There’s some concern.
New Yorkers are reflecting on life in the Big Apple, looking at public safety, cleanliness, and mass transit. The outlook seems noticeably poorer than it was before the pandemic, although slightly better than two years ago.
More than a third of residents rate the quality of life in five districts as good or excellent. This marks a significant decline since 2017, which had the highest positive ratings from about half of the surveyed New Yorkers.
Challenges around crime and government services are likely to greet the next mayor of New York, as pointed out in the CBC report “Straight from New Yorkers 2025.”
“The picture painted from `New Yorker 2025` suggests a greater number of residents are dissatisfied with life, urban services, and safety than those in the past,” according to CBC, supported by business funding.
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</aside>“To keep New York City appealing to residents and businesses, there needs to be a more positive feeling about various life aspects,” the report emphasized.
When it comes to quality of life ratings from a 2023 survey, things have improved from the pandemic but remain well below what residents expressed in 2017.
Particularly alarming are the high dissatisfaction levels among Bronx residents and Black and Hispanic New Yorkers, as noted by CBC’s analysis.
Polls revealed the following:
- Only 34% rated the city’s quality of life in 2025 as good or excellent, down from 51% in 2017 but a slight improvement from 30% in 2023.
- While the rating was over 50% in 2023, satisfaction with their neighborhoods as good places to live dropped from 63% in 2017 to 56% in 2025.
- Even though Mayor Eric Adams announced record low numbers for murders and shootings, a level of public safety reported dropped from 37% in 2023 to just that same 37%.
- The perception of subway safety remains “surprisingly low,” with only 50% of New Yorkers feeling safe during the day, and just 22% at night—a stark drop from 46% in 2017.
- Only 27% believe government services are good or excellent, an increase from 23% in 2023, but still down from 44% in 2017.
- Just 11% think tax expenditures are wise, down from 21% in 2017.
- Thirty-six percent feel their neighborhoods are clean, up from 34% in 2023, but still below the 47% seen in 2017.
- Metro services received a rating that was 19% lower than in 2017, while bus services dropped by 11%, and rating for rat control fell by 18% despite ongoing efforts.
- Public education ratings have also fallen by 8% since 2017.
“Residents are expressing dissatisfaction with many aspects of urban life and services, indicating that recovery from the pandemic is still quite distant,” the CBC analysis states.
Nonetheless, some positive aspects show promise for post-Covid recovery.
For instance, evaluations of parks and ease of travel have improved compared to 2017 levels.
Services like libraries, fire safety, and emergency medical services remain well-regarded, particularly in areas like Manhattan and Staten Island.
On a concerning note, wealthier residents are rating their neighborhoods’ quality of life lower than they did two years ago.
Looking ahead, 55% of New Yorkers expect to stay in the city over the next five years, down from 58% in 2017, and slightly lower than the 50% recorded in 2023.
The leading reasons that drive New Yorkers to consider leaving are affordability (76%), safety concerns (73%), and limited living space (60%).
Residents are hoping the city will prioritize safety, housing, infrastructure, and cleanliness going forward.
The CBC survey involved 1,750 urban residents and was carried out by data research firm Polco during March and April. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.
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