A WARNING TO FELLOW AMERICANS FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF NEW YORK – AT 9:03 P.M. 

This is what happens when you mess things up too badly:

ALBANY - Escape from New York is not just a movie - it's also a state of mind.

A new Marist College poll shows that 36% of New Yorkers under the age of 30 are planning to leave New York within the next five years - and more than a quarter of all adults are planning to bolt the Empire State.

The New York City suburbs, with their high property values and taxes, are leading the exodus, the poll found.

Of those preparing to leave, 62% cite economic reasons like cost of living, taxes - and a lack of jobs.

"A lot of people are questioning the affordability of the state," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

An additional 38% cite climate, quality of life, overcrowding, a desire to be closer to family, retirement or schools.

The latest census showed New York's overall population actually increased, though parts of upstate shed population and jobs.

A full 53% think the worst is yet to come for the state's economy, while 44% say things should start improving.

COMMENT:  We started to see this trend several decades ago.  The most creative, imaginative people are leaving New York.  These are the entrepreneurs, the dreamers, the risk takers.  They simply can't afford to dream in New York, and New York isn't paying much for dreams these days. 

New York, New York.  If you can make it here, you'll probably still prefer to live somewhere else.

May 15, 2011