I agree they're important, but look at all the cons?
Besides, does one NEED so many restaurants to be able to be happy? I'd submit the happiness one would get from living OUTSIDE of NY would far outweigh the happiness you'd lose by not having 101 restaurants to choose from.
Listen, I would love to move from ny. The 2 things that are keeping me here are 1 Work 2 Family(namely my wife) Dont need 57 schools , but a choice of more than 2 or 3 is nice. As well as all the kosher conveniences.
I've got my choice of pizza shops, a great bagel shop, and several mediocre fleishig places.
But that's besides the point, my wife is an insane cook and eating out more wouldn't make me happier, just fatter and poorer.
Not that it's not fun to travel and eat out, but I'm even happier eating a home-cooked meal (last night we came back and Mimi whipped up Beef Bourguignon with kliskies and Chocolate cookies stuffed with Oreos and Peanut Butter).
Yes, only 3 schools to choose from. A tragedy.