For generations, the American dream has been to meet a nice boy or girl, buy a house with a white picket fence, have a couple of kids and maybe even get a dog. For immigrants coming to the United States the dream was similar: to be successful is to get an education, a good job, start a family and own a home. For many immigrants and children of immigrants, especially millennials, the classic American dream seems impossible. Crippling student loan debt, career burnout, stagnant wages, school shootings, corporate greed, political strife, and skyrocketing home prices + interest rates have made home ownership extremely challenging for many. So, what has the Dream become? For me, it’s about *leaving* the US and rediscovering my roots in Jamaica
I’ve always felt uneasy when visiting the suburbs; everything is overly manicured & eerily similar in design. Being born & raised in NYC I’ve grown accustomed to beautiful architecture in both personal homes and our sky scrapers: intricate details, imported materials, and inspiration from the variety of cultures that make New York, New York.
My mother became a homeowner in 2001 and it felt as though she was always stressed about the maintenance costs, taxes, and upgrades needed. I was and have always been staunchly an apartment loving girly- clogged bathtub? Call the maintenance crew. Need a light fixture replaced? Call maintenance. Easy peasy. I’ve also always loved being able to walk around the city and not need a car, or the days when you would get an unlimited metro card that could take you anywhere the MTA travels. To own a home and live in the suburbs means having to drive everywhere and as a true New Yorker, I don’t have a drivers license 🙃🥲😂
Basically, homeownership has never seemed appealing to me. Unfortunately, the cost of living in New York has skyrocketed as realtors and landlords raise rental prices to over $2000/month for a one bedroom. Then factor in the cost of groceries, health insurance, takeout, rental insurance, raising kids, and having enough money leftover to have some fun every now and then. Drinks are $20 😱and as of 2025 our Rights and protections as Americans are being threatened every day.
So when the American dream doesn’t appeal to you, what do you do?
Make an escape plan…
