Second Amendment aside (and agreed, that’s a big thing!) NYS has a lot to offer.
Why am I still here after retirement? Mainly because our children both live and work here and both are vested in the pension system. Staying close to the kids and grandchildren.
Some years ago my niece, who then lived in NYC and now lives in New Jersey, asked me during one of my many visits why I didn't move back to New York. I told her "There's nothing for me here". She replied, "Your whole family is here", to which I replied, "That is not enough".
That includes a twin brother, nieces, a grand-niece and 2 grand- nephews, a daughter and two grandsons. Plus various other relatives. My point being that you don't always make your life decisions dependent on where your family is - some folks do and more power to them. My lifestyle doesn't allow for New York City to be a place to live. Or anywhere upstate for that matter.