Poll: New Yorkers Plan To Stay Put

Despite the terrorist attacks of one year ago and the economic downturn, a majority of New Yorkers say they plan to continue living in New York City.

New Yorkers' desire to stay put is somewhat lower than it was immediately following the attacks in the Fall of 2001, following the attacks, a period which marked a surge in optimism about the city and community. However, the number of New York residents wishing to stay is far higher than in the economic downturn of the early 1990s.

57% of New Yorkers would like to be living either in the same place they are now, or somewhere else within the city, in the coming years.

This figure is down from 67% in the Fall of 2001. Just prior to the attacks, in August of 2001, 63% of New Yorkers said they would like to either stay in the same place or live somewhere else within the city. In the Fall of 1991, only 37% wished to stay.

Those who plan to stay are overwhelmingly positive in their image of the city. Of people who would like to remain in the city, 95% have a generally good image of New York. Those who see themselves leaving are still positive on the city, but less so: 71% hold a good image.

Staying in Town, Changing Addresses

17% of New Yorkers want to move to a new location within the city. This is an increase over the 12% who reported such a desire
in October 2001. The trend shows New Yorkers' mobility may heading back toward its pre- 9/11 level, when 21% said they would like to move somewhere else within the city.

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