Living in New York City Sucks: 10 Brutally Honest Reasons Why Living in New York City Overrated

1. Rent Costs More Than Organs on the Black Market

Living in New York City sucks if you like, you know, keeping money. A “spacious” one-bedroom starts at $3,000 a month. That’s before utilities, broker fees, and your emotional support therapist. If you’re not paying half your income for rent, congratulations…you live in New Jersey.

2. “Luxury Apartment” Means You Have a Window

Real estate listings are comedy shows. “Luxury apartment” = plumbing that mostly works. “City view” = a brick wall three feet away. “Pet-friendly” = they’ll tolerate your goldfish, not your dreams. Another reason living in New York City sucks. The definition of “luxury” here is survival.

3. The Subway Is a Real-Life Horror Movie

Every New Yorker has war stories from the subway. Rats, delays, prophets, preachers, performers and sometimes all of them at once. It’s the only place where you can question your life choices before 9 a.m. Truly, living in New York City sucks when your daily commute doubles as psychological endurance training.

4. The City Smells Like Regret

In summer, New York City smells like hot garbage dipped in urine. In winter, it smells like wet dog and broken dreams. Spring brings hope and rat mating season. Living in New York City sucks when even breathing feels like a dare.

5. You Work to Survive, Not to Live

People move here for “the dream,” but most are just surviving. You work, you pay rent, and you call bagels “dinner.” Living in New York City sucks because it’s not about living. It’s about enduring and pretending you enjoy “the grind.”

6. The Noise Never Stops

Honking. Sirens. Construction. Couples arguing. Drunks singing “Empire State of Mind” at 2 a.m. If you ever hear silence in New York City, either you’ve left town or you’re dead. Constant chaos is part of why living in New York City sucks. Peace is a luxury you’ll never afford.

7. Dating Is a Dumpster Fire

Dating here is like shopping at a thrift store. 95% of what you find is broken, the rest is overpriced. Everyone’s “too busy” for commitment but available for “networking.” If you’re single, living in New York City sucks extra hard.

8. You’ll Go Broke Just Leaving the House

A “cheap night out” costs $80. A slice and a beer? Fifteen bucks. The only free thing in New York is anxiety. Living in New York City sucks because you can’t even breathe air without paying a convenience fee.

9. Tourists Everywhere

Times Square is a human traffic jam with $20 hot dogs and blinding billboards. You’ll spend half your life dodging selfie sticks, slow walkers, and people asking where the “Friends apartment” is. Even if you avoid tourist traps, living in New York City sucks when every sidewalk feels like an obstacle course.

10. It Slowly Breaks You and You’ll Still Defend It

Living in New York City sucks, but you’ll still brag about it. It’s a toxic relationship. It’s expensive, loud, and exhausting yet you’ll tell everyone it’s “the greatest city in the world.” Deep down, you know it’s Stockholm Syndrome with better pizza.

Living in New York City Sucks and That’s Why It’s Addictive

There’s no denying it: living in New York City sucks. It’s loud, dirty, overpriced, and chaotic. Yet somehow, people can’t quit it. Maybe it’s the energy, maybe it’s the pride, or maybe it’s just that leaving feels like admitting defeat. Either way, the city owns you. Rent-controlled or not.