My first summer in New York City as an international student was like nothing I had ever experienced. The city was hot. A melting pot. The unbearable humidity and heat from the sidewalk mixed with the sweat from the artists on the streets showcasing their talents. There was no escape, and it was awesome. When night fell, the bars and sidewalks morphed into a different hue and everyone celebrated the respite from the day. The city was a 24-hour rush of adrenaline.
This summer is different.
It’s been four grueling months since the tsunami of Covid 19 arrived on the banks of the Hudson River and sent New Yorkers running for the hills and suburbs. The restaurants and bars closed. Jazz went away. Enough time has passed and now we can see where everyone went.
“The 1%” – Traditionally, for this exclusive group of New Yorkers, summer was a time when they left the city to escape the dog days of summer. They fled to their Hamptons retreat and/or Europe. This year is slightly different because Europe is off the grid leaving The Hamptons jam packed with owners who have made full time use of their safe havens. Others who didn’t own in The Hamptons flew the coup to their Miami home, or ventured out west to their ski lodges. This is where they still are and will probably remain until the storm passes next Spring. They are (as expected) the least adversely affected group when it comes to their summer plans.
“The tweeners” – The upper middle class who don’t own a second home have traditionally escaped to weekly beach vacation rentals or packed bags to go on a global destination adventure. These vacation rentals are now off the table because the homeowner is staying in the home they might have rented. International travel is off the table. A large amount of these people have felt the loss of not having bought that second home when they had the opportunity. If they were in a rental, they have now abandoned their apartments and have moved to the suburbs. With the low interest rate environment, the suburban market is stronger than it has ever been. Houses are selling in bidding wars in record time and inventory is becoming limited. If these people own a home in the city, they are renting it out or listing it for sale. If they can’t find a home in the suburbs to buy, they are renting one at premium prices.
“The true blue” – The largest segment of people. Traditionally in the summer, these New Yorker’s will work and play in the city. They might have taken a large part of the money they saved and used most of their vacation days to take a much-needed trip. For most of the summer these people would bring life to our streets, fill Yankee Stadium, and populate our beautiful parks, This year, some are spending the summer back at their parent’s home or at a friend’s family weekend home, but a large amount of them are staying put because they have no other option.
“The international students” – More than 124,000 international students in New York State are sitting in limbo. They have the threat of being sent back home hanging over their caps and gowns. They are now out of their dorms and mostly renting short-term housing apartments. I am hoping that we embrace these students and do what we can to ensure they stay for the duration. They contribute to a significant part of our culture and society
It will be interesting to see what happens to all of these New Yorkers when the days get shorter and the temperature starts to plunge. Summer destinations might become fall escapes and then winter retreats. One thing is certain though, once this storm passes, New York will draw these people back. Maybe not the exact same ones, but some new ones. As history has shown, new opportunities will arise out of the destruction and the innovators, entrepreneurs and opportunists will flood back in. They always have. I can’t wait for summer 2021 when I will hear jazz played on the streets again.