A new survey paints a bleak picture of satisfaction among New York City residents.
The Citizens Budget Commission released its 2023 Resident Survey on Tuesday, where it found a sharp drop in citywide satisfaction ratings.
The authors say the survey provides the most comprehensive, statistically valid, post-pandemic view into how New Yorkers feel about the city's quality of life and government services.
The group replicated its 2017 and 2008 surveys to compare New Yorkers' current views to previous surveys' ratings.
NYC quality-of-life ratings plunge
Ratings plunged with only 30 percent rating the quality of life in the city as excellent or good. That was down from 50 percent in 2017 and 2008. A third of residents rated the quality of life as poor.
"This feedback straight from New Yorkers is a valuable tool to help focus priorities and drive improvements," CBC President Andrew Rein said. "What New Yorkers' responses crystalize the stark reality that they clearly rate the quality of life and quality of city services as not good."
While the citywide rankings are depressing, people have a much brighter feeling about their own neighborhood with 50 percent rating it excellent or good.
New Yorker's feel less safe
The survey found New Yorkers are feeling much less safe with only 37 percent rating public safety in their neighborhood as excellent or good, down from 50 percent in 2017.
New Yorkers say they feel about as safe riding the subway during the day as they did at night in 2017.
And satisfaction with the quality of government services has plunged. Only 24 percent rate the quality of government services good or excellent, down from 44 percent in 2017.
"The survey is a sobering, but hugely valuable assessment"
"The survey is a sobering, but hugely valuable assessment of what things matter the most for New Yorkers right now," said Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future.
Household income impacted views of satisfaction. Families with income over $200,000 remained the most satisfied with the quality of life in the city, with 45 percent rating it excellent or very good.
One of the biggest items for dissatisfaction was city spending. Only 11 percent believe the government is spending tax dollars wisely. That's down more than 50 percent from 2017.
"The results of this survey show that we have a lot of work to do, and one of those areas is ensuring New Yorkers can afford to live and work here," said Michelle Jackson, Executive Director, Human Services Council. "This data is key for them to respond to needs and also advocate for the people they serve."
