This article highlights a reason for the growing appeal of smaller cities throughout areas like the Midwest. You’re seeing the small boutiques and mom and pop’s thriving because these cities are still affordable while offering similar benefits to the original reasons NYC drew swaths of people. It’s sad to see the icons of coastal cities go down the strip mall path, but great to experience a growing livelihood of the once aptly named flyover states.

NYC will find a path forward, with the bumps and bruises associated with change, but whatever happens it’ll continue to be an incredible place.