In “The Harsh Reality of Living in NYC (Pros & Cons),” we dive into the true experience of life in New York City. Often romanticized in movies and social media, NYC has its exhilarating highs—like vibrant nightlife, diverse cuisine, and abundant opportunities—but also comes with significant challenges, such as soaring living costs and the relentless grind of city life. Join us as we uncover the real story behind the glam, providing a candid look at the pros and cons that every New Yorker faces. Whether you dream of moving to the Big Apple or just want to know what it’s really like, this video is for you!
Watch the video by ActionKid
About ActionKid
Video creator focused on point-of-view experiences and inspiring positivity around the world.
Video “The Harsh Reality of Living in NYC (Pros & Cons)” was uploaded on 10/18/2026 to Youtube Channel ActionKid


































AK giving a from afar review of his old hometown NYC !
This video makes no sense. You moved away from New York ages ago, yet here you are bitching about New York?. New York was the foundation on which you built your channel so, in my opinion, its ironical. If you were answering a particular question from a subscriber or highlighting a particular problem in the news then it might make more sense but at the moment it just feels random. I've been following you for years and I mostly enjoy your content (much more when you were in New York) so this is puzzling.
One more thing, the view behind you is something you won’t find in NYC. Beautiful.
NYC has gone downhill since Mamdani became mayor
I cannot agree with you on how safe NYC is… Especially since NYPD is ordered not to do anything against crime thanks to its woke leaders. Why do criminals keep being let go over 20 times? Woke activist judges. NYC is cooked bro. They would rather embrace sharia law and watch the city burn to the ground than actually gain any means of common sense again…
and I love NYC. Hate to see a city I love fall slowly into ruin.
homelessness have you seen ethopia and inda?
Oh my Gosh.. I loved the start of this video!! Very creative and I hope you can do more ..
What are your thoughts on Zohran Mamdani?
Good morning AK from Seattle 🙂👋🚶♂️❤ very insightful and thank you for sharing your observations having grown up in that amazing city 👍 Seattle certainly has its issues as well and alot does have to do with our government and local officials
Great Start…. I do that on the regular AK. Especially talking the L to BK 😂
Was that Sora you used for the intro?
I grew up in the east Bronx in the mid 60s through the 70s.. It was great then but after the 70s it went downhill severely. We got out then and moved to southern California which was perfection, but now it is going downhill here as well. Diversity is our weakness, it causes too many disagreements.
NyC as best pre 2001.. couldnt touch it.
We cant all move to Vietnam…the prices are high and homelessness is in every city…
Some of this information is incorrect. The apartments in New York City are up to 6000 a month not 3,000
I would rather live in New York than Paris
Didn't you decide to leave NYC and moved on away from it? People are suffering from the high cost of living all over the United States. Plus America is dealing with hardships from tRump. The highest crime rates are in small US southern cities. You left to find a woman. Hope you find one. But don't bash the city.
It's the same issues in every city in the world today! In Sydney we have exactly the same issues & it's primary cause is excessive immigration! It's become unsustainable & I feel it's the same cause across the western world~
Big City not a benefit, many people with connections(not if the wealthy are leaving), food ok but it is very expensive. Cons too many to explain. NY Citizens voted for it. So stay and stick it out. Sorry for you guys.
I love NYC but could never afford to live there. I've visited several times though. Thank you so much for your review.
Same as most major cities (London, Paris, most of Japan, Sydney here in Australia…) ….good whilst you’re young, chasing a career, and have the money to do all the good stuff on offer in a big city (nightlife, shopping, eating out, travel…) . The locals who are in that phase of their lives rightly love it…they tune out the downsides (as see them as temporary? A price worth paying?)
But if / once that phase of your life no longer applies, and / or you’re (the majority of people) never going to work on “Wall Street” anyway….high rents / small apartments, impersonal (New Yorkers are fine one on one…but en masse it’s just a rat race) , crowded, limited “quiet” or space…
Great to visit, probably good for a few months working there ….but if you have options, why stay?
People, places and things. In the end it doesn't even matter. For me that's all that matters, where I'll be spending my eternity, not in this temporary dwelling. I've always not been of this world, yet in it. The only good thing is that no matter what or where I am I'm still halfway up there, in heaven. Heaven means that even here you're there.
Great video with the reality of living in New York City
Did you move back?
Hi, AK. Good insights. One thing that stuck out with me in my visit last May was where'd all the old people go? The population seems a bit less diverse now, especially economically diverse. Poorer people who used to be hanging out on stoops by a low rent building have vanished as have those affordable buildings. Those folks were what gave our neighborhoods its character and the mom and pop bakeries, corner stores, stationary stores, soda shops and pizza parlors.
More cons then goods in nyc Iam so sick of ny i rather jersey boston lol
If you would like to feel positive about NYC, I encourage anyone to watch the mayor's channel. He and his teams are really making great strides in turning the city around to be a great place to live in the future. They are truly working hard at it! Things can't change overnight. That rarely even happens in a fairytale. But no other mayoral administration has cared so much. They introduce new policies and actions nearly every day!
I think you're right on all counts. Manhatten is super expensive and even the surrounding boroughs. I would have hoped at least one or two of the 4 outer boroughs would be okay for dating, but maybe not and varies depending on many factors. NYC is an entertainment capital especially Manhatten so the folks living there are not representative of anything specific in that they arrive from all over including the super wealthy living in multi million dollar apartments, etc.
✌
New York City has long been known as a global melting pot of cultures. There, everyone is equal—rich and poor, white and black, and people of other races. Christians and those who believe in other things. It is a city unlike any other in the world. 👍
Good analysis AK.
I was born in Brooklyn & lived there for 50 yrs. I left in March 2020 for the northern Philly suburbs. After all those years, I turned out okay. But "I survived." As a child I was blessed & lucky to have 2 loving parents who worked & stayed together to put my older sister & I through school & college. Also had an older brother & older cousins who protected me from bad elements.
It takes a solid community to raise children there.
As far as relationships, I don't think NYC is different from anywhere else.
Finding someone with similar values, developing true love and keeping that love going long term is hard work. No relationship is perfect. Unselfishness, sacrifice & mutual respect of each others dignity are needed.
But belief in God helped me most. I found my wife through the Church.
Faith, daily prayer + humility (before God and each other) helped carry us through hard times.
ActionKid, your videos made NYC look like the best place ever. We realize times have changed in just a few years, but thanks for your past work in sharing the city.
Thanks for the video. I am born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Sadly had to leave to enjoy the better things in life. Including a good wife and a private business that is not a target of the NYC government. I visit the City every year, then get to return home and make a decent living. Watched your videos for many years. All the best to you.
I'm born and raised in a big city, but I live in a small town.
Pros and cons both ways, saying goes …. "You're small in a big city" – "Big in a small city"
Pros: Wow, it's NYC
Cons: The rent 💀
Action Kid, you are the best! You are a pioneer of life streaming and walking through New York City!❤ Greetings to @PaulWhicker6foot6TallVicar, please contact me, when it is possible!💙💙💙
Action kid, stay as you are!♥️I do love New York City a lot! Every large city has its problems!
With sufficient income, a nice apartment in Queens would be heaven for me.