Real takes on NYC, by real people.
Voices of NYC is an ongoing project that keeps a finger on the city’s pulse, tracking how New Yorkers really feel as the city evolves.
Survey takes about 2 minutes
this week's nps
Net promoter score (NPS) measures how likely people are to recommend something, on a scale of -100 to 100.
65.5
65.5
—
Week ending Mar. 6, 2026
Week ending Mar. 6, 2026
65.5
65.5
—
About the study
Hearing from people
who make up New York City
Hearing from people who live here
New York City is a diverse city filled with different people and different experiences.
This study listens directly to the people of New York City to understand how people in the city feel about the city right now, not what the outside perspectives are saying.
Goals of the study
01
01
Hear from people across neighborhoods and backgrounds
Hear from people across neighborhoods and backgrounds
02
02
See how feelings about the city change week by week
See how feelings about the city change week by week
03
03
Bring together many voices to show how New York City is really doing (and evolving)
Bring together many voices to show how New York City is really doing (and evolving)
Let your voice be heard
Voices of NYC is updated continuously as more people participate. Take the survey and help shape how the city is represented over time.
Perspectives from
across New York City
Perspectives from across New York City
Perspectives
from across
New York City
Below are selected responses from people who have taken the survey. These quotes show how people describe their own experiences in New York City right now.
Your neighbor in Flatbush said:
"There is so much more culture and community outside the gentrified neighborhoods."
Your neighbor in East Village said:
"Everything happens at either Central Park or the Square. Those are where everybody will come together without even really knowing there’s an event happening."
Your neighbor in Glendale said:
"There's always a way to get help here. Even if you don't speak their language, the people here will help you."
Your neighbor in Castle Hill said:
“To see the way New Yorkers have spoken out against ICE and even physically fought them has been honestly inspiring.”
Your neighbor in Tenderloin said:
“There are groups for any sort of niche interest or identity and you're going to find other people in common with you. It's a really big reason why I love living here.”
Your neighbor in Fordham said:
“Mamdani’s $2k for all program would save me literally $26,000 a year. This is what I need to make life in New York City make sense to me.”
Your neighbor Greenpoint said:
“This is the place that every American should be proud to come visit.”
Your neighbor in Park Slope said:
“Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn is really gorgeous and has great views of Manhattan.”
Your neighbor in Sunset Park said:
“There's a lot of hidden speakeasies and spots for adults that most people don’t find, but you have to just have connections to find them.”
Your neighbor in Allerton said:
“The best restaurants in New York City is the places that's not in the city.”
Your neighbor in City Island said:
“Paesano’s in Little Italy is 100% hands down my favorite.”
Your neighbor in Jamaica said:
“If you want to go back in time, stay on the 6 train past Brooklyn Bridge City Hall station.”
Your neighbor in Flatiron said:
“In New York, when you really need help from somebody, they will offer it, no strings attached.”
Your neighbor in Yorkville said:
“You have to keep moving. Don't stop in the middle of the street or in the middle of the sidewalk.”
Your neighbor in Bowery said:
“You can see the whole New York City from the 100th floor of The Edge."
Your neighbor in Upper West Side said:
“People are actually buried in many of New York City's parks. The tree on the north west corner is where 'witches' were actually hung and their bodies were buried.”
Your neighbor in Chelsea said:
“Isabelle’s Osteria is the best restaurant in NYC. Miles is the manager there and he makes everything perfect. Chef James cooks amazing food. They are 100% customer service.”
Your neighbor in Forest Hills said:
“Be yourself. We could tell you're not from here already. Just be yourself."
Your neighbor in Bushwick said:
“There are chartered boats off of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, and you can go out and watch humpback whales with the New York City skyline in the background.”
Your neighbor in DUMBO said:
“It takes a lot for someone to look twice at a person because everyone is unique and that's what makes New York special.”
Your neighbor in Gramercy said:
“One New York secret is don't walk slow because people will know that you're not from the city. Why are you walking slow when there's a lot of people behind you?”
Your neighbor in the Cobble Hill said:
"Independent museums and attractions, that are not the largest or most recognizable, are underrated and definitely worth exploring.”
Your neighbor in Tribeca said:
“Pete's Tavern is one of the oldest bars in the city and it's an amazing stop on your trip.”
Your neighbor in Soundview said
“Talk about the good things of the Bronx, cause I've seen some beautiful things since the year and a half I've lived out here.”
Your neighbor in Lower East Side said:
“Social media influencers online have attracted people to all the hidden gems. Now they’re too crowded.”
Your neighbor in Williamsburg said
“I'm gonna say the best restaurant here is Dinosaur Barbecue, located in Harlem.”
Your neighbor in Astoria said:
“The littering is really horrible. The pollution is really bad. It's just not safe.”
Your neighbor in SoHo said:
"Washington Heights is fire. It's got so many different cultures, places to eat, and things to do.”
