The real issue is that in a tri-state area and public school system so vast, a great disparity in schools will result. The key is to access accurate and objective information that will guide you to those districts and the schools within those districts that are high quality. And yes, as native New Yorkers who have lived in the city for decades, and are choosing to raise our own families here, we can reassure you that we have always felts acceptably safe and secure. The key to living in any metropolis is street smarts. Use your common sense and good judgement about what feels safe to you at a given moment, in a particular place, at a certain time of day.
Some people say it's lunacy.
Because NYC is a walking city and because it has a world class subway, bus and taxi system that connects every neighborhood and borough, there is very little need for a car. And with our traffic problems, you will get places much faster underground. A cheaper, less stressful solution for many New Yorkers is to rent cars whenever needed. Rental car companies have locations throughout the city. New Yorkers who have to leave the city regularly are the only ones who might find having a car is a necessary evil.