A common assumption is that Manhattan is for the tourists. As a resident of Manhattan I have to deal with this tourist nuisance daily as do several million actual island residents - and we're not all rich - I certainly am not - so get that notion out of your head. What you are saying is to me inverted snobbery.
Yes, I could live in the far reaches of Brooklyn - some of it is quite nice, but I think it is more important to spend time with my family than to be on a subway for three hours a day just to get to and from my job. ?
So I'm supposed to get all of my groceries by spending 1 hour there and 1 hour back by going to some grocery in the friggin' Bronx or Brooklyn? when were you here last? The black and latin communities got some secret food scheme going on that we deluded Manhattanites don't know about?
And I'm living in a standard walk-up apartment with no patio or balcony - or jacuzzi or whatever would go with that kind of set up that you might be thinking about - so go chew on a Scotch Bonnet...
I believe they are called sloes, by the way
Used to be a lot of them in Ireland, not so much anymore, probably...
I grew up in the country so nothing you are saying is unreasonable on its face, but just not applicable to the reality of my current circumstances.
Preach all you want but...