'Getting nasty looking': Long Islanders bleak about NYC's future

Long Islanders are among the metropolitan area’s most pessimistic about New York City’s future in recovering from the pandemic, according to a survey of private-sector workers — who cited rising crime, conspicuous homelessness, unsafe subways, government incompetence and more.

Ugh, and the commute.

Of all those surveyed — including Manhattanites, those in the outerboroughs, or in New Jersey or Connecticut — Long Islanders and northern suburbanites like those in Westchester reported the least optimism that the city is on the road to recovery: 29% optimistic, with 37% pessimistic and 34% unsure, according to the survey, released Thursday by the Partnership for New York City business group.

That's compared, overall, with 38% optimistic, 28% pessimistic, and 34% unsure.

The most optimistic were Manhattanites: 47% optimistic, 21% pessimistic and 32% unsure.

“Long Islanders are pessimistic about the city’s recovery, more so than city residents, and are more discouraged on the ability of government to deal with the problems of crime, homelessness and the mentally ill,” said Kathy Wylde, the group’s president and chief executive.

The survey, done online between Feb. 17 and March 11, interviewed 9,386 adults who work in the city and live in the metro area.

Long Islanders and northern suburbanites are most likely to say conditions have worsened: 89%, compared with 84% overall, 83% among Manhattanites, 84% among those in New Jersey or Connecticut and 85% for outerborough residents.

Mayor Eric Adams, speaking Friday at an unrelated event in Brooklyn, was asked about the survey's findings and said, “I respect their concerns.”

“Those are the innocent people that we appear to ignore their voices. We allow the numerical minority who are the loudest to determine what everyday New Yorkers want. New Yorkers want a clean, safe subway system, and they want to be able to return to their offices safely," Adams said. "That is who I’m fighting on behalf of.”

John Schneider, of Ronkonkoma, 58, an HVAC operating engineer, says his commute is a hassle, and he’s more concerned about “the bad guys. You gotta really watch your back walking around.”

“It’s getting kinda nasty looking again. And I’ve been working in the city over 30 years, so I’ve seen good and bad,” he said, adding: “Put it this way. I’m gonna retire in four years. And I hope I never happen to come back to the city after that.”

But Nicole Burke, 46, a real estate agent from Uniondale, says she loves the city and thinks it’s going to roar back in phases like the rest of the country.

As for her fellow suburbanites’ pessimism?

“They’re in their own world,” she said. “They’re in their own bubble.”

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.