The exodus of Americans from New York State to elsewhere in America is one of the great migrations in our nation's history. In the past decade, 1,686,583 New Yorkers have left the Empire State, according to CNNMoney.com; the Manhattan Institute reported that "From 2000 to 2008, in both absolute and relative terms, New York experienced the nation's largest loss of residents to other states -- a net domestic migration outflow of over 1.5 million." The Manhattan Institute's report prompted an editorial in the Wall Street Journal. It was followed by a study by two economics professors showing that New York ranked last among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in a ranking of happiness.

In the "laboratory of the states," New York is a failing experiment.

Knowing about the numbers of those leaving is useful, but it falls short of the full story. Some individuals who have departed are known; Mallory Factor left for South Carolina, and Thomas Golisano and Rush Limbaugh moved to Florida. A Yahoo! group of "Brooklynites who have recently moved to various parts of New Jersey" has more than 200 members.

Statistics are one thing; names, faces, and individual stories are another. This Web site is designed to let those who have left explain why they did, in the hope that hearing why may affect for the better the actions of those who are still here. If you are among those who used to live in New York and now live somewhere else, please add your story below.