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Photo of weekend subway service chances courtesy Triborough.
An international survey of metropolitan residents around the world has found that less than 10% of New Yorkers are happy with the city’s services – a far lower number than in cities abroad like Singapore, where 61% insist they’re satisfied.
Also more satisfied is Madrid, with a 37% thumbs up rate, while 29% approve of Paris services and 22% of Londoners are satisfied. But does this really mean New York’s services are worse, or is it just that griping is a way of life in New York?
Despite their beefs, New York has the highest percentage [29%] of residents who say they live in a “world class” city. But 82% have had it with New York’s high rents, almost half say the education system is failing, and 32% don’t feel public safety is up to par. The focus group survey was conducted by Accenture at a forum in New York last summer – so maybe the real surprise here is that 10% of the respondents didn't complain about New York services in the middle of summer.
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"But does this really mean New York’s services are worse, or is it just that griping is a way of life in New York?"
both.
"Despite their beefs, New York has the highest percentage [29%] of residents who say they live in a “world class” city."
eye roll.
so moral of the story: nyc has shitty services but an amazing pr campaign!
Totally agree Nick S. New York's services are shitty as hell (MTA anyone?), and New Yorkers LOVE LOVE LOVE to complain NO MATTER WHAT at all times.
I'm a New Yorker but I lived many years abroad, in Paris. Municipal services in Paris are certainly better, but New York has caught up somewhat in the last 10 years. For example, Paris parks are ubiquitous and stellar, but there's been a huge improvement in New York parks over the last few years. Subway service in New York remains extremely frustrating. I'd say that 60% of the my subway rides are marred by some type of glitch or extended wait. Subway service in Paris is a lot more reliable - in between strikes, that is.
The big difference is that Parisians take quality of life very seriously, its the number one priority, whereas NY emphasizes economic development. Where I live (downtown) work crews are constantly tearing open and closing back up the same streets, and jackhammering away at all hours of the night, and on weekends. I'm surrounded by new building constructions. And the city happily issues the permits that make this possible -unthinkable in Paris. I guess the tradeoff is that NY is a more vibrant economically.
...which is great for businesses and corporations that treat the city like a gigantic billboard, but not the native families and citizens, and disallusioned young people who keep moving here to pursue thier dreams only to realize that New York has become too expensive and culturally vapid to make that happen...
The subway is very cheap (they save money by having no maps in the cars and no one to clean up the stench of piss). The streets are safe and well lit. I think people just like to gripe (like I just did).
I think it's time the myth of New York was blown apart. New York is no longer the fertile creative playgrouind it once was. There are semblances of the past, but the absurd rents and systematic sterilization of the cityscape have made it an almost impossible feat to move here as a young artist and accomplish anything other than working 3 jobs and having no time left to pursue one's own work. That New York is dead, for now. It's too bad really because it was such an amazing and stimulating city, and i'ts turning into an island of corporate billboards and millionaire dormatories.
^ What a wonderful example of happy, fulfilled, and very satisfied residents! New York is so blessed!