New York City, typically buzzing with life, adopts a distinct atmosphere in the summer months. Some streets, usually thronged with people, experience an unusual calm. A woman stepping out of a building on West 11th Street noticed this eerie quietness, remarking, “It’s a bit too quiet,” her gaze scanning the unusually empty street. Her fear of being mugged, a lingering trauma from past experiences, made this summer quietness particularly unnerving. She attributed the city’s emptiness to the season, stating, “Well, it is July. Most people are gone,” in a tone that hinted at the absurdity of the idea that eight million people could all be holidaying in the Hamptons simultaneously.
So, where do New Yorkers flee to during the summer? Mike Fabbri, a residential real estate agent, jokes about this mass exodus, “That’s New York real estate, baby!” However, it’s not just about escaping the city’s heat and smell; it’s also about the access New York provides to these getaways. Fabbri highlights this, saying, “Within a few hours, you can be hiking in the Catskills, sitting on a beach in the Hamptons, antiquing in Connecticut, sailing in Maine, golfing in New Jersey, skiing in Vermont, or boarding a direct flight to almost anywhere on the planet.” New York, indeed, serves as a gateway to the world, making the city a perfect base for those with an adventurous spirit.
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For some, summer in New York is a nightmare – hot, sticky, and filled with unpleasant smells and irritable people. The subways become unbearable, and tempers flare. Yet, for others, it’s a delight. They enjoy the ease of walking into restaurants without reservations, strolling hand in hand on nearly empty streets, and the camaraderie among those who choose to stay. Fabbri, despite being able to argue both sides, appreciates the city even more after leaving it. He shares a story of a buyer who considered the ease of escape from each prospective apartment, highlighting how important an apartment’s proximity to transportation hubs can be in influencing buying decisions.
Even die-hard New Yorkers sometimes dream of getting away, of a farmhouse where their dogs can run free or a cabin on a lake. The city’s overwhelming nature, with its ongoing construction, traffic, and smells, can be too much to handle at times. However, there’s a difference between visiting and returning. As Fabbri puts it, “When the skyscrapers, bridges, bright lights and endless hum of activity are yours, they start to feel like a porch light left on for you.” This feeling, that first glimpse of the skyline after being away, is what makes New Yorkers return, time and time again.
