market in New York because of rent controls where many landlords have made the calculation not to list instead of being forced to rent at below market rates...

For me, crime and safety are the biggest issues, not the rental market. The quickest way for a city to die is to instill fear in everyone that they may get shot on the subway going to brunch (which happened recently…). The extremism against policing since 2020 hasn’t helped. I’m hoping Mayor Adams can turn that around.

New York definitely has its issues, but there is still no better place (in my humble opinion) for culture, cuisine, and opportunity. Community is there too - you just have to actively work for it.