NYC quality of life still worse compared to pre-pandemic era, according to new poll of residents

Bad Apple.New Yorkers rate the Big Apple’s quality of life — on issues such as public safety, cleanliness and mass transit — significantly worse than the pre-pandemic times and just slightly better than two years ago, a Citizens Budget Commission survey of more than 1,700 residents found.Just over a third of residents said quality of life in the five boroughs was good or excellent — a significant drop from 2017, when about half of New Yorkers surveyed gave it the top rating.The deep level of displeasure regarding crime and government services presents a challenge to whoever the next New York City mayor will be next year, according to the CBC’s “Straight from New Yorkers 2025” poll.“`Straight from New Yorkers 2025′ paints a stark picture: New Yorkers remain much moredissatisfied with the quality of life, City services, and public safety than they were beforethe pandemic,” the business-funded CBC said.“If New York City is to remain competitive and continue attracting residents and businesses, people have to feel much more positively about many of the aspects of their life in the city.”The quality of life ratings fall considerably below the rankings residents gave in the same survey conducted in 2017 — though it noted some real progress from a more recent post-pandemic 2023 survey.“The findings about Bronx residents and among Black and Hispanic New Yorkers — where dissatisfaction levels are the highest — are particularly troubling,” CBC said in an analysis of the findings.The poll found: “City residents continue to be dissatisfied with many facets of city life and services.

The city’s post-pandemic satisfaction recovery is nowhere near complete,” the CBC analysis said.Still, there are important bright spots, indicating some post-COVID recovery.For example, ratings for neighborhood parks and ease of travel within the city, have rebounded to 2017 levels.Neighborhood services like libraries, fire protection, and EMS maintain higher...