New Yorkers are not satisfied with quality of life in NYC, survey finds
New Yorkers are dissatisfied with the quality of life in New York City, according to new data from the Citizens Budget Commission.
The recently surveyed residents are sending a clear message: The city isn't delivering enough.
New data from the CBC reveals widespread dissatisfaction.
"They're telling the candidates that they're dissatisfied with their quality of life, the quality of the services, public safety in the city," Andrew Rein of the Citizens Budget Commission said.
Only 34% of New Yorkers rate citywide quality of life as "excellent" or "good," which is a sharp drop from 51% in 2017. Only 27% rate city services positively, plummeting from 44% in 2017.
Housing, homelessness and mental health services rate among the worst, and only 42% of residents say they feel safe in their neighborhoods, despite NYPD data showing major crimes are down.
Only 11% approve of public spending, and 22% say the feel safe riding the subway at night.
NYC mayor race faces 1st debate tonight
The survey comes with less than three weeks to the New York City mayoral primary elections, and the race is heating up.
Nine democratic candidates will face off Wednesday night on the debate stage, trying to convince voters why they should be the city's next mayor.
Recent polling shows Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani are leading the group. The list of contenders also includes Adrienne Adams, Michael Blake, Brad Lander, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer and Whitney Tilson.
Political experts believe the debate will touch on topics like crime, immigration, education, congestion pricing and affordable housing.
The debate is one of two that will be held before the June 24 primary elections. New York City Mayor Eric Adams will not be taking part, because he is running for reelection as an independent.
It will be the first time Cuomo, who has been leading in the polls, will have to face the slings and arrows of the other contenders, who will all have one goal - to knock him out of the top spot.
"Everybody is going to come after him today," political analyst JC Polanco said. "So he's going to be on the defense most of the night."
The debate will also be about demeanor.
"In debates like this, it's about personality. It's about how the viewer connects with the candidate. It's about how they answer, how they look at the camera. Tonight's not the night for mean faces," Polanco said.
