Not every city is like this. Rich cities that can systematically screw people and get away with it are like this because business like this one aren't a large enough overall part of their revenue stream for them to care about.
Poor cities can't systematically marginalize small business without hurting themselves enough to be held accountable so they don't generally do this kind of thing or when they do they fix the system quickly.
Indeed - but even "rich" cities aren't totally isolated. I'd encourage people to watch some of Louis's other videos where he roams the streets and even the national brands have pulled out of NYC - but the amount of vacancies overall is pretty astonishing. Between the "summer of LOVE" and COVID it's been a pretty harsh one/two punch and there is already a significant momentum that has started of resources pulling out of the city - and once these trends start they are pretty damn hard to reverse. NYC is only rich if there is commerce for them to tax.
Yep, I was in NYC for about a month prior to covid and throughout 2020. Small business is absolutely decimated and last summer was truly one hell of a cluster-fuck. I witnessed first hand, the police doing nothing as huge stores were looted. Louis is also correct about NYC basically being a place where it only makes sense to live there if you're insanely rich. $180k minimum to even have your own place that isn't a box.
I will say, some of Louis' videos are a bit disingenuous, there are still some things open some of NYC still isn't that much of a shit-hole. Granted, even with all of this, there have been times where I've gone to meet people in Union Square park or grab dinner on the Upper West Side and I'm sad I can't do that anymore. It's weird.
Which goes to show, that NYC is truly the physical embodiment of a love hate relationship.
I'm in the same situation but I'm not earning 180k, I live just fine in my apartment and don't consider it a box (I am also a minimalist and don't have any hobbies that take up space). Small business around me that relied on working commuters were decimated but small business that relied on actual working folks living in nyc are just fine and the summer is actually booming.
I would say nyc is always what you make of it and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. It's certainly not a place for people who want yards for example.
Poor cities can't systematically marginalize small business without hurting themselves enough to be held accountable so they don't generally do this kind of thing or when they do they fix the system quickly.