So, New Yorkers, you thought you lived in the best city in the world? Filled with art, culture, and opportunities? According to CNN's Money.com, not many people agree with us. We have even been shoved behind freezing, windy, landlocked Chicago. Not surprisingly, Second City came in second place in the polls, but this time, it's not playing second fiddle to New York, arguably the best city in the world. Surprise, New York: we're in 5th place!
Besides the Windy City, Dallas, Houston, and LA. also come before us. Granted, Texas and California do have better weather, but just wait 'til global warming kicks in-- we'll be right back up there.
Enough ranting, let's get down to the facts. The ratings are based on the following categories:
1. Affordable Housing: Granted, in terms of real estate, New York is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. But when the America's housing bubble (or festering blister, to be more accurate) bursts, New York is a-ok. The average price of apartments went up 8% and luxury apartments averaged an increase of 20% while the average for the rest of the nation declined by 17%. So yes, New York homes are more expensive, but buyers are also be more likely to make a bundle. So while the rest of America is cheap, this certainly doesn't pay off in the long run.
2. Plentiful Cultural Options: We've got this one trumped. From the Mermaid Parade to the Festival of the Animals, to those crazy Russian Dungeons...we've got every every cultural option there is. Last week I went to a pickle festival, and today I'm heading to the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy.
3. Job Growth: Job opportunities and growth in New York are abundant and incomparable. When I was trying to be a hot-shot Financial Advisor on Wall Street, there was a former janitor at the desk next to me-- and he was making a killing.
4. Plentiful Leisure Activities: Relax, New York knows leisure. Whether you want to picnic in Central Park, take a horse and carriage ride, bask on one of our many beaches, or go to an expensive spa that's worth every penny, there are plenty of activities for the stressed-out, the lazy, and the hedonists who need leisure.
5. Sunny Weather: As I mentioned earlier, we can't compete with Texas or California on this one yet, but just you wait. Global warming is on our side.
6. Short Commute Time: Unless you live on Coney Island, the commutes really aren't bad.
7. Good Health Care Access: Note: This does NOT say affordable health care access, just good healthcare access. Is someone being pedantic with their ratings? Maybe Houston, Dallas, LA, and Chicago beat us on this one-- because they have good health care access-- but we have the best. And if that isn't enough, studies show that New Yorkers live longer than anyone else in the country by an average of 9 months (just enough time to make a baby before you die!). And although the life expectancy of all Americans is on the rise, the rate at which this number is increasing is highest among New Yorkers. There's a lot to live for in this city.
So, who rated New York as the Fifth best place to live instead of the first? I'm guessing that whomever is in charge of the CNN Money website made a type-oh. Five of them, to be precise.
Besides the Windy City, Dallas, Houston, and LA. also come before us. Granted, Texas and California do have better weather, but just wait 'til global warming kicks in-- we'll be right back up there.
Enough ranting, let's get down to the facts. The ratings are based on the following categories:
1. Affordable Housing: Granted, in terms of real estate, New York is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. But when the America's housing bubble (or festering blister, to be more accurate) bursts, New York is a-ok. The average price of apartments went up 8% and luxury apartments averaged an increase of 20% while the average for the rest of the nation declined by 17%. So yes, New York homes are more expensive, but buyers are also be more likely to make a bundle. So while the rest of America is cheap, this certainly doesn't pay off in the long run.
2. Plentiful Cultural Options: We've got this one trumped. From the Mermaid Parade to the Festival of the Animals, to those crazy Russian Dungeons...we've got every every cultural option there is. Last week I went to a pickle festival, and today I'm heading to the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy.
3. Job Growth: Job opportunities and growth in New York are abundant and incomparable. When I was trying to be a hot-shot Financial Advisor on Wall Street, there was a former janitor at the desk next to me-- and he was making a killing.
4. Plentiful Leisure Activities: Relax, New York knows leisure. Whether you want to picnic in Central Park, take a horse and carriage ride, bask on one of our many beaches, or go to an expensive spa that's worth every penny, there are plenty of activities for the stressed-out, the lazy, and the hedonists who need leisure.
5. Sunny Weather: As I mentioned earlier, we can't compete with Texas or California on this one yet, but just you wait. Global warming is on our side.
6. Short Commute Time: Unless you live on Coney Island, the commutes really aren't bad.
7. Good Health Care Access: Note: This does NOT say affordable health care access, just good healthcare access. Is someone being pedantic with their ratings? Maybe Houston, Dallas, LA, and Chicago beat us on this one-- because they have good health care access-- but we have the best. And if that isn't enough, studies show that New Yorkers live longer than anyone else in the country by an average of 9 months (just enough time to make a baby before you die!). And although the life expectancy of all Americans is on the rise, the rate at which this number is increasing is highest among New Yorkers. There's a lot to live for in this city.
So, who rated New York as the Fifth best place to live instead of the first? I'm guessing that whomever is in charge of the CNN Money website made a type-oh. Five of them, to be precise.
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