Your neighbor in Harlem said:
“New York is the realest place you can ever go. New York is the only place you're gonna get real answers from people.”
Your neighbor in Midtown said:
"People think New Yorkers are kind of rude or mean, especially to tourists, but I think we really respond to people who are authentic."
Your neighbor in Flatbush said:
"There is so much more culture and community outside the gentrified neighborhoods."
Your neighbor in East Village said:
"Everything happens at either Central Park or the Square. Those are where everybody will come together without even really knowing there’s an event happening."
Your neighbor in Glendale said:
"There's always a way to get help here. Even if you don't speak their language, the people here will help you."
Your neighbor in Castle Hill said:
“To see the way New Yorkers have spoken out against ICE and even physically fought them has been honestly inspiring.”
Your neighbor in Tenderloin said:
“There are groups for any sort of niche interest or identity and you're going to find other people in common with you. It's a really big reason why I love living here.”
Your neighbor in Fordham said:
“Mamdani’s $2k for all program would save me literally $26,000 a year. This is what I need to make life in New York City make sense to me.”
Your neighbor Greenpoint said:
“This is the place that every American should be proud to come visit.”
Your neighbor in Park Slope said:
“Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn is really gorgeous and has great views of Manhattan.”
Your neighbor in Sunset Park said:
“There's a lot of hidden speakeasies and spots for adults that most people don’t find, but you have to just have connections to find them.”
Your neighbor in Allerton said:
“The best restaurants in New York City is the places that's not in the city.”
Your neighbor in City Island said:
“Paesano’s in Little Italy is 100% hands down my favorite.”
Your neighbor in Jamaica said:
“If you want to go back in time, stay on the 6 train past Brooklyn Bridge City Hall station.”
Your neighbor in Flatiron said:
“In New York, when you really need help from somebody, they will offer it, no strings attached.”
Your neighbor in Yorkville said:
“You have to keep moving. Don't stop in the middle of the street or in the middle of the sidewalk.”
Your neighbor in Bowery said:
“You can see the whole New York City from the 100th floor of The Edge."
Your neighbor in Upper West Side said:
“People are actually buried in many of New York City's parks. The tree on the north west corner is where 'witches' were actually hung and their bodies were buried.”
Your neighbor in Chelsea said:
“Isabelle’s Osteria is the best restaurant in NYC. Miles is the manager there and he makes everything perfect. Chef James cooks amazing food. They are 100% customer service.”
Your neighbor in Forest Hills said:
“Be yourself. We could tell you're not from here already. Just be yourself."
Your neighbor in Bushwick said:
“There are chartered boats off of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, and you can go out and watch humpback whales with the New York City skyline in the background.”
Your neighbor in DUMBO said:
“It takes a lot for someone to look twice at a person because everyone is unique and that's what makes New York special.”
Your neighbor in Flatbush said:
"There is so much more culture and community outside the gentrified neighborhoods."
Your neighbor in East Village said:
"Everything happens at either Central Park or the Square. Those are where everybody will come together without even really knowing there’s an event happening."
Your neighbor in Glendale said:
"There's always a way to get help here. Even if you don't speak their language, the people here will help you."
Your neighbor in Castle Hill said:
“To see the way New Yorkers have spoken out against ICE and even physically fought them has been honestly inspiring.”
Your neighbor in Tenderloin said:
“There are groups for any sort of niche interest or identity and you're going to find other people in common with you. It's a really big reason why I love living here.”
Your neighbor in Fordham said:
“Mamdani’s $2k for all program would save me literally $26,000 a year. This is what I need to make life in New York City make sense to me.”
Your neighbor Greenpoint said:
“This is the place that every American should be proud to come visit.”
Your neighbor in Park Slope said:
“Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn is really gorgeous and has great views of Manhattan.”
Your neighbor in Sunset Park said:
“There's a lot of hidden speakeasies and spots for adults that most people don’t find, but you have to just have connections to find them.”
Your neighbor in Allerton said:
“The best restaurants in New York City is the places that's not in the city.”
Your neighbor in City Island said:
“Paesano’s in Little Italy is 100% hands down my favorite.”
Your neighbor in Jamaica said:
“If you want to go back in time, stay on the 6 train past Brooklyn Bridge City Hall station.”
Your neighbor in Flatiron said:
“In New York, when you really need help from somebody, they will offer it, no strings attached.”
Your neighbor in Yorkville said:
“You have to keep moving. Don't stop in the middle of the street or in the middle of the sidewalk.”
Your neighbor in Bowery said:
“You can see the whole New York City from the 100th floor of The Edge."
Responses are anonymized and lightly edited for clarity.
Voices of NYC is an independent effort organized by Outset to understand what living in or visiting New York City feels like at this very moment.
SURVEY DISCLAIMER: All participants who have participated in the survey about perceptions of New York City are between 18 to 65 years of age and have explicitly agreed to have their answers recorded and shared for marketing purposes anonymously. Participants may exit the survey at any time or email marketing@outset.ai to remove their response.