Anonymous

What brought you to NYC? 
I moved to NYC after grad school because I have friends nearby, my family lives an hour away, and I had to decide between NYC and LA - Los Angeles at the time seemed like the more expensive of the two, simply because of the need to own a car and also because I would be friendless there. 

Why are you leaving NYC?
I didn't move to New York to 'make it big' as an artist. I felt pretty realistic about how much work that would be, but I feel like my quality of life would be better if I were living somewhere that is not as expensive. I am tired of having 5 roommates, a studio that doubles as my bedroom, a general lack of creature comforts, for what? My work is not in galleries here, I'm working 6 days a week at my 'job' job just to make my student loan payments! Plus, I feel that for 26, I am not as far along professionally as I should be, it's hard to move up the job ladder here, I spent a lot of time when I moved here just waiting tables and working odd jobs, that really got me nowhere as far as getting a job that I would like to turn into my career. It seems like people here feel ok with paying their employees the absolute lowest they can get away with. Living wage here is $10, and I earn more than that, but it's never enough money. 

Where are you moving to?
I am not sure, Philadelphia maybe? 

Why did you choose that location? 
It's not very far, I am also pretty familiar with Philadelphia, the art scene seems a bit less formal, and apartments are much cheaper. Plus moving myself there would not be as expensive of an undertaking as say, moving to the west coast. I've started applying for jobs there, but I don't actually plan on moving until I get a better job then I have here. , I don't earn enough here to save up to move and be unemployed. 

What will you miss LEAST about NYC? 
MTA Fare Hikes - -I've been ticketed for beating the fare before. 
It can be very hard to relax here, it seems like people drink heavily, which I am not in to. 
Having to buy clothes at Forever 21 because it's the only place in my budget! 
Being hit on in the street by random dudes. 
The messy rainy winter days. 

What will you miss MOST about NYC?
I will miss BedStuy and my friends, 
Being able to get on a train any time of day and go somewhere. 
Not needing a car. 
Prosperity Dumpling. 

Tom Russotti

What brought you to NYC?
Born and raised in Brooklyn.


Why are you leaving NYC?
Its hard to be objective- Ive been here most of my life so i take a lot of new york for granted so I understand people really loving the city. For me however its just not a stimulating place to be an artist anymore. There are so many amazing places in the world that I'd like to see rather than spend another predictable year in New York.


Where are you moving to?
Going nomad


Why did you choose that location?
Technology is allowing people  to move around and still have a sense of connectedness and continuity. Why not?


What will you miss LEAST about NYC?
The New York State of Mind- obsession with work and money (including within artistic communities) New York-centric attitudes, large hordes of philistine professionals and professional philistines, Fashion, and of course, the rent


What will you miss MOST about NYC?
Friends and family, Denny's Steak Pub, Pizza

  

Michael Konrad

What brought you to NYC?
I grew up near NYC in Essex County, NJ and visited often when I was a child, so I always felt like NYC was my home. I came to live in NYC for school, and then got a job and a studio here after graduating.


Why are you leaving NYC?
Cost of living and new job opportunities. My wife & I wanted to purchase real estate which wasn't really possible for us in NYC even with our combined incomes. Also, I wanted to quit my full time job for more studio time, which I could not afford to do in NYC.


Where are you moving to?
Philadelphia, PA


Why did you choose that location?
My wife is not in the arts, and she had better job opportunities in Philly. We were able to find a house with enough space for me to have a starter studio at home and work there full time. Philadelphia also has an active art scene and is close to NYC.


What will you miss LEAST about NYC?
Subway fair hikes. Overpriced bars, restaurants, groceries. Working a full-time job just to pay rent and then having no energy for my studio work.


What will you miss MOST about NYC?
My friends. The excitement & activity on the street. Museums and galleries of course. Central Park. Riding my bicycle through the city every day.

Claire Waters Marcus

What brought you to NYC? 
I've always loved New York. 
I came here because there's so much opportunity for artists. 

Why are you leaving NYC?  
It's too expensive. It's impossible to afford both a studio and rent, and I feel 
that for the money I spend to live, I should have a better quality of life. It can
be difficult and expensive to transport materials like large panels, tools, etc - 
things an artist needs to have. Too much of my time is spent getting places, 
either walking a mile to the train or being on the train - it's exhausting. That  
time would be better spent in the studio.

Where are you moving to?
Pittsburgh, PA

Why did you choose that location? 
I chose Pittsburgh because I have family there, but also because it's affordable,
has a vibrant art scene for its size, is pretty close to major East Coast cities,
and will be low-stress. I'll have the time and energy to make work, as well as
balance the other aspects of my life. 

What will you miss LEAST about NYC? 
The cost, the lines/crowds, the subway, garbage in the summer.

What will you miss MOST about NYC?
The galleries and museums, and other cultural venues. The conveniences like 
having a bodega on every corner, most things being open all night, taxis every
where, etc. The talent and thoughtfulness of the artists here. People are 
usually working at a high level in New York and that's exciting to be around.

Lola Ladida

What brought you to NYC?
art

Why are you leaving NYC?
greedy real estate developers forced me out of my studio. 

Where are you moving to?
Detroit Michigan

Why did you choose that location? 
no one else wants it

What will you miss LEAST about NYC? 
greedy real estate developers

What will you miss MOST about NYC?
art

Melissa

What brought you to NYC? 

All of it.  Just thought it would be an interesting place to go as an artist.

Why are you leaving NYC? 
MONEY.  Teaching job opportunities are so limited.  I found I had to start from

the bottom all over again, and grew exhausted with the immense amount of 

effort involved in trying to get the measliest of jobs.  Tiny apartment for 

ridiculous amount of rent - very little space to paint and trying to rent a studio 

was out of the question (too expensive!!!!).  Not too many alternative art 

spaces - very surprised by that.  There's so much more for artists in places like

St. Louis, and other midwest cities in terms of opportunities to exhibit, and 

studio space, as well as cost of living in general, not to mention a very strong 

community of artists.

Where are you moving to? 
Washington, D.C.

Why did you choose that location? 
I'm inching my way out of the east coast.  Plus, there are more opportunities 
for teaching, I picked up an adjunct position within 3 months of moving there, 
something I had tried for 4 1/2 years to do in New York.

What will you miss LEAST about NYC?  
Upper east side snobs, and the provincial attitude in general.  
The Stockholm Syndrome effect of living in New York.

What will you miss MOST about NYC?
I truly love the people, and the neighborhood I lived in, so much so that moving
 was an incredibly difficult decision, although this may have been part of the 
Stockholm Syndrome I speak of.  But I truly loved the diversity, the honesty, 
the expression - they are the most interesting, funny, self deprecating people
in the world.  They will always have a piece of my soul.