More from the article ...

... As voters across the country express frustration with the political establishment, congressional hopefuls are seeing a prime opportunity to tap into a movement with the potential to manifest a handful of upsets in New York's primary elections.

The dynamic is playing out in intraparty electoral brawls across the state, where the outcomes will shape the political future for Democrats and Republicans alike.

In upper Manhattan and the Bronx, Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat is trying to fend off a stiff challenge from community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, who's running with the backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani -- a democratic socialist who channeled populist fervor in his successful bid last year.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Rep. Nydia Velazquez's preferred successor, is squaring off against first-term Assemblymember Claire Valdez, another hopeful backed by Mamdani. Like the mayor, both Valdez and Avila Chevalier are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

And in the upstate New York fight to replace GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, Republican Assemblymember Robert Smullen -- running with the backing of the state party -- is locked in a caustic battle with Anthony Constantino, President Donald Trump's endorsed candidate. ...

@#2 ... That rent is still too damn high! ...

At one point in my career, a three or four decades ago, I was offered a quite lucrative job in Manhattan.

I told the recruiter that I did not want to spend three hours a day sitting on trains, commuting.

The recruiter told me to find some landlord who would offer me an apartment with a bed, a refrigerator with microwave, and a bathroom for a low monthly rental, and that I should spend my weeknights there (the agent called it an aerie apartment). And not commute to my home in CT during the week.

Needless to say, I did not accept that job, which would have doubled my salary.

@#6 ... After grad school I had two solid job prospects. One in San Diego, one in NYC.

They paid the same, so as a practical matter the one in San Diego paid twice as much. ...

For me, the decision I faced was less monetary and more physical toll.

There is no way I would want to commute three hours a day to go to work.

For high school, I commuted an hour and a half each way, leaving my house at 7AM and getting home at 5PM.

Yes, my high school was an hour and a half away from my house.

There was No Way I would want to duplicate that commute back then with the job offer in Manhattan.

I stayed in CT, and a year or so later landed a new job with a great company.