5 NEW Reasons to Move to NYC Since COVID-19
“Everyone’s moving away from NYC!” I hear that. Scratch that; I see that narrative all over. The nations’ urban centers are hurting right now on so many fronts: COVID dangers; shut down businesses; crime; societal unrest. All these strangle the life of the city.
1. COVID Conditions
NYC has about 20,000 COVID related deaths to date, taking a 10% bite out of the nation’s numbers.[1] This is not a reason to leave, but a reason to come and make disciples.“When the going gets tough, the tough finally begin to think about their mortality.” That’s how it goes, right? Fear of disease actually spikes a population’s interest in spiritual things. A fellow Pastor shared with me recently about a young lady whose concern about disease caused her to read about the diseases described in Revelation and trust in the Gospel of Christ because of COVID conditions.
Young people who were invincible in their own minds just 8 months ago are now concerned about life and eternity. What better time to be in a city that is packed with people of all ages in order to connect with individuals and point them to the joyful eternal life that is knowing God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
2. Work from Anywhere
Office life is changing, and that change is becoming more permanent than originally planned. So many businesses are shifting from office space to work from home organization. So, if you can live anywhere, why NYC? Again, I take this argument and turn it on its head. If you can work from anywhere, why not move to where people are hurting the most?Believe me, I feel the argument. “I can work from my living room now! I don’t have to endure the commute. I can move to where no one is surrounding for miles.” A part of my heart wants to move to 50 acres of woodland, with a creek flowing through, build my own cabin, raise my family and say, “Who cares about everyone else!” But that’s a very selfish part of me. Perhaps I’ll get that back 50 in the kingdom. For now, I need to go where the people are.
I’m called to make disciples of the nations. I need to go to the places where the nations are, and especially where people are hurting. What about you? Since you are able to move and work anywhere, why not in the urban centers of the world? Especially now that you can take your office anywhere.
3. Rise in Crime
NY Times reports that NYC shootings doubled in August, and murder is up by 50%.[2] July saw a similar spike. With necessary reforms to criminal justice system taking in effect this year, there has been an overreach, so that prosecutions short of murder are hard to come by.[3] Again, that’s no reason to leave, but a reason to come (stay).This is a no-brainer. As a society gets further and further from the light of the Gospel, the preserving influence of Christ-like living will be less, and lawlessness will rise. And yet, the lights that remain shine even brighter! We should expect a society that moves further from objective truth to resort to more violence.
The solution is not to leave, but to come. Paul commands young Timothy, “Remain on at Ephesus.” Remember C.T. Studd’s great commitment: “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop, within a yard of hell.”[4]
4. Lowering Cost of Rent
We are seeing just the beginning of this effect, but prices will continue to domino down over the next few months. Already numbers are going down. So many rentals are flooding the market that landlords are beginning to ask less.
See this Realtor.com shot near our office that shows the huge number of properties available. Notice the green arrows pointed down. [5]This is just the beginning of a fall in rental prices. I can’t afford rent in the city! Maybe not. But it may be more affordable soon than it has been in the past.
As this dynamic grows, big money will leave the city and these spots will be filled with people from all over the world needing to hear the Gospel. Take a spot near them and share the Good News!
As this dynamic grows, big money will leave the city and these spots will be filled with people from all over the world needing to hear the Gospel. Take a spot near them and share the Good News!
5. Desperateness / Homelessness / Hopelessness
As you know, people are hurting all over. A rise in homelessness, hopelessness, desperation is a reason to shine, not to burry your light.Everyone needs you, where you are, to bring the light of the hope of Jesus. The Gospel of Jesus is the hope for the nations. Our hope is not another political battle. It is not fixing the educational system. It is not a new miracle drug. Our hope is in Christ. Jesus Christ and the New Life, the content life, the eternal life, that comes from Him is the experience that is so necessary today. In Christ, we can offer the joy of living for the Glory of God which is the reason higher than ourselves that people seek.
The cities are filled with people who are going through a hard time. But not just cities, everywhere.
And so, a Christian who is hopeful, in Christ, when others are hopeless –
A Christian who is full of faith in Christ, when others are desperate –
A Christian who is joyful in Christ, when others are despondent –
will be different.
He or she will be salt and light even without saying a word. So, come and make disciples. Hey, I know a great local church that is striving to make disciples here in Queens. Join us and take part in the Great Commission. Now is a great time!
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/nyregion/new-york-city-coronavirus-cases.html
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/nyregion/nyc-shootings-murders.html
[3] https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-arrested-119-times-back-on-streets-of-new-york-city/2295425/
[4] This is a pet-peeve I have with “Western Christian Denominations” over the past 50 years. Let’s not mimic the errors of past generations discipleship practices. Historically (at least in my short life), discipleship work has gone where the money is. “Oh, money moved to the suburbs, let’s plant churches there (1980-90’s)” Then… “Money is moving back to the cities, let’s plant churches there (2000-2020’s).” Shameful! Make disciples where people are needy, and let God pay the bills. Having said that, reason number 3 does lead to reason number 4.
[5] Screenshot From the app – Realtor.com of Forest Hills area.
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